Using Your Collection

[xHaishou]

I have a problem... I like to buy pens and pencils and stuff, but I'm afraid to use them for some reason. I feel like I'm going to somehow damage them or something even if its a sturdy pencil like the twsbi precision or something.

 

Anyone else feel this way?

 

I feel like I need to get an even more expensive writing instrument to justify using the cheaper ones XD

[playtime]

Yes, I have. I sold the pen........and haven't looked back (*a lie:)*).

 

I don't think your dilemma is uncommon.. Perhaps try dipping it first--maybe that will put you at ease.....

 

J

[Bo Bo Olson]

A bottle of good ink, a pad or part of a ream of good paper. Lay your third best fountain pen down by the ink.

No reason to jump off bridges with out bungee cords.

 

 

 

Three beers of thought later, ink and write. You knew it balanced well. Now you know, yes, it was worth buying it.

Yes.....yes....drink no more beer until tomorrow.

 

Wouldn't want the pen to stagger off the table. :blink:

 

Pens are made to be written with, only that.

Nothing more

Quote the Raven.

[sargetalon]

The way I see it is that they were made to be used and so I do. I try to baby them as much as possible but life will happen. No point in having museum pieces. Half the fun is writing with them so I don't hold back from that.

[Trebster]

My pens are tools and each sees use ... eventually. Some have weathered quite hard use and while the battle scars will cause future collectors to frown when they are no longer mine, tough noogie on them! Each tiny step away from (alleged) factory-fresh perfection makes each pen more an extension of me and my purposes with my pens.

 

It's fun, too, to imagine the history of each vintage piece I own. All my vintages are "user-grade", which is another way of saying they were used and loved before they came into my hands. If they weren't used and loved by their original owner, they have a second (or third, fourth or fifth...) chance now.

 

I reckon: don't worry about preserving the instrument and take care that what you write is preservation-worthy.

[eric47]

I feel like I need to get an even more expensive writing instrument to justify using the cheaper ones XD

Just buy another one, no need to buy a more expensive pen...unless you're looking for an excuse.

[ever onward]

I'm sad to hear that anyone feels this way. You deserve those pens and pencils! Maybe the adage "live each day as if it were your last" would help? Because really--every time you find a bit of joy in this world, you should hold on tightly and never let it go.

 

Carpe Diem!

eo

[BrandonA]

I have a problem... I like to buy pens and pencils and stuff, but I'm afraid to use them for some reason. I feel like I'm going to somehow damage them or something even if its a sturdy pencil like the twsbi precision or something.

 

Anyone else feel this way?

 

I feel like I need to get an even more expensive writing instrument to justify using the cheaper ones XD

 

What pens do you have? If they are not limited editions or rare vintage then they should be easily replaceable should you break them.

 

I don't understand the rationale of your final sentence. Cheap pens are cheap pens, they are things people hoard. Expensive pens are things that are collected and can be admired for their beauty and rarity.

 

I never used to use any of my LE pens. To justify increasing my investment in them I started to use them. I'm glad I have as the enjoyment you get from using a great pen is well worth the small risk of damage.

 

My most expensive pen has also become my favourite pen and it has remained inked since purchase which is rare as I usually swap a pen out of rotation when it runs out of ink.

 

Maybe you should start using them in the house and then only take them else where when you have built up confidence.

[Pensible]

I have this problem, but I battle it by using the pens and pencils. I do have some colored pencils and some Pilot Petit pens that I haven't used though I bought them with the idea of keeping a drawing journal with colored inks and some pencil coloring. I like to make sets with my pens, matching the colors of pencil and pen and I try to match with a similar color stick style eraser (which is not always easy, given the limited colors available). If I put away any of my sets there's a good chance I won't use them. I think it is an OCD type of thing. There was one time when I had enough money to buy a Pelikan M1000 and I thought that if I bought something that expensive I would have problems with carrying it around and using it, so I bought a mini iPad instead. It is a hard problem to combat and one has to pay attention before packing something nicely and putting it away. The hardest thing for me is to put pen or pencil to a nice journal. It is also a perfectionist problem because of wanting to keep stuff perfect and brand new and I hate making mistakes when I'm writing, I like to see the writing all clean and perfect, in the end some stuff tends to get old and discolored even when unused, so I try really hard to keep on top of this tendency to stash stuff.

[mAnuscript69]

Never felt that way about pens though I did feel a little afraid to write on good paper when I started out. Needless to say I've passed that stage long ago and now enjoy wasting ink and paper each day. I do feel quite guilty about buying more ink than I'll possibly use in my entire lifetime though... So I'm buying three more bottles next week

 

My advice? Don't treat your pens like they would shatter the moment you grip it. Don't treat them like thrash either, of course. You spent good money on your pens - you deserve to enjoy using them. When your pen finally shows some wear, which is inevitable with use, it'll add more character and memories to that pen which makes it that much more personal to you.

 

I hope I don't come off as being harsh; just giving you some food for thought

Have fun with your pens!

[xHaishou]

I have a problem... I like to buy pens and pencils and stuff, but I'm afraid to use them for some reason. I feel like I'm going to somehow damage them or something even if its a sturdy pencil like the twsbi precision or something.

 

Anyone else feel this way?

 

I feel like I need to get an even more expensive writing instrument to justify using the cheaper ones XD

 

What pens do you have? If they are not limited editions or rare vintage then they should be easily replaceable should you break them.

 

I don't understand the rationale of your final sentence. Cheap pens are cheap pens, they are things people hoard. Expensive pens are things that are collected and can be admired for their beauty and rarity.

 

I never used to use any of my LE pens. To justify increasing my investment in them I started to use them. I'm glad I have as the enjoyment you get from using a great pen is well worth the small risk of damage.

 

My most expensive pen has also become my favourite pen and it has remained inked since purchase which is rare as I usually swap a pen out of rotation when it runs out of ink.

 

Maybe you should start using them in the house and then only take them else where when you have built up confidence.

Haha I don't even have anything very expensive. I only have some old platinum fp which I don't know the model of (it was my dads, so it's like 30 yrs old) and a Parker vector. I also like mech pencils so I have the twsbi precision, uni pipe shift, pentel graphgear 1000, etc. I'm a college student w/o a job, so I can't afford anything expensive XD

[51ISH]

I have a problem... I like to buy pens and pencils and stuff, but I'm afraid to use them for some reason. I feel like I'm going to somehow damage them or something even if its a sturdy pencil like the twsbi precision or something.

 

Anyone else feel this way?

 

I feel like I need to get an even more expensive writing instrument to justify using the cheaper ones XD

 

 

I have 2 suggestions:

 

One, buy a cheap pen that you like....might I suggest a Chinese pen....a pen that you like, but you won't worry if it breaks or you lose it....as it will be easily and cheaply replaced.

 

Secondly, a previously used, or secondhand pen....an old pen maybe, again one that you like.....this will already have 'wear marks' etc...so you are not going to 'damage' it or devalue it in any way.....

 

I think once you have used these pens....you will eventually (probably sooner than you think) start to use your pens.

 

Good luck

[pajaro]

It can get worse if you acquire a bunch of NOS (New Old Stock) vintage pens. Ah, the reluctance to ink up that 60-year-old NOS Parker 51!

 

Eventually I used some and sold or traded the rest. It is fun to collect pens and examine them.

[xHaishou]

I have this problem, but I battle it by using the pens and pencils. I do have some colored pencils and some Pilot Petit pens that I haven't used though I bought them with the idea of keeping a drawing journal with colored inks and some pencil coloring. I like to make sets with my pens, matching the colors of pencil and pen and I try to match with a similar color stick style eraser (which is not always easy, given the limited colors available). If I put away any of my sets there's a good chance I won't use them. I think it is an OCD type of thing. There was one time when I had enough money to buy a Pelikan M1000 and I thought that if I bought something that expensive I would have problems with carrying it around and using it, so I bought a mini iPad instead. It is a hard problem to combat and one has to pay attention before packing something nicely and putting it away. The hardest thing for me is to put pen or pencil to a nice journal. It is also a perfectionist problem because of wanting to keep stuff perfect and brand new and I hate making mistakes when I'm writing, I like to see the writing all clean and perfect, in the end some stuff tends to get old and discolored even when unused, so I try really hard to keep on top of this tendency to stash stuff.

Yea, I guess it is an OCD thing. It kind of started for me when I first put on screen protectors on my DS lite. After that, I became super protective of my stuff (I should never hAve bought those screen protectors .-.)

 

After that, anything worth something I have trouble using, except notebooks. I kind of start a notebook and quit like after 10 pages then start on a new one XD

[51ISH]

I have a problem... I like to buy pens and pencils and stuff, but I'm afraid to use them for some reason. I feel like Haha I don't even have anything very expensive. I only have some old platinum fp which I don't know the model of (it was my dads, so it's like 30 yrs old) and a Parker vector. I also like mech pencils so I have the twsbi precision, uni pipe shift, pentel graphgear 1000, etc. I'm a college student w/o a job, so I can't afford anything expensive XD

 

 

:roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho:

 

You had us all there.....even so, I wouldn't use your Dad's pen....this could have some sentimental value...even you can't see...

 

I thought about deleting my recommendation after reading your post...on second thoughts....I think it still makes sense..

[kpyeoman]

Your best bet to feel more comfortable using your pens in the wild could be to purchase a pen pouch. I have a three pen holder that I carry with me -- when I use a pen, it goes right back into the pouch afterwards, thus keeping it as pristine as possible. I'm quite diligent with being aware of having my pouch with me or not, reducing the chance of losing a pen(s). Maybe it would help you too? Pen pouches aren't too expensive and are one of the best investments you can make.

[restlesscourage]

I'm a writer. If I can't write with my pens, there's no point in having them.

 

I admire the beauty of the really fancy collectors items, but if it's not something I would be comfortable using, I'm not going to buy it. I want pens I can use, not pens I can display. (Not that there's anything wrong with having display pens. I just don't have the means to have that sort of a collection, and it's not something I'm interested in starting. YMMV.)

[Pensible]

Yea, I guess it is an OCD thing. It kind of started for me when I first put on screen protectors on my DS lite. After that, I became super protective of my stuff (I should never hAve bought those screen protectors .-.)

 

After that, anything worth something I have trouble using, except notebooks. I kind of start a notebook and quit like after 10 pages then start on a new one XD

 

 

For some reason and after using a screen protector on my iPhone 4 for a couple of years, I went sans protector on my iPhone 5 due to the fact that I hate installing those things, and out there it is way too expensive to get one installed, I like it much better without it, this probably will drive you crazy, hehe. Guess the OCD doesn't transfer to everything in life.

[CoolFool]

I have the opposite problem (not really a problem, but you know...). I catch a glimpse from the corner of my eye of my most expensive pen, and I have to stop what I'm doing, pick it up and write with it. Anything, doesn't matter what. The more beautiful the pen, the more I can't leave it alone.

[jkrewalk]

I use all of my pens in rotation. Some are expensive and some are not but in my mind they are all meant to be used and I wouldn't own them if I can't write with them. The joy of having pens is in using them.

 

What I like about collecting pens is the distinct difference between pen collecting vs other collecting type hobbies like coins or stamps. You cn only look at coins or stamps but with pens you can not only admire their beauty but also use them as well. And each writes differently in its own unique and distinctive way which, again, makes the hobby even more enjoyable.

 

However, at the end of the day everyone is different - this is just my opinion.

 

John

Krewalk.com