How Do You Select The Pens You Buy?

[PAKMAN]

Sadly too often it is "OOH Pretty!"

[Cordovian]

Oh, shiny.

Yeah, pretty much this...

[wctang]

1. Sort through various stores, including ebay and custom pen makers.

2. Filter by my price point.

3. Remove anything I don't think is attractive.

4. Pick one based on nib preference.

 

Sometimes I'll ignore step 4 and pick solely based on price and looks though, since I can always send a nib to a nibmeister, or buy replacements.

[PabloAU]

What jar said. There is no science in my process. It takes my heart, then it takes the contents of my wallet. (Just like my girlfriend )

[Icywolfe]

If it's a Pilot, I want it.

 

I try to get 1 of each pen model and one of each special nib.

[Lou Erickson]

I was going to do what Icywolfe does, but decided to let him do that, so I could be distracted by vintage stuff.

[VivienR]

First of all, the appearance is really matter for me, like the overall look and the color of the pen. Also price kinds of matter too, but usually id I really want something sooner or later I get it. Being a Parker fan makes my things even easier, at least till, my Parker wish list holds some items, then can come the others.

[SujiCorp12345]

Sadly too often it is "OOH Pretty!"

This, and I check out reviews here.

[Art]

Lots of interesting reasons here. I'm personally with the "the pen called out to me" group.

[jmeldorf]

First is color: earth tones for me; no black, silver, pinks, etc. (ok, so I picked up a 149 about 30 years ago, when I thought prestige was important).

Second is nib (fine or flex).

Third is must have a tank or converter; no cartridges for me (except, of course, my Kaweco Classic Sport).

That's it

[Runnin_Ute]

My first two pens were a Lamy Al Star followed by a Waterman Phileas with a fine nib. (red marbled) I used those pens for the better part of 15 years. (late1990's to December 2012). My next purchase? A black/gold Phileas with a medium. Why? Combination of good price (<$50 shipped brand new in box), previous experience with the pen and a good place to start. Since then?

 

Budget is always a primary consideration

recommendations, reviews are always a good place to start.

it has to be something I like the look of.

[elenita]

Interesting question.

 

First, I get the urge to try something new.

 

Second, I try to pinpoint what that new thing should be. (Stub nib? Japanese extra-fine nib? A differently-shaped body? Different filling system?) If I can't articulate something specific, I try changing inks first. Sadly, I have a bad habit of mixing up "I am bored with what I'm currently using" and "I want something new." However, I often find that just changing things around—and returning to pens I haven't used in a while—can satisfy the above-mentioned urge.

 

Assuming I do really want something new, I search FPN and other sites to find some way to get what I want cheaply. For example, when I decided to try stubs, it didn't take long to realize that I could swap nibs on my Lamy Safari. I place the inexpensive item in my basket.

 

Then I wait a couple of weeks. Most of the time, I still want the thing—and so I buy it. If I'm apathetic, I remove it and put it on a list to revisit later.

 

If there isn't a fairly inexpensive way, then I read lots of reviews and check out lots of options. If I don't have the money for it, I start saving. If I have enough money, I still make myself wait. I've talked myself out of lots of pens this way, and I actually consider it to be a good thing.

 

The thing about me is that I don't read reviews here until I'm considering something specific. Otherwise, I'm sure I'd be tempted to buy a lot more.

[sirgilbert357]

Reading through all of the responses back to back, a common theme presents itself: looks. It seems the majority of us are drawn in by the attractiveness of the pen and then, either that alone is enough to seal the deal, or we filter down through a list of other criteria. I'm not really surprised that looks play such a big role -- who *wants* to write with an ugly pen?! Not many.

 

I guess I'm the same: I tend to "cast my net" based on looks, but all the other criteria decides if the pen gets purchased. I guess I may end up with pens that aren't necessarily the best looking out of the original group, but it was the best fit overall for my criteria.

 

One thing I found interesting were the couple of you who just buy the pen without regard to the nib. I'm not yet to that point where I will abandon consideration of the nib specs and automatically send it off to a nibmeister if need be. I think the nib is next in line after looks for importance. What do people do with the nibs they don't use? And what's it cost for a custom nib grind -- or a whole new nib?

[JayLo]

Originally it was looks & design and then price. After experiencing various manufacturers, there are a few makers I will always avoid and few I will always gravitate towards. Same with sellers.

Enjoy!

[Helen350]

First it is what my monthly (Social Security) budget will allow me. I had to settle within myself that I will not be able to afford that MB 149, or the Visconti Homo Sapiens, or the Montegrappa La Traviata Limited Edition, or the Sailor King of Pen. I had to discover pens within my budget - & learn what is the best in that price group. I would be bankrupt if I bought every pen that called out to me, for at this moment a Delta Dolce Vita Mid-Size is whispering in my ears.

 

Second, much research, reading FPN reviews, pen sellers website reviews, watching sbrebrown & The Pen Habit

 

Third, go to Ebay, Goulet Pens, Anderson Pens, ISellPens, XFountainpens, & Amazon so that I can see pictures of the pen and/or ink in question for the current price.

 

Then I wrestle within myself for several days. Color, pen weight, pen length, will it cap, swapping nibs (currently loving the 1.1. stubs) & do I really need another pen????????

 

Finally, I place the order. When that pens arrives, I am ECSTATIC If the nib needs smoothing, I've got the proper micromesh; and if the nib needs being made more wet, sbrebrown has taught that as well. No wonder my head is swimming when it is all over!

[siopaopei]

I personally have a few considerations:

 

1. Is it within budget?

2. Have I bought other pens this month?

3. Is it a Parker? (I'm currently building my Parker collection)

4. If not, is it on my wishlist?

5. Do I like the overall look?

6. If not, do I like the material it's made from? (checks reviews online)

7. Check writing samples online

 

That's pretty much my thought process when buying a fountain pen.

Edited October 24, 2014 by siopaopei

[Helen350]

I personally have a few considerations:

 

1. Is it within budget?

2. Have I bought other pens this month?

3. Is it a Parker? (I'm currently building my Parker collection)

4. If not, is it on my wishlist?

5. Do I like the overall look?

6. If not, do I like the material it's made from? (checks reviews online)

7. Check writing samples online

 

That's pretty much my thought process when buying a fountain pen.

That was a nice looking Esterbrook picture I saw just a moment ago!!!

Edited October 24, 2014 by Helen350

[siopaopei]

That was a nice looking Esterbrook picture I saw just a moment ago!!!

 

Hi Helen, yes I just bought that last weekend. I don't always follow my 2-3 pen per month policy. haha.

Edited October 24, 2014 by siopaopei

[Ambien]

I set up a dart board and I post pictures of the FPs I'm interested from my wishlist. Then I play a few games.

Edited October 24, 2014 by Csrae

[sirgilbert357]

I set up a dart board and I post pictures of the FPs I'm interested from my wishlist. Then I play a few games.

LOL, Nice!! Guess that way it's always random which pen you end up with, and therefore, a bit more exciting! (Unless you're quite good at darts)