Hi,

There were some other threads about how to manage a collection... Excel sheet, the database program found here elsewhere... some other linux collection software.

Usually, by the name in the database, we can know which is which...

But what do you do when you have duplicates? Specially, when one is in pristine uninked condition... how do you recognize if from a good condition duplicate?

Keep it elsewhere? keep in in box? place a sticker on it? label it?

Just curious as I'm trying to organize mine... and duplicates I have!

Thanks!

nick

Keep then in separate display cases. One for the "mint" condition pens and one for the pens you actually use.

For me its easy, all my pens are users. Last time I aquired a vintag pen in mint condition, after having it restored (sac replaced) i inked it and used it. For me there's no point in not using them, life is too short. Enjoy what you have, after all, when you die someone else may use it and you would hav missed out on a lifetime of joy using your fountain pens

I only want "workers" around. Be it a vintage pen or World War 1 firearm it will get used or go out the door.

Yeah...

In theory, I agree...

But I like demonstrator a lot... and wanted to keep them clean... so only use "safe inks"...

Soooo, to feel less constrained, I bought another one, 100% new and uninked, and don't feel ashamed to put BayStateBlue, or red in a demonstrator for example...

Now, you may have guessed that the demonstrator is stained, and I can distinguish it from others... but I have some I still cant...

nick

I have a couple of pens that are duplicates which I bought because the price was too good to refuse. I leave these in the box - as far as I'm concerned, they are like money in the bank, not to gloat over but just to sit there until I use it or sell it. The ones I use are all inked and I can tell the difference between the identical pens by the different colour inks!