Re: Do you have pen peace?
I really had a wild ride at first, buying everything I could afford and think of...often inexpensive multiples of Chinese pens from the good old days of isellpens-dot-com.
Gradually I learned what I liked and what I tolerated and what I couldn't stand (NO heavy pens, no skinny pens, no metal sections).
While still preferring c/c pens, I discovered the excitement of taking a beater vintage pen and getting it to write. I shunned piston pens at first, but grew to enjoy them and have a small collection now.
I've sold or given away pens numbering in the three figures. And it's all been FUN. 🎉🥳👍🏻
Re: Do you have pen peace?
I am both content with every pen I have, and expect to buy more pens over time. I don't even have much specific in mind. I want one of the Esterbrook Esties in the peacock colorway, and a Parker 51 Deluxe in Plum (if they ever do resolve the manufacturing issues and get them to market--last time I inquired they said Feb 2021). There are a few other pens I find more or less appealing depending on my mood that day, and I never know what the vintage market will have at any given time.
I'm not terribly plagued by temptation. Either I can afford what I find appealing, or I can't. Or more accurately, either I'm willing to pay the going price for it, or I'm not willing. I can think a given pen is the most beautiful object on this planet, but if it's not in the price range I find comfortable, I'm content just to admire a photograph.
Re: Do you have pen peace?
Short answer: Kindv.
Temptation management includes appreciating what I have, fiscal responsibility, pragmatism, competing temptations, and awareness of the nature of desire (coming and going and insatiable), plus recognizing my own habits. I have not bought many beautiful pens, because I know! If I buy it, I'll use it for a few days, then I'll clean it and put it away, cos I "love" these other handful of pens more -- and reach for them first. So what's the point of having all the others? Some might find comfort or joy in a thousand choices, but... I can't handle it! That's just the truth. Whether or not it's a shortcoming depends on your perspective. For me, for now, less is more.
I'm not aching to buy pens. I want to sell some. Face-to-face. So, either I wait until pen shows are possible, or I relent and resort to the Internet and Poczta Polska.
Re: Do you have pen peace?
I'm more or less at pen peace, but I did buy two fountain pens this year. And some inks, and threw in one more journal while I was at it.
Well, that's fountain pens. I did buy some Copic multiliners and Sakura Pigma Microns for drawing.
But for fountain pens, I'm at the point where it's more of a concern to give all of my good pens a fair turn in the rotation than to add more good pens, let alone ones that might turn out not to be as good as I'd hoped.
As for the VP or Decimo, I have both, and prefer the slimmer Decimo. It's a good pen that I've used recently, but I'm not tempted to buy another just because it has a different color or pattern on it, most definitely not if it's some special edition that costs more. Haven't even looked up this striped one that the OP mentions, so am not sure if that's the case here.
EDIT: Okay, I just clicked on the link in that original post.
Yes, it's a very attractive version of the VP. It reminds me of my Pilot striped MYU, which is one of those good pens that doesn't see enough time in the rotation.
No, I would not buy such a thing. When you can get a functionally identical ordinary VP or Decimo for less than half that, paying a premium just for appearance doesn't compute for me. But not everyone thinks the way that I do.
Re: Do you have pen peace?
I don’t accept the premise of the original post. I just absolutely enjoy buying new pens. Pen peace just seems kinda odd.
Allan
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Re: Do you have pen peace?
Pen peace? Sort of. I don't constantly puruse ebay, amazon, Goulet or other sites where I might buy a pen. I do look at things occasionally though.
I have about 40 pens (+/-) and have had for some time. I rarely sell or otherwise dispose of pens. I recently aquired a Lamy 2000. It isn't a pen I "had to have", but it came available at a price that was hard to pass up. Plus my wife wanted to get me something nice for Christmas. Nothing was really jumping out at me. When I saw the price, I decided to pull the trigger. I don't expect to get another for some time.
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Re: Do you have pen peace?
Sort of here too. Of late I've been a bit wary of taking more expensive pens to work, even though I have an office, and as a consequence have been looking into cheaper pens again. Specifically I may consider the Parker 45 - tons of those around, though I gave away the best one I've ever seen - or even a Lamy Al Star if the colour attracts. Sometimes I feel that the cost of the pens distracts me from the just writing with them, and it's not like I have really expensive pens (tops out with the Pilot 823).
Re: Do you have pen peace?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Empty_of_Clouds
Sort of here too. Of late I've been a bit wary of taking more expensive pens to work, even though I have an office, and as a consequence have been looking into cheaper pens again. Specifically I may consider the Parker 45 - tons of those around, though I gave away the best one I've ever seen - or even a Lamy Al Star if the colour attracts. Sometimes I feel that the cost of the pens distracts me from the just writing with them, and it's not like I have really expensive pens (tops out with the Pilot 823).
I am enjoying using a Wing Sung "flighter" 601 for work...$22.
Re: Do you have pen peace?
Pen peace? Probably not.
Pennui, perhaps. Its been a while since I've seen a pen that I felt I truly needed or found intriguing enough to want.
Re: Do you have pen peace?
Yes, I have pen peace.
But I suspect my definition is very different than the OP's.
Re: Do you have pen peace?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
penwash
Yes, I have pen peace.
But I suspect my definition is very different than the OP's.
Will, that's pen peace, not pen pieces!
Re: Do you have pen peace?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
FredRydr
Quote:
Originally Posted by
penwash
Yes, I have pen peace.
But I suspect my definition is very different than the OP's.
Will, that's pen
peace, not pen pieces!
Riiight!
Where's my reading glasses when I needed one.
Re: Do you have pen peace?
Probably not for a while :) I just got my first pen a few months ago (sheaffer vintage) then I got a Pelikan M205. I am waiting on two more M205's (I'm a bit obsessed!) I just got a Jinhao in the mail. It's a beautiful pen, but the nib does not deliver. However, I purposely ordered it (it was cheap) to experiment with! So that's my current project..anyways, I'm in the stage where all I'm thinking about is pens. :D
Re: Do you have pen peace?
I have pen peace. Lots of pens pass over my workbench and very, very occasionally I'll keep an exceptional writer. Handling old pens, appreciating them and fixing them up brings deep peace and contentment.
Re: Do you have pen peace?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
eachan
I have pen peace. Lots of pens pass over my workbench and very, very occasionally I'll keep an exceptional writer. Handling old pens, appreciating them and fixing them up brings deep peace and contentment.
Yes and Amen!
What amazes me is the fact that the level of appreciation deepens instead of becoming less as time goes by.
Re: Do you have pen peace?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
penwash
Quote:
Originally Posted by
eachan
I have pen peace. Lots of pens pass over my workbench and very, very occasionally I'll keep an exceptional writer. Handling old pens, appreciating them and fixing them up brings deep peace and contentment.
Yes and Amen!
What amazes me is the fact that the level of appreciation deepens instead of becoming less as time goes by.
My appreciation for those older pens also deepens, while my general apathy towards new makes and models trends ever downward. The materials and innovations of the past stand in stark contrast to the relatively soulless creations out there today, imo.
Re: Do you have pen peace?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AzJon
Pen peace? Probably not.
Pennui, perhaps.
Pennui - what a wonderful word.
Re: Do you have pen peace?
I don't know if I'd call it pen peace, but my pens make me happy to look at them and handle them and even write with them. I realized what makes my pens even better are the leather black velvet lined cases, because then I can indulge my inner dragon by opening up a case and pretending the pens in it are my hoard. As a kid, I had a red velvet evening bag with a black satin lining. I kept all my peerie marbles in it, and pretended they were jewels. And I pretended I was the dragon. I suspect I would be happy with my pens in cases even if I never wrote with them. I would just hover over them and gloat.
Re: Do you have pen peace?
Do you have pen peace in the sense you are happy with your fountain pen collection and not tempted to buy anymore?
Sort of... I'm going through a thinning down phase, there are temptations but not nearly as many as there were before. And this year I've not been able to go on pen safari because of covid restrictions - my one and only sortie in between two lockdowns though I struck very lucky indeed and got a lovely Aurora Talentum!
How do you manage to curb temptations?
I find that looking at what I've already got tends to curb the temptation to splurge. With a few exceptions.
I also now keep a spreadsheet that shows me what are the pens I really want. And I also use it to mark those pens that make me really happy. But I still find it difficult to resist the temptation of completism - that 'must have' Pelikan m200 colour to make up the set...
If you do not have pen peace, what are you aching to buy?
It's mainly Pelikan m600s that do it for me. The new red tortie is a big temptation but so are quite a few others... and one or two pens I missed, like the Fred Faggionato 'carnival' Petrarque pens. I have one in cherry but I really want the crazy colour pen.
And from time to time I buy a new custom or Indian pen to support small pen makers.
The other thing that I love doing is getting broken pens and learning to fix them. I don't think that will ever stop!
Re: Do you have pen peace?
Revelation:
My "Peace" is not from any particular thing...nor can it be obtained by.
Until I stop being a miserable bum who is tossed and turned by every little thing...there will be no peace for me.
Pens are just one of many focus points...I am the problem.
That being said...I am finding peace, realizing that there is no perfect singular item. The journey is the goal...and if I'm not enjoying that, I'm doing this wrong.
Patience for orders....patience with myself...patience with others...patience with my pens...all required to enjoy this hobby.
Also acceptance of the fact that I cannot do this alone...I need other people...for advice, knowledge and wisdom.