Quote:
Originally Posted by Ouisch  This happens to be one of my pet peeves... My husband always says "ink pen," instead of just "pen" (a pen, by definition, uses ink). Terms like "click pen" are regional slang. If you're going to be specific and say anything other than simply "pen," then the proper terms are either ball-point pen or fountain pen. A ball-point has a self-contained ink supply and a particuar type of rolling tip, while a typical fountain pen has a "nib" and must be dipped into an ink supply. |
I do my best to avoid adding controversial posts, however I cannot let this one pass.
As a calligrapher, I must strongly disagree with the comment by susiedqq who stated that "pens are just pens." They are, most assuredly, not so simply defined.
This said, the question here derives from the initial post: "Fountain pen or ink pen." To me, these would be the same thing -- in that
neither would suggest to me a ball-point pen, a felt pen, a roller ball or something other than a pen which used infused or dipped ink.
My mother is not a calligrapher, and even she would not think of an "ink pen" or a "fountain pen" as something other than a free-flowing nib. She is very specific with regard pens, asking for a ball-point or something else, depending on her desires and needs.
I do agree that a pen by definition uses ink -- and as such is clearly different from pencil, chalk, crayon or another tool for writing/drawing.
So, fountain pen is to my thinking very specific.
Ink pen is redundant. All pens use ink.
Some modern "fountain" pens do have cartridges. I do use them -- if I'm travelling, or in a pinch. Otherwise, I use (for calligraphy) a "dip" pen. This uses free flowing ink, is dipped into a pot, and has nothing resembling the reservoir a common "fountain pen" would have.
Methinks this thread will have so many differing opinions that one might be wise to desist!
