Hello all,

Well, I've finally gone ahead and joined FPN after quite a long time of reading all of the great posts and enjoying the FPN ambiance. I suppose a little about me is in order. I'm a college student, Classics major (Greek and especially Latin, as for some reason many people I talk to have no idea what a Classics major is), and am passionate about learning almost everything, especially in classics, but anything else as well such as about fountain pens.

Needless to say, I'm a fountain pen lover. I've used fountain pens for a long time, since around 8 years old when I convinced my mother to buy me a Parker Vector. But it's only in the last two years or so that I've gotten hooked into collecting fountain pens. A restored Sheaffer 3-25 Flat-Top that is still my best writer got me going... I'm a vintage fountain pen person overall, and my collection is almost entirely vintage pens. I try to focus on Sheaffer's, especially the Flat-Tops, but I have failed miserably in this endeavor and have quite a few Parkers (particularly several 61's which I'm starting to prefer as daily users), a few Conklins, Watermans, Mabie Todd's, etc. As a relatively poor college student, I have a general rule (although on sever occasions I've broken it a bit ) of not paying more that $30 for a pen, which is quite challenging but fun at the same time to try to get some good buys. And I've certainly gotten some great ones... Anyway, I think that's all; thanks for reading it.

Rhodes

Welcome to FPN!

I used an FP at college in the mid-80's and everyone thought that was weird then, I can't imagine what it's like now when everyone's using laptops and left handwriting behind as much as possible...

It is somewhat strange feeling at times to be the only one using a FP. I've never actually seen another student using one. Mostly, the students are so tuned out now from thinking about their writing instruments, that they don't even notice that I'm using something unusual. Interestingly, the only person I know who uses a fountain pen all the time was my high school Latin teacher.

Welcome to our pen community. I find it surprising when I hear of some of the younger people who use fountain pens. I find it not a bit surprising for those of us in our 50's and 60's because we more than likely used fountain pens when we were younger. It's good to know that that all generations can be affected with the pen obsession. I like it that younger folks can be caught up in it and enjoy these great writing instruments.

Welcome, Rhodes!

You're off to a great start at pen collecting. Enjoy FPN.

Judybug

Welcome Rhodes,

Don't bother with focus - that's for Collectors. Us lovers just grab everything in sight
As for price & cost - read up on young Tom Mullane (Old Griz)

Regards,
Ruaidhrí

Welcome!

I remember getting odd looks in college even fifteen years ago. Of course my cheap No nonsense pens tended to leak whenever it was most inconvenient. I guess I could have gone all out and worn a pocket protector as well. Maybe even one of those cool vintage slide rules with a holster. Why be just a little odd?
I’m happily amazed to hear you can still find colleges with Classical Studies as a major!

Best Wishes,
Kate