Penfount • Pen Community
#FPQuestion of the Day:
Do you have a maximum or target number of pens you keep in your collection? Or is it the more the merrier?
#FountainPen
Jun 20, 2023 at 12:00amWeb
Show threadKernal 64Jun 20, 2023

@penfount
FEED ME, SEYMOUR!

Uh, I mean, I don't have a set limit on the total number of pens I want to own. I suspect I'll buy new ones that catch my eye and maybe sell off some older ones that either didn't write the way I want or just didn't grab me the way I thought they would.

For example, I'll probably sell my Lamy AL-Star Azure because that color is a lie. And I'm thinking about getting some M nib Preppy pens to nib swap with the F only Preppy Wa pens and then sell off the F points.

Show threadHeatherDLcreatesJun 20, 2023
@penfount I thought I did, but then I took an inventory of all of my fountain pens and realized that there are more that I still want so I guess not.
Show threadalexa-488Jun 20, 2023
@penfount 😂
Show threadmvuJun 20, 2023

@penfount At the moment I'm more or less capped out (posted?)

I've got more pens now than I can realistically keep inked, so I rotate between my favorites. I also bumped up against a price barrier that I'm not comfortable crossing for writing utensils, and already have most of the things I want under that price point!

Now I focus the hobby on using the pens I like most to eat up all this ink and paper I own...

... All that said, I'll smash the price barrier and drop some hot dollars on a striped pilot myu if the opportunity ever arises 👀

Show threadJM42Jun 20, 2023
@penfount I have found that I am using 4 or 5 inked and planning a new rotation with others so they are a ‘present’ when I decide to ink them up and use them. Wish me luck.
Show threadDyed left handJun 20, 2023
@penfount I try and keep a cap of three or so in terms of how many I actually have filled at any given time but in terms of how many I own I think I’ll keep buying pens as long as I find ones I like and when I find myself with too many or feel like moving on from one I’ll sell it
Show threadtrachelipusJun 20, 2023
@penfount I don't have a maximum number. I'm not a collector, so it's never going to be a goal to get, say, one of every Kaweco Sport color. I tend to get a desire to have a particular color ink with a particular nib. If all my pens with that nib are being used for something else I may buy a new pen to satisfy the craving.
Show threadJoeJun 20, 2023
@penfount I'm trying to keep my number under a dozen with the hope I buy intentionally. (Then I disregard that goal and buy something that strikes my fancy. 😂
Show threadsuperplannergirlJun 20, 2023
@penfount I don't have a specific set number, but I don't like to get more than 7 or 8 for some reason- things just start feeling a little crowded. Maybe that will change one day, but right now that's how it is. :)
Show threadWrite_knife_sewJun 20, 2023
@superplannergirl @penfount 🙈 I usually have min 3, max 12 with me in my purse. And 1 - 4 bottles of ink in there too.
Show threadparadoxmoJun 21, 2023
@write_knife_sew wait you carry literal bottles of ink around in your purse? Not even like…samples?
Show threadWrite_knife_sewJun 21, 2023
@paradoxmo lol, yep. There is always a Levenger bottle (if it is a big purse, 2), a 30ml Diamine bottle, and then who knows. It has been a questionable habit for... more than 20 years. I *always* win thst baby shower game of 'who has the strangest thing in their purse'. Lol
Show threadparadoxmoJun 21, 2023
@write_knife_sew Have you ever had any purse inkcidents?
Show threadWrite_knife_sewJun 21, 2023
@paradoxmo knock on wood soooo hard- nope. If you want a purse bottle I highly recommend the Levenger ones. Build in ink well, sturdy tall (lots of threading) cap, stable base and fairly thick glass. They roll around sideways and upside down all the time with no issue.
Show threadparadoxmoJun 21, 2023
@write_knife_sew I’ll be honest I’ve never felt the need to carry a bottle of ink on the go, I just carry 2-3 pens in case one runs out
Show threadWrite_knife_sewJun 21, 2023
@paradoxmo I have a feeling you are a way more attentive and conscientious pen owner than I am. I never remember to check the pens before I head out. I've become shockingly adept at filling pens on the go in a variety of odd places. Lol. And, if I'm waiting at a doctor's office or something I tend to write letters. My preference is towards flexy or bold nibs. Rare that I have anything skinnier than a European M.
Show threadparadoxmoJun 21, 2023

@write_knife_sew I’m not sure that’s the case, haha. I use EF so that does help with the running out of ink situation. It’s pretty much impossible for me to write through every pen in my case on one trip out.

Re: writing letters, that sounds awesome and much better than what I do (doom scroll on my phone, watch videos, or play Words with Friends)

Show threadWrite_knife_sewJun 21, 2023
@paradoxmo I write a lot of letters. I have no idea how to just message you, but if you'd like to be added to my 'send an occasional letter now and again, with no expectation of return letters' list... feel free to message me. They are generally in lovely envelopes on fun paper. :-)
Show threadsuperplannergirlJun 21, 2023
@write_knife_sew @penfount lol this is the way!! and you're brave to carry ink in your purse!!!
Show threadparadoxmoJun 20, 2023
@penfount I would say my core collection is about 30 pens, but I have random other ones, mostly cheap ones worth 3-10 USD that aren’t really worth selling. I’m trying to not expand by buying more, as I’ve pretty much found the pens I like, but people keep gifting me pens, haha. I guess it’s a good problem to have.
Show threadSuspect-SimilarJun 20, 2023
@penfount I don't have a target number. I'm buying fewer pens, but there are still pens that I want to own. And there are pens that I want to own but that I will never buy.
Show threadjiggitJun 20, 2023
@penfount I don't have a maximum number so much as I'm at a stage where I'm very happy with the pens I do have, so I measure new pens against my current core workhorse pens, and this naturally constrains the size of my collection. (My ink problem on the other hand...)
Show threadWrite_knife_sewJun 20, 2023
@penfount There are a lot of pens. But depending on what I'm writing on (both paper and underlying table, lap, wall...), how claw-crippled my hand is from sewing at the moment, and what my mood is... I've yet to feel like it is too much. Well, until I have to clean a bunch. I write a crap-ton of letters so I feel justified in 'needing' a variety of tools. Lol
Show threadr0b07ca7Jun 21, 2023
@penfount
No maximum and no target. This sounds bad, but I don't even know how many I have right now.