So I've decided to take 100-150 bucks from my tax returns and put it towards my collection. So here's the question at hand. Do I take that money and buy one really good pen or put it towards multiple Esties to build my collection. I've decided to focus my collection pretty much around Esties (how CAN'T you love these pens).

My thoughts are though I could buy one really nice pen that could be a centerpiece or I could buy a few cheaper pens (i.e. fill out the rest of my J series pens, I need four more colors). Don't even get me started on the variants, right now I'll be "happy" with just a color collection of all of them. So let's hear the opinions. I do know for sure some of the money will go to buying sacs for 3 of my pens as well as the necessary supplies.

Hmm...or maybe I take the money and buy some new master series nibs for all the pens...my god the possibilities are endless..HELP ME OUT!!

How close are you to completing a series of all the colors? I personally would like to have a complete series of colors in a particular model (e.g. double jewel J, or icicle).

I also think your idea of buying Renew points is good--maybe keep an eye out for a stub or something if that interests you. If you ever decide to sell any of your Esterbrook pens, having a nib that is in nice condition will increase the pen's resale value and make the buyer happy.

When you say "one really good pen" do you mean a more expensive pen made by another company, or do you mean a hard to find Esterbrook?

I'm 4 away (counting 2 variants of the greens) to having a complete set of the J series. I figure at about 25-30 bucks a pop I can complete the set.

When i say one really good pen (granted that's a good pen for 100-150, i know there is a huge range above that) it could be either an estie or another company, I'm leaning towards and esterbrook on that one as well, only because if I've decided that to be my focus it wouldn't make much sense to do something else.

My vote would be a mix. If I were in your shoes, I might be tempted to pick one or two colors I really want out of the remaining four I needed, then spend the rest of the money on more interesting nibs. If you spend all your cash on four or five esties, you might end up with four or five 2668 nibs.

Just my $.02-
Brian

Interesting question. I just had this same discussion with a coworker wanting to begin a collection. (Don't worry, no competition, he likes Vacs and 51s which is a completely different problem.)

I see two approaches if you want to say with Esterbrook. One would be complete the set of Js you started. This would give you 6 (or 7) very nice pens and a nice display and usable set. The other way you could go would be to select one color and then get a J, LJ, SJ, Safari, bandless cap, dollar pen, etc.

The second approach may take a bit longer to find nice examples but is just as fun.

If you see a duplicate consider it an upgrade and pass the lesser one along through the Marketplace--properly priced Esterbrooks (even common ones) don't last long there giving you an easy way to keep the collection evolving.

No matter which approach, try to find a variety of nibs as you get pens. Because they can be swapped out quickly from pen to pen, it gives you more options quickly.

Keep up posted on what you decide.

Todd

YOU'RE GETTING MONEY BACK???!!!!!

I am sitting here working on mine tonight. Woe is me ... I'll be lucky to have enough left to my name to buy a Bic.

Honestly the only way I'm getting money back I think is because I'm still a student. Love the tuition credit!. Next year..I dont' expect to see much of anything.

Esterbrooks and nibs. You will be glad you did. IMHO

Gee, I dream of a return, these days! In my simple little brain cell, I'd innocently assumed that, as Terri hasn't worked in around 18 months, we might be in for a healthy return. Which I could promptly do big, heart-melting husband eyes over -- hopefully thereby freeing up some pen investment funds.

Not so. I'd forgotten how much Kansas charges for the honor of living here.

Ahh, the Honor, the HONOR!!

Finish up the Esterbrooks would be my vote also. I've been in the same boat as you and tried both ways (one "good" pen or a few "cheaper" pens). I seemed to feel better with the quantity method. It was a little more of a treaure hunt for the ones I needed which added to the fun.