The Difference Between Collecting, Using, and Accumulating Fountain Pens
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- Time for another relaxing chat.
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Love your rambling Dr. Brown. I am a user because I love my pens, especially those that are I often used. Because fountain pens are not commonly used here, some thinks I am wasting my money on fountain pens. But I tell myself, my money, my choice, who cares what other thinks.
Stephen, this is charming. Thank you for this. Honest, and in the most charming way.
I use 90% of my relatively small collection of around 20. I’ve gotten carried away in the past with other things I got into, buying and buying until I had a ridiculous number. Some valuable, some not….but most now just take up space until I get around to selling them. Just more baggage in my life that doesn’t make me happy. I have been buying pens for about 2 years, I choose carefully, and choose to use.
I'm sorry but the insurance thing is a very bad example. The insurance agent likely asked your friend if he used the pens in his collection. Anticipating the answer, and getting the obvious one; he said "That's not a collection. You use them."
The insurance agent came yo with a "cute" way to screw your friend over and not pay out the claim. Which is what insurance agents do, they latch on to the most minor of reasons to deny claims.
I could just imagine the scene if that very same nonsense had played out with a car collector who's collection was stolen:
"I'm sorry, you had numerous cars costing between $500,000 and $5 Millon. And you would from time to time drive those vehicles. Oh! That's not a collection."
I could just imagine what would happen next if that sort of "cute" nonsense, trickery, and quite frankly fraudulent denial was used against a car "Accumulator."
+Martin R
Doesn't change the fact that our Host's friend got scammed.
I do not have any Parker 51 - thus I am not a collector. Now it is clear, thank you! :)
Thank you - very thought provoking! Based on your criteria, I straddle “user” and “inept collector”. I have a small cache of pens I use to draw with, all chosen based on how fine their nibs are, and how well the caps seal. I have a larger collection of beautifully coloured metal pens. They’re like little art objects. I love them. I don’t ink them and I keep their packaging. But I’ve set them out and enjoy looking at them, picking them up, showing them to people. So a collection with no resale value, but they give me pleasure.
Thanks for this. Always had a hard time clarifying why I don't think of my pens as a collection and this nicely summed it up. I am an avid user of a moderately small accumulation.
Nice video Dr. Brown, I’m in University, and I’ve recently been thinking about this topic.
The highest amount of pens I’ve accumulated were 12 expensive models: I had a similar “uh oh” moment where I realized I don’t/can’t use all of them to the full extent. I’ve minimized my pen count to 6 pens that I enjoy, and I think setting a limit and obeying that limit can be helpful to avoid hoarding expensive objects. Love your videos, keep it up!
Prof McDougal, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I'm currently in the process of reducing my collection. It's certainly a tough thing to realize, and it's even harder to make others realize that they're hoarding, almost mindlessly so. A small "collection" is more rewarding to me because it's not nearly as burdensome and consuming as when you constantly find yourself drawn to new pens rather than enjoying what you already have. When you get into a hoarding mindset, it can become quite dangerous. That is why you must realize that you're never going to stop unless you make drastic changes and understand that everything you can reduce the hoard to will become a lot more meaningful.
Never boring! I appreciate hearing your thoughts and perspective. I enjoy these talking videos as much as the pen reviews and am grateful for all of the knowledge and content you share with the community. I hope you enjoy making the videos as much as so many of us enjoy watching them. Thanks!
Love the ramblings, I always find them rather enjoyable.
Good video Stephen. I used a fountain pen when I was young and your videos rekindled my interest. Over the last few years (the Brown years) I accumulated around 35 FPs. I lost the need to buy more of them about twelve months ago. Thirty five pens are enough for me, but I enjoy selecting from those pens and caring for them all. The last few fountain pens I have bought have been gifts for folks who have expressed an interest in my pens and in writing with a fountain pen. So I would say I am a user and in a small way a promoter of FP use in others.
+1 for the "Brown years" :-)!
At least he didn't say he was Browned off.
Personally, I love these conversations! Hearing your opinion on subjects is very interesting. Please keep making these if you enjoy doing so!
Greetings from Australia.
I am a fountain pen user and I have acquired about 70 pens since the pandemic began.
But a part of my acquisition could be deemed as a collection for the following reasons.
I have about 12 wooden pens made in the Churchill format. Yes, they are kit pens and I don't care about that. But these are all long pens and they are made of the exotic rare woods of the world. They are beautiful pens and I love them and they are in constant use. I add different woods to this collection all the time. These pens are bespoke made in Australia.
But then I have my Chinese "Novelty" pens; they have a Chinese heritage story behind them and they are in fancy wooden boxes that have Chinese characters etched on the lid. Then there is the Duke Chinese Opera Mask Pen which comes in a fancy box; and the cap has all the Peking Opera Mask faces around its circumference. These Heritage/novelty pens I've never used, but they are very different and stored in my in my pen cabinet.
So one can be a user and collector at the same time.
Excellent explanation.
What a timing, one hour back I ordered 3 cheap pens for repair exercise...ehem...I like the thoughts that you bring here, makes one think and this is a good thing! Thank you for yourself / your personality, your time and motivation to keep on going 👍
Not bored at all!
It's important to talk about those questions. Thank you.
Dr. Brown, your presentation was validation for my predisposition towards accumulation. Thank you.
Great explanation.
Thank you.
I am a USER who appreciates fountain pen that WRITES when I need it too.
So, I gravitate toward my Sailor and Pelikan pens which ALWAYS write and need not be ‘primed’ after a few days dormant.
Always great to see and listen to Dr. Brown!
Thanks for explaining the distinction between collecting and using... Good stuff
I love these conversation videos! And this was a good one as usual. Keep 'em coming Dr. Brown! ~Jax
I’m a user too. Even if I buy two colours or nibs of the same pen, it is for the purpose of using them in different situations.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Collection: an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, or exhibition or as a hobby. Fountain pen collectors compare and study through use. The insurance company was using bogus technicalities to avoid paying out-- an art they have perfected over decades (centuries?). A 'system' is not required in the definition, but if you want one, and I'm not being a 'smartass' why not this-- a variety of brands, models, and styles for comparison focusing on their differences?
No, not bored to death - nice to hear you thinking out loud as it were. It seems to me that whether one is predisposed to be a collector or a user there's bound to be an accumulation phase whilst establishing what one really likes. The trick is to take your time and think it through ... I suppose. :-)
Thank you for this detailed explanation of the differences between using, collecting, and accumulating fountain pens. The discussion about the gentleman’s enlightenment by his insurer that his pens were not a collection because he used them was eye-opening. My thoughts, then, turned to my book collection. But I don’t think books can only be considered a collection if they remain unread. But I digress. But, in that vein, I purchased the first fountain pen (in a very long time), at a local establishment, last week. And I’m expecting delivery of another today. And I actually began scaling back my my TBB (Yep, you guessed it - “to be bought”) list yesterday. So my thinking about pen ownership was, kind of, already aligned with your views. Awesome video. Congratulations on gaining a new subscriber.
I've accumulated 24 fountain pens. I tell my wife it's a valuable collection, as that makes my accumulating them more tolerable to her!!
yep...we know you're not getting laid....at least not by your wife anyways.
@@Harlem55 what?
@@ryelydude God, why can't people, whom value fine writing implements read sexual references into literature? This is why Germany needs to shove its diplomacy with the U.S . up it's ass. The point is that he appears to be a homosexual whom is so deeply in the closet that the pope has sent a team of six catholic school boys five of whom have been unsuccessful thus far.
@@ryelydude Do you need a screen reader on account of your apparent blindness or would you like me to type it back out in all caps and send it to you in a teletype transmission? He acts gay as fuck in terms of American culture anyways. Would pass for a straight French guy- but assuming indeed that he is exhibiting an Old-world European accent, it does not pass, by any means, as hetero. THAT being the point, as amusing as the concept is, considering this meterosexual bullshit that is now taking over three-quarters of Europe as a status quo and is beginning to infest certain sections of the affluent in the U.S. - which IMO is rather unsightly in that it can be said to be a criminal conversion of an entire subculture.
Also, if your fountain pen collection is worth at least several thousand dollars in the collective and you can't write original material which is noteworthy (considering Anne Frank used a cheap pen to do the dirty in one of the most influential written works in the modern era) it falls that you seriously need to quit wasting money on pens when there are at least a half dozen better things to spend money on which have a practical application.
A clear definition of all the terms. Thank you.
I thoroughly enjoy your conversational videos. You always bring a lot of thoughtfulness to them that really enriches my experience with my pens. Using fountain pens ain’t brain surgery, but it engages me in so many ways. You bring information & a distinct POV that really enhances my pen life! Thanks!
Thanks Stephen for this video.
Awesome video ! I always appreciate your thought on all those fountain pen and life related topics! Thank you !
Fantastic exploration of the differences, and a good friendly reminder that it's worth taking the time to think about where you (general you) stand and why. Thanks for taking the time.
I am so glad you are doing these types of videos. You help get ones head on straight. Thanks.
Great video! A former co-worker recently got me interested in buying more than just grocery store shelf pens every few weeks. I must say my appreciation for them has grown tremendously.
I enjoyed hearing you talk about this!
A very useful and thought provoking video for newbies and veteran FP fans.
No, not bored at all. I enjoy your pen talks very much. Timeless and relevant. ☺️🖋
I love these “talkies!” And in color, too. I half expect you to jump on top of the desk and say “Welcome to Sherwood!“ or have a forest feast with Azizah de Haviland!
I have a Collection of 3 fountain pens made in England before 1960. Parker 51 Waterman's 515 Swan Mabie Todd.
I have accumulation of fountain pens that I demonstrate to customers on my stall.
Flex and stub nibs are popular.
Stubs are my favourites.
Thanks. Good commentary. I just started 1 year ago using FPs, and your definitions are indeed very useful for me. Cheers.
I have been collecting Montblanc Writers Editions since 2003 (Homage to Jules Vernes) and I've used all of them at one time or another. I also accumulate other Montblanc special and limited editions, and Montblanc considers me a collector. I also accumulate pens from other brands, though not as many. Am I a collector as per your considerations? :)
Excellent video. I love these more expansive opinionated pieces. They are a breath of fresh air from the usual mechanics of a fountain pen review. Thank you so much.
Great video, thank you. It raises some key points for me at a core level... "who am I? who do I want to be?" and how do I portray that to myself and others. I like your distinction between collecting, using and accumulating. I am a user but I have a fascination on repairing. When I reflect it is because I have a green agenda for reusing, I have an interest in how things work and how they developed and an interest in bringing something back to use that may have been discarded. That is who I am and who I want to be. Another aspect to reflect on is the impact on others of our expression; the space it takes up, especially in a shared space and the financial and time investment it may take and how others may view that. So what does this mean for me? It is about considering do I know what I am doing and why? Do I know the impact on others and why? Do I have self-imposed boundaries or do I wait for boundaries to be imposed on me, such as "you are not buying any more pens!" I am still working on this one!!!!
That was a great video! Thank you very much.
Interesting views. I would add time to the story. I think a lot of penpeople start accumulating and use the accumulated pens before finding a theme for the collection and start purchasing more "serious" pens for regular use while the initial collection ends up in a box. I guess accumulating affordable pens is phase we all go through while finding focus.
well put.
I don't see why one couldn't do both. I, however, am most definitely a user. I don't think I could buy a pen and not ink it up. I would have to know how it writes, and how it feels to write with it.
We need a word to describe a bunch of pens, something similar to a "pride" of lions, or a "school" of fish.
LOVE it!!! 😊Hmmm. Now, you’ve got me thinking.
This is very educative. I note the distinction between "collecting" and "accumulating". I now realise what I have been doing all these years without knowing it- ie 'collecting': I buy all the variants ( colour and nib) in the same model and thus have a large collection of some models. ( My wife has been considering me unbalanced for buying so many pens in the same model, but now I can face her confidently with a scientific explanation!)
As for the insurance episode, insurers are trained to reject claims first. That comes by their very instinct. No matter what you say, they can twist it. The meaning they assign to words is different: like Humpty Dumpty, they make words mean what they want. I relate one incident. A friend left his small car in a garage for servicing on a Saturday. That evening and the next day, it rained non-stop and heavily ( monsoon time here). The garage situated in a low-lying area was completely "flooded"; the car was submerged under 7' water. It remained so for two full days. The engine was gone. The car had insurance, but insurance people refused to even look at the car. They said: "There is no river in this place, and so by definition there can be no floods here"! That was the end of the matter. We do not have sufficiently long spoon to sup with the insurance devils. Shakespeare said it well:
"And be these juggling fiends no more believed
That palter with us in a double sense;
That keep the word of promise to our ear
And break it to our hope." (Macbeth)
I really like watching your videos.
One again a great video.
These are very thought provoking and definitely better than regular boring reviews.
Please keep them up.
Dr. Vikas
Thank you ! FPA Slackers pointed me here when I was pondering this question. I’m a user who has accumulated too many pens and needs to find a criteria for downsizing. Whether I genuinely want to continue using that pen seems a good starting place!
I think after 20+ years in the hobby i can say that i am a collector, users and accumulator. I have a number of collections. Some are brand focused, some are country focused and some are era focused. These are often but not exclusively vintage pens. I may use them from time to time but mostly I want to preserve in the best condition possible. Then a have many modern pens that i use, some more than others. Since i enjoy collecting I am easily sucked into limited edition things like the annual Lamy Al stars. Those sometimes turn into actual collections as I find myself trying to get them all. Beyond that I have accumulated a very broad array of inexpensive users just because its fun. So am i collector, a user or an accumulator? Yes.
Speaking for myself, thought-stimulating monologues are never boring. Since the descriptions, user, collector, accumulator are not mutually exclusive, I see it as a Venn diagram where a person could be any combination of the three characteristics. Me? Athough I use nothing but fountain pens, I'm a casual user-accumulator, at best. On the rare occasions when we stop at an antique vendor and I decide to ask if they have any fountain pens, they frequently assume I’m a collector. "Nope. Just looking for something that might strike my fancy.”
Great example of Comparing and Contrasting! Superb! Loved the distinctions drawn here! By the way, I have an leather office chair EXACTLY like yours! Even across the pond, Dutchmen be hanging together!
Mr Brown interesting conversation on collecting and accumulation. i am a user and have various brands of pens but no specific order to them.I purchase them because i love owning and writing with fountain pens of all styles and materials that is the fascination to me . I have at least 70 FP's and some of them are quite expensive and use them all at one time or another No boredom here Sir keep rambling away that's what makes your reviews all the more interesting . And thank you for another excellent video.
Nice fireside chat. I like items that are storied or have unique (useful) qualities. I have friends that collect...well, collectibles; items specifically created for collectors. They stay in their wrappers, sometimes multiples of one item, and never move from their assigned space. I can't grok that. I suspect I'll stop when I have about a dozen pens with a good range of capabilities and aesthetics. Ideally I'd imbue them with my own stories.
I have bought Jinhao pens for a few years now. I am a Jinhao pen collector, and also sell them on a collectors market stall.
I am a pen pusher and get others into the Jinhao pen addiction.
The Shark and the Swan pens get children into fountain pens.
I will probably be cautioned soon for corrupting minors and causing inky fingers.
I enjoy using fountain pens. A while ago I decided to set a limit of 15... (although if I get those in my wish list, we would be counting around 25). However, my intention is to get rid of the one I least like, when a new one arrives home. It works for me. It helps me live without clutter, but keeping the excitement of getting new pens while increasing the quality of my bunch with time. I usually have 4 inked at the same time, and use them in rotation, matching always the inks with their colour. SInce one of the inks started smelling a bit weird, I do the same with inks. I never have more than 10, and until today, I have never repeated buying the same one. That makes the ones I buy very special indeed. I keep my ink samples and love comparing them!
I don't want to do a collection of pens, using my house as their storage until I sell them or someone inherits them and enjoys them in my place.
Pens are not large items. Unless you get into hundreds, space is hardly an issue, in my opinion.
ghlyall True. Compared to my other hobbies, the least space demanding.
Couldn’t agree more with everything you said. Well done.
This is a good time to hear you have a main "go to" pen, because as a user I feel guilty of not using every pen I justified and have accumulated. At present I have too many inkt up (8?). I go to start a letter and I'm discouraged by the choice process of pen/ink and invariably grab my "go to", and the rest just dry up. Not sure what I will do now, but maybe clean out the rest to store, and rotate just one other for contrast against my "go to". Thanks for a great subject. "My name is Bruce and fish is not food."
Not bored to death. Quite the opposire. Thank you!
You are absolutely right, very nice and prompt 👍
Hi Stephen, thank you very much for all the time and effort you put into your videos. They've helped me make decisions and for that alone, I'm very grateful. Plus the information, the entertainment and learning more about something I've had a long interest in, but no-one to share it with.
I see myself as a FP User, I do however, have around 20 primarily stealth pens (about 1/2 atm) the rest are black [silver trim & 2 with gold trim}. I also have 13 dark grey FP's, 6 SS or Chrome FP's with a bunch of ballpoints, 8 Blue (sort of Royal Blue mostly or close to), + the odd one that's different, and a handful of demonstrators that I use for coloured inks especially the shimmery ones. Now I DO use a fair few of my pens, and they're in rotation during the year, but I do have some favourites. SO. My question is, where in the User - Accumulator - Collector spectrum would you like to hazard a guess I'd be considered? I'm just curious to know. From what you say, other than using the pens, I sound more of a collector, but using them, nudges me either to the outskirts of that group, or places me pretty much in between. It's not an important question, your video has naturally given me something to think about, and wonder, and I'd very much appreciate an unbiased opinion. Thanks, Ally
As ever an excellent video. Even though most of the pens you review are way out of my reach, I still love to hear your thoughts. Thank you.
I'm very VEEEERY new to fountain pens, and I'm trying to keep a very small & economical set of pens just for profesional and personal use.
I want to get sort of "one of every type", and not accumulate much, I currently use a cheap chinese eyedropper for work, bought a converter one in a bazzar, have another as a gift from my mom (my first pen) and ordered a chinese piston filler one online... I don't want to get too crazy, and just keep this as a hobby and for use.
Nice thinking framework. I really enjoyed it
I use fountain pens every day because of their utility, beauty (to me), and I appreciate being able to write using the cursive system in this digital age. I went through about 25 pens to get down to the four or five that I love and rotate through weekly. The rest stay uninked in a drawer. I am a joyful user.
my father was an accumulator, I am a user since I don't keep any pen which I don't use regularly. Question: I have a friend who buys expensive good looking fountain pens, without any other apparent selection criteria, he keeps the pens untouched, never inking them. My assumption is that he is a collector, what do you think?
Thanks. My two -bits: The third variable is how much money is tied up in one's... uh inventory? When does the accumulation or collection become a financial concern? Significant other? (Add 50 points). I lust after a short list of pens that are off-scale any semblance to a sober budget. Investment? It would be a rationalization if i told myself that. However, the non monetary payback is what makes it worth it or not. This a helpful comment? Probably not.
Even at low level pen purchasing, it's still moneys diverted from other (potentially important buys), unless you're Rockefeller - smiling at your commentary, Marty :D
I love Aurora fountain pens and and pens with hooded nibs--these categories overlap some--so I started accumulating those. Prior to that I acquired pens on a whim--whatever looked cool, impulse buys, etc. That's the "system" that can get people into trouble.
Chronologically speaking, my hoard went from "no rhyme or reason" to at least having a semblance of a system, which makes it feel more like a "collection."
I have 2 extremely rare guitars: a DV72 and a DV74 made by Guild. I use them constantly. They aren't insured AND they live their lives in their cases. Why? Because that's where they're properly humidified. I don't insure them because what's the point if they're stolen? They'd never be replaced. Fender (who now owns Guild) would never replace either and the insurance would never actually replace the actual cost. I loved this video because it shows my frustration with my other obsession. Thank you!
"Bored to death" ? No way! Always enjoy your insights This writing passion is about much more than our pens and inks. It's many thing, but learning through others (one's self too) is what keeps me enamored. Ramble on Stephen :)
Truly interesting contemplation
I appreciated your own personal example.
Have only just gotten into pens Steven, and my family think I'm nuts. My wife says " I suppose you're going to be collecting them then?" I didnt have an argument. But, thanks to you, I can say "No dear, I'm a user who accumulates pens that I like ! I havent of course told her about my lust for the Moonman M600s. Cheers, Bob.
Not what I expected the distinctions to be. I would have said a user is someone who uses the few pens they have, and discards ones they don't. The collector is someone who has pens and keeps them organized, but has more than they can possibly use. Accumulation is just hoarding, not being used, not being looked at or enjoyed.
This is the nearest to, or maybe precisely, my own understanding and definition of the separate terms used to describe the different types of pen fans/buyers, everywhere.
A useful distinction! By which I mean, I suppose, that it aligns with my own experience and musings. I came to a similar conclusion looking at some of the always lovely, occasionally unusable (and identified as such) offerings on David Nishimura's excellent The Vintage Pens Website. I get pens to enjoy using them, for various reasons -- appearance, filling system, place of origin, nib, etc. Thanks for the reflections!
Right. What's important is the freedom you still have. To buy or not to buy. To keep or not to keep. Whether you're holding that pen or that pen has a hold on you. If this pen or the next has a hold on you, who cares if you're a collector or an accumulating user? Whether you're collecting dust somewhat usefully or uselessly? You're not free anymore... and I think that's the saddest thing not to be in this life. If the pen you're holding or never using makes you happier than actually being free to give it away (for instance, to me) you've got a problem. A problem that makes you repetedly happy is a problem still.
Cheers. And thanks, Dr. Brown :-)
Very well put and interesting content. Nice detour from pen reviews and such.
Great question. I have over 100 OMAS pens but don’t consider myself a collector because although I have a brand focus I, 1. Do not do so exclusively, 2. I use them all (though granted it can take a while) and 3. I don’t obcess on everything of one type- if I don’t like it I don’t care if I don’t have the set. FUN is the focus; and I’m still there.
Omas has gone defunct, so what you have is not easily replaceable, and is valuable.
Great video. I rather enjoy your rambling videos. Thank you for sharing
Hey you have the Goulet Pen music. Miss you old school music.
I agree with you. Following you point of view, may I be a user who is accumulating fountain pens with the strong convention that I'll be able to become a collector? 😅 Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you. I am a user and never thought of the difference before and for years called myself a collector. A am one who accumulates fountain pens, no rhyme or reason except something appeals to me about them, lately namely my love of red. Red inks, now lately red fountain pens.
Stephen, thanks for another interesting conversation with great insights.
Having had parents who were art collectors it always miffed me that one could only look but not use the items.
Me, I am an accumulator / user of pens. I use them in a rotation and enjoy them.
Thanks again for these insights, much appreciated.
I look for beautiful pens of lesser known brands such as Cleto Munari and I use them because they feel beautiful. I agree it’s not a collection because I cannot afford to be focused on the ‘all’. I started to display them on my office wall but I have acquired too many now so I am slowing down. It can get obsessive if I am not careful.
You know what, Stephen? I appreciated this video. A few of your last ones involved pens I had absolutely no interest in, but this video, on a significant pen topic, resonated with me. I've "accumulated" about 30 pens over the last year and use them in rotation for work and journaling. I've felt guilty about buying so many pens, but my goal was to buy my "grail pens" and to buy pens from different companies with different nib sizes to compare them. I totally agree with your definitions of users, collectors and accumulators. That helped me feel less guilty about "accumulating" and "using" so many pens that I really don't "need." Would you say "accumulating" and "using" fountain pens qualifies as a "hobby?"
Absolutely! As long as you enjoy what you're doing, it's a hobby!
Great topic for discussion, nicely addressed. When all's said and done I think you're right when you say it's really a matter of semantics... probably the only one who needs a strict definition is that insurance guy, whose livelihood depends on the ability to determine whether something is a tool, a decoration or a collectible. For most, I think it's a subjective thing, based on one's own perspective. For example, I'm an artist and I buy pens for drawing ... while I appreciate their beauty as objects, have taken an interest in their history, and do on occasion consider them a collection, they are also very much tools. However, if a fountain pen aficionado were to open my pen folio and examine the different makes and models of Wahl Eversharps, Mabie Todds and Watermans, he could easily declare that the owner is an avid collector whose focus is vintage flexible nib fountain pens. And I really couldn't argue with him, except perhaps to point out that every one of them is inked. Or to show him my other folio containing brush pens and technical pens. But then, I do own a copy of Lambrou's "Fountain Pens of the World," does that push me back into the collector's realm? In the end, perhaps one could suggest that there is enough overlap between collecting, using and accumulating to make a single determination difficult for any given person. Venn diagram, anyone?
Thank you Stephen. This was helpful to me.. it seems to be a theme that I've shared with you and Matt.. probably others.. the acquisition drive began to be addictive. I'm strictly a user.. I carry four or six and I rotate.. I have some beautiful steel nibbed Edison's, and TWISBI, and the nicest gold nib from Germany, Italy, France and Japan.. I began, with my wife's assistance to question my motives. There are one or two more pens that I'd like and then I do believe the buying needs to generally end or dramatically reduce! I love writing and I do write a lot for work and I write fiction for pleasure and church-related pieces.. so I use my pens quite a bit. I've been with you from the beginning and enjoy the evolution we've gone through.. thanks man!
Frank from Boulder, Colorado
I don t have a system to my Pens, then I m an accumulator and a user. I d not stick to one particular way of assortment because I try to puchase the pens I happen to like or those I seek after. I m not a collector; I m a user. Interesting Talk, THX for this. I do like this Just-talk format.
Very interesting topic. Yet I wonder if collecting pens is worth if one does not enjoy the writing. I guess that this feeling of writing and the appearance of the text is all the magic. I was reading some old legal documents few days ago and i was fascinated by the appearance of the documents so much that it took me half an hour admiring them.
You are not boring, Stephen! This "relaxing chat" helped me think out loud to myself and put myself into a pigeon hole. Or more than one pigeon hole. I don't collect. I sort of amass. I do focus, though, on certain types of pens. Many are Chinese or Indian because, in today's marketplace, they represent the best value for my money. I buy them to use rather than to ogle. I'm saying that even hunters and gatherers and users may have a particular focus or interest that makes each pen unique for them. It's commonly called "taste." Thanks for forcing my brain for a few moments!
Definite user here. As long as the pen is pleasant to use I will like it. For many years I stayed with a simple chinese pen I found on ebay one day. It was a $2 pen. Nothing spectacular but it felt very nice to write with. (Stainless steel Baoer 801) At this point I have two fountain pens and one dip pen. And the second pen is bought as a present for my mom. Elegant white porcelain, extra fine. I only have one left hand to write with. I don't need any more pens than that.
Is there then a difference between being a fountain pen accumulator and being addicted to accumulating fountain pens? and when is it pathological?
John Aceti Both are pathological...in some degree, more or less
So you are saying Steven Brown is pathological? ... just kidding. I think a search for the perfect pen is a quest - the holy grail, the pen that does everything you want and need. Along the journey many pens are tried and may be accumulated but I don't see what is pathological about the quest. Pathological accumulation would be if the accumulation was being done or anything but healthy reasons - don't you think?
Or spending money you can't afford recklessly.
I’m definitely a user and not a collector. But I’ve seen a collection of Parker Duofolds that makes me wish I had the resources to collect something so rich with history for the sake of preserving and admiring them.
I mean, I don't understand why one wouldn't be able to call it what they want. I'm only just now getting into collecting pens, so I'll use another example.
I'm a "collector" of classic style gentleman's fashion. Things like suits, dress pants, dress shoes, ties and the like. I use them every day, yet I still call myself a collector. Why? The word "accumulation," or being called an "accumulator" simply, in my opinion, conveys a lesser amount of care and attention than a "collection," or being called a "collector." A collection seems to indicate that a great amount of care is put in to the items in one's collection, like a stamp collection handed down through generations, or a carefully maintained and curated handbag collection. "Accumulation" conveys the idea that the items were only acquired because they were available, as if they are there only to exist and not be cared for.
In short, I'll flex my poetry skills here, parts of an "accumulation" are acquired because of what they are, whereas parts of a "collection" are acquired because of what they mean.
I'm a user/accumulator currently. I don't see myself ever shifting to a "collector" in the sense mentioned by the insurance agent. That said, I'm shifting from knee-jerk accumulation to targeted acquisition as I better learn my wants and needs.
Hoe zou je 'accumulation' en 'collection' in het Nederlands vertalen? 'Verzameling' en...? Interessant verschil :)
Thank you for the great info and insight. I heretofore declare myself a user, not a collector!
Absolutely interesting! It seems the pens I value most have come from you. Do I collect SBRE Brown pens? Nope. But I keep an eye on your "For Sale" page and sometimes I go a little nuts. What pen can be more cool than a pen from SBRE Brown? Another pen from SBRE Brown! :-) Thanks for the chat Stephen ~ I love it when you give us your prospective.
Very interesting way to look at all this.