10 things I wish I had known before collecting Fountain Pens 

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About brands Hongdian and asvine have blown me out of the park with their build quality and low price !

What a journey this fountain pen has been for me, with a collection of pens, inks, and papers that I've amassed over the years. I've invested a significant amount, but it's been a valuable learning experience overall. Over the past decade, I've shifted from acquiring to actively using my collection, moving away from hoarding. Now, as I empty a converter and anticipate the next ink refill, I find genuine joy in the process. Though the temptation to purchase vintage or limited edition pens occasionally arises, I'm reminded of the ones I've damaged or simply kept for display, untouched. Reflecting on this, I can now resist the urge to acquire more. I'm content with what I have, understanding that I can't possibly use all of them at once.

I loved this! Many years ago I had a collection of fine pens, but eventually I let them all go but one. I had failed to give them all the attention they deserved and this made me - and them - unhappy. Over the last 15 years my one pen has become six. There will never be more. Six pens, a few inks until each bottle empties. This is my point of joy. Thanks for such a thoughtful vid!

Seeing that montblanc skipping made me think that pilot 823 and many others that are not in the luxury category are just fine and probably better choices

Never intended to touch vintage pens, except the one I got. I made sure it was an affordable Waterman, but came with a vintage ink bottle that intrigued me. Its previous owner was a retiree who used it for crossword puzzles, passed away, and sold to me by his son looking for a dedicated FP hobbyist (me.)

Excellent advice, correct on every point.

I have to tell you I love this particular video. I resinate so well with all ten of your points. That having been said, it is your first point that you make so very clear that no one cares about your fountain pens. That message, although difficult to hear, is so true. I'm glad there are pages like this on FB and IG that give us an outlet. Thank you for doing your videos, you are an inspiration in your penmanship and your reflections.

Man You are my inspiration in this fountain pen journey. Just by watching your videos, my handwriting improved substantially! Always dreamed of having this handwriting!

I love the P136. I had the grey one. Great writer, very comfortable.

Reality hits! Well said. Thank you for your transparency.

This is such a great video! Thank you for all your knowledge!

Thank you for the video! A great, thoughtful compilation of things to think about. :)

I took up sketching again last year, and noticed many artists using fountain pens. During my research on fountain pens I found Pen Chalets final drop pens where I bought an Opus 88 Demonstrator, and a Pilot Falcon for 1/2 their retail prices. I use the Opus daily, but the Pilot Falcon was a horrible writer, which is probably why it was returned. After some adjustment It writes better, but the Opus 88 gets the brunt of my indoors sketching. When I sketch outdoors I use relatively inexpensive fountain pens like the Pilot Prera, a Sailor 40°Fude, and a Kuretake brush pen. I've also bought a Pilot Metropolitan as a backup, but it lives in a box because the Prera has better flow in my opinion for sketching. As far as ink is concerned I use Rohrer and Klinger Lily sketchink having tried Noodler's, the Rohrer and Klinger just works for me.

It’s a great functional hobby,one stacked with peculiarities this nib that ink which paper .The learning curve is endless , and great fun I find myself doodling and practising for ages some times 😂

Great episode brother!

What an entry statement! It’s so true, no one cares! I recently started in the hobby. It’s an individual journey, no one knows about it.

Very very good video. Some good advice and I’ve made many mistakes costing me probably over £1000 plus, like many I’ve succumbed to FOMO. I after some years know roughly what kind of pen person I am. I’m severely dyspraxic so wouldn’t attempt my own repairs. The problem in the UK is that most of the great pen repairers like myself are ageing and when they retire there may not be much new blood coming in to replace them. Vintage pens can be okay. I like flex nibs so vintage can be good. For standard nibs I find that good used pens especially MB are the answer to getting a really good pen at a more affordable price

I like this dude, good guy!

Very sober discussion, well done.

I learned that branding and price have little to do with performance. A Pilot pen will last for years. De Atramentis and Pelikan make great ink. Swapping a nib can make all the difference. If you touch the pen every day, it’s a good purchase. If it sits in a drawer, you’re wasting money.

Found an Elysee model 70 Classique line, black matte (M - Steel Nib) in mid 2023. It has been a reliable writer so far with Parker's Washable Blue. Came with a convertor and bought it for 3 USD in a flea market. It is a post-reunification pen so say between 1992 and 2000. Cosmetically it was in a rough shape but after a good clean it has changed my writing experience for the better. This Sunday 03/10/2024 found for 5$ another Elysee, this one a Model 80 Design Line with a Lapislazuli finish and a 14k Fine Nib. Both of them suffer from not-so-tight fitting caps (a weak point of the now defunct company) yet the black one has been able to keep a wet nib, so the cap is not shot. That said it stays at home inked and inclined upwards so gravity helps in keeping a seal as good as possible. Will see how good the new one behaves. Out of the door I only use ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils. The moral of the story is that the black one works for me as I know what I want it for and don't push it. I guess it can be said about a lot of purchases. Be well.

Any hobby can be additative. Fountain pens are NO DIFFERENT. Stay away from always on lookout for a new to aquire. Have seen pens ranging from two figures to seven. Hongdian and asvine agree are good performers. But "fp" are so elegant in their style and use. FP do give you away communicating with those that have passed. Thank you, good advice.

I've learned to buy fountain pens for the way I write, which is 100% journaling on fountain pen-friendly paper. So I go for medium nibs with good ink capacity that I can write with unposted. I have four great pens and I would like 2024 to be the year I stop buying fountain pens. I gave my Lamy 2000 to a friend because hooded nibs are not for me even though it wrote flawlessly. That did open up the opportunity for an even better fountain pen.

Thanks for this. I've just been looking into to getting one and doing research. I had no idea about the world out there who collect pens. Was surprised to see how many people have huge collections. Who knew! lol But I do see how it could become an obsession. Some are a work of art themselves.

Good thoughts

This is the very best commentary on fountain pens that I have ever read! Seriously! I follow your advice already so I felt a great connection to your words. I have 1 fountain pen, a Sailor KOP, 4 bottles of Sailor ink and Tomoe River stationary. I use this pen as my EDC. I didn't pay all that money for a fantastic pen not to use it for everything! I am sending links to your article to my friends because it contains nothing but wisdom and good practice. I am going to subscribe to your channel to see what else you have to say. Many thanks.

What pen, nib size, and color is that pen? I like it! Thank you for sharing your perspecitve! Im coming from the watch hobby, and it seems there are a lot of things in common between the two! 😅

For me, in the relationship between collecting and writing skills, the art of writing takes precedence. I've observed that pens like Preppy and Kaküno perform as well, if not better, than the MB 149 and others. The trend of owning increasingly refined and expensive items is a legacy of capitalism... :) It allows for an infinite choice that constantly entices us. I'm also a victim... :) I own too many fountain pens, and I'm not sure if your advice will deter me from buying something new... :) Thanks for your video anyway!

I would really think it will be worth for the fountain pen community to compare these same brands but with the same ink. Very interesting. What about the paper involved? Thank you

I finish a 50ml bottle of ink about every 2 months, even mostly using fine point pens. so, I found a Chinese ink named Hero (it comes in black and in washable blue) at a very affordable price (about US$3 the bottle) that I use in my less expensive pens with which I write most of my book writings and save the most expensive inks for my more expensive pens. I really have only one rule about inks, my Parker 45 always has Parker ink and my Montblanc 149 with Montblanc ink.

Agree and add. Always Check the pens closely before buying. material, nib, overall construction and fit and finish bring a loop , some of this expensive pens have such low quality control and poor fit and finish that your 5$ disposable pen have better finish ajd most 5$ pen actually write better - so not for the writing quality we are here but for the pen ownership, and better to own a nice craftsmanship item then half backed one.

I have now acquired way too many grail pens; over 15, and that raises the question of which one to use, and if I don’t use a pen why did I buy it! If I could go back in time I would buy no more than 3 really nice pens because I’m not a pure collector, but rather I want to use my pens daily. My next project is to clean the ones I don’t use daily and store them properly to prolong their life since most of them are vintage flex lever type fountain pens.

I am building a small (5 pens) collection in honor of a special birthday this year. However one thing I am avoiding are those “hard to believe how inexpensive this pen is….” pens. Because I am concerned about fair labor costs among other things. So I have a cap (😊) on the number of pens I’ll buy and I can enjoy looking without buying. In the end I have to write and draw with them & I only have one hand for that task, so I don’t need dozens of pens. 🙏🏾

Beautiful penmanship! The pen you're writing with seems to be skipping quite a bit. Is this due to the paper you're writing on or is it a frequent quirk of the pen itself?

What size journal do you write in? B6?

Fountain pen hobby is more I found when you have other people to enjoy it with.

love your handwriting. did you have any resources for getting handwriting like your kind of style?

My collection of pens started with ballpoints. It has always been how the pen feels in my hand for long writing sessions. Next is the design and appearance of the pen. But a beautiful pen that feels horrible in the hand is not a pen worthy of owning. I have used this guide to buy further pens. I don't buy ballpoint pens anymore, having gone to fountain pens.

I’m new to this. What is the pen?

Go to a pen show if you think “no one cares about your pens” people there LOVE hearing and seeing y.our pens..

What are you using in this video?

Dear sir fantastic site on the internet with good and objective comment. Which ink would be best on my MB 149 that is wel lubricated and weg please? Best regards from Belgium. Kristian

I hate to agree...but it's true..... Nobody really cares about someone else's fountain pen...or their collection... How many $100 - $500 pens can you truly watch and listen to the pen carriers , brag about or complain about ?? Who truly cares... I guess , your not doing the "#8PenQuestion" collab , in the near future ?? LOL I've only been into fountain pens since Jan 2024....over 2 months...and I am bored with my $1000 collection of over 25 Fountain & Calligraphy pens (becoming a hoarding habit)....and they are all Budget pens ($50 and under)...I only go for a couple of fountain pens on the regular...the rest are collectors... {...of dust}

how to learn to write like you? It looks beautiful

To collect pens, you only need to know AWG and follow here!♥️

Hunting for the perfect pen anyone? Is it a fountain pen, ball point or gel pen?

Hello, I ask a question in a comment , and I just found out that my comment has bee erased

To sum up this video, if you don’t like spending money, don’t buy a vintage fountain pen.

What pen is that? Size nib? I’d like to avoid it at all costs!

I say that everyone is at a different stage in their fountain pen journey than yours. You may find someone at the same stage but the minor details my set you apart.

It's funny that you start out your vid with "no one will care about your fountain pens" when, seeing that children are required to use fountain pens in elementary school, there are so many fountian pens around I'd never even considered this to be a factor. Here, everyone has used fountian pens since being a young child. If I buy a fountain pen, it's for my own enjoyment. Because I love the design, the feel, etc. Why would you consider starting a hobby to .... show off with it? I don't get it. And as with any other hobby: only purchase what you can afford?

Everything you do in your life should be done for your own enjoyment. If everything you do is seeking validation from people then you are set for a life with no sense of fulfillment.

Cheap pens are awful

There's no paper culture in the West. You would be seen as unsalvageable if you submitted written correspondence to an organization. It doesn't matter how legible the writing. The employee will open the letter and exclaim to the office that she received a penned letter instead of email. Not seeing the document they'd think you scratched down your poorly formed ideas with a bic crystal. The office worker probably can't read cursive. Then there's the fact that it's a dangerous habit to journal in the West because it will legally be held against you (and never returned to you at the end)

this is the worst video ever, 10 things and they are not even in chapter numerated??? and these “things” it is just you rambling for 14 mins...

My most expensive first purchase .. a MB Meisterstuck 144.