Originally posted by TomServo
<br />Kind of off-topic, but I feel that the collecting asepct of FP brings a stimga about them - they're for collecting, not for writing. People associate that collecting aspect with a pen that's difficult to write with or is hard to learn. Personally I feel they're for writing, not collecting. They're easier than rollerballs, mine never skip until they're out of ink.
Tom, as far as a stigma, IMO you could not be further from the truth... aside from making pens and belonging to two great penturning forums, I am also a member of one of the largest pen collecting forums on the internet...
MOST and I do mean MOST of the members of that forum are die hard users of the pens they collect. In fact there are only a couple of times I have seen a thread about whether a certain pen should be inked and used or put away for posterity.
Yes, we are talking about two different realms of fountain pens.. but even in the collectors forums I would say most of the members also have modern made fountain pens they use on a daily basis.. In fact a few have purchased my pens and loved them.
Unfortunately, there are pen nazis out there who feel that any old pen must be kept in the condition it was found.. never inked again and never restored. IMO, this is assinine. These pens were made to be used. Today I purchased a 1920-30 Waterman 52 1/2 Hard Rubber pen that I WILL restore and write with... the collectable value in mint condition... around $200... I also have a 1920 something Mabie Todd Eyedropper fill pen that needs a replacement nib... I will replace the nib, restore the pen and write with it.
Part of the joy of collecting is the fact that you can write with a piece of history. My everyday writers are not pens I made... in fact most of my everyday writers are old Sheaffer pens made before 1950.
This is not because my pens are bad writers... it is just because I really really enjoy these older pens.
I would love to see some discussion on the collecting and using of older fountain pens... and discuss the difference in how they perform compared to the modern pens that we make...
Jeff, BRING IT ON...