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Is It Just Me?


Hector67

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Hey everyone. After reading hundreds of posts and topics, I can see there are some serious (and serial) collectors. Some are seasoned and some are new, but the thing they all have in common is the itch to constantly get new (and used) pens.

 

For me is just getting pens I trully like and want. For this reason I have only ten pens in my collection (if it can be called that). My craving has slown down since I got my last pen (JFK special edition FP) and for some reason I have found myself wandering around the forum and the brands pages with little that catches my eyes. I have come to think on probably saving and just buy one or two really rare or limited edition pens I kind of like.

 

I guess the question is: What do you prefer... 12 1k pens Vs. one or two 6k to 12k pen a year?

 

It might be that I dont have a collectors blood in me.

 

Cheers,

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Héctor:

 

More than one of anything is a collection.

 

Saludos de Tampico,

Gilberto Castañeda

 

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If I had 12k to spend on pens I would probably buy two 6k pens.

 

It's the quality, not the quantity to me.

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For me it is sometimes impulse based on the initial attraction to the pen. But my maximum spend on a MB FP has average about $3,500 x who knows how many I have. Pen buying is a very personal thing that is developed over time. In other words, what you think you like to buy today will evolve over time. Best suggestion I have to offer is to stick to a single genre first (example - collect all the WEs) and expand to PoAs and Character pens. Don't spread yourself and dollars too thin when you start to pick up Visconti, Cartier, Dupont, etc. Get the idea? :)

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Although I collect vintage pens, I do understand "the itch". For me, it comes down to finding 1-2 brands whose pens I really enjoy writing with (Soennecken & Montblanc) and then chasing the pens from these brands that I know I want or taking a chance on a pen I'd never considered. (e.g., someone offers a pen in trade) So from my perspective I'd prefer fewer pens but also (and more importantly) the knowledge that when opportunity knocks, I have the funds to respond.

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I agree with JLS1 too. Keep an open mind and watch for the special pen you may like.

 

When Hector67 mentioned about the JFK pen, it reminds me of the JFK cufflinks I picked up at the same time with the FP. Part of this pen collecting addiction evolved into cufflinks collecting which in my case has been any WE/PoA/Character related plus a few of the other nicer MB cufflinks. Just a friendly note of caution to expect the unexpected.

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I am in the same boat as you. At the beginning of this year, I was like a binge-buying buffoon buying everything I liked. It was on the premise of having multiple cheaper pens instead of a few really expensive ones. But I soon found myself staring at 6+ pens that all looked the same. I realized it was worth getting one for the price of three if it stood out and was different. I just recently spent the most I ever have on a pen so far (peanuts for most of the others here lol). But I too have either lost interest in buying so many or I've gained insight into my spending habits haha :)

I think now that I'm spending more for each pen but doing it less often and getting ones I REALLY like. I realized that staying below a certain price point mainly was producing little variation in design. Also the quality doesn't quite change with cost, unfortunately. They're all made just about the same, just priced on what they're made of and the illusion of how many were made.

I keep thinking about selling some of my pens but all that happens is I keep acquiring more!

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I gravitate towards pens that retail between $1K and $5K (and strongly prefer not to pay retail!). I find this is the sweet spot for me in terms of quality, design, and vendor service.

 

So to answer your original question, I'd say 12.

 

Since I am trying to be more of a user, I let my interests vary and enjoy researching pens that catch my eye. Sometimes that results in a new pen, often not. Older posts here also have an amazing variety of pens, more so than looking through just recent posts. Also pen shows really can be a blast. I can touch the pens and find quality regardless of price.

 

Don't worry if you don't want to buy a lot of pens. Many of us wish we felt that way. :)

If you want less blah, blah, blah and more pictures, follow me on Instagram!

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Don't worry if you don't want to buy a lot of pens. Many of us wish we felt that way. :)

 

So very true! Excellent advice.

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I was once told that I don't have a collection as a collection should have some inner logic (i.e. all of a certain range, as all POA 4810 or all Great Characters etc). Since that time I call my collection an assortment, but it is a nice one :D

This is because I purchase only FPs that I really crave for and they all have to be different in terms of design, material, look & feel. IMHO you cannot achieve this with lower priced pens as they do not differ too much from each other - so my personal decision was to go for rather few pens that demand higher investments.

That naturally leads to 1-2 new pens on average a year - due to budget reasons but also due to the fact that there are not too many new FPs in that range that you will really want to own.

Edited by Axis
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Thanks a lot guys!!! I feel better... to sum up expert and seasoned advice:

 

1.- Zadick´s advice of the year: Never buy a pen you "kind of like"... always buy a pen you will trully want to write with and look at

2.- Mister Mont Blanc and Axis made an excellent point and match my taste: Buy pens that look and feel different than any other in your collection

3.- JLS1 wisdom: Save the money and have it available... opportunity might knock and cash is king

4.- Gilberto: Abrazo desde la capital de las marchas!

 

See guys? this just might be the begining of the "Complete manual of luxury pen purchasing... a guide on how to spend a lot of money on something you don´t really need"

 

 

Cheers everyone!!

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And don't buy pens you "kind of like"

+1. I have made that mistake a couple of times. I have learned my lesson the hard way. Learn from our mistakes.

Lamb South

 

True Beauty is when a kindly word encourages and brings an unexpected smile.

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Me, too ! Except there are 150 pens that I truly like and want.

Auf freiem Grund mit freiem Volke stehn.
Zum Augenblicke dürft ich sagen:
Verweile doch, du bist so schön !

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  • 2 weeks later...

A really interesting discussion that mirrors one I have been having. I used to want only one fountain pen forever--that lasted for 15 years. I was the anti-collector. But not anymore.

 

My thought is that quality beats quantity. I am now buying 1-2 pens a year. My theme, intentional or not, is sterling fountain pens and desk ephemera.

 

Enjoy the ride!

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2015 will be a 1 pen year... I will save all my budget to purchase a 8k to 10k pen somewhere around the last quarter. Besides looking at next years POA, any sugestions on other models?

 

Cheers,

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2015 will be a 1 pen year... I will save all my budget to purchase a 8k to 10k pen somewhere around the last quarter. Besides looking at next years POA, any sugestions on other models?

 

Cheers,

A used 333 skeleton. They get to that price range and are usually barely used at all.

If you want less blah, blah, blah and more pictures, follow me on Instagram!

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