Stationery community, I feel I have to get something off my chest. It’s a bit controversial, and I might end up with some enemies from saying this but… I don’t really *get* the whole fountain pen thing. Don’t get me wrong, I like reading other people’s reviews of them and I like listening to Brad and Myke go on about them on the Pen Addict Podcast, but I just don’t have any desire to buy them…

In a way I think this is a good thing, a. for my bank balance as it can become a VERY expensive hobby, and b. because there are SO many people already doing brilliant reviews of fountain pens and I don’t think my voice would be adding much, but I do find it frustrating that I can’t get excited about them like other people can.

Since I started blogging just over a year ago, I’ve amassed quite a collection of stationery, but I’ve only felt compelled to buy one fountain pen, my trusty Kaweco Sport Skyline.

kaweko2

I bought this for a couple of reasons; I love the way it looks, and it’s really reasonably priced. I love the way that all Kawecos look, but i don’t really feel the need to get another one.

I guess my stationery taste is pretty shallow, and my choices are very much based on looks as much as functionality. Speaking of looks, I genuinely think the majority of fountain pens (Kaweco excluded) are just not very attractive! Sorry… I do like demonstrator pens, because I think it’s cool to see what’s going on inside, but the rest of the time I think they often look very old-fashioned and can’t imagine they appeal to people like me. I can’t really think of anyone I know “in real life” that uses a fountain pen as their every day pen – is that because they aren’t particularly cool looking/are too expensive/too high-maintenance?

Since going to a couple of calligraphy classes in the last month, I been really enjoying getting to grips with using nibs on dip pens, and I’ve been loving playing with different inks so it is something I’d like to explore.

Am I going to eat my words? Is there any pen I should try that’s going to change my mind? Or any clean, modern looking styles, similar to Kaweco that you think I’d like? Please comment below, or tell me on twitter – what do you think? I’m happy to be converted!!