Giving It All Up? Will I Regret It?

[noddle]

 

I LOVE the look of that flat top version. I wish I had your mindset. I think it would be liberating to have only 2 pens, but at this point, I don't think I can go back. I have 12 total (but three of them don't "count" because they are cheap Wing Sungs, lol) with two Nemosine Singularity pens on the way (supposedly anyway...never got the tracking number email, hmmm). And I have plans to buy at least two more now.

 

I love and write with all of them, sometimes every pen in a single day. I think a mini consolidation is in my future, but it will probably only affect the "cheap" pens.

Some days I miss fooling around with something different. Some Conid owners have a range of gold and titanium nibs of different widths and grinds to play with, so there is room to experiment and changing nibs is very quick. I've got a spare medium in rhodinated gold that I might turn into a cursive nib.

[sirgilbert357]

Some days I miss fooling around with something different. Some Conid owners have a range of gold and titanium nibs of different widths and grinds to play with, so there is room to experiment and changing nibs is very quick. I've got a spare medium in rhodinated gold that I might turn into a cursive nib.

 

 

Nib swaps are a great way to change things up without having more pens!

[sombrueil]

 

We weren't talking about what you "can" do. You're changing the direction/subject of the conversation. I can do all kinds of ridiculous things that have literally zero worth or accomplish nothing. I could jump off a bridge screaming to the onlookers that "Gravity ain't gonna get me down!!!"

 

I just don't "want" to??? Is that a thinly veiled ad hominem or something?

 

I have three kids under the age of 9, I know full well what kids do. Don't assume you know me or how I spend my time.

 

Thank goodness mathematicians and scientists the world over and all throughout history have disagreed with your statement that finding logic is a fools errand. How foolish of them to pursue things that help make more sense of the world and explain the reality that we live in.

 

Since you don't "get" logic, it's clear we are done here. Goodbye.

 

My oh my.

Somehow, attitudes about possessions turned into arguments about the uses of logic! And here I thought I drifted the conversation!

 

Perhaps it would be more nuanced to say for some activities, logic is not a particularly useful tool. I'm going to go out on a limb and say one of those is fountain pen collecting.

 

 

[LuckyKate]

I can't remember the last pen I bought-oh yeah, it was the Pnieder Avatar I bought last March--but it was only $90 so it hardly counts-- Anyway, I've slowed way down--well, I would have bought the blue Lamy 2000 Bauhaus. Fortunately, Fontoplumo sold out in maybe 5 minutes.

 

But really, other than those anomalies, I've stopped buying new pens because I hate selling pens and I don't want to accumulate stuff. Also it's really bad for the budget. I have been using the same collection of pens for several years now. I do write a lot and I have only bought one pen this year (the Avatar). My attitude towards my pens is so much more peaceful now, and I appreciate them so much more now that I'm not always looking for the next one.

 

That said if my name comes up in the Goulet lottery for the Lamy 2000 Bauhaus, I'm buying it. Other than that I've given up the hobby.

[sirgilbert357]

I can't remember the last pen I bought-oh yeah, it was the Pnieder Avatar I bought last March--but it was only $90 so it hardly counts-- Anyway, I've slowed way down--well, I would have bought the blue Lamy 2000 Bauhaus. Fortunately, Fontoplumo sold out in maybe 5 minutes.

 

But really, other than those anomalies, I've stopped buying new pens because I hate selling pens and I don't want to accumulate stuff. Also it's really bad for the budget. I have been using the same collection of pens for several years now. I do write a lot and I have only bought one pen this year (the Avatar). My attitude towards my pens is so much more peaceful now, and I appreciate them so much more now that I'm not always looking for the next one.

 

That said if my name comes up in the Goulet lottery for the Lamy 2000 Bauhaus, I'm buying it. Other than that I've given up the hobby.

 

Interesting comment. I don't know how you define the "hobby", but for me, it isn't the act of buying and selling or trading pens, it is the act of writing. Fountain pens as a "hobby" can be different things for different people. You aren't actively purchasing, but you are still posting on this forum and using your pens. Maybe the focus of the "hobby" has just shifted for you?

 

My hobby is writing...I just happen to be a fountain pen enthusiast and enjoy them immensely as a tool.

[corgicoupe]

Well, I’m not sure I’m more interested in the chase in general or because I still feel the chase isn’t done. For example, I recently got four different Pelikans M800s, a pen that’s new to me. I liked the design of two and was somewhat disappointed with the design of the other two. So, the latter were never inked and will be sold but I’m still curious about a M1000 now. Likewise, my Urushi is a Platinum and I still feel I have to try a Nakaya, despite the fact that there’s a lot of similarity between the two. But I also realize that there will always be pens that look alluring and that rationally the chase doesn’t make sense.

 

Which I could actually use to my advantage. For example, after I ‘discovered’ the Retro 51 roller balls with their cool designs, I started buying those, thinking I could get a decent collection. But then they introduced a few designs I hated and the collector in me thought I should buy them anyway, while the more rational me balked at the idea. Around the same time, I read an article about a guy who collects Retro 51s and already had 375 different editions. At that point, I decided my Retro 51 pursuit didn’t make any sense and I bought only ones I really liked and started selling all the ones I didn’t love. I guess with fountain pens, I’m nearing that inflection point.

Try a Retro 51 fountain pen. They are quite nice. The black cherry is particularly lovely.

Edited September 21, 2019 by corgicoupe

[corgicoupe]

I have to admit that I haven't read all of the posts, but there is a group of pens that I don't think are included: those that were not purchased and cannot be sold... those that were gifts and those that were inherited. I have a half dozen pens that were inherited from my dad that I would not consider getting rid of even though I don't use them [or perhaps use them rarely], and another ten or so that were given to me by friends [pens that I don't use, or use rarely]. They have another meaning for me and will stay with me.

Edited September 21, 2019 by corgicoupe

[Arkanabar]

I have a few such. First was the burgundy Sheaffer PFM-II purchased for me by my wife's brother, on learning I like fountain pens -- still with chalk marks when he gave it to me. Second (and second in importance) was the black and lustraloy aerometric Parker "51" that was my Dad's sole pen for nigh unto thirty years, which he used (among other things) to write his Master's thesis in statistics. Third is a lapis Sheaffer Imperial TipDip which my wife's mom bought for me. Last, but by far the most important, is the fine point aqua Pelikan M205 that my wife got for me Christmas 2017. It is perpetually inked with Iro Ku-Jaku, which not only complements the pen in nearly every way imaginable, but also was a prior gift from my wife, purchased by accident when I thought that Iro Yama-Guri might be The Essential Brown. This is the pen I use to write all my billets-doux to her.

[jvr]

I have a few pens that belonged to my father-in-law, which I currently keep for my wife. I wouldn't sell those. I also have a few that my in-laws received as gifts but never used. Those I will sell, since they hold no personal value to anyone. There are some pens that my daughter likes and I'll keep those and she can decide later if she really wants them. The rest is fair play.

 

But when I started this thread, I still had some pens on pre-order. Some of them have since been coming in. I also actually ordered a Pelikan M600 Grand Place to compare it with the M800 Grand Place I own and decide which one I like better. One of the pens that was on pre-order was a Pelikan M1000, which I just got and think is great. I also have a Memento Zero coming that they're making for me and a Kanilea that's produced next month. And despite wanting to sell, I'm still curious whether a Nakaya is really better than a Platinum Urushi and worth trying.

 

In the meantime, though, there are dozens of pens now ready for sale. Many I have culled purely on the question whether I would miss or remember them after I sell them. If the answer was no, they're lying ready to be cleaned, photographed and listed. My most beloved pens are lined up in a pen case and will survive for now and a ton of others are lying on my desk to be tried.

 

I want to keep the ones I really like (for now) and a bunch of good work pens that I would feel comfortable carrying around and some cheap ones to fool around with. That still leaves me with quite a few, but at least they will all be pens I really like or see a particular use for.

 

The biggest question marks are ones like the Montblanc Rouge et Noir, which I love from a design standpoint but find too narrow to comfortably hold, or the Montblanc Le Petit Prince, which is great all around, but not as great a writer as some cheaper pens and more of a showpiece to me. Similarly, some Sailors are very good, but not among the greatest.

 

Trying so many pens also opened my eyes to what sizes and weight I prefer. I find the Visconti HS a tad too heavy and thus it's probably going to go. I was surprised by how much I loved writing with the large M1000 and prefer it over the thinner Pelikans. Now all my smaller pens are getting a second look.

 

All in all, I don't think this round is going to make me give up all my pens, but the cull is going to be enormous and hopefully will lead to a point where I feel I have what I really want and nothing more and can limit my future purchases based on a more developed sense on what works for me and what doesn't.

[tamiya]

...But to me, the whole point in getting the Homo Sapiens is for the lava material. I've handled one a couple of times and the first time I thought "This is it?...

Im forever stuck on meh

Does nothing to cheer my mood.

Im in Melbourne, where our streets and sidewalks are paved in volcanic sandstone...

[sirgilbert357]

I have a few pens that belonged to my father-in-law, which I currently keep for my wife. I wouldn't sell those. I also have a few that my in-laws received as gifts but never used. Those I will sell, since they hold no personal value to anyone. There are some pens that my daughter likes and I'll keep those and she can decide later if she really wants them. The rest is fair play.

 

But when I started this thread, I still had some pens on pre-order. Some of them have since been coming in. I also actually ordered a Pelikan M600 Grand Place to compare it with the M800 Grand Place I own and decide which one I like better. One of the pens that was on pre-order was a Pelikan M1000, which I just got and think is great. I also have a Memento Zero coming that they're making for me and a Kanilea that's produced next month. And despite wanting to sell, I'm still curious whether a Nakaya is really better than a Platinum Urushi and worth trying.

 

In the meantime, though, there are dozens of pens now ready for sale. Many I have culled purely on the question whether I would miss or remember them after I sell them. If the answer was no, they're lying ready to be cleaned, photographed and listed. My most beloved pens are lined up in a pen case and will survive for now and a ton of others are lying on my desk to be tried.

 

I want to keep the ones I really like (for now) and a bunch of good work pens that I would feel comfortable carrying around and some cheap ones to fool around with. That still leaves me with quite a few, but at least they will all be pens I really like or see a particular use for.

 

The biggest question marks are ones like the Montblanc Rouge et Noir, which I love from a design standpoint but find too narrow to comfortably hold, or the Montblanc Le Petit Prince, which is great all around, but not as great a writer as some cheaper pens and more of a showpiece to me. Similarly, some Sailors are very good, but not among the greatest.

 

Trying so many pens also opened my eyes to what sizes and weight I prefer. I find the Visconti HS a tad too heavy and thus it's probably going to go. I was surprised by how much I loved writing with the large M1000 and prefer it over the thinner Pelikans. Now all my smaller pens are getting a second look.

 

All in all, I don't think this round is going to make me give up all my pens, but the cull is going to be enormous and hopefully will lead to a point where I feel I have what I really want and nothing more and can limit my future purchases based on a more developed sense on what works for me and what doesn't.

 

 

I went from M200 sizes and smaller up to M800 sizes and slightly larger almost all in one jump. I held a bigger pen and it was like a light switch. Small pens just didn't feel right anymore. I had to basically flip most of my pens to get to where I am now.

 

Having the right pens makes the writing experience far more satisfying. I think you'll feel better after selling off the ones you've decided need to go and using the ones you find most comfortable.

 

Having said that, I know a guy who would love a good deal on a Visconti HS if it's a medium or stub nib...lol. Especially if you plan to have it up for sale around Christmas...

[sirgilbert357]

Im forever stuck on meh

Does nothing to cheer my mood.

Im in Melbourne, where our streets and sidewalks are paved in volcanic sandstone...

 

LOL, so it just looks like a rod of pavement to you then....nice! Hey, that means you won't be tempted to spend your money then! I've said before I wish fewer pens appealed to me, or that I was more picky. There are still an awful lot of pens out there that I really like the looks of and want to try...not the best problem to have.

[Penryn87]

I am currently in the process of culling down my collection as well.. here are some of my thoughts.

So I have been writing with fountain pens for probably 12 years now. About 4 years ago, I basically acquired my three grail pens - M800, 146, and a Homo Sapiens - over a period about just over a year. After that, I had essentially stopped adding pens to the collection. So when that happened, a couple things changed. For the most part, stopped using a lot of the other pens in my collection. I would still use my lamy 200 and such, but basically solely using my nicest pens consistently. As well: before, I would be changing out ink and my pens quite a bit. But then sailor inks happened. I found that I really liked sailor inks soo I stopped changing inks so much.

About 3 years ago a little bit of over zealous cleaning took my HS out of commission and I didn't want to spend 300 dollars for a new nib.. I had my Pelikans and 146 anyway so i kind forgot about it sitting in the pen box. Recently however, I had been selling off a lot of things I don't use and finally I came around to the pens. In short order on researching things, I found out that visconti might be ending the use of palladium nibs.. and considering my pen was the dark age version (which is even harder to find), this kind of sent me into a frenzy of sourcing a new nib for the pen. The nib is what makes the HS line unique, and it might not feel the same with the new 18kt gold nib they are now switching to. I also started to think though my ~42 pen collection and realizing that I owned some pens that hadn't been used in 5 or 6 years and decided it might be time to let them go. Pens to me are meant to be used, and it was time for them to find a new home.

Then there was the ink drawer. When I was in New York City in july, I finally got a chance to go to Fountain Pen Hospital and picked up some sailor inks. Realizing that I had maybe 15 bottles of ink I would never use again, I culled the ink down quite a bit too.

So basically I have reduced the inks to what I am going to use, sold off a lot of my pilot pens (still have 4).. basically intend to probably sell about 15-20 of my 42 pen collection after it's all said and done, and capping my collection at what my pen box can actually hold.. 29 pens.

This process hasn't caused me to think I am leaving fountain pens behind; I got reintroduced to my HS and actually acquired a Pelikan (in my favorite M800 size.. from the OP no less lol).

Fountain pens are different to every owner, but for me they are about use. I am just culling my collection of pens and inks down to what I actually intend to use and letting the others find new hands where they will be put to use (hopefully) once again.

[challer61]

 

It seems like folks with Conids are quite content to have fewer pens. I wonder if there's a correlation there? Like, the Conid is just so good that it quenches the thirst for more pens? If that's an actual thing, then I need a Conid, lol.

 

This is my conclusion. I'll probably have 5 Conid Kingsize the end of the day. The only reason I have travel pens, Tactile Turn Gist, is because they are bombproof, take cartridges if I run out of ink and I sometimes leave things behind. The rest will be gone.

[sirgilbert357]

 

This is my conclusion. I'll probably have 5 Conid Kingsize the end of the day. The only reason I have travel pens, Tactile Turn Gist, is because they are bombproof, take cartridges if I run out of ink and I sometimes leave things behind. The rest will be gone.

 

 

A good strategy with that Gist. I'm in the process of selecting such a pen now. I want it to be better than my cheap Chinese "beater" pens I use for testing ink samples, but not too expensive that it would be a pain to replace. Right now my Nemosine Singularities fill the role, but I'm thinking a Lamy Al Star or the Lamy Aion would be a step up. The bonus will be I already have a couple of Lamy nibs on some Wing Sung 3008's, so I would be able to toss those pens and reduce the collection overall while still using those nibs on the new pen.

 

I don't think I could ever get down to 5 pens though...not even if they were all Conids. LOL.

Edited October 2, 2019 by sirgilbert357