Capping my Pen Collection

When I started this blog, I wanted to use it as a chance to write about the pens I have and use. I wanted to reflect more on my pens and appreciate them more. Along with this, I decided to put a cap on my pen collection. Ten pens, no more - and no less? And there was the problem. Once I made lists of my pens and decided which were out - whether to sell or ease into retirement - I realized that I was left with 9 pens. Clearly that meant I had all the justification in the world for ordering another.

So, rather ironically, I've been ordering way more pens since I put a cap on my collection than I have... possibly ever.

The process started with my ordering three pens (my Kaco Edges), though I only count two as part of my collection.

I ordered a Karas Fountain K to house my beloved titanium nib.

Then I replaced my Kaweco Sport with an ensso XS minimalist pocket pen.

I did manage to sell my Pilot Falcon, Penbbs 456, and Narwhal.

I ordered a Pelikan M200 Pastel-Green to replace my M205 Olivine, which I am still trying to sell.

I did a catch and release on a Sailor Pro Gear Slim, and I have a Edison Beaumont on its way to me.

That's 8 pens in quick succession! So clearly this didn't work out.

Shortly after I got my Kaco Edges, I read a piece by UK Fountain Pens on our "exit pens," as opposed to grail pens. This piece struck a chord with me, as it did with many others, judging by the comments. I originally said my Kacos. The more I thought about it, however, the less satisfied I was with that answer. Having an exit pen, to me, didn't just mean finding the right final pen but having the perfect, well-rounded collection. A single pen could never fill all my niches, but surely I could come up with a perfect group.

Searching for perfection, however, brought to light flaws and sources of dissatisfaction that I might have otherwise looked over. Had you asked me before if I was done buying pens, I don't think I would have even dignified that with a response. All the same, buying new ones didn't seem urgent at all. Until suddenly it did.

It didn't help that I was really stuck in my writing and really fell into the trap of thinking that a new pen would solve my problem. Spoiler alert: it didn't. It can't. The pens don't write by themselves after all. I will say, however, that I have been journaling considerably more since my recent acquisitions. Though part of that is trying to finally get through by Nanami Crossfield. Talk about a regrettable purchase.

This approach has also been foiled by the difficulty of selling all the pens I want to. My first three went quickly, but the Pelikan has been dangling for some time now. Long enough that I'm wary of trying to sell any others.

So I'm going to try a new mindset. Rather than thinking of being "stuck" with these pens and being unable to buy new pens, I'm going to simply try not to buy pens as often. Maybe set time limits between new acquisitions. Or maybe just come to my senses and realize that I've spent more than I can afford, and there's just no way around that fact.