Just reporting to say hello! I can't believe the amount of kindness that has been laid on me since I've began posting here! I am a Junior in college, basically living off of loans and scholarships until i can get that bio degree and then more loans until I graduate!

I figured that instead of spending money on drugs and booze or expensive computer games like my other friends, I'd rather invest it into something worthwhile, such as the fine art of writing (although a fine glass of decent liquor helps every once in a while)

However, besides the little bits of commisioned artwork I get paid to do once in a blue moon, I have no source of income for such lavish things, so I find myself browswing the forums and adding to my list of pens to acquire. To date, there are way too many pens on the list and not enough funds (but isn't that the case with everyone here to begin with?)

I got my first ever fountain pen, a Waterman Philieas as a present from my parents. However, the pen got lost/stolen/disappeared and I'd forgotten all about fountain pens until I found a box full of used nibs and a dip pen. Out of sheer curiosity, I bought a bottle of Parker Quink and the rest as they say, is history!

Anyhow, a great gigantic thank you to all who have helped me so far on my quest for better penmanship (Tara, julikko, Oxonian, yiterp, just to name a few!) and I look forward to being a part of this amazing community and being able to contribute something!

Welcome! I just joined myself. I am 24 and also lack the necessary funds to fully fuel my pen obsession. I highly recommend the Waterman Hemisphere as a nice inexpensive fountain pen - I found one on eBay that I really love.

Welcome to FPN. There are lots of friendly folks here. Any questions? Just ask.

Welcome folks.

Wouln't worry too much about lack of funds - there are some very nice pens around at highly affordable prices.

There isn't actually any need to have very expensive limited editions (although you can fall in love sometimes !) unless you are trying to impress people - and then you have other problems

Enjoy

Except that some of the LEs come in interesting configuration of filling systems or materials that the standard series don't. LEs can oft times be found at discount if you look hard enough. and are willing to go grey/ used.


Bristling slightly since I own 3 LEs bought for the filler/ material and have never shown them to another person as well paid less than 30% of MSRP for each



K

Besides that Welcome to FPN to quote S&G

No need to bristle

I confess to having a Zoss LE (justified by supporting the Zoss List) and a CP5 easily justified by a mixture of lust, greed and want want want...

What does irritate me is some manufacturers who bring out LE's at the drop of a hat - "My Neighbour's Cat Has Furrball" Limited Edition. Solid Gold inlaid with cat hair made by a monk in a cave on top of a mountain in the Himalayas - only $100,000.
Or Chopin, Vivaldi, Dickens..... I presume these are they type of pens they used

The "Tribute to..." argument leaves me cold too. Translates as Tribute to $$, ££, €€ *
(* delete as applicable)

BTW - all of the above will be nullified next time I see an "I WANT THAT"

Nothing like a good rant to end the week

Welcome.
I started with FPs as a graduate student and I still remember the cash crunch
I believe that you dont have to spend to much to have fun with pens.
In fact I was arguing this recently in a post elsewhere. Check it here

Again, welcome.

Just wanted to show both sides of the LE opinion.


Granted there are some companies who's LE really are just changing the color of the pen and others are a little over the top. I don't bother with those but there are some out there that are unusual enough to merit looking for.

Unfortunately many are based more on money than anything I can think of at least one company that seems to have jettisoned the standard range for nothing but #/5000 pens. Sad but that's how the market is going.


I keep a little list of "objects of desire" these are pens that I'm always on the lookout for and have acquired a few of them. But it also means that I do scour the different boards looking.


K

The money issue can come into play. I think the way to handle that is like "art" learn as much as you can about the field... so when you do have the money you know what a good deal is. Also I have found that by letting people know about your fountain pen interests, relatives are more likely to contribute to the fund --either by buying them for your or helping you stash away some money for it....

Right now, it may be you find a hero 100 (gold nib) for under 27.99 at isellpens.com or a parker 45 for about the same price from montgomerypens. Both are workhorse pens and you will get years of use.

Go to clubs/flea markets, etc.

The second-best thing about Fountain Pen collecting is absolutely FREE!

Participation in FPN.

Of course, most of us have differing opinions about what is the first-best thing about Fountain Pens.

For me, it is the interesting colors and styles and imagining the environment when they were common every-day tools. For others it might be filling mechanisms, ink color, antiquity, Americana, foreign products, writing, nib style, history, collecting the whole set, calligraphy, industrial design, repair, paper, etc.

Some might do it just to irritate spouses or show off!

Andy

Another good way to get maximum pleasure for the buck is to learn repair skills. The simplest, which anyone can do (I am the proof) is to replace the sac in a lever filler. This already sets you up to pick up for free old pens that friends and relatives occasionally have lying around, of no value to them because they don't work.

More elaborate repairs are beyond me, and get you into another area of activity, which could be a really good change of pace, BTW. But just being able to get an abandoned Esterbrook back into working order will give you a great pen for little money, and also is a meritorious act.

All the best

Michael

Hello and welcome aboard. Get used to it: for the vast majority of us here, there are never enough $$$$ for the pens on our want lists. Anyhow, enjoy the place and hope to see you around.

Welcome to FPN! Enjoy!

Judybug