Not a Hobbyist

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Sitting at my desk at home, writing a letter to a foreign correspondent, when it dawned on me that I am not really a fountain pen hobbyist. Sure they are my preferred tool to write with, but I don't have any drive to learn about their history, how to fix them (at least seldom does this happen), or any particular interest in trends. These are subjects, among others, that excite many members here to be sure. Just not me.


While this may seem similar to the other thread about being comfortable in a rut, I don't really see it that way. In general an artist does not need to be a pencil hobbyist in order to produce art. Of course I am far from being any kind of artist (except perhaps a piss artist - to get in ahead of the crowd ), yet the principle still applies.

This is not to say that I won't buy any more pens, though it is more likely that I will acquire replacements rather than additions. For example, I have a Pilot 823 fine nib that is very nice, but if I tried a medium nib and liked it more I would be inclined to sell the first and replace with the latter.

Further to this I believe that my hand will not get sufficiently better to warrant many different kinds of nibs. The fine motor skills are simply not there.

Do DIY enthusiasts gather together to show off their latest hammer? Maybe they do!


A dictionary defines a hobby as: "An activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure."


I eat food in my leisure time and enjoy it very much. It's not a hobby though.

[Deb]

I think many of us have different approaches to our interest in pens. I sell pens because in that way I get to handle many more than I could ever afford to keep and thereby learn about them and their history. I have no urge to collect but I do retain pens that write well for me because I write a lot. I also keep a photographic archive of all the pens I handle.

Those of us who amass many restoration tools do take pride in them and compare them.

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Interesting.

When I want to write it is because I want to write, and not because I have a hankering to use a specific type of pen. That I use fountain pens is almost entirely down to their being the best tool for the task (IMO, natch).

A question of emphasis perhaps.

[Sandy]

I find that that a nice pen, that is pleasant to use inspires me to write more.

Writing is a hobby, which I spend an awful lot of time doing.

Having a tool that is pleasant & comfortable to use is important. I spend more time writing, than I do talking about pens.

At pen events, it's not hard to find writers and discuss writing as well.

That said, I have an awful lot of "comfortable pens" to use. I see it as a mid-life crisis, that is cheaper than motorbikes.

[Deb]

I don't see the difference. I don't write because I have a hankering to use a particular kind of pen but because I have something I need to write about.

[christof]

...These are subjects, among others, that excite many members here to be sure. Just not me.

Interesting statement....

...specially in regard of the years of your membership (5) and the number of posts (1656, 331 per year, almost one post a day...) on a fountain pen board!

C.

PS: I am definitely a hobbyist. To be honest, I'm a hard core collector (almost pathological). The limitation to fountain pens only demands the greatest self-control from me.

[Empty_of_Clouds]

...These are subjects, among others, that excite many members here to be sure. Just not me.

Interesting statement....

...specially in regard of the years of your membership (5) and the number of posts (1656, 331 per year, almost one post a day...) on a fountain pen board!

C.

People change. My focus is now on what I write, and not on what I write with (other than choosing the best tool for task).

I see where you're coming from, I think.

I just joined a flashlight forum and realized that even though I have a few decent lights, I have no interest in collecting them, learning all the brands and models, trying the latest, or posting about them, or any of that.

I just wanted a compact one to carry with me day to day. I had it all along once I discovered how to activate medium and high power modes; I always thought it was too dim!

I'd rather be camping than thinking about flashlights. I am definitely not a flashlight hobbyist, in stark contrast to my attitude toward fountain pens.

I hear you. I have an Olight SR10 on my Bay watchlist. Currently carry a Fenix PD22 which, although a great flashight, is a bit to bulky for office EDC.

[Bisquitlips]

...These are subjects, among others, that excite many members here to be sure. Just not me.

Interesting statement....

...specially in regard of the years of your membership (5) and the number of posts (1656, 331 per year, almost one post a day...) on a fountain pen board!

C.

PS: I am definitely a hobbyist. To be honest, I'm a hard core collector (almost pathological). The limitation to fountain pens only demands the greatest self-control from me.

I am in the pathological club! Been collecting since 1988 and loved every minute of it!

I like this video from a professor in the Philippines. He has the right idea.

[Jon Szanto]

I like this video from a professor in the Philippines. He has the right idea.

Jose is such a great guy and wonderful writer. Thanks for posting that! (I've seen it before, but still...)

[Deb]

Perhaps you should get together with Wuddus, E-O-C. He doesn't care about fountain pens but posts about them a lot, too.

[penwash]

Perhaps you should get together with Wuddus, E-O-C. He doesn't care about fountain pens but posts about them a lot, too.

Agree with Deb. I think you two would get along very well, at least in terms of declaring your disinterest on fountain pens as something that is actually very fun to collect, tinker with, in addition to use.

Don't get me wrong. I use my pens, I logged 300+ posts on Instagram that is almost exclusively sketches done with the pens I restored. So I can join the "pens are to be used" chant as well.

But I am also a pen collector, and I am very cool with the idea of appreciating pens just for the sake of themselves.

[Wuddus]

Perhaps you should get together with Wuddus, E-O-C. He doesn't care about fountain pens but posts about them a lot, too.

Ha! Ha! Ha! Nice one Deb

I don't care for the history, or tinkering with them either, nor with continued shopping. I really do enjoy using the three that I've settled on though, and I think it's that which keeps bringing me back here. My enjoyment of using them is not diminished by their cheap price, nor by having such a modest array.

To me, it's like using a favourite kitchen knife, and wishing you'd had one of these years ago. It doesn't have to be a hobby, nor do you have to keep spending money that you need to, in order to enjoy using that which brings you pleasure.

... and whenever I find the urge to share that enjoyment, I log in here. I figure you lot would get less tired of me saying I enjoy using a fountain pen, than people in real life would

[VertOlive]

By the dictionary definition given here, I am a hobbyist. I write letters and I journal and I take specific pleasure in looking over my pens and deciding which six to use for the week and choosing the ink for each. And yes, I sometimes do hanker after writing with a specific pen...

[azkid]

I see where you're coming from, I think.

I just joined a flashlight forum and realized that even though I have a few decent lights, I have no interest in collecting them, learning all the brands and models, trying the latest, or posting about them, or any of that.

I just wanted a compact one to carry with me day to day. I had it all along once I discovered how to activate medium and high power modes; I always thought it was too dim!

I'd rather be camping than thinking about flashlights. I am definitely not a flashlight hobbyist, in stark contrast to my attitude toward fountain pens.

[Voiren]

I see where you're coming from, I think.

I just joined a flashlight forum and realized that even though I have a few decent lights, I have no interest in collecting them, learning all the brands and models, trying the latest, or posting about them, or any of that.

I just wanted a compact one to carry with me day to day. I had it all along once I discovered how to activate medium and high power modes; I always thought it was too dim!

I'd rather be camping than thinking about flashlights. I am definitely not a flashlight hobbyist, in stark contrast to my attitude toward fountain pens.

LED headlamps are where it's at!

[AzJon]

Confession: I have to actively look for things to use my pens on. I have one pen pal that is active and one that gets a letter off once every month or two. I no longer take classes or am in school, the charting I do is now all digital, and the remainder of my correspondence is done electronically (this forum, for example). I manage to journal sporadically, but even that isn't much ink-to-page.

I do, however, enjoy the history and the looks of pens. There are so many shiny pens out there! I have very little interest overall in modern pens because they, broadly, lack the charm of vintage celluloid and hard rubber. The current exception to that is my recently acquired Pelikan Toledo. Even then, that pen comes down to an interesting manufacturing process and really neat looks.

I also agree with Deb: I like picking up old pens, fixing them up, and either selling them or keeping them. By doing this, I have been able to handle and use far more pens that I would have otherwise.

[arrow]

Part of it is hobby, dip nibs, flex nib fountain pens, copperplate and spencerian are both directed at improving my self (at least my writing). It's on my spare time, and both a struggle at times but mostly enjoyment.

I don't mind repairing an old pen, and they are generally aimed for use. I keep pens with various nibs, medium to extra fine for most writing, and stub nibs for some script styles. How can I stick to one nib? When I search for vintage and flex nib pens, I'm quicly bumping into items from 1930s, 1920s and even pre WWI. I have to admit I enjoy all of it, and I compare the brand new pens to the old once.

[arrow]

I have to assume that anyone who draws and writes take and intersest in their pens and pencils. I would expect anyone who register on a forum like this to have an above average interest in fountain pens, and personally I'm interested in exploring the various types and advantages with them. I can understand most people want's to keep it within limits and not spend too much money and energy on the tools themselves, but at least a thoughtful apporach to select the right ones.

[Empty_of_Clouds]

It's very easy and tempting to simplify everything to a black and white proposition. For example, I care for my fountain pens (I maintain them well, like you should for any tool) but I don't care about fountain pens in general beyond finding what works for effectively for me. Two different things.

The collecting and tinkering aspects are not intrinsically fun, but some people find them so. In the same way that a storm is not intrinsically bad, though some do not appreciate it.

Look, this was all a personal expression, an understanding/realisation of what it meant to me, and not in any way an attempt to criticise those who consider this a hobby. This is why I mention art. I've been to a fair few conventions where artists got together and discussed their "hobby", and while they may extol the virtues of sable as a brush material or certain pencil brands for their consistency of line, I have never heard artists debating the relative merits of grip thickness, the weight or ornamentation of their tools. Also, I don't recall seeing limited or special edition brushes/palette knives/whatever being sold. And yet here we are, in fountain pen world, where those other aspects are often as hotly pursued as the writing characteristics of the nibs. I find this a little strange, harmless though it (mostly) may be.

[Linger]

About a decade ago there was a tv series called “British Biker Build-Off”. In one of the episodes, one of the builders showed off his collection of socket wrenches...including unused ones, and limited editions...