What Is Your Favourite Pen?

Yes, that is indeed my collection.

Do I need so many pens?

No.

Do they give me joy every single time I look at them?

Yes!

That's the wonderful thing about a fountain pen collection. As long as you make sure to keep it neat and organised so you know exactly what you have and where to find it, it is the gift that keeps on giving. You'll have a pen for every occasion, and you'll smile every time you look at it just like I do. I'm particularly lucky, because most of my pens have been given to me by friends who didn't use them any more. When I pick one up, I think of the friend who loved the pen enough to send it to somebody else who will adore and enjoy it as much as they did.

Pens are small compared to, say, a vintage Harley-Davidson motorbike or porcelain signs from the 1940s (yes, I've watched a lot of episodes of American Pickers over the years) which makes collecting them a lot more accessible to those who don't have space to store larger items. They are practical too - write novels with them, sign important documents, you can even sketch with fountain pens if you want.

They are also a personal item. Over time, the nib of the pen will wear down, by fractions of a millimetre, to adjust to your writing style. That's why the nib of a vintage fountain pen may feel scratchy at first - that little bit of wear from its previous owner is present.

But I digress, as I want to know what your favourite fountain pen is! Is it a family heirloom? A pen you were gifted as a child? A pen that you always used at college or school, or perhaps just one that writes beautifully?

Comment below and let me know, pictures welcomed and encouraged. If it has an especially good story behind it, I may even invite you to write a guest post about it for KraftyCats, if you would like to... I look forward to seeing your favourite pens!