Question for pen collectors

[beer]

Do you use your "best" pens for every day "mundane" writing: filling out forms, work related letters, signing documents etc. or are they a hobby item that you use for "fun" writing (greetings cards, family/romantic letters or even just playing around on a sheet of paper)

If you don't use your best do you still have what most people would consider a high-end pen for everyday tasks ... similar to say a Patek owner wearing a steel Rolex Sub on a daily basis?

another question do pens get worn out? aside from having to replace the ink will a pen go on forever if it is treated correctly?

thanks in advance

[jar]

Many of the pens I use fairly regularly are over a half century old, some getting close to a century old. I don't have any pens that I would not use for any writing task. They go out in my shirt pocket and get used for everything from filling out forms, signing documents to doodling.

Some that have gotten to go out and play in the last few weeks: (what good is a thread without porn? )

Let me also add a few that might be considered as going on forever that still are going strong:

the 1941 Parker "51" dad gave mom when they got engaged


the 1943 Parker Vacumatic mom gave dad when I was born


a 1950s Montblanc 144 with my dad's 1954 Bulova 23 Jewel Selfwinding


a Pre World War I Conklin Crescent

[Prestige_Swiss]

I use my MB 146 quite often


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[NewEnthusiast]

I tend to use most of my pens in rotation to make sure I get to use all of them. That said, my vintage ones tend to get rotated in when I know I'll be working from home to save them being beaten up in my briefcase.

The one exception to this is my Mont Blanc, given to me by my wife as an engagement present and subsequently used to sign the marriage register. It's the most valuable pen in my collection both sentimentally and financially so I don't want to risk it getting lost, damaged or going walkabout. I use it for a lot of random things around the house but mainly for keeping a journal since my son was born a) to remember his early days through the haze of sleeplessness and b) to let him and his descendants get to know me a bit as a person long after I've snuffed it.

[jmiicustomz]

Unfortunately I have to write on triple carbon copies all day and fountain pens and rollerballs don't do so hot in that regard. So at work I carry a MB, Yard-O-Led, Caran d'Ache, Rolex wave, etc ballpoint. Because I never know if I am going straight home after work or driving to the next town over to meet one of my personal clients, I always keep one of my good pens in a pen case (that matches the other leather I am wearing that day) handy. I carry my nicer pens to the range, dinner, vacation, business trips, and would gladly use them at work if it weren't for those damned carbon copies. Pens like watches and cars and so many other luxury items are ment to be used, memories made and "patina" developed.

To know the future is to be trapped by it

[jar]

Today I am using a 1995 Pilot Nippon Art (Custom 74 size pen)

That makes it almost a quarter century old and it's still a baby.

[beer]

thanks for the replies everyone and beautiful pictures

i recently saw some Mont Blanc and Louis Vuitton pens when killing time at the airport and was very tempted but decided to pass, but am now tempted again to buy a nice pen

Is Mont Blanc a good place to start? from reading a few threads here it seems like the "staple" brand here not the best but certainly not the worst a bit like rolex?

Louis Vuitton I am guessing they are just using their name to sell pens (bit like mont blanc with watches?) but they did still seem pretty nice too, not sure about the price though

thanks again

[bdex75]

Top 4 are Daily drivers. Bottom one is a garage queen.



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[jar]

Originally Posted by beer

thanks for the replies everyone and beautiful pictures

i recently saw some Mont Blanc and Louis Vuitton pens when killing time at the airport and was very tempted but decided to pass, but am now tempted again to buy a nice pen

Is Mont Blanc a good place to start? from reading a few threads here it seems like the "staple" brand here not the best but certainly not the worst a bit like rolex?

Louis Vuitton I am guessing they are just using their name to sell pens (bit like mont blanc with watches?) but they did still seem pretty nice too, not sure about the price though

thanks again

I have no idea who makes Louis Vuitton pens but the large step down from body to section always seemed just wrong to me.

Montblanc is usually a safe choice; high brand recognition and acceptable quality with good but not great after sales support.

It really depends on what your goals are, is brand recognition important?

In many cases trying to match a fountain pen to function ends up producing a longer term relationship. How you will use the pen may guide your selection.

If you write in short spurts with pauses between uses the a slip on cap or threaded cap that takes only one or two turns to cap or uncap will work better than a pen that takes three or four full turns to cap or uncap.

If you normally use slim pens then a slim fountain pen might feel more familiar than a fat one.

Cartridge/converter pens require less maintenance than other filling systems but if you enjoy ritual the other filling systems might be just what you need.

Tell us a little bit about how you use writing instruments today?

[NewEnthusiast]

Originally Posted by beer

thanks for the replies everyone and beautiful pictures

i recently saw some Mont Blanc and Louis Vuitton pens when killing time at the airport and was very tempted but decided to pass, but am now tempted again to buy a nice pen

Is Mont Blanc a good place to start? from reading a few threads here it seems like the "staple" brand here not the best but certainly not the worst a bit like rolex?

Louis Vuitton I am guessing they are just using their name to sell pens (bit like mont blanc with watches?) but they did still seem pretty nice too, not sure about the price though

thanks again

Do it! Take the plunge. If you appreciate high quality and beauty then fountain pens are a good way to make any day better.

Mont Blonc, certainly in my opinion, is in a similar position in the pen world as Rolex in the watch world; the most well known high end brand that people tend to default to. That said, as we know here, just because it's not obscure doesn't mean it's not brilliant.

If you're happy not getting much change out of £500 then you won't beat a Mont Blanc Meisterstuk fountain pen. They come in a few different sizes and nib widths so be sure to try a few out before selecting one.

However, if you're not used to fountain pens, I would strongly recommend getting a cheaper one to start with so you have the opportunity of getting used to the slightly different writing style needed for a fountain pen before investing in a high-end piece.

For real bargain basement, the Lamy Safai can be yours for about £20. I've got a couple and they all write beautifully. You can use this to determine which nib style best suits your handwriting; fine, medium, italic, etc. If you fancy something a bit more high end (and better looking) then Cross offer some fabulous pens in the £100 - £200 range. They combine timeless elegance and style with fabulous build quality.

Once you've decided a fountain pen is for you, you can have fun choosing which ink you want to go with it. Personally, I'm a fan of Diamine inks. These come in a vast spectrum of colours and seem to work well in all of my pens and on most paper types. My current favorite is Raw Sienna which is a deep brown colour and looks refreshingly different on the page.

Please post pics of what you decide to go for.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by bdex75

Top 4 are Daily drivers. Bottom one is a garage queen.



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How do you like the Tolstoy? Looks sweet!

[bdex75]

Originally Posted by masterserg

How do you like the Tolstoy? Looks sweet!

Never been wet. But I enjoy the others and love my FP's. will have to get some hi res photos of it.


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[masterserg]

Originally Posted by bdex75

Never been wet. But I enjoy the others and love my FP's. will have to get some hi res photos of it.


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It's a very nice lineup!

[bdex75]

Originally Posted by masterserg

It's a very nice lineup!

Thank you.


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[Formulansx]

I'll use any particular pen in my collection on any day for all sorts of writing. As long as there's a low risk of damage/dropping the pen, I'll use it. I've been known to take up to 4 pens to work in one day