What I Bought in 2016: Fountain Pens

Posted on by Laura

2016 pen purchases

I like to do a year-end accounting of what I bought, to keep myself honest, and to try to learn a little. Here’s what I’ve learned looking back at my 2016 fountain pen purchases: ouch.

I bought 19 pens this year. They are all very nice pens. But I find the total number surprising, and excessive. Also, two of them are purple. Which is just messed up.

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13 thoughts on “What I Bought in 2016: Fountain Pens”

  1. I am feeling a sense of shame… it’s only July, and so far THIS year, in order:

    Platinum 3776 with the 14K music nib, and a bottle of J. Herbin Perle Noire black ink;
    Platinum Plaisir, medium, in gun metal;
    Edison Collier with 1.1mm stub nib, plus a spare stub nib, bold, and medium;
    Sailor 1911L with 18K bold nib;
    Platinum Balance in blue (medium) with a bottle of Sailor Sky High blue ink;
    Platinum Balance in red (fine) with a bottle of J. Herbin 1670 Anniversary Rouge Hematite;
    Platinum Balance in green (medium) with a bottle of J. Herbin Vert Pre;
    Platinum Balance in black (fine);
    Platinum Cool, clear demonstrator, fine;
    TWSBI Eco 1.1mm stub, with a bottle of Noodler’s Golden Brown;
    TWSBI Eco bold, with a bottle of J. Herbin Eclat de Saphir;
    TWSBI Eco fine, with a bottle of Sailor Jentle Blue;
    TWSBI Diamond 580AL with a bottle of Sailor Kiwa-Guro (Ultra Black) Nano carbon ink… on my last trip into our favorite Toronto pen shop, my 12-year-old said, “Daddy, to all pens have to have their bottle of ink.” My wife answered, looking me deadpan in the eyes, she said to our daughter, “Yes, dear. And in daddy’s office, they all have their own notebook too.”

    I’ve just read your post, and waves of guilt are splashing over me, because I also ordered a Platinum 3776 Century with 14K medium nib from Amazon last week.

    Is this really an addiction?

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    1. I don’t know if it will make you feel better, or worse, but you can find my 2016 ink list here, and my 2015 pen list here, and my 2015 ink list, too. I was so much worse before. So you are still good. 🙂

      Your wife sounds like a very wise woman, understanding the importance of paper. My husband once picked up a fountain pen from my desk in the kitchen, tried to write with it, and said, “A million pens and not one that works?!” I took that as license to buy a very nice Lamy Safari ballpoint. Pink, so he doesn’t steal it. Win-win.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of somebody else.
    One of my favorite quotes is from Judy Garland. I guess I’ve always been somewhat of a rebel. The world would be boring indeed if everyone were all the same. The ones who stand out to me, are the ones who are themselves. Even if she puts it aside for the time being, the pens/ink will come back in time. I firmly believe that.

    I was at a wedding dress store one day with my daughter. One of the young women who worked there was wearing a particularly cool shawl/poncho. I told her I liked it. She thanked me and said she was a little old fashioned, and liked some of the older designs to wear. I recited that quote for her, and you should’ve seen her face light up! I spoke with her only about 3 minutes, but I bet she never forgets what I told her. 🙂

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  5. It seems we all feel a bit tinged with guilt when confronting ourselves with a list of the whole year’s acquisitions. We can but strive for moderation in the New Year and see if that lasts beyond January! Happy New Year to all😊

    Liked by 2 people

  7. Guess you are not too bad. You did not even lose money, right? Great!

    I spent over 1000€ (Pelikan M200 Clear, M200 Blue, M205 Yellow, M300 Black & M320 Pearl, Pilot Falcon, Pilot E95s, 4 Plumixes, 1 Kaküno, 10 Petits, 8 Platimum Preppies, 2 Ahabs, a dozen KaWeCo Classic/Skyline Sports, a Sport Luxe, an Art Sport Amber, a vintage Sport V16 (piston filler!), a vintage Geha Steno and 2 beautiful vintage flex) on pens this year, ouch. That shocked me so I sold some of them, gave some to my 2 children (mostly the plastic Sports and Petits) and only keep my most expensive ones. These are now all used as there are “only” 10 left and always inked. I also gave some away to friends who showed interest in fountain pens, these all get used and are loved now.

    Still, next year must be about ink. A much cheaper way t treat myself now and then …

    Have a phantastic New Years Eve tomorrow and a Happy New Year with your loved ones (and pens and ink 😉 all around you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That makes me feel better, too! Thank you. And excellent taste. My next post will be about the ink I bought. That is not quite so bad as the pens. 🙂

      Happy New Year to you, too, and to all reading this.

      Liked by 2 people

  8. <<>>
    Give it to her!! I had considered that pen for a future buy. I’ve never used a Lamy before. But I have talked myself out of it.

    Your Sheaffer pens however and of course the Aurora are on my future wish list…LOL. You have done well this year, that’s for sure. I also like one of those Kaweco pens you bought. It is a sickness I tell ya.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. It is sort of a sickness. I’m thinking I’ve finally cured myself of the Lamy bug. 🙂 Or Lamy did. 🙂

      I would give the Lx to her, but she doesn’t actually want to be associated with fountain pens these days. Apparently fountain pens may not signal “cool” to everyone. Hard to figure. 🙂

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