Hi Frank,

I had a fountain pen with a lever+bladder filling action a long time ago but I think the bladder failed and it probably got thrown out since it was a cheap thing. Modern pen filler designs do a much better job I reckon.

Yes to the nib wear-in issue. I was taught never to share a fountain pen for that very reason, even though it seems churlish.

I have no idea what a duplex check is. Cheques (as we Brits call them) are largely obsolete here now. Is it something to do with making a carbon copy (something many will probably not be acquainted with these days)? I assume that the issue is that a fountain pen can't apply enough pressure compared to a ballpoint. That is certainly the case.

Thanks for your comments.