Eight Pen Questions

Did you know I like fountain pens? I do. I don’t use them near as much as I actually want to, however there are plans in the works to remedy this.

The other day I caught a conversation on YouTube that asked eight pen questions between @seemownay (Simone) and @lianelikes (Liane) while falling down a fountain pen video rabbit hole. Before the conversation started they invited people to participate by answering the questions as well. While they suggested writing responses in the comment section, making our own video or even sharing the answers on Instagram (primarily to make use of the hashtag #8penquestions – making it easier to search I am sure) I decided to share my answers here instead.

The Questions

1. When and how did your Fountain Pen Journey begin?

My journey started when I was young. I spent my early childhood years living in Germany and used a fountain pen in school. When I moved to the US I stopped using one when I ran out of ink cartridges. Since I didn’t know anyone else that wrote with a fountain pen I didn’t think to ask where I could find more cartridges (and this was pre-internet). I didn’t pick up my fountain pen again until 2014/2015 when I found out that one of my husband’s best friends also like fountain pens. She referred me to Goulet Pens when our conversation turned to ink. Until that moment I hadn’t even thought to do a search online for places to get fountain pen ink. I think in my mind it was always something you could only get in person as I was certainly aware of purchasing things online and had been doing so for years at this point. Made aware of my faulty logic, I immediately ordered ink cartridges and then proceeded to jump into the rabbit hole that is fountain pens.

2. Favorite inks in the beginning? What are your go-to inks now?

In the very beginning – school aged me was aware of only cartridge inks. Most notably Pelikan ink. It came in 4 shades. Blue (which we used mostly in school), black, red, and green. I loved writing in the green. I remember using teal at one point as well. And adult me – I feel like I’m still in the beginning stages of learning what inks I like. For about a year I collected samples, I went through period where I thought I would find an ink in every color. I started with black and stopped with black. (My go-to for black ink is Noodlers Heart of Darkness). I stopped getting samples when I became overwhelmed by the number of vials. I do have a handful of bottled inks though. Some I picked up because of their properties and I gravitated toward the bright colors (De Atramentis Document Ink). Even though I don’t really have a pen suited for shimmering inks I have a few bottle of them. My favorite blue ink was actually gifted to me – Pilot Iroshizuku Ku-jaku.

3. How have your ink and pen tastes changed over time?

I can’t say that my tastes in either have actually changed. While I purchased a lot of samples in the beginning I didn’t actually try them in any meaningful way. I wanted to and even meant to use them in my pens… but I didn’t. Until recently it just didn’t cross my mind to even do something like swatching. I stopped purchasing bottled ink when I started to feel like I wouldn’t be able to use all of the inks I already own.

With pens… I’ve been really passive. I have a feeling it has to do with how I currently write. Most things I write are on the computer. Technically I suppose it’s typing and not writing. I don’t actively think about using my fountain pens. Or at least I haven’t in the recent past. It’s something I have been inspired to change. While I can’t say that my tastes have changed I can say definitively that I do have a favorite pen at the moment. It’s a Retro 51 Tornado Fountain Pen. It’s the smoothest pen I’ve ever used. It feels amazing to hold and I adore the look.

4. Are there inks & pens that you have yet to try but would like to?

The short answer is : Yes.

I’m always attracted to the shiny and new thing that is around the corner. Special edition inks and pen of the years are my kryptonite. Right now I am in that in between state of being a collector and user. On one hand I want to hoard all the pens like a dragon and on the other I wrestle with the thought of not using them in a practical sense. The conundrum of late stage capitalism at its finest. I’m still finding the balance that works for me.

Currently on my wish list is a Sailor Gear Pro and a Platinum Curidas – however I’m not willing to cross the one hundred dollar threshold until I’ve truly understand what I already own.

5. What is your Holy Grail Pen?

I don’t have one. I don’t know enough about fountain pens in any capacity to be able to have one.

6. How many pens do you currently own?

At last count I think it was thirteen. Though I’m in the process of acquiring three additional pens. Along with a few glass dip pens I have a couple of Lamy Safaris, a couple of Pilot Kakunos and Metropolitans, a Kaweco Sport, a Jinhao; and of course my retro 51. Oh, and a tiny Monteverde.

7. Do you have a limit on pens (or inks) in your collection? Is it a number? Is it a feeling? When do you know that you have reached your maximum?

A feeling? Right now I’m trying to decide what direction to go with my collection. I haven’t taken the time to sit with what exactly makes me happy when it comes to fountain pens. I just know they do.

8. Consequently, what would you do if another pen/ink came along?

My M.O. is usually stare at them longingly for a bit while arguing with myself about spending money and eventually “giving in”. Because I am a dragon. This occurs more often when I engage with social media – usually Instagram and most recently YouTube. So I just don’t interact with it a lot and try to keep my interactions very specific when it comes to these platforms.

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So there you have it. my answers to the eight pen questions. A lot of introspective questions. If you had eight similar questions for your particular hobby how would you answer?

Much love,

Charlie