Shamrocker
Sheik Yerbouti
Rather than necro-bump a thread that's been dead since early '08....
Are any members here fountain pen collectors/enthusiasts? Since many of you collect many different things.... cigars, shaving paraphernalia, military memorabilia, watches, scotches etc. I thought I'd see who might also collect fountain pens. I've always been interested in them, have never got around to actually purchasing one but am considering taking the plunge.
My interest in them probably started about 13 years ago when I worked in a bookstore. I saw some of the nice pens and pencil sets, but what really caught my eye was this wonderfully handmade glass pen and ink bottle. It just looked elegant and like it was capable of being a functional showpiece in a collection.Then I was just a clerk earning minimum wage so I wasn't even thinking about buying anything nicer than a sub-$5 gel roller ball. Years later and now I don't work for minimum wage, so I was thinking of treating myself to one, or mentioning it to the wife as a Christmas idea.
I know there are as many brands of pens as there are distilleries in Scotland, but are there any specific makes you prefer, and why? Do you prefer replaceable cartridges or refilling from an ink bottle? Recommendations for a beginner/noob to fountain pens? Price is a concern for me, since I'm not going to be dropping a ton of cash on something like a Mont Blanc or S.T. Dupont.
Are any members here fountain pen collectors/enthusiasts? Since many of you collect many different things.... cigars, shaving paraphernalia, military memorabilia, watches, scotches etc. I thought I'd see who might also collect fountain pens. I've always been interested in them, have never got around to actually purchasing one but am considering taking the plunge.
My interest in them probably started about 13 years ago when I worked in a bookstore. I saw some of the nice pens and pencil sets, but what really caught my eye was this wonderfully handmade glass pen and ink bottle. It just looked elegant and like it was capable of being a functional showpiece in a collection.Then I was just a clerk earning minimum wage so I wasn't even thinking about buying anything nicer than a sub-$5 gel roller ball. Years later and now I don't work for minimum wage, so I was thinking of treating myself to one, or mentioning it to the wife as a Christmas idea.
I know there are as many brands of pens as there are distilleries in Scotland, but are there any specific makes you prefer, and why? Do you prefer replaceable cartridges or refilling from an ink bottle? Recommendations for a beginner/noob to fountain pens? Price is a concern for me, since I'm not going to be dropping a ton of cash on something like a Mont Blanc or S.T. Dupont.