I'm still at the level of using "workhorse" style fountain pens... And it's been fun since I started this as another hobby. Your videos has been really helpful
I've occasionally come across fountain pens in antique shops. I bought a near brand new Sheaffer 800 with the little "cartridge" sticker still on it for $15. You never know when or where you'll stumble upon a good deal, you just have to be on the lookout for them.
Thanks for these ideas. This year (and the end of last year) I remembered to save my money for the upcoming California Pen Show here in Los Angeles. Last year I was kicking myself because I had blown my pen budget and found deals there I could not believe. I left with two bottles of ink and my pride. This year I should be able to have some fun there. I’ve also decided to stop buying many lower priced pens and just save money (months to years in some cases) to buy really special pens.
That last point takes forever but it's so fun! When you find an E-bay auction that has a vague or uninformed title on the listing, so nobody finds it in their searches, it is such a magical thing!!
You said there were 10 tips but I only saw 9! Sales, Discount codes, Used, Overseas, Early adopter, Fixer upper, Fix what you have, and Patience. I wonder what happened to tip number 10! I kept blacking out around the 16:46 mark for some odd reason, though. Maybe that's where tip number 10 is? Oh well...must not be that important 🤣
We need this video to pop up once a month to keep us calm and sane 🤣 When you get into fountain pens, it is the hardest time. so many pens you would like, so little money and understanding from your spouse 😇 You missed one tip: if you think you want that pen, write it down, and check again in a week or month. sometimes it's just because you've seen it, and it's new and shiny 😉
I agree, DB. I've recently purchased a "like-new" 27 year old Namiki Elabo falcon for $50.00. I think that the seller just wanted to get rid of it. It was an eBay auction. Brand new, this pen hovers between $170 - $200. So, deals can be found.
I have found a lot of pens at pen shows. At these shows I have gotten to know the sales representatives who have deals on samples. Used or previously owned pens have been a great source for me. Finding a person overseas helps and the price differential is phenomenal. My go to for Italian pens is a shop in Rome. Get to know the seller and you will find great deals. Also overseas sales are not subject to local taxes or VAT.
Thanks for your Blesket discount. Got the new TWSBI Black ALR 580 today, best price on this beauty, in case they limit this edition, and gone by FP day this year.
Buy grey market from Japan. A few months ago I got a Pilot Elite for $72 on Amazon. It arrived writing dry, but a little tine spreading and it’s great. Another money saver: I got an Asvine P20 for $29, and it has lived up to your high opinion and my hopes.
I really needed that reminder to take a break from buying. I recently wanted to buy a pen with a more flexy nib to celebrate something, and I thought I'd save some money by getting a Jinhao 82 and a separate Kanwrite Superflex nib to swap it in. Unfortunately couldn't get it to work on that pen, but I did manage to find an older pen I had that was super easy to swap nibs. The older pen is a cheap unbranded (but surprisingly good) meh-looking pen though so I was struggling with the urge to get another pen, even though I know it would be risky since I'm probably gonna be strapped for cash for the next few months. The reminder to enjoy the hobby and not make it a financial burden was really appreciated, thanks.
I’ve done all these tips except #10 “Don’t Buy”. I’m working on that now and going on three months. I’m trying to get to October 2024 to make it a year.
I recently picked up a Lamy 2000 with a Medium nib for half price as the nib was damaged - I'm no pro but in short order I had it 99% straightened and aligned - bargain!!! usually though I like vintage pens with easy sac or pressure bar replacements or just a good old disassemble, clean and lubricate to get a piston running again
I love using eBay for some Japanese pens, albeit for new pens Pilot did raise their prices. Mercari JP is a good alternative if you want to do a deeper dive into second hand Japanese pens. I also really love the diversity on pen_swap, and some times pens I didn't know I wanted pop up for prices I can't refuse haha. Heck, one of my favorite purchases was you linking the early 90's Vanishing Point for an amazing prices as new old stock.
Make your own. That's my tip; there're a ton of cheap kits, wood and bonkers acrylic pen blanks OL. I have a lathe... I fancied solid brass... I had at it. I made a fountain pen, a rollerball and a 2mm pencil that I'm proud of and will see me out.
I have two small cautions to mention: 1. I've had universally bad experiences with Kickstarter. Expect multiple delays. 2. I got rid of a bunch of pens which now, some years later, I regret quite a bit. And they are no longer available retail. There is always the risk that your tastes or needs may change. How much storage space did these dozen pens take up, of course nothing of consequence. So my advice is that if you don't need the money, you just want to have fewer pens, maybe put them in a little box in the garage for a week first. 3. If two pens serve the same role in your collection so you want to sell one, sell the more valuable one.
That last one…don’t buy. From time to time I have put myself on a No Buy time out. I still look. I just don’t pull the trigger. Thanks for pulling this list together.
Rule 10 is the one that appeals to me. Trying to stay on the rails. I still have at least 10 pens I haven’t tried yet. I will in time acquire some grail pens. But I’ve got pretty much everything I’ll ever need. So I’m going to stop buying for a while. Perhaps the very odd pen but that’s it. Great video. Thank you
DB, there are also NOS that comes with overstocked inventory, stationary store closures, even liquidation direct from manufacturers. Pilot Korea warehoused so many Elites, that at its closure in the 90s, their last lot went on sale 2 years ago.
I used to love buying books (still do, but not so obsessive these days). One day, having spent my entire two weeks benefit in the bookshop between the Post Office and home, I realised I had to do something. After that, I would always go round a bookstore making a note of the books I wanted to buy, then go round again thinking of reasons why I didn't want the books on the list in turn. Any that still passed that test, came home with me. Not a perfect system, but a good one. With pens, I have a list of pens I know I want - either because they fit my collection, or else are classics (not necessarily expensive classics) that i want to experience. I have to have a very good reason to buy a pen not on the list (and I do tend to agonise over buying those which are). Works tolerably well, though I spent a lot taking advantage of FP Day and Halloween discounts I hadn't really budgeted for - oops)
When I moved to my current neighborhood, I found out that via the local library, 1.5 blocks from my front door, I had free access to 9M books. Suddenly I couldn't think of any reason to buy books anymore.
Of all the hobbies I have ever enjoyed, this is by far the most addictive as far as shopping. Do they put crack in these vintage pens? I am not going into debt by any means, but I am finding that I have to catch myself shopping and just close tabs, as though I am in the kitchen snacking when I shouldn't be, and ask myself, "what are you really hungry for?" I have one favorite that I compare the others to, and that's the Pelikan 400NN with a KF nib that I got from David Nishimura. I look at his site pretty much every day to see if he has another with the same or broader nib.
Well, your advice works mostly for the USA, Canada and maybe Europe, but there are more countries in this world where it's not that easy to maintain this hobby, here in Mexico the market is very limited and taxes make it even more difficult, a new high end pen (for example an Homo Sapiens) costs almost twice compared to MSRP for the USA if you buy it locally. Also the authorized importer for Aurora once told me they sell M points almost exclusively because other sizes don't sell at all here, being a F and EF user due to my tiny handwriting makes life harder 😅. Second hand market is very limited too, either you can't find what you look for (I've never been able to find a Homo Sapiens for example) or sellers overprice their offerings to "minimize" loss. Fellows from South America have told me it's even worse down there, especially in Argentina. Patience, constant research and luck are also essential, a couple years back I got a Divina Metropolitan that really made me forget about the HS, also I got a Parker Premier for less than a fourth of the original price, but for this one I was very lucky to find the ad just after it was published and immediately bought it, the seller told me a lot of people were asking for it after I bought it, in fact the price was so good that I also bought a Waterman Carène rollerball from him, which is (and will forever be) my one and only higher end rollerball 😅
Europe is very country-by-country affair. Where I live, outside of the capital, you have no chance to buy anything in person, outside of like Lamy Safari or no name school pens. Because of our communist past, also no vintage pens older than 30 years. But just next door in Poland, they have pen shows, ink manufacturers, even some local pen manufacturers and tons of great pen stores, for some reason. Lots of pen guys from here are going over there because of that. Germany, also next door, is the same. More you go East, worse the situation gets.
Perhaps, the best way-in my honest opinion-to save money is to search for other affordable fountain pens at discounted rates but be sure the products are of great quality. Look beyond Japanese brands and try other fountain pen brands from India, China, South Korea, Spain or African countries (if there are any). When looking for second-hand fountain pens, consider those that have very minor defects or damages that can be repaired easily. Or look for European brands that sell at reasonable prices (always check the prices and exchange rates carefully and compare different brands when necessary). Try to avoid very old or vintage pens, unless you have the spare parts, tools, and the know-how in terms of pen repair and restoration. Also, check online reviews on certain brands to be sure that what you buy will give a real bang for your buck.😊
What are the first two pen almost horizontal at the beginning? Both look gorgeous or anyway very interesting for work! Sir, you are making me spend much more money than how I actually need to write with your passion and the many nice pens you show. Quick question: how do you deal with ink permanence? I am loving FP ink but what is the point of writing if you lose the content with a small amount of sweat? Waterproof inks don’t seem to come in nice colors
Just did a video on that topic ua-cam.com/video/aeRBG5qkXf0/v-deo.html And the first two pens I think you're referring to are the Ensso Piuma Urushi - ua-cam.com/video/2QcfOh9tOzA/v-deo.html Montegrappa 007 - ua-cam.com/video/1N96lJyg-ys/v-deo.html
Doodlebud, Another great video with good advice. I'm a long-time fountain pen user and have eight or nine pens. I will most likely stay at about this number of pens because I like to have them all inked up. Most have black or blue Waterman ink, but I just got a bottle of Brown Sugar by Mounteverde, that I like a lot. All of my pens are under $28. The Jinhao 9019 is my favorite, but I also enjoy my "new" gold mount x159s. They improved it from my first silver mount model (which I gave to my son). I live in a small apartment in the winter and a sailboat in the summer so I need to keep my hobbies small. I do have to grail pens: one is a Sheaffer life inlayed nib like I had and used every day as a reporter for a Daily Newspaper. I loved that pen and it went everywere with me for about three years until I lost it. I would really like to find one just like it. The other is a Faber Castel Black Emotion like the one you have. I wish I had a Muji store in my town like you so I could buy paper there. (I do love my Muji pen.) I may have found something close to the paper. Please check out this paper and let me know how it compares. I found it at Walmart of all places. It is pen+GEAR Personal Notebook, 30 sheets, Heavyweight paper, about #5 size, sewn together with a brown craft paper cover. I like this paper for the writing I do outside my journals (which are cheap sketch books from Michaels craft stores). The pen+GEAR notebooks are college ruled and have a nice blue-grey color. I usually find it on the bottom shelf of the notebook section for $1. I'd love to know what you think of them.
Even if You have really expensive and fancy pens there are quite a few really good chinese pens that make great EDC pens you don't have to worry about.
Thanks, Doodlebud. I have A LOT of pens and the best deals I’ve found are from people who are selling vintage or grail pens that they don’t/didn’t own and don’t know anything about pens, like when grandpa passed away and the pens were in his desk drawer. Estate sales are the obvious choice, or those second-hand/junk/‘antique’ stores with all the booths of stuff. I think in all the cases you mention in this video, the seller knows a lot about pens and what any specific pen is worth. The trick is to find sellers who DON’T know, and you can find serious steals. Now, I’m also seriously into fly fishing, and I never give away my secret fishing spots. So I’m not going to reveal where I find these epic bargains online - just know they are out there. But you gotta hunt.
One key for watching for sales is to have an awareness ahead of time of what the cheapest price you can get that pen for in ordinary circumstances. That's really where patience comes in, it seems to me, decide what pen you want, research the going prices, and then keep your eye open for sales on that pen. Another one is flexibility on some details, like body color or nib width. I don't care for western medium nibs for the most part, so I have passed a lot of decent prices on a lot of pens because I didn't want yet another medium nib. But if it didn't matter that much to me, I could have saved money. Finally, I rarely buy new pens at pen shows unless the model is new and unique (like the Kyuseido plunger filler I bought at last year's SF show). Pen shows are a great place to try out pens, to see how well they fit in your hand and write, but the prices there are usually at full MSRP with no discounts, so I do some of my research there and then buy somewhere else. There are exceptions, of course, this is just a general rule for me.
I'm a big proponent of Don't Buy lmfao. I bought a couple very cheap pens to see if fountain pens were for me. Then I went straight for a custom 823. I miiiight get a sailor pro gear mini when I'm in Japan as a souvenier and also for a quicker drying nib, but after that? I doubt I'll be buying any more pens. I just like hearing about the other pens out there, I don't really feel the tug for "OMG I NEED THAT ONE." when seeing new pens.
Very new to the fountain pen world and my fear is going down this path like Clark Griswold on a metal sheet with non-caloric silicon-based kitchen lubricant applied to it.
Bout a month ago, a very inexpensive Chinese pen caught my eye on Amazon. I looked at it a few times for a bit, and one day it was on sale for about 50% off what they had been charging. I ordered it and like it so much that the other day there was a flash sale at Amazon and I bought another one for a LOT less than I paid for the first one.
I'm very curious about the mini stainless steel looking fountain pen you were holding around the 51 second mark. Any chance you could drop a link to check it out?
Custom 912 with FA nib. It has an aftermarket feed then a custom grind job by Josh Lax. I did a video on it if you want to see: ua-cam.com/video/CncfAKkaS14/v-deo.html
Doodlebud, im mew to the fountain pen scene and am really wanting a visconti inferno. I am trying to take your advice and be patient with the purchase. Do you know if it's a limited edition or if there will be multiple production runs of the comedia series?
I'm not familiar with the particular pen. Part of the hunt is learning all about it and sometimes asking questions on FP related groups (FB, Reddit, etc) to see if anyone has experience with something specific
I'm loving it!!! I have a training partner who recently came to Canada from Ukraine. He was ranked #9 in the world a few years back and is insanely strong. Learning so much from him and getting stronger. I really really enjoy it 💪
Great video. I’m happy some people keep the industry moving paying full retail, but I also like vintage and used pens. Yes we should consider sustainability and go easy on the OCD acquisition madness sometimes.
One day i hope to afford one of these more expensive pens. But my modest collection of inexpensive quality pens like the safari has been very trustworthy through college and even helped me avoid aggravating some chronic pain issues i developed a couple years ago. Id be more than content to stay at this price point forever.
i got into fountain pens because i was going through disposable pens at an alarming rate at my job. i'm more liberal than not and realized i shouldn't be so wasteful and throw out so much plastic. 10 fountain pens later & i had to come to another realization that i was just swapping one disposable product for another whose shelf life was just a little longer. i stopped buying fountain pens and am happy with my 10 pen collection, it'll last me the rest of my life and i will prob pass them on.
DB, looking for that MB N and found some Japanese sellers, is there anything extra like duties and taxes you would have to pay from them? Is there a Japanese reseller that you would recommend? This is my first level grail pen. Love the look of the White Star line version with the same nib.
I’ve spent so much money on fountain pens my first 8 weeks in the hobby. That says nothing about finding just the right paper and notebooks and accessories 😬
Thats a good question. When people say vintage does it mean a minimum age or does it refer to an era? I saw a mid 1990's Mazda MVP the other day and it had "Collectors" license plates on it. I laughed and took a picture. The insurance here is cheaper for a car that is a minimum number of years old and reasonably stock. So a 1968 Camaro and a 1994 Mazda MPV are both considered collectors/vintage autos. Interesting thought when it comes to pens. Lets say the min age has to be 40 yrs old. So in 2050 will a Lamy Safari from 2010 be vintage. Especially if its one offered in the same color as one you buy new in 2050 and you can't tell the difference? Its a tough one. When people say vintage they tend to think about whats old to themselves. When you put a 25 yr old and an 85 yr old person together to ask them which items are considered "vintage" you'll get VERY different answers and perspectives. So to answer the question... I have no idea. I might just have to do a video on that....
@@Doodlebud that’s interesting insight. We put “Historic” plates on my daughter’s 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis. It qualifies at 25 yrs old but we did more as a joke when people refer to her “grandma car”. Which it was …
Ok, feeling generous today. I'll double the price and take that Montblanc M of your hands for 40 bucks. Christmas comes early for you buddy. And for me, if you go for it...
*EARLY ADOPTER* I know... I said early adapter. It was 1:30am when I recorded, what can I say 😵
We can all *adopt* the attitude to *adapt* to late night/early morning filming. 😂 It's all good DB
And you’ve “boughten” a ton of pens off eBay @ 5:30? 🫠
So the plan is to demonstrate patience, planning, deliberation, and restraint? I think I see my problem...
I guess things don't always go to plan.... 😆
I have none of these things... And none moneys... 🤔
I'm still at the level of using "workhorse" style fountain pens... And it's been fun since I started this as another hobby. Your videos has been really helpful
I've occasionally come across fountain pens in antique shops. I bought a near brand new Sheaffer 800 with the little "cartridge" sticker still on it for $15. You never know when or where you'll stumble upon a good deal, you just have to be on the lookout for them.
Thanks for these ideas. This year (and the end of last year) I remembered to save my money for the upcoming California Pen Show here in Los Angeles. Last year I was kicking myself because I had blown my pen budget and found deals there I could not believe. I left with two bottles of ink and my pride. This year I should be able to have some fun there. I’ve also decided to stop buying many lower priced pens and just save money (months to years in some cases) to buy really special pens.
That last point takes forever but it's so fun! When you find an E-bay auction that has a vague or uninformed title on the listing, so nobody finds it in their searches, it is such a magical thing!!
Keep an eye out for slightly misspelled listings as well!
You said there were 10 tips but I only saw 9! Sales, Discount codes, Used, Overseas, Early adopter, Fixer upper, Fix what you have, and Patience. I wonder what happened to tip number 10! I kept blacking out around the 16:46 mark for some odd reason, though. Maybe that's where tip number 10 is? Oh well...must not be that important 🤣
We need this video to pop up once a month to keep us calm and sane 🤣
When you get into fountain pens, it is the hardest time. so many pens you would like, so little money and understanding from your spouse 😇
You missed one tip: if you think you want that pen, write it down, and check again in a week or month. sometimes it's just because you've seen it, and it's new and shiny 😉
Thats a good tip
I try to use this strategy for most things I find myself wanting to buy!
Thanks for the great ideas. I’m sharing my future savings with you.
Awesome! Thank you so much!
A long overdue thank you! You were the one who alerted me to the Gravitas FP Day sale and I now have a lovely Copper Pocket Pen!
Glad to hear you're enjoying the pen!
More discount codes!
CANADA:
Ferris Wheel Press- IRP
Laywines - FIRSTORDER10 (10% off FIRST ORDER ONLY)
The Paint Spot (Edmonton) -SpotlightPS (20% off FIRST 2 ORDERS)
UNITED STATES:
Atlas Stationers - PAPEREMM10 (10% off)
Endless Pens - Itsrainingpens
Fountain Pen Revolution - LARRY15 (15% off)
Goldspot Pens- POTATO (7.5% off)
Karas Kustoms - KARASNEWS15 (15% off) / KARASNEWS10 (10% off)
Pen Savings- MACCHIATOMAN (12% off)
NETHERLANDS:
Akkerman - BROWN10 (10% off)
Appelboom- FRIEND (10% off)
Thanks for the video, DB!😁 I've had spotty luck with antique stores and flea markets, but they're worth a try (for vintage pens mostly, but sometimes newer pens.
AMAZING! Thnaks for all the listings
@@Doodlebud You're welcome!😃
I agree, DB. I've recently purchased a "like-new" 27 year old Namiki Elabo falcon for $50.00. I think that the seller just wanted to get rid of it. It was an eBay auction. Brand new, this pen hovers between $170 - $200. So, deals can be found.
Everybody loves to score a deal 👍
The happiness of a good deal. Priceless!!
I have found a lot of pens at pen shows.
At these shows I have gotten to know the sales representatives who have deals on samples.
Used or previously owned pens have been a great source for me.
Finding a person overseas helps and the price differential is phenomenal. My go to for Italian pens is a shop in Rome. Get to know the seller and you will find great deals. Also overseas sales are not subject to local taxes or VAT.
Soooo what your saying is , it is time to buy some more pens. Good advice here. Thanks for sharing these tips.
Thanks for your Blesket discount. Got the new TWSBI Black ALR 580 today, best price on this beauty, in case they limit this edition, and gone by FP day this year.
Buy grey market from Japan. A few months ago I got a Pilot Elite for $72 on Amazon. It arrived writing dry, but a little tine spreading and it’s great. Another money saver: I got an Asvine P20 for $29, and it has lived up to your high opinion and my hopes.
Fantastic video! I definitely picked up some pointers on a topic I thought I was well versed on. Thanks for the information.
I really needed that reminder to take a break from buying. I recently wanted to buy a pen with a more flexy nib to celebrate something, and I thought I'd save some money by getting a Jinhao 82 and a separate Kanwrite Superflex nib to swap it in. Unfortunately couldn't get it to work on that pen, but I did manage to find an older pen I had that was super easy to swap nibs. The older pen is a cheap unbranded (but surprisingly good) meh-looking pen though so I was struggling with the urge to get another pen, even though I know it would be risky since I'm probably gonna be strapped for cash for the next few months. The reminder to enjoy the hobby and not make it a financial burden was really appreciated, thanks.
I’ve done all these tips except #10 “Don’t Buy”. I’m working on that now and going on three months. I’m trying to get to October 2024 to make it a year.
I recently picked up a Lamy 2000 with a Medium nib for half price as the nib was damaged - I'm no pro but in short order I had it 99% straightened and aligned - bargain!!! usually though I like vintage pens with easy sac or pressure bar replacements or just a good old disassemble, clean and lubricate to get a piston running again
I love using eBay for some Japanese pens, albeit for new pens Pilot did raise their prices. Mercari JP is a good alternative if you want to do a deeper dive into second hand Japanese pens. I also really love the diversity on pen_swap, and some times pens I didn't know I wanted pop up for prices I can't refuse haha. Heck, one of my favorite purchases was you linking the early 90's Vanishing Point for an amazing prices as new old stock.
Make your own. That's my tip; there're a ton of cheap kits, wood and bonkers acrylic pen blanks OL. I have a lathe... I fancied solid brass... I had at it. I made a fountain pen, a rollerball and a 2mm pencil that I'm proud of and will see me out.
I have two small cautions to mention:
1. I've had universally bad experiences with Kickstarter. Expect multiple delays.
2. I got rid of a bunch of pens which now, some years later, I regret quite a bit. And they are no longer available retail. There is always the risk that your tastes or needs may change. How much storage space did these dozen pens take up, of course nothing of consequence. So my advice is that if you don't need the money, you just want to have fewer pens, maybe put them in a little box in the garage for a week first.
3. If two pens serve the same role in your collection so you want to sell one, sell the more valuable one.
That is to be expected, kickstarter is essentially investing in a new product. What you save in money you pay for in risk.
@@888SpinR and I've never felt I got a good bargain. Strictly for the impatient, imo.
That last one…don’t buy. From time to time I have put myself on a No Buy time out. I still look. I just don’t pull the trigger. Thanks for pulling this list together.
Actually purchased a Montblanc on discount and I've had the pen for several years now. I always shop around. Thanks for this video!
Glad to help
Newcomer to your channel and really digging it. Thanks for all of these videos. Love your handwriting, too!
Glad you're enjoying my vids
Good video. Very helpful!. I stay warm!
Rule 10 is the one that appeals to me. Trying to stay on the rails. I still have at least 10 pens I haven’t tried yet. I will in time acquire some grail pens. But I’ve got pretty much everything I’ll ever need. So I’m going to stop buying for a while. Perhaps the very odd pen but that’s it. Great video. Thank you
DB, there are also NOS that comes with overstocked inventory, stationary store closures, even liquidation direct from manufacturers. Pilot Korea warehoused so many Elites, that at its closure in the 90s, their last lot went on sale 2 years ago.
I love NOS pens. Amazing deals on all of mine I've picked up: MB 149, Pilot Elite, Pilot Vanishing Point
I used to love buying books (still do, but not so obsessive these days). One day, having spent my entire two weeks benefit in the bookshop between the Post Office and home, I realised I had to do something. After that, I would always go round a bookstore making a note of the books I wanted to buy, then go round again thinking of reasons why I didn't want the books on the list in turn. Any that still passed that test, came home with me. Not a perfect system, but a good one.
With pens, I have a list of pens I know I want - either because they fit my collection, or else are classics (not necessarily expensive classics) that i want to experience. I have to have a very good reason to buy a pen not on the list (and I do tend to agonise over buying those which are). Works tolerably well, though I spent a lot taking advantage of FP Day and Halloween discounts I hadn't really budgeted for - oops)
When I moved to my current neighborhood, I found out that via the local library, 1.5 blocks from my front door, I had free access to 9M books. Suddenly I couldn't think of any reason to buy books anymore.
Of all the hobbies I have ever enjoyed, this is by far the most addictive as far as shopping. Do they put crack in these vintage pens? I am not going into debt by any means, but I am finding that I have to catch myself shopping and just close tabs, as though I am in the kitchen snacking when I shouldn't be, and ask myself, "what are you really hungry for?"
I have one favorite that I compare the others to, and that's the Pelikan 400NN with a KF nib that I got from David Nishimura. I look at his site pretty much every day to see if he has another with the same or broader nib.
400NN tortoise is always on my mind
Well, your advice works mostly for the USA, Canada and maybe Europe, but there are more countries in this world where it's not that easy to maintain this hobby, here in Mexico the market is very limited and taxes make it even more difficult, a new high end pen (for example an Homo Sapiens) costs almost twice compared to MSRP for the USA if you buy it locally.
Also the authorized importer for Aurora once told me they sell M points almost exclusively because other sizes don't sell at all here, being a F and EF user due to my tiny handwriting makes life harder 😅.
Second hand market is very limited too, either you can't find what you look for (I've never been able to find a Homo Sapiens for example) or sellers overprice their offerings to "minimize" loss. Fellows from South America have told me it's even worse down there, especially in Argentina.
Patience, constant research and luck are also essential, a couple years back I got a Divina Metropolitan that really made me forget about the HS, also I got a Parker Premier for less than a fourth of the original price, but for this one I was very lucky to find the ad just after it was published and immediately bought it, the seller told me a lot of people were asking for it after I bought it, in fact the price was so good that I also bought a Waterman Carène rollerball from him, which is (and will forever be) my one and only higher end rollerball 😅
Europe is very country-by-country affair. Where I live, outside of the capital, you have no chance to buy anything in person, outside of like Lamy Safari or no name school pens. Because of our communist past, also no vintage pens older than 30 years. But just next door in Poland, they have pen shows, ink manufacturers, even some local pen manufacturers and tons of great pen stores, for some reason. Lots of pen guys from here are going over there because of that. Germany, also next door, is the same. More you go East, worse the situation gets.
Perhaps, the best way-in my honest opinion-to save money is to search for other affordable fountain pens at discounted rates but be sure the products are of great quality. Look beyond Japanese brands and try other fountain pen brands from India, China, South Korea, Spain or African countries (if there are any). When looking for second-hand fountain pens, consider those that have very minor defects or damages that can be repaired easily. Or look for European brands that sell at reasonable prices (always check the prices and exchange rates carefully and compare different brands when necessary). Try to avoid very old or vintage pens, unless you have the spare parts, tools, and the know-how in terms of pen repair and restoration. Also, check online reviews on certain brands to be sure that what you buy will give a real bang for your buck.😊
What are the first two pen almost horizontal at the beginning? Both look gorgeous or anyway very interesting for work!
Sir, you are making me spend much more money than how I actually need to write with your passion and the many nice pens you show.
Quick question: how do you deal with ink permanence? I am loving FP ink but what is the point of writing if you lose the content with a small amount of sweat? Waterproof inks don’t seem to come in nice colors
Just did a video on that topic
ua-cam.com/video/aeRBG5qkXf0/v-deo.html
And the first two pens I think you're referring to are the
Ensso Piuma Urushi - ua-cam.com/video/2QcfOh9tOzA/v-deo.html
Montegrappa 007 - ua-cam.com/video/1N96lJyg-ys/v-deo.html
It's true the color selection is limited, but I've found 50 colors is possibly enough.
Doodlebud, Another great video with good advice. I'm a long-time fountain pen user and have eight or nine pens. I will most likely stay at about this number of pens because I like to have them all inked up. Most have black or blue Waterman ink, but I just got a bottle of Brown Sugar by Mounteverde, that I like a lot. All of my pens are under $28. The Jinhao 9019 is my favorite, but I also enjoy my "new" gold mount x159s. They improved it from my first silver mount model (which I gave to my son). I live in a small apartment in the winter and a sailboat in the summer so I need to keep my hobbies small.
I do have to grail pens: one is a Sheaffer life inlayed nib like I had and used every day as a reporter for a Daily Newspaper. I loved that pen and it went everywere with me for about three years until I lost it. I would really like to find one just like it. The other is a Faber Castel Black Emotion like the one you have.
I wish I had a Muji store in my town like you so I could buy paper there. (I do love my Muji pen.) I may have found something close to the paper. Please check out this paper and let me know how it compares. I found it at Walmart of all places. It is pen+GEAR Personal Notebook, 30 sheets, Heavyweight paper, about #5 size, sewn together with a brown craft paper cover. I like this paper for the writing I do outside my journals (which are cheap sketch books from Michaels craft stores). The pen+GEAR notebooks are college ruled and have a nice blue-grey color. I usually find it on the bottom shelf of the notebook section for $1. I'd love to know what you think of them.
Even if You have really expensive and fancy pens there are quite a few really good chinese pens that make great EDC pens you don't have to worry about.
Yup. I find the Chinese manufacturers are improving the quality of their pens quite a bit. Lately I've been very happy
Ain't that the truth. And they will be CHEAP. And the quality goes up with every new release, and there are constant new releases.
I agree, my last 5 have been Chinese pens and I don't regret it one bit, the nibs are smooth and run great.
Thank you, I appreciate these tips 👍🖋️
Glad it was helpful
Thanks, Doodlebud. I have A LOT of pens and the best deals I’ve found are from people who are selling vintage or grail pens that they don’t/didn’t own and don’t know anything about pens, like when grandpa passed away and the pens were in his desk drawer. Estate sales are the obvious choice, or those second-hand/junk/‘antique’ stores with all the booths of stuff. I think in all the cases you mention in this video, the seller knows a lot about pens and what any specific pen is worth. The trick is to find sellers who DON’T know, and you can find serious steals. Now, I’m also seriously into fly fishing, and I never give away my secret fishing spots. So I’m not going to reveal where I find these epic bargains online - just know they are out there. But you gotta hunt.
The hunt is part of the fun for sure!
If you like fooling people, you could just steal them.
One key for watching for sales is to have an awareness ahead of time of what the cheapest price you can get that pen for in ordinary circumstances. That's really where patience comes in, it seems to me, decide what pen you want, research the going prices, and then keep your eye open for sales on that pen. Another one is flexibility on some details, like body color or nib width. I don't care for western medium nibs for the most part, so I have passed a lot of decent prices on a lot of pens because I didn't want yet another medium nib. But if it didn't matter that much to me, I could have saved money. Finally, I rarely buy new pens at pen shows unless the model is new and unique (like the Kyuseido plunger filler I bought at last year's SF show). Pen shows are a great place to try out pens, to see how well they fit in your hand and write, but the prices there are usually at full MSRP with no discounts, so I do some of my research there and then buy somewhere else. There are exceptions, of course, this is just a general rule for me.
Yes, I once bought a discontinued model for 90% off. The fountain pen cost me $2.76 Canadian, all taxes in.
All fantastic suggestions. Itenk to go overboard on fpday
At 17:50 , there is a beautiful all-matte black pen to your right. I couldn't identify what pen it is. Could you tell me?
@@technoinfo.1488 That would be this beauty
ua-cam.com/video/1N96lJyg-ys/v-deo.html
@@Doodlebud thank you.What an amazing pen.
Great video. I loved all 9 tips 😆
Wait... What.... 9 tips...
@@Doodlebudyup. The last one is impossible as far as I'm concerned 😂
@@eno88🤣🤣🤣
I'm a big proponent of Don't Buy lmfao. I bought a couple very cheap pens to see if fountain pens were for me. Then I went straight for a custom 823. I miiiight get a sailor pro gear mini when I'm in Japan as a souvenier and also for a quicker drying nib, but after that? I doubt I'll be buying any more pens. I just like hearing about the other pens out there, I don't really feel the tug for "OMG I NEED THAT ONE." when seeing new pens.
Very new to the fountain pen world and my fear is going down this path like Clark Griswold on a metal sheet with non-caloric silicon-based kitchen lubricant applied to it.
Thank you!
Bout a month ago, a very inexpensive Chinese pen caught my eye on Amazon. I looked at it a few times for a bit, and one day it was on sale for about 50% off what they had been charging. I ordered it and like it so much that the other day there was a flash sale at Amazon and I bought another one for a LOT less than I paid for the first one.
I'm very curious about the mini stainless steel looking fountain pen you were holding around the 51 second mark. Any chance you could drop a link to check it out?
Thats is my Gravitas Pocket Pen in stainless steel
What pilot model is this at 6:30 btw?
Custom 912 with FA nib. It has an aftermarket feed then a custom grind job by Josh Lax. I did a video on it if you want to see:
ua-cam.com/video/CncfAKkaS14/v-deo.html
@@Doodlebud Surely, i will watch the video. Thanks!! 👍
Doodlebud, im mew to the fountain pen scene and am really wanting a visconti inferno. I am trying to take your advice and be patient with the purchase. Do you know if it's a limited edition or if there will be multiple production runs of the comedia series?
I'm not familiar with the particular pen. Part of the hunt is learning all about it and sometimes asking questions on FP related groups (FB, Reddit, etc) to see if anyone has experience with something specific
Wonderful video with a lot of wisdom. By the way, how's the arm wrestling going?
I'm loving it!!! I have a training partner who recently came to Canada from Ukraine. He was ranked #9 in the world a few years back and is insanely strong. Learning so much from him and getting stronger. I really really enjoy it 💪
I just want to know how got the sweet Mark Newson, and how much it set you back.
I got mine for $20. Here's the video ua-cam.com/video/hZgw2QYtb8s/v-deo.html
@@Doodlebud I'll give you $40 (and in USD). You double your money. And I'm doing you a favor taking it off your hands. ;-)
@@Doodlebud you know I can double your money if you sell it to me for $40. 😉
Great video. I’m happy some people keep the industry moving paying full retail, but I also like vintage and used pens.
Yes we should consider sustainability and go easy on the OCD acquisition madness sometimes.
One day i hope to afford one of these more expensive pens. But my modest collection of inexpensive quality pens like the safari has been very trustworthy through college and even helped me avoid aggravating some chronic pain issues i developed a couple years ago. Id be more than content to stay at this price point forever.
i got into fountain pens because i was going through disposable pens at an alarming rate at my job. i'm more liberal than not and realized i shouldn't be so wasteful and throw out so much plastic. 10 fountain pens later & i had to come to another realization that i was just swapping one disposable product for another whose shelf life was just a little longer. i stopped buying fountain pens and am happy with my 10 pen collection, it'll last me the rest of my life and i will prob pass them on.
One needn't be liberal to wish to reduce landfill waste. Just thoughtful. Let's all do it.
@@ichirofakename you're right, unfortunately in america, conservatives have rejected science and thoughtfulness.
DB, looking for that MB N and found some Japanese sellers, is there anything extra like duties and taxes you would have to pay from them? Is there a Japanese reseller that you would recommend? This is my first level grail pen. Love the look of the White Star line version with the same nib.
I can’t use the dip ones without making a mess so I ordered some disposable fountain pens, now I’ll bolo for better ones.
One tip is to write more often with what you have, and see that you already have what you need!
At the beginning of the video, there's a pen at the lower right, second from the bottom. What pen is it?
If it's the Black and White one, that's a Majohn A3.
If you're asking about the black one, that's the new Montegrappa 007.
Yup those are the two. Thanks @evanbasnaw 👍
@@evanbasnaw Ah, 007. No wonder I liked it! A very appealing pen indeed, nailing every detail.
Nothing on Esterbrook removable nib catrige?! 😭
I need to mark fountain pen day.
I’ve spent so much money on fountain pens my first 8 weeks in the hobby. That says nothing about finding just the right paper and notebooks and accessories 😬
Not to mention finding the perfect ink for each pen! I also like coordinating the pen sleeve. It's an obsession, I know.
Is National Fountain Pen Day November 1st, or the first Friday in November?
How old does a pen need to be, to be considered vintage? In your opinion…
Thats a good question. When people say vintage does it mean a minimum age or does it refer to an era? I saw a mid 1990's Mazda MVP the other day and it had "Collectors" license plates on it. I laughed and took a picture. The insurance here is cheaper for a car that is a minimum number of years old and reasonably stock. So a 1968 Camaro and a 1994 Mazda MPV are both considered collectors/vintage autos. Interesting thought when it comes to pens. Lets say the min age has to be 40 yrs old. So in 2050 will a Lamy Safari from 2010 be vintage. Especially if its one offered in the same color as one you buy new in 2050 and you can't tell the difference? Its a tough one. When people say vintage they tend to think about whats old to themselves. When you put a 25 yr old and an 85 yr old person together to ask them which items are considered "vintage" you'll get VERY different answers and perspectives. So to answer the question... I have no idea. I might just have to do a video on that....
@@Doodlebud that’s interesting insight. We put “Historic” plates on my daughter’s 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis. It qualifies at 25 yrs old but we did more as a joke when people refer to her “grandma car”. Which it was …
First Friday of November is my bday 😊
nice videos
Thanks
#1 start a UA-cam pen review channel… 😂
There is that. I'm extremely surprised how this has turned out!
There is only one price point for fountain pens: Expensive...
Ok, feeling generous today.
I'll double the price and take that Montblanc M of your hands for 40 bucks.
Christmas comes early for you buddy.
And for me, if you go for it...
First
Early ADOPTER
Doooooodlebud