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Writing instruments were invented a long time ago. One of them that have survived to this day and have retained their relevance is a fountain pen.

The very first fountain pens were made in a simple way - by sharpening an ordinary goose feather. Having undergone significant changes, the pen, nevertheless, still retained its original inclinations, remaining still a "fountain pen". It's just that the pen has become more durable, metal, and the body has acquired a stylish and neat shape. Fountain pens are easy to use and store.

An expensive fountain pen of famous brands of calligraphy has become a fashion item that can emphasize the respectable status of its owner. Fountain pens are ideal as a gift that you are not ashamed to present to the most influential persons, the powerful of this world.

What fountain pens are made of
In the early 19th century, the first steel nib fountain pen was patented. A couple of decades later, gold-tipped pens, which were produced from 14-carat gold, came into fashion.

Since the invention of ultra-strong platinum alloys - osmium, iridium, rhodium, nibs have become super wear-resistant. Their service life has increased many times over, in connection with which the famous expression "eternal feather" appeared in everyday life.

For the manufacture of the body of fountain pens, ebonite was first used. As new materials were mastered and introduced into production, it became celluloid, and later they began to make it from acrylate rubbers and plastics. Each successive generation of fountain pens acquired more and more positive qualities, becoming less fragile, more durable, resistant to daily mechanical tests, and fireproof.

Today, rare ebonite and celluloid fountain pens can be found in private collections or in collection series.

Varieties of categories
Despite its long history, fountain pens are no less popular than their younger counterparts - liners , markers, rollerballs , etc.

For the purpose of classification, they can be divided into three categories:

Expensive exclusive - consists of executive-class fountain pens, often including single, collectible handmade items. The brand of writing equipment like sketching pads usually has a worldwide reputation and international fame. The nibs are made of gold, the tip is reinforced with iridium tips. The case can be inlaid with precious metals or stones. The cost of an accessory of this kind is quite high and can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The middle price category has high-strength nibs made of titanium, brass, bronze. Refractory iridium nibs and a shock-resistant steel body contribute to the durability of the pens. The design is modest, without inlays, and the price rarely reaches a thousand dollars.

The budget fountain pen category is for everyday use. Often, their stamped steel nibs lack any reinforcing attachments. The case is simple, traditionally made of plastic. Its design is stingy and laconic, but the price of such a fountain pen is available to everyone, including schoolchildren and students.

Pen decoration
Fountain pens are also distinguished by the degree of nib closure. Its classic type has a completely open surface on which an image can be engraved.

Semi-closed feathers differ from the classic ones only visually - they look half out of the body. This kind of design allows the manufacturer to use nibs one size smaller than the classic pen type. For the sake of economy, this property is used in the production of nibs from precious metals.

Closed type fountain pens have certain advantages over the first two. Their nib is practically hidden from view, only its nib is visible from the outside. It is generally accepted that this design allows you to achieve perfect smoothness in writing, and, moreover, allows you to hold the pen with the cap removed for much longer than usual. Closed fountain pen ink is used more efficiently and dries more slowly.