I just discovered fountain pens a few weeks ago just by chance. My friend showed me a collection that his Uncle had given him. He wasn't impressed but something inside me sparked. I've fallen head first into collecting. Right now I have bought three modern pens because I am interested in writing, especially starting a journal.

Soon I would also like to collect some vintage pens and unfortunatly I discovered penturning on the Net so I'm going to try my hand at that sometime this year.

A little about myself; I'm married with kids and live in S. Florida. My day job is in law enforcement, which I have done for the past 19 years. My other hobbies that take up my time include several aquariums and I home brew beer.

I've already posted a couple of questions so I thought I should introduce myself. I'll probably lurk for the most part trying to soak all of this in but I'm not afraid to post if I have a question.......

Welcome to FPN. We're all addicts here and all shamelessly partaking of our addictive substance. In no time you will be seeking the perfect journal, the perfect ink, the perfect notepad.

you're sunk, dude.

Ed, welcome to the board and don't worry. KCat is just being an enabler. You can stop at one or two pens. And a bottle of ink. Really. I could quit anytime . . . any of us could.
We're just social pen users.

==
Mac in Alberta

Welcome!!!

Hi Ed! I too, am a recent junkie of fountain pens, inks, good papers and the FPN.

My favorite FP is the vintage Parker 51's. The ink I like the best at the present time is J.Herbin, and the journals and notepads that I've fallen in love with is Clairefontaine and Rhodia.
Amen, to what KCat said!
This is an addicting hobby...or should I say it's more like an obsession! 9


*edited for typos

Hi Ed and welcome aboard the FPN! You're the first law enforcement officer I have known that likes fountain pens, outside of a good friend that lives in England, and is on the Police Force as a Constable. He always uses permanent ink to write his reports that will not wash away, which is a great idea in a country where it rains a lot.

Hello, my name is Mike and I'm a penaholic as well. I believe this is a good obsession however and I'm not willing to stop. Welcome.

Welcome to FPN. What an addiction ^_^

The first step is admitting you have a problem!

Aquariums, homebrew, and pens.

Folks we have a "tinkerer" on our hands. Oh, Eddie, you're hooked. Wait until you change your first pen sac, and refurb your first snorkel.

I wonder, can you ferment ink?

GOOD LORD! Don't buy a copy of "DA BOOK!" You'll be hooked on pen repairs too! Dangerous slippery slope! Soon you'll be buying pens for the parts. Then you'll find yourself sitting there trying to piece parts together to make another pen that works..... It's a dangerous thing!

As for fermenting ink, didn't Private Reserve try that a couple of years ago? <_<

Welcome to the dark side of the farce!

Welcome Ed. Pens, papers, inks are an addiction that law-enforcement can actually encourage!! Now, I think Ray Roewert, who is a member here is a member of the Pienellas County Sheriff's office.
Writing with pens is actually a great stress reliever too.
-Sid

Wait till you discover inks! Since they are much more affordable, one can buy dozens of them. Of course there is the issue of storage...

OK, I'll bite, what is "Da Book"?

Guide to Fountain Pen and Repairs - otherwise known as "Da Book"



written by pen collector Frank Dubiel. This is the general bible on pen repair. COntains instructions for general repair of most vintage pen models. You see, we are enablers. This is how we hook you. We feed you a little bit at time and make you want more. Pretty soon you'll be buying snorkels from Tom Mullane! Waaahahahaha :ph34r:

Picture from Pendemonium.com

Another goner to welcome into the fold - you are soooooo not alone

I'm with Kendall - I believe that you are a tinkerer too, and advise a visit to the Repair forum ASAP. We can help you there with your tendencies.

The turning part was the giveaway, and you'll probably have to extensive conversations with Old Griz (he's really not all that bad in real life - although he sometimes does frighten small children - until they get to know him).

We're an interesting group - plenty of variety, and usually you can find exactly the type of people you'd like to hang with. Looking forward to your posts and experiences.

Gerry

Hi Ed, welcome!

My name is Dawn and I am a penaholic too

Enjoy!
Dawn

Hello and welcome! Not to worry, you're in a place full of fellow penaholics. That's why we're here - to enable one another (you didn't think we were trying to get cured, did you ?)!

Hiya Eddie and welcome. Do you make chocolate beer?

I don't make chocolate beer because I don't really like chocolate or sweets. I'm curently making mainly hoppy ales but I just got a chest freezer for my garage so I'll be making some lagers soon such as an Octoberfest and my favorite......Bock.

Are you planning to come to the show in D.C. in August? Make a special D.C. 2006 brew and bring it and your family to the show!!