Giving It All Up? Will I Regret It?

[Honeybadgers]

Never let a hobby beguile you with the sunk cost fallacy. If it does not bring you joy, it is not worth continuing, no matter how much you've put into it.

 

Matt of the pen habit came to that realization from what I understand, it became a bit of a compulsion for him, and he realized it was costing him more money than it should have, so he took the brave, difficult first step of just stepping away. It's a shame we lost him as a member of the community, but not at his life expense.

 

I would have no problem selling all but two pens I own (my mother's old waterman and the vintage japanese eyedropper she recovered from a sunken japanese WWII ship that's being restored by Wancher right now. Those two objects have sentimental value far beyond what they're worth financially) I just don't have the financial need or space needs to do so at this time, so the hobby continues to be enjoyable.

Edited September 11, 2019 by Honeybadgers

[penwash]

 

 

Might be worthwhile to reflect on why you like fountain pens in the first place, besides when they are pretty. We are all attracted to things we think are "pretty". If you aren't collecting pens just to stare at them, then perhaps you do have far too many. I realized not too long ago that I don't have to buy every pen I like the looks of -- I wouldn't be able to use that many pens! What's the point? I could have an 11x15 high res pic of it made to hang on my wall if I just want to LOOK at it, LOL!!

 

Everybody use a different perspective and this hobby is large enough to contain all of us.

 

You may not see the point of owning a pen collection without using all of the pens, but I as well as scores of people in this hobby do.

Some of my pens are so rare and special (to me, not speaking for anyone else), that I am happy to just owning them and to be able to enjoy them whenever I wanted to whether it's being used to write/draw or not.

 

Printing a high-resolution of these special pens would not be the same at all as being able to hold them. Not by a long shot.

[silverlifter]

You may not see the point of owning a pen collection without using all of the pens, but I as well as scores of people in this hobby do.

 

Given the lifespan of well made pens, it is worth thinking of at least one of the roles of a "collector" as a custodian; someone who collects pens to ensure they are well looked after and able to be passed on to the next generation of pen lovers.

 

It's a heavy responsibility, but discharged nonetheless

[A Smug Dill]

Given the lifespan of well made pens, it is worth thinking of at least one of the roles of a "collector" as a custodian; someone who collects pens to ensure they are well looked after and able to be passed on to the next generation of pen lovers.

Note: my emphasis

 

I'm afraid you'll have to explain that to me because I don't understand. Worth it to whom, and how does that relate to the person who spent money acquiring the pen in the first place (as opposed to just having been passed down the pen along the way)?

[sirgilbert357]

 

Everybody use a different perspective and this hobby is large enough to contain all of us.

 

You may not see the point of owning a pen collection without using all of the pens, but I as well as scores of people in this hobby do.

Some of my pens are so rare and special (to me, not speaking for anyone else), that I am happy to just owning them and to be able to enjoy them whenever I wanted to whether it's being used to write/draw or not.

 

Printing a high-resolution of these special pens would not be the same at all as being able to hold them. Not by a long shot.

Starting with the sentence "I realized..." and on down in that post I was speaking only for myself.

 

Of course I realize holding a pen offers exponentially more than a picture to the end user...

[silverlifter]

Note: my emphasis

 

I'm afraid you'll have to explain that to me because I don't understand. Worth it to whom, and how does that relate to the person who spent money acquiring the pen in the first place (as opposed to just having been passed down the pen along the way)?

Worth it to anyone who genuinely wants to understand different perspectives and motivations for collecting pens.

 

It really doesn't matter if the collector paid for the pen or inherited it; if that is one of their motivations, then surely it is a valid one?

[DrDebG]

Fountain pens and photography. . . what an expensive combination.

 

Yes, I have been bitten by the same bugs. Actually, even though I have had fountain pens for most of my life, I didn't start collecting fountain pens until several years ago. At that time, I was also in fast pursuit of my photography hobby, having completed several portfolios and thoroughly enjoying my daily forays out for photos. I had graduated from a very nice high end consumer DSLR to a pro version DSLR but only found that I need a few lenses, since I am mostly a landscape photographer. I loved the creative side of composing a photo, but there is something about combining the technical with the artistic that I love about photography. But, I realized fairly quickly that my "wants" far outstripped my "needs" when it comes to photographic equipment. After I purchased that great carbon framed tripod, I realized how much it really weighed when I was hiking up a mountain to catch the sunset at the top.

 

And I feel much the same way with fountain pens. I love the engineering behind creating such a precise writing instrument encased in a beautiful exterior. Oh, yeah, and I like the way they make my handwriting look.

 

Thankfully, I think I have tempered my "acquisition mode" a bit since getting into fountain pens. Yes, I have about 30, but there are really only about 12 that are really special to me. The others are nice, but I could live without them if I needed to. Inks are also a weak spot for me, but I have even been able to curb my acquisition of those a bit as well.

 

Bear with me for a few moments longer. It does have relevance to your questions. Last year, I was involved in a car accident that really messed up my shoulder and neck. Now, carrying my kit in my backpack is no longer possible without great pain. I am left with carrying my camera and one lens in a "fanny pack", while hand carrying my tripod. This has dramatically impacted my desire to hike up the mountain for those sunset shots. Now my mind runs to the new, lighter weight mirrorless full frame cameras. But what do I do with me not-so-old DSLR and lenses? Do I sell them, or do I hold on to them in the hopes that I will just miraculously be back to where I was before the accident? Or do I just chuck everything and end this hobby? I believe the answer lies in taking my time, letting things settle out. And I believe the same holds true for you. Take your time to evaluate what really brings you pleasure. Then, bring your resources together for what you really want.

[A Smug Dill]

Worth it to anyone who genuinely wants to understand different perspectives and motivations for collecting pens.

 

It really doesn't matter if the collector paid for the pen or inherited it; if that is one of their motivations, then surely it is a valid one?

 

Sure, but if it is not one of the motivations of the incumbent owner such as the O.P., who was also the purchaser then is it still worth it to him, or anyone else trying to understand his situation and advise? I mean, nobody can tell him, "Oh, but you're also a custodian," as opposed to be just a user and consumer who either utilises and ultimately extinguishes the value of the pens he purchased, or sells or gives the pens to someone else without concern as to whether the residual value embodied in the objects will be preserved.

Edited September 11, 2019 by A Smug Dill

[silverlifter]

 

 

Sure, but if it is not one of the motivations of the incumbent owner — such as the O.P., who was also the purchaser — then is it still worth it to him, or anyone else trying to understand his situation and advise? I mean, nobody can tell him, "Oh, but you're also a custodian," as opposed to be just a user and consumer who either utilises and ultimately extinguishes the value of the pens he purchased, or sell or give the pens to someone else without concern as to whether the residual value embodied in the objects will be preserved.

 

I don't know, I'm not OP. It may add to his understanding of what motivates others, and that may enrich his own experience. Equally, he may regard it as completely irrelevant to his situation and just annoying noise in the thread.

 

I can't control how my contributions are received, only offer them in good faith and articulated as coherently as I can at the time.

[TheDutchGuy]

Never let a hobby beguile you with the sunk cost fallacy. If it does not bring you joy, it is not worth continuing, no matter how much you've put into it.

 

Matt of the pen habit came to that realization from what I understand, it became a bit of a compulsion for him, and he realized it was costing him more money than it should have, so he took the brave, difficult first step of just stepping away. It's a shame we lost him as a member of the community, but not at his life expense.

 

I would have no problem selling all but two pens I own (my mother's old waterman and the vintage japanese eyedropper she recovered from a sunken japanese WWII ship that's being restored by Wancher right now. Those two objects have sentimental value far beyond what they're worth financially) I just don't have the financial need or space needs to do so at this time, so the hobby continues to be enjoyable.

Well said.

[como]

From time to time, I look at my pens and entertain the thought of letting go a once never-would-let-go pen, and it becomes possible. From time to time, I feel guilty. But as I grow older, I feel less guilty. Money rots through inflation, lost in bad investments, nasty divorce, and in many other ways that I can imagine worse than buying pens that made me smile. I don't want too many. I can't live with too few. Everyone finds their own space and comfort. It's all very good, much better than no hobby and no passion

[minddance]

Keep your pens, or at least keep a few ones u enjoy.

 

Money cannot write. Pens - when properly made - can.

[Honeybadgers]

Keep your pens, or at least keep a few ones u enjoy.

 

Money cannot write. Pens - when properly made - can.

 

 

Money can keep a roof over your head, bills paid, and food on the table however.

 

Compulsive spending is just as much a real addiction as the physical dependence of alcohol. As soon as something starts to impact your life for the worse, it's time to re-evaluate its place in your life.

[Timotheus]

True pen collectors have their own standards and their own goals, which should not be confused with those of the average pen user.

 

But for the average pen user having pens without having the intention to use them is like having books without having the intention to read them. It doesn't hurt anybody, but it's perfectly useless.

 

In my opinion, generally speaking there is too much attention for the joy of having a large collection of expensive or rare pens, and too little for the joy of having just a few carefully chosen pens, that could become the pens of a lifetime.

Edited September 11, 2019 by Timotheus

[praxim]

I don't know, I'm not OP. It may add to his understanding of what motivates others, and that may enrich his own experience. Equally, he may regard it as completely irrelevant to his situation and just annoying noise in the thread.

 

I can't control how my contributions are received, only offer them in good faith and articulated as coherently as I can at the time.

 

I might have posted only had it met the required character minimum.

[A Smug Dill]

But for the average pen user having pens without having the intention to use them is like having books without the intention to read them. It doesn't hurt anybody, but is perfectly useless.

Ha! I have several hundred new and unread (commercially published physical) books lining the bookcases in my apartment (and some more in archive boxes), and even though they don't enrich my mind since I haven't read them, collectively they do make a good decorative piece. There's also the potential that I might pick one up to try to find something in particular, even if these days I'm not really prepare to set aside the time and make the effort to read a book cover to cover.

 

In my opinion, generally speaking there is too much attention for the joy of having a large collection of expensive or rare pens, and too little for the joy of having just a few carefully chosen pens, that could become the pens of a lifetime.

There's the joy of possessing or owning, and then there's the joy of wielding instruments to express oneself; they aren't mutually exclusive, and one isn't more inherently "right" or precious than the other.

 

I don't understand the focus on "pens of a lifetime", though. If there's are models of pens that cost (say) $100 each and will only deliver great joy to the user[/] for three years before they break down, stop working, or just get superseded in looks by new acrylics as the manufacturer churns out new editions year after year, so what if someone spends $100 every three years (with or without binning or selling the older pens) to maintain that joy of writing with fountain pens over his lifetime? How is the idea of "pens of a lifetime" superior, if joy in the moment is the objective?

[jvr]

Interesting observations. Different things matter to different people.

 

As to seeing myself as a custodian: I understand the sentiment, but since I bought these myself I feel no responsibility to preserve them. Thats for true collectors, museums or the manufacturers themselves. I do have a few fountain pens that belonged to my father-in-law, which I will separate from the rest of what I have and put in a place for my wife to keep. And before I sell something my daughter liked, I ask her if she may want it for the future and keep it if she does, but thats it.

 

As to the comparison with photography: I have a use case for each camera and lens I own (other than the cheaper ones I purely bought for display), but I generally only go out with two cameras and one lens on each. The part that bugs me in photography is all the stuff like bags and straps that I added over time and replaced that arent worth selling, but are too precious to just throw out.

 

For fountain pens, really, they have no real use case. Yes, they can write better than other pens and they can be truly gorgeous and I do get pleasure out of them and owning them, but its accompanied by a certain discomfort that I dont feel with other possessions. Yet, its hard to get rid of many of them, because I do really like the way they look and/or write and I do believe beautiful things add to ones quality of life. Its really about finding a balance and I dont know yet where that balance lies.

Edited September 11, 2019 by jvr

[A Smug Dill]

Its really about finding a balance and I dont know yet where that balance lies.

Only experience and reflection can inform you of that. Nobody else (including me, of course!) on an online discussion forum full of faceless and largely anonymous participants can really tell you where the "right" balance lies, using their personal values as the frame of reference, and not knowing you from a bar of soap or understanding your values.

 

I'm just glad I'm not as badly "bitten" by the photography bug: I only have three primary use cases for my camera equipment: producing visual communication to do with pen reviews (which I don't do on FPN[/]), ink reviews, paper reviews, etc; producing "documentation" in support of claims when something I ordered just isn't right, arrived defective, is not as described in the item listing, etc.; and (much more rarely) when my fiancée and I go somewhere and she wants photos for "memories". One point-and-shoot camera for her, one Sony not-actually-an-SLR with interchangeable lenses for me, and of course built-in cameras on our mobile handsets suffices for my use cases. Otherwise, I can just see myself going down the same sort of rabbit hole as I do fountain pens: I have maybe 200, and I've given her another 40 or so, and she struggles to use all of hers from time to time while I don't even try with mine.

Edited September 11, 2019 by A Smug Dill

[Mr. Pink]

I think that just about everyone here has those thoughts now and then. Yup, wanting and then getting are two different feelings. I'll lust over a pen and then if I get it, yes, it's nice, but it was even nicer when I lusted after it.

 

I also have a five year rule - If I don't use something for five years, time to get rid of it.

 

Have I regretted getting rid of some things? Sure. But if I really think about them, they'd still be collecting dust. Besides, when I've sold them I've often treated my wife to something nice. Sold two rifles and then took her to Chicago to see an opera.

[sirgilbert357]

 

 

Money can keep a roof over your head, bills paid, and food on the table however.

 

Compulsive spending is just as much a real addiction as the physical dependence of alcohol. As soon as something starts to impact your life for the worse, it's time to re-evaluate its place in your life.

 

 

+1

 

I've literally watched an old married couple blowing through their retirement savings because the wife just could NOT stop shopping. They were in their late 70's and running out of money fast (projected to be broke in about 2 years) because she just couldn't control her impulses to buy things. Quite sad.