Ah, I have too many pens. Or so my dear wife tells me. How many is too many, I ask myself?

I'm a British expat currently living in the mountains of North Carolina, and my love of pens (though not FPs) started early. I started collecting and learning about our inky friends about a decade ago, first focusing on the best of Europe (British Parkers, Conway Stewarts, Pelikans), then widening my interest to American pens when I moved across the pond. Now I'm gingerly exploring Japanese makers, seeing whether it's possible reconcile a love of German stub nibs with an admiration for Sailor's extra-fines. And like so many of us, I adore school pens.

I love that the golden age of the FP combines the technological advances of mass production with individual craftsmanship, that such small works of art were once on every desk, and that a well-maintained pen from the mid-1900s writes like a dream. My prized possessions? The Pelikan 100N, the O/S Balance in Marine Green, the Skyline with the flex nib that writes like a quill. And I could so easily go on...

Another well educated member. Ah Pelikans, they do rule.

Welcome to FPN and enjoy....

PS. How many is too many?

It's a subtle thing, and not necessarily quantifiable: I'd put it at when the eyebrows-raised 'not another [expletive deleted] pen' at the sight of a package becomes 'you're not buying another [expletive deleted] pen' when a pen can be glimpsed on the laptop screen...

Thanks for the welcome.

Here's an approximate number (though possibly on the low side): [10¹⁰]¹⁰

-Clive

Actually, I also don't know the answer to "how many is too many" & would like to know as well.

Currently, I own 16 FPs but I know I will definitely own more as I will buy more FP.

However, when people around me know the number of pens I have, they thought I am crazy......

I'm primarily a writer, so pens that I can't write with (and have the time to learn their idiosyncracies) may tempt the eye but not the wallet. So, given that I have perhaps 15,000 days left to live, health permitting, and fifty pens in my current collection, I think I can permit myself a pen every 200 days or so At least, that's how I rationalise it.

(The current question I face: how many pens am I prepared to part with in order to get that Urushi Nakaya?)

Urushi Nakaya FPs are truly magnificent!!!

To answer your question . . . perhaps, say, 2,500 Bic ballpoints?

-Clive

Yay, another Ashevillian on the list! Welcome!

I think we have enough people in Western North Carolina now (most in the Asheville area, where I also live) to think about a pen club if we want one (I know I do!). I'll be out of town for a few days this weekend, but maybe those of us in the area can chat about this back channel?

Debbie

Welcome to FPN. Don't listen to your wife. You can't have too many fountain pens.

Greetings from NYC! Does your wife collect anything? It never hurts to point out what your significant other is collecting. This always puts matters into the appropriate perspective!

Greetings from Winston-Salem!

What a beautiful place to live! Asheville is just gorgeous. Glad to have you here.

Welcome to FPN. Always glad to hear from another Tarheel. (I'm currently transplanted to Lower Alabama). Hope you all can get a pen club started. I occasionally visit my folk in Franklin and so, would be close. Asheville needs a good pen shop. Oh, and you can NEVER have too many FPs.