Modern vs vintage pen life expectancy: where will they be 70 years from now?

[TheDutchGuy]

10 hours ago, sgphototn said:

One problem is oxidation. The second problem is shrinkage…

 

To summarize, vintage pens may contain materials that deteriorate over time even if the pen isn’t used, such as sacs and celluloid. So time seems to be the main factor. Modern pens are unlikely to contain such materials and should stay functional if treated carefully. So use seems to be the main factor.

[SpecTP]

I figure my Conid will be no worse for the wear over the next century.

[Karmachanic]

If I'm lucky I have twenty years remaining.  It would be nice if the pens in my temporarily care found new homes, but they're just as likely to end up in the bin.  Maybe I'll write a note, put it in an envelope and ask thay they be passed on to burden some unsuspecting FPN member.  Or PIF them if the mind is still functioning.

 

There'll only ibe a dozen or so at most.  The out box has six pens at present.  One of these days I'll get around to taking some snaps and put them in Classifieds.

 

In other words I'm not to concerned about their condition in 70 years.  I doubt the original custodian of my MB 234 1/2 had this concern.

[BigBlot]

On 5/19/2021 at 1:18 PM, TheDutchGuy said:

That’s a sobering thought…

Shrug. It is what it is. You may wish to reflect what is the oldest heirloom in your family. Thing happen, interests change. At one time I was keen on things to hand down to future family, then it occurred to me that this is making unwarranted assumptions. At most our things are here for only the moment.

 

That's made me a bit cool on expensive items. If I derive joy from a low-cost item, why pay more for what is essentially the same thing?

[OMASsimo]

I think that the discussion drifted quite a bit because the longevity of a pen is one thing and us inevitably leaving this world is another one. We have a saying that literally translated reads "Your last shirt doesn’t have any pockets". Regardless whether it’s money we didn’t spend or fountain pens, we will leave it behind and we won’t have any influence anymore what will be done with it.

 

As somebody pointed out above, it’s unlikely that our ancestors from the golden age of fountain pens pondered about this question. For them a pen was an everyday tool to be used and so it is for me. I just wrote a few pages with a pen from the early 30s, earlier I took a quick note with a modern pen from the 2000s. In the (home)office today I wrote and took notes with several pens from the 50s. And for quick notes I have a slip cap post 2000 pen and a 1940s mechanical pencil on my desk. I own these pens to enjoy them an I enjoy them by using them. I had vintage pens break down irreparably and I had modern ones failing as well. It hurts losing one but you get over it. Chances are that most of my ridiculously many pens will survive me, even the ones already 90+ years old. 

[TheDutchGuy]

4 hours ago, OMASsimo said:

I just wrote a few pages with a pen from the early 30s, earlier I took a quick note with a modern pen from the 2000s. In the (home)office today I wrote and took notes with several pens from the 50s. And for quick notes I have a slip cap post 2000 pen and a 1940s mechanical pencil on my desk. I own these pens to enjoy them an I enjoy them by using them.

 

+1. Same here. So enjoyable.