Where do ideas come from? I’ve always been fascinated by this question. That lightning strike, those light bulb moments. Impossible to predict, almost always untraceable.

I’ve forgotten more great ideas than I can count, mostly because I think I’ll remember them later on. Lately I’ve taken to carrying a small notebook and a pen with me everywhere I go – a resolution to never let a good idea get away from me again. Recording it on paper saves it for posterity, while the physical act of writing it down commits it to memory.

The recording of an idea is an intentional act. I have to stop whatever else I’m doing, pull out my notebook and pen, and write. I wanted to make a pen that reflected the weight and importance of that intention – one whose writing experience could mirror, or better yet complement, the natural flow of thoughts and ideas from brain to page. A pen that spoke to the meditative qualities of intentional writing, and most importantly, one that was extremely enjoyable to use.

Life is filled with many rituals that go unnoticed. Maybe it’s your morning coffee preparation, suiting up for the big game, or getting the shop ready for a day of work. These small rituals prepare us for the task at hand and tells both brain and body we’re about to do this thing!

Like the original 3-piece Alpha Pen, the Bamboo Fountain pen delivers a certain amount of ceremony in uncapping the pen and preparing it for writing. It’s an act that requires thought and intent. It’s a ritual that prepares you to make something awesome happen on a blank sheet of paper.

A fountain pen also allows your specific personality to shine through as the line weight changes...a satisfying departure from the uninspired ball point. Ink from a fountain pen flows effortlessly onto the paper, and so do your ideas. Shakespeare didn’t write with a ball point you know. ;) I find any creative process benefits from being a little more in touch with history.

1. Nibs are mass produced, but a nib is a precision instrument in itself. It's somewhat common (for ALL fountain pens) that the nib does not perform perfectly out of the box. It's also common for nib to get knocked out of alignment during use. Thus, as a fountain pen owner, you'll need some basic nib tuning skills.
2. Misaligned Tines: Finer nibs are inherently more "scratchy" than broader nibs. They are also more delicate. Typically scratchiness is due to the most common nib problem: misaligned tines. Please see the videos tab for resources. This is the most common issue and one of the easiest to fix.
3. Hard Starting: This describes ink that won't flow easily after the pen sits for a while. This can be caused by a number of different things. Please see the videos tab for resources.
4. Writing Technique: A fountain pen must be held at a specific angle relative to the page to work properly, your technique may require some work. Please see the videos tab for resources
5. Nib Tuning & Custom Grinds: If you are interested in the ultimate writing experience I suggest sending out your nib to have it custom tuned by a professional. Yes, this is a "thing." I recommend Mark Bacas over at www.nibgrinder.com . He's a friend of the shop and one of the best in the business. Mark can tune up a standard nib for writing perfection. He will grind it if needed, and he can perform modifications like italic grinds and the like.