Aficionado – love and knowledge

Collector – Ownership and curation

When it comes to writing instruments I am an aficionado, not a collector, and therein is the dilemma. Here I am on the deck at The Inn at Otter Crest with my normal appurtenances – monocular for spotting ships and whales, a pint of stout, a notebook, with of course a fountain pen. I am naturally pondering deep thoughts, like which pen is the right pen.

A collector of anything, pens in this case, is one who seeks to own more and more pens, they learn the history and the make of the pen, and often, since they are rare or quite old, they are never used for actual writing. They have glass covered cases that both display and protect their prizes. I am not a collector.

Yes, I do have a plethora of writing instruments, but they are all for the intention of being used, and thus my frequent dilemmas. Here is what I have with me on this trip.

After a bit of over the top analysis involving paired-comparisons in multiple categories – Tricia rolled her eyes – these are the top four, at least at the moment, but as I think about it these always rise to the top, only adding one that is not shown. That would be an olivewood ballpoint that Tricia gave me which I use when a ballpoint pen is needed, yet the majority of the time it is a fountain pen that I write and sketch with. Starting from the left here is why they are here.

The bright silver pen is a Scrivener that was a gift from dear friends last Christmas, engraved with my name. It is one of only two medium nib pens that I have, and easily one of the smoothest writing pens ever. Scrivener is an upper quality pen and it shows. I use this most often for correspondence, it is filled with a deep blue J. Herbin ink from Paris.

Next is my TWSBI, with a fine nib. This is my second one of these since the first one broke. For many years it has been my go-to pen for sketching, so it is filled with Platinum Black, the best of the waterproof inks. It is also a pleasure to write with in a notebook so it is the one tucked inside the small green notebook in the photo. Other than years of familiarity there is no emotional or historical attachment.

If it ever came down to a horrible situation where some unfeeling person thought I did not need 30 pens but could be just as happy with one or two pens… the next pen would be the last to go, it c’est mon meilleur. It is a Pilot Retractable with a fine nib. Pilot, a Japanese company, manufactures a range of pens from inexpensive, all the way up to très cher. This one is in the middle.

In 2022 we went to Bordeaux while we were still living in France. This wonderful pen shop just forced itself upon me and I could not resist entering – its an aficionado thing. Curious about these retractable pens I asked to see one, the associate was so helpful and pleasant, she offered paper to test the pen on and showed me options of design. By Now Tricia had joined me in the shop and was listening in. It was more Euros than I had ever spent for a pen, so I was quite hesitant. But, when it comes to a combination of knowing me and encouraging me to do things that will ultimately be perfect, Tricia is the one, she said to me quietly and positivly, “You have taken a lot of her time, you really should get it.” She is the best enabler ever.

This pen writes like a dream, sketches as well as the TWSBI, and is my constant companion. It is filled with a special J. Herbin 1670 edition brown ink that actually has suspended gold flecks. Often when I am writing with it I think back to that day when we were in Bordeaux, it is more than just a pen.

The last utensil is a Blackwing pencil, another gift from the same friends that gave me the Scrivener, it is in a Faber Castille protector/sharpener. Blackwings are in a league of their own in the pencil world.

Back at home I have two Italian Manufactus pens, one bought in San Gimignano in 2017, and one bought in Montepulciano last year. They both bring back a lot of memories. I have a Kaweco that I bought at the Moleskien store in Gare Montparnasse, Paris. Then of course two Duke Fude pens. You get the idea, yes there are more.

Every one of the pens lays a guilt trip on me when I look at it, just laying there, untouched, tugging at my nostalgia.

My friend Tim, a fellow aficionado, rotates his pens. He uses a few for a bit while putting others to rest, quietly waiting their turn for use. I am just not that disciplined. Just when I think I have it all set I grab a different pen and convince myself it needs me.

Some would say get a display case, but that just doesn’t seem appealing. I like to have “my precious” readily available, I am not a collector.

So you see my psychosis? And we haven’t even broached the subject of inks and colors, which is equally challenging. To make matters worse, just 1,584 feet away, a 3 minute walk, is Oblation Papers, an irresistible shop for aficionados, ok addicts, like me.

Well thank you for letting me have a bit of therapy this morning. If you have never fallen under the spell of fountain pens my advice is don’t start, they will slowly pull you in.