Why do you "collect" pens ?

[Goodwhiskers]

#6?

Oh, I needed a good laugh. Thanks!

[antoniosz]

For those of you who mentioned more than one reason, I thought about putting also 1&2, 2&3, 4&5&6 etc as choices but it would need 63 entries and the poll only takes 20 Maybe someday if we can choose more than one, it will be more interesting - or we could start a new poll on what is your second reason for collecting .

 

For those who chose writing pleasure, think how many pens you have at least those who chose #6 are honest with themselves

[wimg]

Hi Antonios,

For those who chose writing pleasure, think how many pens you have at least those who chose #6 are honest with themselves 

That is really true for all reasons but #6...

 

And we even have a pen board to aid you in finding all those reasons...

 

Warm regards, Wim

[Slush99]

Hi,

 

By the way, anyone into gardening? I have to go a buy a flowerpot and a few flowers...Then I will "plant" my cartridge pens into it.

 

Dillon

You'll have to use a bathtub.

 

I collect them for their looks, the writing experience.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

Betty, you can collect school pens, they don't cost much. ($3) I have a nice collection of Sheaffer cartridge pens.

 

Dillon

[KCat]

something about pens that gives me a high when handling them I guess

I have on several occasions tried to explain the "feeling" of writing in general and with fountain pens specifically. "Writing pleasure" doesn't really say it. But "high" isn't quite it for me either. Writing in general has always been more than just a technical necessity and yet more than a creative effort also. There is something in the tactile feedback from a pen, pencil or other writing instrument - especially an FP - that is soothing. I have to wonder if this is one of those things that for many people releases certain neurotransmitters and is calming. Like picking nits is calming for apes. I stitch also and i get that same feeling. So much so that at times I literally crave writing or stitching.

 

i have to exclude #6 though. I do obsess a bit sometimes, but not very often and usually it's because i've been given the go-ahead to buy and I have to really study the pens before making a choice.

 

like others here - though #2 was my vote, other factors enter into the equation. Connection with the past, etc. does not. which i guess is why i'm only so-so with vintage pens.

[Maja]

I voted "Aesthetics" but since I can't narrow my collecting to just one single specific brand (I've narrowed them down though ) I can't really say it's OCD... although I think with people who are true-blue collectors there might be a tiny bit of OCD at play...

[southpaw]

For those who chose writing pleasure, think how many pens you have at least those who chose #6 are honest with themselves 

Edited December 12, 2005 by southpaw

[Johnny Appleseed]

I voted 1, though really it is 1, 2, and 3.

 

Were it just 2, I would probably only have a few FPs (well, fewer than I do) - the best writers in a couple of different catagories (flex nib, super-flex, stub, firm fine, etc).

 

But there is something about the aesthetics of a beautiful Balance in Ebonized Pearl, or Green Striped balance, or a vacumatic, or mottled hard rubber. There is an aesthetic a reason I seek out the striped section that matches the striping of the barrel, etc.

 

And 3 is increasingly important as well, as I seek out earlier and earlier hard rubber pens, to use a 95+ year old pen.

 

Of course my wife, the therapist, is constantly making comments about OCD and addiction support groups.

 

Brian - you may be justifiying your OCD in your collecting, but what you have done to document and publish your collection and information about the history of the Esterbrook company is of inestimable benefit to the pen community. Only a few others can say as much.

 

Richard - I am holding you personally responsible for the cost of a new keyboard after the drool damage to the one I was using when I saw those pictures .

 

John

[Stylo]

I have a hard time answering such questions, but I will start by insisting that I am not a collector. I have been using FPs since childhood, and it is only in the last couple of years that I have been exposed to this hobbyist' world of ultra nice finishes and nibs. I admit I really like these nice looking pens, and that is part of why I have purchased a few more than I really need. If I were a woman, I probably would have had say 6-8 pairs of shoes even though I probably need just 3-4 (am I being hopelessly naive here? ). It's just nice to have a few different looking and different writing pens. Most of us have a few more cloths than we really "need", and I view having a few more pens than needed in the same exact way

[Slush99]

No, you are not. I know a guy who has 30+ pairs of shoes. For some it's with jewelry.

I don't think I'm a collecter really, I need to use my pens.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

I get pens to write with and share the joys of writing.

 

Dillon

[Guest Denis Richard]

For those who chose writing pleasure, think how many pens you have at least those who chose #6 are honest with themselves 

Ooooo... but an OCD is just a symptom, Pr. AZ : It is the How, not the Why

[Guest Denis Richard]

If I were a woman, I probably would have had say 6-8 pairs of shoes even though I probably need just 3-4 (am I being hopelessly naive here? ).

Yes you are being naive. You really need only one pair of shoes

[OldGriz]

I now collect pens because I came here to learn a bit and show off what I make and ended up getting brainwashed (or at least brain rinsed).... I now spend almost as much time looking for a good deal on a collectable or semi-collectable pen as I do on my pen making sites....

 

I am hiding this addiction from my wife who already thinks I am crazy....

 

The final answer is you are all to blame.... :bonk: :bonk: :bonk:

[Guest Denis Richard]

I now collect pens because I came here to learn a bit and show off what I make and ended up getting brainwashed (or at least brain rinsed).... I now spend almost as much time looking for a good deal on a collectable or semi-collectable pen as I do on my pen making sites....

 

I am hiding this addiction from my wife who already thinks I am crazy....

 

The final answer is you are all to blame.... :bonk: :bonk: :bonk:

At least you can use the excuse that they are business expense. See, what you are really doing is studying various models to create your own line

[Louis R]

Although I voted for writing pleasure, these are my motivators, in order of importance.

 

1. Writing pleasure -- I started into nice pens, specially fountain pens, for writing pleasure.

 

2. Aesthetic pleasure -- The second factor. I select pens that look nice, in addition to being pleasant to write with. Eventually, I may get a few that are not specifically for writing.

 

3. Connection with the past -- Once I have a satisfactory selection of modern pens, I expect to start collecting pens representing a timeline of writing technologies. Ideally, one sample of each significant technology.

 

My "collection" is currently at 11 pens: (4 c/c FPs, 1 piston FP, 3 RBs, 2 MPs and one BP).

 

I expect it to grow to 25-40 writing instruments with about 15% modern piston FPs, 20% modern C/C FPs, 30% vintage FPs, 15% RBs, 10% MPs and 10% others (BPs, multifunction...).

[emrecan]

Hi

I voted for writing pleasure but aesthetics comes second

 

Take Care

Emrecan

[Johnny Appleseed]

Interesting that with 61 votes cast, nobody has put down #5. I guess we don't have too many LE investors on this board.

 

Historically, investment value has long been an element of pen ownership. In the early 1900s, American's (and people in some other countries) were prohibited from outright "owning" gold (gold bars, ingot, etc) as an investment. So wealthy Americans would buy gold items - jewlery, watches, and gold-overlay fountain-pens, among other things.

 

Such gilt items provided not only a means to show off their owner's wealth, but also provided a hedge against inflation and served as durable, portable wealth that could be drawn upon in the event that other investments should prove unstable (e.g. bank runs, stock crashes, etc.). For all we talk about vintage pens being primarily tools to be written with, they too had their pocket jewelry.

 

John

[Carène]

I voted 1, but 2 and 3 apply. And ok, a little number 6, too. And don't forget all the fun peripherals--ink and paper!

 

Karen