Scatchy one way and smooth the other is a symptom of misaligned tines. It never hurts to look closely (loupe). But it may be something else. Keep us updated on the results with Atlas Stationary and this pen. Thanks for the video.
After using a LAMY fountain pen during my student days, and after many years, recently got back into the fountain pen journey. Now that I have two premium pens (highly recommended on YT) , and a couple of cheaper ones, I’m going to try and limit myself to knowing more about these pens, by using them every day, and already I can see there are differences. I know what it’s like to go down the Rabbit hole, and you feel like you’ve gotta keep up and get the latest whatever it is. But I also noticed that we become more fussy about details over time, and we’re not really enjoying the very reason we started in the first place. I’d love to see UA-camrs like yourself, take a break from the next thing, and show us how you use your most beautiful favourite pen each day. In fact why not make it a challenge. Using the same pen for 30 days? I’d love to see the results!
"I really like watching ink dry." YES. I wasn't consciously aware that I also love to watch ink dry until you said it like that. Now that I am conscious about that I will enjoy watching ink dry even more Thank you Liane!
I agree with the fact that one can experience overwhelm and boredom with the hobby. To me starting my YT channel was to share my Fountain Pen journey and have fun, but I found that I didn't really get any interest or engagement unless I was doing like the "done thing", so a new pen day unboxing our a currently inked vid, when I was just wanting to share my everyday experience with a new discovery in my fountain pen journey...even though I was super excited to share at the start of my journey, now I find myself struggling in finding content that I want to film and be excited about because I kinda know that all the energy I put in to the video and the editing is not going to be appreciated anyway. I have also slowed down with my stationery purchases, been on a non pen buy for a while. You also get to the stage of 'how many pens do I really need in my life ?' and want to just kind of chill and enjoy the pens and ink that you have, right?
I share that exact sentiment! I started my YT channel to share my love for all things stationery, but quickly found myself trying to stay up with the “fads” and found myself not appreciating what I already have or quickly being “bored” of it and wanted the next new shiny and pretty pens, journals, planners and inks. One only has so much time to enjoy all of life. We gotta become better managers of our time and finances and stop trying to stay relevant. Relevancy can end me up in bankruptcy which then leads depression, all because we over-consumed unnecessary things that we already have multiple of.
I just gave a pen away yesterday which was an inexpensive one and it helps to introduce people to the hobby and it’s ridiculous for me to have so many pens of the same kind just because I want a different ink in it. So I am starting to realize my limitations, and I don’t want to get burned out!
Thank you for your transparency when you talked about “hobby burnout” and recognizing that YT plays a big role in that burnout because we excessively focus on what’s in the “now”. I don’t have much experience as I’ve started my YT channel in November, but I have found myself not being a joyful about my journaling/planner hobby because I don’t have the new pen, ink or planner. Or not having expensive equipment to make my channel more enjoyable. I’ve been discouraged to keep posting videos because I also found myself not enjoying my hobby because I am spending too much money on things I actually don’t need just to try to stay relevant on the UA-camRVERSE. And all that money spent just so that item collects dust somewhere. I do miss my hobby being an enjoyable experience and something I look forward to do in my days…..I am now dreading it like another chore I want to avoid. #backtohobbyfirstlove
Thank you so much for sharing, Liane! I've really enjoyed the discussion about burnout. I also super relate to your thoughts about perfectionist tendencies when it comes to hobbies and particularly youtube. When it feels like a chore, or worse, like work, I stop myself from recording.
Hello lovely, was great to hear you talk about this! I think most of us in the hobby have had burn out at one time or another. I started my fountain pen journey so gradually it wasn't funny. Quite literally only had a handful of fountain pens and inks for about 4 years, but then fell well and truly down the inky rabbit hole LOL. Have now been in the hobby for about 8 years and still learning new things every day. I agree with you that there is a lot of new products being released all the time that you almost have to switch yourself off it for a bit to gather your thoughts. Thank you for sharing, I love your channel and listening to your videos :) P.S. Haven't forgotten about sending you the inks, its just been a bit crazy lately!
Thank you for sharing this video! I am also on a low buy (at least until the SF Pen show) and have been enjoying trying to creatively use the things I own instead of buying things. So I really liked the way you explained it and how it has been helping you!
Really great video. I got bitten by the fountain pen bug in the fall and went so fast, so far down that rabbit hole that I felt a little alarmed by it. Since January, that I decided to go on a bit of a break from all things FP, including related social media consumption. It has made me better appreciate my purchases and more satisfied with the hobby in general. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I feel more normal somehow! (And also-I too had the same experience with a Pelikan M205 Petrol. I had it worked on, having it ground into a CI, but it wasn’t exactly tuned, per se…so there’s a lesson learned. Anyway I think your approach is great and you’ll be very happy with your M200 after it gets tuned!)
Hi Liane! Long time subscriber, first time commenting :) I really appreciate what you said about burnout/overwhelm/boredom. This resonates so much for me and my own hobby related to my channel. I also agree with your way to re-ground yourself and find balance, particularly when you talk about connecting. Forming meaningful connections is paramount to overcome any feeling of disassociation in our lives. That's why I finally decided to post a comment ;) I love your channel and I really look forward to more content!
I would definitely contact Atlas. My Pelikan m200 was buttery smooth right out of the box. They are beautiful pens…yours must be just an individual dud. Good luck!
I have 4 platinum preppy’s & I find I reach for them more often than my other pens. They write very smooth & I don’t really worry about them getting knocked around too much.
A Pelikan 200 colored my opinion of the brand for years. Hated that pen. In 2023 I kept seeing more people raving about the brand but only the gold nibbed pens. I would send it back for a refund. Save up for a 600 or higher. I received an M805 for my 34th wedding anniversary and it is so wonderful. Enjoy your videos.
I really enjoyed this one Liane. Wonderful insights on an important topic. I've been fortunate not to have experience burnout. As you may know from my videos, I'm extremely diligent with pens I own, not wanting to hold more than I can use in a reasonable amount of time. One big factor is, I spend very little time watching stationery videos when I'm bored. I think it's as dangerous as going to the grocery store when you're hungry. The eyes get big as the wallet screams. I'm glad you've found balance and happy place of creating and enjoying this hobby offline. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the good medicine which is timely for me, Liane! I know of UA-cam channels which have widened their scope and I’m here for it! I look forward to seeing PenBoyRoy’s video as well as Tom Otto’s. Again, thank you for your wisdom ❤
Oh, that’s disappointing about the pelikan. I had a similar feeling with my decimo. On one hand, I was thrilled that it delivered the thin line I was hoping for, but on the other hand, it’s been so scratchy, that I haven’t enjoyed it as much as my other pens. I talked to an associate at the retailer I bought it from, and they suggested to bring it in to see if they can help trouble shoot it. There was a part of me that had contemplated selling it, but I’m going to try tweaking the nib first to see if I can improve the writing experience. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on pacing yourself in a hobby that can feel overwhelming. I have similar coping strategies when I feel overwhelmed. I love your ideas and strategies for overcoming burnout or boredom, and the one that stood out to me was engaging in the community. I don’t do this enough, but I went to an in-person meet up this week and was so glad that I did! 💗
I always find your videos relaxing to watch and I enjoy your content. I checked out PenBoyRoy's video and I thought he had alot of valid points that I hadn't really thought about. I just started getting into fountain pens last Nov and quickly bought several pens of various price points and in different nibs. I have slowed down my purchasing and am trying to enjoy the experimental period of trying inks and pen combos. I really enjoy daily writing and journaling with my pens and all the different colors and consuming all the ink swatching videos. I'm just trying to enjoy the variety of the pens and inks since I realize I don't have the ability to buy all the pens and inks that come along. I think with anything boredom can set in and it's probably a good idea to switch up the routine or take a break. But it is amazing the volume of new releases come out. It can be tiring and overwhelming to keep up.
Oh no! I got this pen, also from Atlas, and it writes well! It’s my first M200 so I found myself being pleasantly surprised given it’s a steel nib. I hope it is a beautiful writer after it is tuned!
I had a pen shopping spree and bought 4 in one month. 2 of them initially had nib issues, I was able to fix one and now I can’t decide on what to do about the other. It has definitely made me take a step back and think about my purchases. It can put a damper on the excitement. I also try to time things with UA-cam and it has not been good. At some point, i wasn’t even unboxing pens because I felt like I should film it first. To help with this, I have decided I will just post whenever, even if that pen is out of chronological order in my video / life. That has helped a bit.
Thanks for your thoughts about the pen hobby; they were helpful. I'm glad you are having fun with your Preppy. I will have to check it out. The Pelekan is another, dissapointing, story. So far I haven't spent more than 29 USD on a pen and I'm still having a blast. I'm grateful for your comments of the Pelekan Bright Brown. I like to keep a pen inked in Black, Blue Black, Brown and Green. I innicially bought the Bright Brown for my brown color, but it reminded me too much of Red ink. I've seen enough of that in my life as a professional writer! So I got Monteverde Brown Sugar, which I love. I am now, thanks to you, going to find a pen to ink up with my bright brown. You've convinced me.
I think feeling burnout or rut signals a need for change for sure. I myself fell down the rabbit hole and was in the acquiring and large sampling phase. But i can feel that i am maybe i am entering another phase where i can now just learn to enjoy the pens i have. I think listening to oneself is key and taking time to understand changes in your own needs and the new direction the hobby needs to go to fulfill it.
Thanks for sharing! I've recently acquired Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Brown as well! :D I also watched PenBoyRoy's video about fountain pen burn out - it was a great video! :)
Your videos communicate your joy in fountain pens qnd ink, and I'm glad that joy results in your desire to share it with us. For ever how long that lasts, it is a gift. Thanks!
when I was watching Hand lettering video this one lady her name is Sara from Ensign Insignts she says " Where you are today is exactly where you need to be " and I thought that was a brilliant thought I would like to share with you and to me it meant that one day I might feel like making 2 or 3 or sometimes 4 videos and sometimes like today where I dropped all my swatch cards I want to throw them all in the trash and never look at them again ... and the realistic side of me says choose acceptance and keep moving forward ..try not to get bogged down by the negativity some people might throw your way also try to use that insight to make better quality videos in spite of those comments and as the great Walt Disney said Keep Moving Forward
Thank you for such a helpful and informative episode. I'm just returning to my love of fountain pens after a long hiatus; and what a delight to find that there is a Seattle Pen Club since I live in the Seattle area. I will be checking that out!!
My M1000 Renaissance with EF nib arrived yesterday from Appelboom, and I ordered it with nib tuning and it’s marvelous. My first M815 had misaligned tines also and I promised myself, every pen I buy from now on will be returned if it doesn’t write perfectly. Very pen I order I ask them to look at the nib and make certain it’s smooth.
Pelikan M200 appears not to write at ALL. eep! I hope you find a good solution. Pelikan 4001 Brown is a fantastic ink. I journaled with that one for a full year in Germany 1990-1991, and still have the rest of that bottle. Now I wonder whether that ink is even still usable! I, too, am ‘on hiatus’ with stationery buying. I recently focused on acquiring only items to maximize my experience of what I have: a few Jinhao 82s to house some Nemosine #5 nibs that have been just sitting there for years; a PenBBS nib to replace one I don’t love, and the PenBBS repair parts kit. Like that. I’m also planning a significant pen purchase-a Pilot 823 for my birthday in 6 mos. So the hiatus is likely to persist. Especially: No more blue ink. Palette completers and unique chromoshaders ONLY, and MINIMALLY. Full bottles ONLY if a sample is used up and I am Sad. tra-la. #Strategy.
I'm so sorry you had a disappointing NPD. That's always the worst, and weirdly, it seems like a lot of my online pen friends have been having disappointing experiences with new pens these last few weeks. I hope you're able to resolve things easily with Atlas, but if not, I'm sure the nib will be amazing once one of the nibmeisters gets a hold of it. (Also, I hope we can run into each other at the SF show!) I only have one Preppy, but I do really like it. It's also sturdy as all get out. I've had a number of non-fountain pen people use mine, and it's still great. I also really appreciated hearing about your methods of fighting against hobby burnout. I've been diving back into playing with my old favorite inks again, and it really brings back the joy I sometimes find myself missing when I just keep hopping from new ink to new ink. Wonderful video, as usual. 😍
I grew up with a student fountain pen that only ever used Royal Blue cartridges. At the time I didn't know about fountain pens as a hobby and unknowingly was a pen minimalist. As a lefty an ink smudged hand was a daily thing. For years I used first ballpoint pens and then gel pens once my fp broke and I very unceremoniously chucked it in the garbage. My rediscovery of fountain pens coincided with the pandemic. The first year I went on a shopping spree after getting over the initial sticker shock. What I learned during that time I share with newbies, e.g. don't buy multiples of the same pen as your preferences may evolve. Coming from gel pens, I thought I like smalll pens to match my tiny hands. Turns out I prefer OS pens. But I'm keeping the small ones because they're good writers. When I first got into the hobbiy, I posted my beginner pens because it seemed the thing to do in order to belong. I've given up on that idea long ago. I journal longhand in a hc journal and don't want to share my writings as they're very personal. I've taken breaks, but don't stress over that. I've seen content creators and users in th bujo community burn out because they felt the need to keep up with the pretty spreads to post on Instagram or ripping out/gluing pages together because of an oopsie (February without the first r was a common one.) Just setting up took an huge amount of time for what is basically a utility tool I appreciate the beauty of those spreads, and as long as it brings the creators joy, I'm all for it, but the little planning I need in my life can be done with a multipen and a highlighter. One of my first gold nib pens was a Platinum 3776 SF. Only after I'd bought it I read comments that several people were so frustrated with how it writes that they gave up on the pen. Mine was really picky about which inks it likes, and there seemed to be a burr on one tine. I found Inky Rock's video on pen minimalism and gave that a try. It helped. The pen will still never make my Top 3. I adopted a limit of six pens that I allow myself to ink up which I'm working on. But it's the goal. And that means if I want to bring a pen into rotation that would bring me past the limit, it either has to wait until one currently in use is empty or I dump the ink in the converter for that pen to go into a pen case. Within the last year I bought several pens I'd been wanting to own ever since I joined the hobby and learned about their existence.Two of them were pre-owned. Buying pre-owned pens is a win-win imho. The seller recoups some money for a pen that otherwise only collects dust, and the buyer saves some money. I see newbies giving themselves a lot of pressure. Comparing their own pens to what others who've been in the hobby longer and can afford to/are willing to spend more on a pen show in NPD posts, they want to buy "real" fountain pens or they experience FOMO seeing the lastest LE. Sometimes it feels like people are encouraging others to join them in their hyperconsumerism. What helps me is to wait past the initial "Oooh, that's pretty. I want it." If the initial enthusiasm wears off, great. Money saved. If I still want it, I'll wait for a good deal. I put myself on an ink and stationery buying hiatus at the beginning of 2021, but recently broke that for a TN Regular size after wanting one for many years. I'm keeping it basic with two inserts (one for book journaling, the other for stamping/doodling) and the canvas zipper pouch. I used a charm I had in my stash to put on the closure elastic and a smaller one on the bookmark to add weight. As a bit of a completionist I have to remind myself to be mindful in my purchases. It's a wip.
Look at a Pilot PO posting nib. Designed for poor paper small print it feels great at any angle. I have the Custom 742 PO and was shocked how great it is if you seek a fine line. The Platinum preppy 02 is great I put it in their Plaisir and it keeps inked with carbon black always starts.
Too bad about the Pelikan. Platinum’s inexpensive pens are amazingly reliable writers. I just got the Muji version of the Preppy and like the Prefount pen. Taking breaks from vlogging is a probably a good idea. The muse needs to be refreshed and sabbaticals are important.
Fountain pen burnout is too real, I've been on a low-buy for pens and inks since the start of last year (-ish) and I still experienced it. Can't imagine being a content creator on top of that, phew! I've really cut back on the pens in my daily rotation and am slowly starting to enjoy fountain pens again after taking a complete break from them in April. Right now I'm trying to make peace with the fact that most of my collection lays dormant atm, focusing on not getting new pens...and trying to clean the overdue still inked but not in rotation pens. (sigh)
I also bought the Pelikan M200 Copper Rose. It was my first Pelikan. My nib was fine, but Boy was I very Underwhelmed with the experience. Maybe it was the nib in Extra fine or the ink used that was Meh. Anyway I know so many people rave about the Pelikans. I also realize it isnt one of the top Pens in this line, but For sure I will be more cautious in the future before I get FOMO.
As for the Pelikan There is No good excuse that that should be happening you paid what upwards of 4 or 500 dollars for that pen they should exchange it !
That’s how I feel about my Pelikan M205 Petrol, with a medium nib. I have two Pelikan M140N fountain pens (1 with a broad nib and the other with a fine nib), and a grey Pelikan Style fountain pen with a medium nib. I love all but the Petrol as the Petrol has a very stiff, dry nib. I hope you get a solution to your new Pelikan M200.
Thank you fur sharing. So sorry about the pe. Question about the travelers planner...can you get one with the whole year or is it a monthly insert for each month...
I’ve just gotten a new sailor in EF and in the store that was the nib I liked best! now that I’ve ordered the color that I want online though… it’s writing really inconsistently (sometimes no ink comes out and sometimes it’s super thick) and I am just so new to fountain pens that I don’t know if I’M the one that’s doing something wrong. Any advice for newbies to know when it’s a real issue and not just them?
I'm so sorry to hear that you're having some issues! I would reach out to customer service from the online vendor and they can help trouble shoot. Good luck!
I've also thought the same. The discord is often mentioned but seems difficult to find/join since a link is required. Maybe it's not open to the public?
Thanks for this thoughtful video. It's always good to step back once in a while and refocus on what really brings us joy, with fountain pens, inks, journaling, or anything in life.
Scatchy one way and smooth the other is a symptom of misaligned tines. It never hurts to look closely (loupe). But it may be something else. Keep us updated on the results with Atlas Stationary and this pen. Thanks for the video.
I will, thanks!
I also recently received this pen and can confirm that it should not be scratchy. Mine is very very smooth.
@@lianelikesDan Smith did a great job on my nibs at sf pen show .hope to see you here in SF!
After using a LAMY fountain pen during my student days, and after many years, recently got back into the fountain pen journey. Now that I have two premium pens (highly recommended on YT) , and a couple of cheaper ones, I’m going to try and limit myself to knowing more about these pens, by using them every day, and already I can see there are differences. I know what it’s like to go down the Rabbit hole, and you feel like you’ve gotta keep up and get the latest whatever it is. But I also noticed that we become more fussy about details over time, and we’re not really enjoying the very reason we started in the first place. I’d love to see UA-camrs like yourself, take a break from the next thing, and show us how you use your most beautiful favourite pen each day. In fact why not make it a challenge. Using the same pen for 30 days? I’d love to see the results!
"I really like watching ink dry." YES. I wasn't consciously aware that I also love to watch ink dry until you said it like that. Now that I am conscious about that I will enjoy watching ink dry even more Thank you Liane!
I agree with the fact that one can experience overwhelm and boredom with the hobby. To me starting my YT channel was to share my Fountain Pen journey and have fun, but I found that I didn't really get any interest or engagement unless I was doing like the "done thing", so a new pen day unboxing our a currently inked vid, when I was just wanting to share my everyday experience with a new discovery in my fountain pen journey...even though I was super excited to share at the start of my journey, now I find myself struggling in finding content that I want to film and be excited about because I kinda know that all the energy I put in to the video and the editing is not going to be appreciated anyway. I have also slowed down with my stationery purchases, been on a non pen buy for a while. You also get to the stage of 'how many pens do I really need in my life ?' and want to just kind of chill and enjoy the pens and ink that you have, right?
I share that exact sentiment! I started my YT channel to share my love for all things stationery, but quickly found myself trying to stay up with the “fads” and found myself not appreciating what I already have or quickly being “bored” of it and wanted the next new shiny and pretty pens, journals, planners and inks.
One only has so much time to enjoy all of life. We gotta become better managers of our time and finances and stop trying to stay relevant. Relevancy can end me up in bankruptcy which then leads depression, all because we over-consumed unnecessary things that we already have multiple of.
@@SweetMimi84 yes exactly right!
I just gave a pen away yesterday which was an inexpensive one and it helps to introduce people to the hobby and it’s ridiculous for me to have so many pens of the same kind just because I want a different ink in it. So I am starting to realize my limitations, and I don’t want to get burned out!
Thank you for your transparency when you talked about “hobby burnout” and recognizing that YT plays a big role in that burnout because we excessively focus on what’s in the “now”. I don’t have much experience as I’ve started my YT channel in November, but I have found myself not being a joyful about my journaling/planner hobby because I don’t have the new pen, ink or planner. Or not having expensive equipment to make my channel more enjoyable. I’ve been discouraged to keep posting videos because I also found myself not enjoying my hobby because I am spending too much money on things I actually don’t need just to try to stay relevant on the UA-camRVERSE. And all that money spent just so that item collects dust somewhere.
I do miss my hobby being an enjoyable experience and something I look forward to do in my days…..I am now dreading it like another chore I want to avoid.
#backtohobbyfirstlove
Please do reach out to Atlas. They will be more than happy to help you with the Pelikan issue. Happy Friday!
I like it! Excellent video and input on burnout. Thanks for responding with this thoughtful vid! Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Great vid Liane. Burnout is a real thing. I think taking your pen to the pen show for a custom grind or tuning is a great idea. Enjoy!!!
Thank you so much for sharing, Liane! I've really enjoyed the discussion about burnout. I also super relate to your thoughts about perfectionist tendencies when it comes to hobbies and particularly youtube. When it feels like a chore, or worse, like work, I stop myself from recording.
I loved that he calls it going steady with your pen. 😊
Hello lovely, was great to hear you talk about this! I think most of us in the hobby have had burn out at one time or another. I started my fountain pen journey so gradually it wasn't funny. Quite literally only had a handful of fountain pens and inks for about 4 years, but then fell well and truly down the inky rabbit hole LOL. Have now been in the hobby for about 8 years and still learning new things every day. I agree with you that there is a lot of new products being released all the time that you almost have to switch yourself off it for a bit to gather your thoughts. Thank you for sharing, I love your channel and listening to your videos :) P.S. Haven't forgotten about sending you the inks, its just been a bit crazy lately!
Hi Jayne, please take your time, I am in no hurry. :)
Thank you for sharing this video! I am also on a low buy (at least until the SF Pen show) and have been enjoying trying to creatively use the things I own instead of buying things. So I really liked the way you explained it and how it has been helping you!
Really great video. I got bitten by the fountain pen bug in the fall and went so fast, so far down that rabbit hole that I felt a little alarmed by it. Since January, that I decided to go on a bit of a break from all things FP, including related social media consumption. It has made me better appreciate my purchases and more satisfied with the hobby in general. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I feel more normal somehow!
(And also-I too had the same experience with a Pelikan M205 Petrol. I had it worked on, having it ground into a CI, but it wasn’t exactly tuned, per se…so there’s a lesson learned. Anyway I think your approach is great and you’ll be very happy with your M200 after it gets tuned!)
Hi Liane! Long time subscriber, first time commenting :) I really appreciate what you said about burnout/overwhelm/boredom. This resonates so much for me and my own hobby related to my channel. I also agree with your way to re-ground yourself and find balance, particularly when you talk about connecting. Forming meaningful connections is paramount to overcome any feeling of disassociation in our lives. That's why I finally decided to post a comment ;) I love your channel and I really look forward to more content!
I would definitely contact Atlas. My Pelikan m200 was buttery smooth right out of the box. They are beautiful pens…yours must be just an individual dud. Good luck!
I have 4 platinum preppy’s & I find I reach for them more often than my other pens. They write very smooth & I don’t really worry about them getting knocked around too much.
A Pelikan 200 colored my opinion of the brand for years. Hated that pen. In 2023 I kept seeing more people raving about the brand but only the gold nibbed pens. I would send it back for a refund. Save up for a 600 or higher. I received an M805 for my 34th wedding anniversary and it is so wonderful. Enjoy your videos.
Love this thoughtful post.
I really enjoyed this one Liane. Wonderful insights on an important topic. I've been fortunate not to have experience burnout. As you may know from my videos, I'm extremely diligent with pens I own, not wanting to hold more than I can use in a reasonable amount of time. One big factor is, I spend very little time watching stationery videos when I'm bored. I think it's as dangerous as going to the grocery store when you're hungry. The eyes get big as the wallet screams. I'm glad you've found balance and happy place of creating and enjoying this hobby offline. Thanks for sharing.
You are so wise, I admire your diligent and present approach.
Thank you for the good medicine which is timely for me, Liane! I know of UA-cam channels which have widened their scope and I’m here for it! I look forward to seeing PenBoyRoy’s video as well as Tom Otto’s. Again, thank you for your wisdom ❤
Oh, that’s disappointing about the pelikan. I had a similar feeling with my decimo. On one hand, I was thrilled that it delivered the thin line I was hoping for, but on the other hand, it’s been so scratchy, that I haven’t enjoyed it as much as my other pens. I talked to an associate at the retailer I bought it from, and they suggested to bring it in to see if they can help trouble shoot it. There was a part of me that had contemplated selling it, but I’m going to try tweaking the nib first to see if I can improve the writing experience.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on pacing yourself in a hobby that can feel overwhelming. I have similar coping strategies when I feel overwhelmed. I love your ideas and strategies for overcoming burnout or boredom, and the one that stood out to me was engaging in the community. I don’t do this enough, but I went to an in-person meet up this week and was so glad that I did! 💗
I always find your videos relaxing to watch and I enjoy your content. I checked out PenBoyRoy's video and I thought he had alot of valid points that I hadn't really thought about. I just started getting into fountain pens last Nov and quickly bought several pens of various price points and in different nibs. I have slowed down my purchasing and am trying to enjoy the experimental period of trying inks and pen combos. I really enjoy daily writing and journaling with my pens and all the different colors and consuming all the ink swatching videos. I'm just trying to enjoy the variety of the pens and inks since I realize I don't have the ability to buy all the pens and inks that come along. I think with anything boredom can set in and it's probably a good idea to switch up the routine or take a break. But it is amazing the volume of new releases come out. It can be tiring and overwhelming to keep up.
Oh no! I got this pen, also from Atlas, and it writes well! It’s my first M200 so I found myself being pleasantly surprised given it’s a steel nib. I hope it is a beautiful writer after it is tuned!
I had a pen shopping spree and bought 4 in one month. 2 of them initially had nib issues, I was able to fix one and now I can’t decide on what to do about the other. It has definitely made me take a step back and think about my purchases. It can put a damper on the excitement. I also try to time things with UA-cam and it has not been good. At some point, i wasn’t even unboxing pens because I felt like I should film it first. To help with this, I have decided I will just post whenever, even if that pen is out of chronological order in my video / life. That has helped a bit.
Thanks for your thoughts about the pen hobby; they were helpful. I'm glad you are having fun with your Preppy. I will have to check it out. The Pelekan is another, dissapointing, story. So far I haven't spent more than 29 USD on a pen and I'm still having a blast.
I'm grateful for your comments of the Pelekan Bright Brown. I like to keep a pen inked in Black, Blue Black, Brown and Green. I innicially bought the Bright Brown for my brown color, but it reminded me too much of Red ink. I've seen enough of that in my life as a professional writer! So I got Monteverde Brown Sugar, which I love. I am now, thanks to you, going to find a pen to ink up with my bright brown. You've convinced me.
Monteverde brown sugar, just looked it up online, a gorgeous, more saturated brown!
Thank you for recommending Pelikan Brilliant Brown ink !
I think feeling burnout or rut signals a need for change for sure. I myself fell down the rabbit hole and was in the acquiring and large sampling phase. But i can feel that i am maybe i am entering another phase where i can now just learn to enjoy the pens i have. I think listening to oneself is key and taking time to understand changes in your own needs and the new direction the hobby needs to go to fulfill it.
Thanks for sharing! I've recently acquired Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Brown as well! :D I also watched PenBoyRoy's video about fountain pen burn out - it was a great video! :)
I also find the spending limits helps with burnout. Great video!
Your videos communicate your joy in fountain pens qnd ink, and I'm glad that joy results in your desire to share it with us. For ever how long that lasts, it is a gift. Thanks!
Thank you for the generous words!
when I was watching Hand lettering video this one lady her name is Sara from Ensign Insignts she says " Where you are today is exactly where you need to be " and I thought that was a brilliant thought I would like to share with you and to me it meant that one day I might feel like making 2 or 3 or sometimes 4 videos and sometimes like today where I dropped all my swatch cards I want to throw them all in the trash and never look at them again ... and the realistic side of me says choose acceptance and keep moving forward ..try not to get bogged down by the negativity some people might throw your way also try to use that insight to make better quality videos in spite of those comments and as the great Walt Disney said Keep Moving Forward
Thank you for such a helpful and informative episode. I'm just returning to my love of fountain pens after a long hiatus; and what a delight to find that there is a Seattle Pen Club since I live in the Seattle area. I will be checking that out!!
You must!
My M1000 Renaissance with EF nib arrived yesterday from Appelboom, and I ordered it with nib tuning and it’s marvelous. My first M815 had misaligned tines also and I promised myself, every pen I buy from now on will be returned if it doesn’t write perfectly. Very pen I order I ask them to look at the nib and make certain it’s smooth.
I think that is good advice. Enjoy your M1000 Renaissance, sounds marvelous!
Pelikan M200 appears not to write at ALL. eep! I hope you find a good solution.
Pelikan 4001 Brown is a fantastic ink. I journaled with that one for a full year in Germany 1990-1991, and still have the rest of that bottle. Now I wonder whether that ink is even still usable!
I, too, am ‘on hiatus’ with stationery buying. I recently focused on acquiring only items to maximize my experience of what I have: a few Jinhao 82s to house some Nemosine #5 nibs that have been just sitting there for years; a PenBBS nib to replace one I don’t love, and the PenBBS repair parts kit. Like that. I’m also planning a significant pen purchase-a Pilot 823 for my birthday in 6 mos. So the hiatus is likely to persist. Especially: No more blue ink. Palette completers and unique chromoshaders ONLY, and MINIMALLY. Full bottles ONLY if a sample is used up and I am Sad. tra-la. #Strategy.
I'm so sorry you had a disappointing NPD. That's always the worst, and weirdly, it seems like a lot of my online pen friends have been having disappointing experiences with new pens these last few weeks. I hope you're able to resolve things easily with Atlas, but if not, I'm sure the nib will be amazing once one of the nibmeisters gets a hold of it. (Also, I hope we can run into each other at the SF show!) I only have one Preppy, but I do really like it. It's also sturdy as all get out. I've had a number of non-fountain pen people use mine, and it's still great. I also really appreciated hearing about your methods of fighting against hobby burnout. I've been diving back into playing with my old favorite inks again, and it really brings back the joy I sometimes find myself missing when I just keep hopping from new ink to new ink. Wonderful video, as usual. 😍
Yes to meeting at the pen show, can’t wait!
This is so good, what a wonderful video ☺☺
I grew up with a student fountain pen that only ever used Royal Blue cartridges. At the time I didn't know about fountain pens as a hobby and unknowingly was a pen minimalist. As a lefty an ink smudged hand was a daily thing. For years I used first ballpoint pens and then gel pens once my fp broke and I very unceremoniously chucked it in the garbage.
My rediscovery of fountain pens coincided with the pandemic. The first year I went on a shopping spree after getting over the initial sticker shock. What I learned during that time I share with newbies, e.g. don't buy multiples of the same pen as your preferences may evolve. Coming from gel pens, I thought I like smalll pens to match my tiny hands. Turns out I prefer OS pens. But I'm keeping the small ones because they're good writers.
When I first got into the hobbiy, I posted my beginner pens because it seemed the thing to do in order to belong. I've given up on that idea long ago. I journal longhand in a hc journal and don't want to share my writings as they're very personal. I've taken breaks, but don't stress over that. I've seen content creators and users in th bujo community burn out because they felt the need to keep up with the pretty spreads to post on Instagram or ripping out/gluing pages together because of an oopsie (February without the first r was a common one.) Just setting up took an huge amount of time for what is basically a utility tool I appreciate the beauty of those spreads, and as long as it brings the creators joy, I'm all for it, but the little planning I need in my life can be done with a multipen and a highlighter.
One of my first gold nib pens was a Platinum 3776 SF. Only after I'd bought it I read comments that several people were so frustrated with how it writes that they gave up on the pen. Mine was really picky about which inks it likes, and there seemed to be a burr on one tine. I found Inky Rock's video on pen minimalism and gave that a try. It helped. The pen will still never make my Top 3. I adopted a limit of six pens that I allow myself to ink up which I'm working on. But it's the goal. And that means if I want to bring a pen into rotation that would bring me past the limit, it either has to wait until one currently in use is empty or I dump the ink in the converter for that pen to go into a pen case.
Within the last year I bought several pens I'd been wanting to own ever since I joined the hobby and learned about their existence.Two of them were pre-owned. Buying pre-owned pens is a win-win imho. The seller recoups some money for a pen that otherwise only collects dust, and the buyer saves some money. I see newbies giving themselves a lot of pressure. Comparing their own pens to what others who've been in the hobby longer and can afford to/are willing to spend more on a pen show in NPD posts, they want to buy "real" fountain pens or they experience FOMO seeing the lastest LE. Sometimes it feels like people are encouraging others to join them in their hyperconsumerism. What helps me is to wait past the initial "Oooh, that's pretty. I want it." If the initial enthusiasm wears off, great. Money saved. If I still want it, I'll wait for a good deal.
I put myself on an ink and stationery buying hiatus at the beginning of 2021, but recently broke that for a TN Regular size after wanting one for many years. I'm keeping it basic with two inserts (one for book journaling, the other for stamping/doodling) and the canvas zipper pouch. I used a charm I had in my stash to put on the closure elastic and a smaller one on the bookmark to add weight. As a bit of a completionist I have to remind myself to be mindful in my purchases. It's a wip.
Brilliant Brown was one of my first purchases. It is currently in my Conway Stewart Churchill with a medium nib and it is spectacular.
Look at a Pilot PO posting nib. Designed for poor paper small print it feels great at any angle. I have the Custom 742 PO and was shocked how great it is if you seek a fine line. The Platinum preppy 02 is great I put it in their Plaisir and it keeps inked with carbon black always starts.
Too bad about the Pelikan. Platinum’s inexpensive pens are amazingly reliable writers. I just got the Muji version of the Preppy and like the Prefount pen. Taking breaks from vlogging is a probably a good idea. The muse needs to be refreshed and sabbaticals are important.
What is a Muji version of a Preppy? 🤔
Yes, I’d like to know!
Fountain pen burnout is too real, I've been on a low-buy for pens and inks since the start of last year (-ish) and I still experienced it. Can't imagine being a content creator on top of that, phew! I've really cut back on the pens in my daily rotation and am slowly starting to enjoy fountain pens again after taking a complete break from them in April. Right now I'm trying to make peace with the fact that most of my collection lays dormant atm, focusing on not getting new pens...and trying to clean the overdue still inked but not in rotation pens. (sigh)
I'm glad!
I also bought the Pelikan M200 Copper Rose. It was my first Pelikan. My nib was fine, but Boy was I very Underwhelmed with the experience. Maybe it was the nib in Extra fine or the ink used that was Meh. Anyway I know so many people rave about the Pelikans. I also realize it isnt one of the top Pens in this line, but For sure I will be more cautious in the future before I get FOMO.
As for the Pelikan There is No good excuse that that should be happening you paid what upwards of 4 or 500 dollars for that pen they should exchange it !
I just bought brilliant brown a few days ago and I love it.
That’s how I feel about my Pelikan M205 Petrol, with a medium nib. I have two Pelikan M140N fountain pens (1 with a broad nib and the other with a fine nib), and a grey Pelikan Style fountain pen with a medium nib. I love all but the Petrol as the Petrol has a very stiff, dry nib. I hope you get a solution to your new Pelikan M200.
Atlas came through and replaced it for me, excellent customer service!
Now you''ve got me debating if I should go to the SF show (would be my first pen show) and stay and sight see, lol.
You should, SF is a lovely city in the summer.
Thank you fur sharing. So sorry about the pe. Question about the travelers planner...can you get one with the whole year or is it a monthly insert for each month...
I think one insert is for 6 months so you’d need 2 for the whole year.
I’ve just gotten a new sailor in EF and in the store that was the nib I liked best! now that I’ve ordered the color that I want online though… it’s writing really inconsistently (sometimes no ink comes out and sometimes it’s super thick) and I am just so new to fountain pens that I don’t know if I’M the one that’s doing something wrong. Any advice for newbies to know when it’s a real issue and not just them?
I'm so sorry to hear that you're having some issues! I would reach out to customer service from the online vendor and they can help trouble shoot. Good luck!
@@lianelikes thank you! I will do that!
Please tell me where to get those large brass paper clips seen in your journal. Thanks
They’re Dell’Era Leone extra large paper clips, I got them from Wonder Pens!
@@lianelikes Many Thanks🙏
Where did you get the glass dip pen from?
I got the glass pen from Jetpens, I don’t know if it’s sold out or not though. Guri Drops is the maker!
@@lianelikes found it! Thank you. This is similar to the one Ferris Wheel Press had, correct?
At 15:30 you mention Simona’s (sp?) Discord Community. Do you have a link for that? Thanks!
Hi! I had a link but I think it has since expired. Looks like you will have to reach out to @seemownay directly. Perhaps via IG?
I hope you get that Pelikan nib repaired. What a shame for such an iconic pen!
Atlas came through and replaced it for me, excellent customer service!
Collecting pens can really cause burnouts and letdowns
GourmetPens just didxa video on fixing nibs .
Wonderful, will check it out!
San Francisco what????
The pen show!
What is Seemonay’s discord? I also don’t find much value in social media and that’s where my burnout occurs
I've also thought the same. The discord is often mentioned but seems difficult to find/join since a link is required. Maybe it's not open to the public?
@@swe3tpeachSimone is always happy to send a link, it does get posted sometimes but it's not open, per se.
Here it is! discord.gg/Pxhwwze7
Thanks for this thoughtful video. It's always good to step back once in a while and refocus on what really brings us joy, with fountain pens, inks, journaling, or anything in life.