I think I bought my first fountain pen when I was in second grade. Ever since I've usually had at least one laying about somewhere, usually in disrepair. About ten years ago I got interested in using them again, and in the course of five years or so, ended up with about eight contemporary pens from European makers.

Just recently I started buying vintage pens off eBay, those from before 1950. I also started applying my razor restoring experience to what is mainly another piece of plastic and some speciality metal.

-- First, there are a lot more pen-people than there are razor-people.
-- Second, almost all the bidding on a desirable pen is done in the closing ten seconds of the auction.
-- Third, pens that need the least bit of repair or restoration are pretty much shunned.
-- Fourth, you get the same tea-cup-dealers making dumb claims about the worth of a pen they are selling, just like they do with razors.

While away early this evening, I won a 1925 Shaeffer Titan fountain pen in great shape for a surprising $113. They usually are in the $200-$250 range.


Then, later in the evening, I ran across a poorly worded ad by a generalist antique dealer showing a picture of, would you believe, the same model and color as the first pen. The only difference was it was dirty and unpolished, plus it needed to have its ink sac replaced, about a ten minute job. My winning bid on razor #2 -- $18.48 ....


I think this pen thing is going to turn out OK, LOL