I recently had the pleasure of coming across a brilliant post on Reddit, giving what I think is excellent advice to newcomers to the fountain pen hobby. I asked this user, vProTi (who goes by vPro on the fountainpennetwork forums), if I could repost it here as a guest post.

With their permission, I submit this excellent advice for your consideration.

 

Reflections after 10 years in the hobby

by vProTi

This February will mark 11 years since I made my first fountain pen purchase, a Pilot Metropolitan in silver for taking notes in university. I have a few reflections on my journey with fountain pens and would like to share them with you.

Take it slow

Like with many hobbies, we're always intrigued by what's next. A gold nib. An interesting filling system. Flexible nibs. One can quickly get the idea that happiness is just around the corner and go on a shopping spree to get something even better than what we currently have.

As a student, I didn't have the option to buy pens frequently - and when I did, I couldn't break the $100 mark - and that was after several months to a year of saving. I know that you could get much more for $100 back in 2015 than you can now, but the fact that I couldn't just rush into a super expensive fountain pen made me appreciate the small nuances between pens much more.

Don't be afraid of vintage

Vintage pens can be a great way to get into pens with more exciting filling systems than C/C, but be wary of what you're purchasing. Don't buy anything that uses an ink sac if they're not recently restored.

Parker 51's with the aerometric filling system are solid and have stood the test of time. Pelikans from post-1942 (when they switched from cork seals to plastic seals in their pistons) are extremely durable. Start with a Pelikan 120 or a 140, if your budget allows. Accept that the pen has a history and perhaps is personalized.

One of the great fountain pen experiences I had early on, was a Geha 760 with a beautifully flexible 'OB' nib. I got it for very cheap on eBay because it was personalised "Werner Müller". That pen was a phenomenal purchase and I sold it a few years later for a small profit.

Opt for a custom grind on a steel nib rather than a cheap gold nib

This might be controversial, but if you find a pen that you like writing with, that suits your hand nicely and you find comfortable, it can in many cases be a better decision to get a custom grind on a steel nib than to buy the cheapest gold nib pen just because it has a gold nib.

A pen with a gold nib is not inherently better. Some gold nibs are soft, some are flexible, some are stiff as a nail. But in the lower price range, they rarely come with stub nibs, never a cursive italic or an architect nib. So yes, absolutely get that custom grind on your steel nib if you otherwise like the pen.

Practise with a steel, disposable calligraphy nib before venturing into flexible gold nibs

A Zebra G-nib is amazingly flexible, cheap and can be fitted onto several pens with just minor modifications. If you spring it (and if you've never used a flexible nib before, you most likely will), the financial damage will be minimal. In fact, I encourage you to spring it so that you develop the feeling of when is enough force enough.

Use a Zebra G (or similar) for most your calligraphic work if you intend on doing calligraphy and use a gold nib for the special writing occasion. Steel dip pen nibs are often more snap-backy, responsive and precise than a vintage gold nib.

Remember that they beauty of calligraphy does not lie in how wide the line can get, but rather your control of the pen and the contrast between the hair-thin lines and beautifully controlled flourishes, symmetry and consistency.

Interest comes and goes

Don't be scared and tempted to sell off your collection if your interest in fountain pens diminishes. I've had upwards of 6 months where I didn't touch any of my pens and that's perfectly okay. It's a part of any hobby that some times life takes over and requires your attention elsewhere. But the pens will be there when your interest returns. Just make sure to clean them if you find that you haven't used them for a long time.

Freshen up your collection

In all of my years, the only fountain pen I have regretted selling was my Pelikan M805 Ocean Swirl from 2017. I recall when it came out, people criticized it for not looking like in the pictures, for not having enough of the flourescent material and for being too inconsistent. I bought mine in 2018 nearly one year after it was launched, bought it for about £400 from new and sold it a year later because I needed money for £280. When I graduated and received my first paycheck, I tried to purchase it back but alas.

I have sold dozens of pens throughout the years. I have used them carefully, enjoyed them and passed them on. And it's been a great way to explore the world of fountain pens while still maintaining a budget.

These days I only buy fountain pens with funds from selling fountain pens to avoid putting too much money into my collection, and I try to keep my collection rather small.

The only pens I would advise you never to sell, are pens that have sentimental value to you. If you are so lucky to receive a fountain pen as a gift from a close person. Never ever sell that.

Try to let every fountain pen in your collection be special in its own way

Especially as you're growing your fountain pen collection, try to buy pens that are different to what you already have. Make sure at least the nib grind, the filling system, the form or something else is different about the pen. When you've developed your tastes further down the road, you can absolutely buy more pens of the same type - but even then I would encourage that at least the nib is different. Try to make every fountain pen be a little unique - that will also increase your chances of writing with it.

Don't buy fountain pens as an investment

Generally, if you buy second hand you can get pens for reasonable prices and the pens tend to hold their prices well. A Pelikan M400 from 1984-1997 costs roughly the same as it did 10 years ago on the second hand market and even if you sell it at a slight loss (or don't account for inflation), the cost-per-use or simply the cost of having it in your collection is low.

But never buy pens with the idea that they will increase in value. In fact, the pens that are hyped up to be "future classics" often fall flat on their stomach, while the pens that initially see little interest, are often the ones that turn out to be desirable in the future.

So ink up that limited edition pen that you've bought and use it. Enjoy it. It is a writing instrument after all. And if a pen is desirable on the second hand market, it will often remain desirable even if it's been used - as long as you've taken care of it.

Enjoy what you have

It's easy to go on YouTube and watch a video about a new pen that's coming out and get all excited about that. But frankly, in many cases the best pen is the one you already have in your collection. I'm not saying you shouldn't watch podcasts, reviews or videos about fountain pens. Just make sure that it does not dictate your happiness. Every once in a while, take a break from watching those videos, open your drawer (or wherever you store your pens), pick one up, ink it and use it. Every new pen you add to your collection will eventually feel like the ones already in your collection once the honeymoon-phase wears off.

Don't forget inks, papers and other stationary

Trying new inks can be a great way to reinvigorate your interest in fountain pens. Try a new color of ink. Different types and densities of paper. Get a personalised wax stamp. Buy colorful envelopes.

But most importantly, use your pens and enjoy them!