Are You A User, Collector Or Both?

[RNHC]

As applied to FPN members, I think "user" category is a subset of "collector" category. A "user" by FPN definition would be a "collector," since a typical FPN "user" would have multiple pens. However, a "collector" may not be a "user," although I find it hard to imagine an FPN member not using any of their pens.

[Frank C]

As applied to FPN members, I think "user" category is a subset of "collector" category. A "user" by FPN definition would be a "collector," since a typical FPN "user" would have multiple pens. However, a "collector" may not be a "user," although I find it hard to imagine an FPN member not using any of their pens.

 

Huh?

[Montblanc owner and lover]

Both Collector and user of course. Even if i have pens that i don't really use anymore, because i have plenty of them and there are some i like more than others. I always have at least one 149 with me, as i always have my Dupont Olympio, i generally carry 4 pens with me, a 149, the Olympio and 2 others, the 2 others depend on my mood that day, actually it's a Parker 17 i just got back from restauration and an Aurora Optima Auroloide (blue with GT) (that one is often in rotation also as i'm thinking to it). There are pens i bought with special nibs cause i wanted to have one of these but that make it so that i don't use it often. Like i got a Waterman Carene with a Stub nib (was really hard to get it btw^^), i of course don't use a stub to take notes at university, aswell as i bought a Pilot Justus 95, cause the nib was special and i wanted to try it. I also bought pens for special design, like i bought a Pelikan m200 demonstrator (2012 edition, the clear one), because i wanted a non expensive demonstrator, but i don't use it because this pen is too small imo (even if i have really small hands). So yes collector, but user first

[BMG]

I have a lot of books, but I'm not a collector; I'm a reader.

 

What a great way to put it!

 

That said, I would describe myself as a user with collector tendencies, meaning I buy pens in order to write with them (as opposed to own / display / study them). In some cases I have bought multiple versions of a same pen model / brand (vintage Pelikan 400s, 120s, vintage Sheaffer Balances, Nakayas, etc.) simply because I love using them and enjoy having a few different colors / nibs to choose from.

[RNHC]

 

Huh?

 

Never mind. I was gibbering.

Edited May 14, 2015 by RNHC

[BayesianPrior]

I'm a user, and only purchase a pen with the intention of using it. But as I'm early in my fountain pen journey, I'm accidentally building a collection as I try to figure out what pens I like using.

 

The only pen that might fall into the collection category (in that I will keep it forever, even if I never write with it again) is a fairly boring matte black Cross Century II with gold trim and a steel XF nib. Why? Because my mother gave it to my late father, and then it passed down to me. The funny thing is, the actual pen which my mother gave my father was a Cross Century but the feed became clogged after I inherited it Thanks to the lifetime warranty, when I sent the Century away for repairs, Cross sent me a new Century II because it was 'easier to give you a new pen than fix the old one'. It's the memories and the sentiment attached to the pen, and not the physical pen itself, that make it the centrepiece of my 'collection.'

 

Oh, and I'm using it right now

Edited May 14, 2015 by countrysquire

[JotterAddict62]

 

Thanks for the reply, I have always wondered what the technical term would be for collecting pens, cleaning and making sure they're okay and selling or giving them.

Like my Dad has said about his classic car that he has, I am just the keeper of the car for now.

1969 Pontiac Catalinahttp://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f239/Jotteraddict62/2car_zpsnzsz2xwh.jpg

 

On the side pipes he has [ ONE COOL CAT ] on them.

He said some day it will be mine, along with the 1970 Catalina 4Dr and all the parts he has for them. I told I hope there is money for the building that I will need to house them.

I do have the room to build [ 3 acres ].

[JotterAddict62]

Heck, I just collect to keep the pens out of the landfills.

 

Simple to the point.

[BMG]

Heck, I just collect to keep the pens out of the landfills.

 

Another nice idea! (Green, too.)

 

Edited May 14, 2015 by BMG

[Frank C]

 

Never mind. I was gibbering.

 

I actually understood your post. But basically, you were saying that this topic is pointless. (Pun intended.)

[nibbling]

I aim to purchase interesting pens (and have a collection) but I am not averse to using them and do indeed use them all to greater or lesser extents.

[Sandy Fry]

Both. I use all my pens at some point.

 

David

[RNHC]

 

I actually understood your post. But basically, you were saying that this topic is pointless. (Pun intended.

 

I expect everyone to say both since I cannot imagine a member of FPN not using their pens. I assume we all got into fountain pens (and collecting them) because we enjoy using them.

[Dickkooty2]

 

I expect everyone to say both since I cannot imagine a member of FPN not using their pens. I assume we all got into fountain pens (and collecting them) because we enjoy using them.

Absolutely! My long-winded (or long-data-entered) comment somewhere above tried to show that I do both, but consider myself a lighter user and a heavier collector. The fun is in doing both!

[ethernautrix]

 

I expect everyone to say both since I cannot imagine a member of FPN not using their pens. I assume we all got into fountain pens (and collecting them) because we enjoy using them.

 

I am acquainted with a pen collector who does not use his fountain pens. He travels widely and doesn't take along a camera (doesn't take pictures) and doesn't write notes in a diary or journal. It's fascinating. Seriously. What? Right?

[bsenn]

I'm a user, and only purchase a pen with the intention of using it. But as I'm early in my fountain pen journey, I'm accidentally building a collection as I try to figure out what pens I like using.

 

The only pen that might fall into the collection category (in that I will keep it forever, even if I never write with it again) is a fairly boring matte black Cross Century II with gold trim and a steel XF nib. Why? Because my mother gave it to my late father, and then it passed down to me. The funny thing is, the actual pen which my mother gave my father was a Cross Century but the feed became clogged after I inherited it Thanks to the lifetime warranty, when I sent the Century away for repairs, Cross sent me a new Century II because it was 'easier to give you a new pen than fix the old one'. It's the memories and the sentiment attached to the pen, and not the physical pen itself, that make it the centrepiece of my 'collection.'

 

Oh, and I'm using it right now

 

Like the guy who has his Great-Great Grandfather's axe. The handle was replaced at least 5 times, the head twice... but it's still the family's axe.

[bsenn]

Collector using a portion of his collection. Hey, I reeaallyy like having 20 different color/trim Parker 21s even if I will never write with all of them.

 

Brian

[jdllizard]

Hi, my name's John, and I'm an addict.

 

I'm addicted to fountains pens that catch my interest, either by looks, styling, or mechanics. I hardly ever write anything (please don't shun me) except maybe signing a check or two each month, and jotting down names and dates if I get a phone call where I need to remember an appointment or other important info.

 

So I'm a collector, who always has a few inked up for light, daily use if needed.

[BayesianPrior]

 

Like the guy who has his Great-Great Grandfather's axe. The handle was replaced at least 5 times, the head twice... but it's still the family's axe.

Haha! Precisely! I've got the original box and the original receipt, so that's good enough for me.

[inkstainedruth]

Well, if you'd asked me a year or two ago, or even a month ago, I'd have said "User". But, given that I have this magpie tendency to say to myself "Hey, I really like pen X, I should think about getting more (in different colors and/or with different nibs)", I guess I"d have to say "both". Especially since my most recent acquistion was a Parker Challenger (on the basis of "I don't have and button fillers...").

But I don't think of myself as a C-worder. My pens get used; the ones that don't get used? They haven't been repaired yet....

I like the term OcalaFlGuy coined: "accumuluser"....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth