Set Nib

What Giving Fountain Pens as a Gift Really Means

If you are looking to make an impression through a gift, there is no shortage of options in the shops and department stores that litter every town and city. However, no gift makes an impression more so than one of style, sophistication and reminiscent of the cultured society of the past. While there is a vast variety of unusual gifts for men and women, amongst the most commonly appreciated are writing artifacts, not just because of their design and worth, but because of what they communicate.

The fact is that such items reflect well on both the giver of the gift and the recipient. While modern, ball-point pens are impressive in their own right, with silver, gold and stainless steel finishes, and with some even wrapped in skins as exotic as snake, the pens of yesteryear suggest the kind of polished civility that is missing from the world of today.

Fountain pens, in particular, represent the worldly and the learned. They require a technique in their use that is both skillful and masterly, and are themselves designed to smoothly run across the page. Such a gift suggests that the giver’s impression of the recipient is that of a person of maturity, a learned and solid being of the world. And as far as the recipient is concerned, the person from whom he received such a striking gift has shown care and consideration in their choice, something only those with true taste can display.

Add to that the accessories that can complete a writing set, and the image grows. Such items are ink blotters, writing desks, ink wells and ink sets, quills for the antique effect and portable writing boxes. The list of writing artifacts that can be added to the pen is long, each one with a specific worth beyond the figure written on its tag.

In both cases, there is an array of options that any buyer can peruse before actually making a purchase. Any stationary store will have a wealth of pens for sale at a variety of prices, and while this may be sufficient for most people, a more discerning purchaser will seek out something extra special.

Often, it comes right down to the nib – literally – as pens can come in either ball-point, rollerball and fountain nib designs. Preferences are also decided on the barrel of the pen, which can vary in thickness and shape, or the pen’s weight in the hand, with some of the heavier models preferred for their seamless movement.

When it comes to fountain pens prices can run into thousands of pounds, with caps made of solid sterling silver and nibs that are as intricately engraved as they are engineered. Nibs can be made of 14k sold gold, steel or plated in chrome, and can be broad or fine in width. Barrels come in a variety of metals, carbon fibre and even wood.

Of course, writing boxes add a truly authentic feeling of old-world and the timeless sophistication that it imbues. These items contain everything needed to store pens, ink, paper and envelopes, all neatly organised in a box that is available in a variety of types of wood. These boxes are specifically designed to reflect the elegance of the Victorian age, with special contents including a range of pen nibs with reservoirs, and paper of the highest quality. Inks are available in a selection of colours, with wooden blotters often sporting brass knobs and finishes.

Designs can range in size quite dramatically, but the most impressive is probably the campaign lap desk, a portable box which, when its lid is lifted and unfurled, becomes a writing desk that sits comfortably on the lap of its user. Quality paper, ink wells and, of course, pens that suit such a classic design, are all packed inside to provide the refined writer with everything that he needs.

It may be true that to give such items is unusual, but unusual gifts for men – and of course for women – say a lot. Whereas the more traditional types of gift can be appreciated, the unusual, such as the sort of beautiful fountain pens and writing boxes discussed here, is treasured as a reminder of shared respect and gratitude.

About the Author

Kathryn Dawson writes articles for Mappamundi, the best kept secret of gift stores in the UK. Many do not know what to get when it comes to buying gifts for men, they would probably have been given shirts, razors, CDs and all the usuals, but Mappamundi has some really unusual gifts for men, and women and kids as well. With such an extensive inventory you are sure to find something that suits, from fountain pens, writing boxes, to maps and home gifts, and many more.

LonelyMailbox’s Set Up Video (Feat. Nib the Bird)

Paula Deen 2-Quart Enamel on Steel Teakettles I have always said the heart of the home is in the kitchen. No kitchen would be complete without a teakettle. You can spend hours upon hours with a good cup of tea and a cherished friend….

Grillex US-10 Indoor Brazilian Portable Barbecue Grill $55.00     It’s not just a grill, its Grillex!   The Brazilian barbecue phenomenon has exploded but so far its been limited to a restaurant experience. Grillex brings that same delicious taste into everyone?s kitchen. Whether entertaining a group of friends or just spending some quality time with the family, the versatility of Grillex offers plenty of options for every household. It?s simp…

Set Of 2 Contemporary Style Cappuccino Finish Wood Dining Chairs $65.65 2 Contemporary Style Cappuccino Finish Wood Dining Chairs This is a set of 2 contemporary style dining chairs. The side chairs are crafted from solid hardwoods in rich cappuccino finish. Matching dining chairs are feature strong durable micro fiber seat in a deep mocha color. These chairs will add a superlative look to your dining room. Stylish, beautiful and perfect for any contemporary style hom…

Nibs & Nabs [Vinyl] $12.21 2 LP set. Debut album from South London’s Slick Sixty combines the band’s early singles and b-sides for an electro-jazz, bigbeat, breakbeat, old school extravaganza. Think Screamadelica-era Primal Scream mixed with lazy, laid-back hip-hop beats and smooth seventies funk on top of early nineties psychedelia and you’ll be honing in on what this sounds like. Trumpets, organs and fuzzed out keyboards …

SE 28 pc. Wood burning Set $12.95 Hot carving more artistic than using a router, and much less work than carving with chisels: woodburning is back. Expand your skills with your woodburnign pen by adding a set of nibs for the pen that include a hot plastic and foam cutter, (10) soldering tips, (15) varied woodburning nibs in assorted shapes and points, and both number and alphabet stencils. Woodburning pen not included. Tips only….

Olympic Flame Costume Decoration Battery Torch $14.41 Perfect substitute for a an open flame in bars and dens, and a great decoration piece to celebrate the Olympics! The technology is perfectly simple – But showing it is next to impossible because you have to see the motion and vibrancy to get the whole effect. Essentially it is an elegant arrangement of a silk fabric, powered by high-intensity Quartz Halogen lights and a high speed fan to make the…

Mibro 416371 8-Inch Stacking Dado Blade Set $34.63 The Mibro 416371 8-inch stacking dado blade set includes 5 shims for precision work and micrograin carbide tipped blades for longevity and precision. It cuts smooth dados (grooves) from 1/8-inch to 3/16-inch. It comes in a beautiful wooden storage box protects your blades….

Missing in Action 2: The Beginning/Braddock: Missing in Action III $7.19 Chuck Norris returns as Army officer Jim Braddock in an action-packed double bill. First, follow Braddock and his crew’s ordeal in a Viet Cong P.O.W. camp. A daring escape through the jungle is their only chance for freedom, but who will survive? With Soon-Teck Oh, Steven Williams. Next, the first time was for himself. The second time was for his country. This time, Chuck Norris returns to Vietnam…

Danger Mouse – The Complete Seasons 3 & 4 $1.42 More mind-boggling mysteries are foisted upon the famous odd couple of espionage, Danger Mouse and his bumbling assistant, Penfold. Seasons 3 & 4 (fall 1982 through spring 1983) continue to exploit the razor-sharp wit of Britain’s Cosgrove/Hall Production cartoon of the world’s smallest superhero. The two-disc set contains 14 episodes shown in their UK format as five four-minute installments (each…

Danger Mouse – Complete Seasons 1-6 $44.95 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….