Oh sure, I spend years in rehab working on overcoming my pen fetish and you have to start this thread. I mean, I can’t walk by a stationary store without getting all hot and sweaty.
I have managed to get my collection of pens that I use down to six although I carry a number of others in my briefcase. I think at last count there were about twenty there. In my defense half of them are coloured gel pens that I use for charts. There are also a few mechanical pencils and a few highliters as well as some cheap ballpoints I have to give to the penless.
No, I don’t have a pen protector in my pocket.
Anyways, my number one pick is still my Parker fountain pen. I have tried many of those swanky gel pens and not a one can compare for smoothness of writing. I have had this pen well over seventeen years now and the only thing I did was add a rubberized grip to the stainless steel barrel as the pen is quite thin and can be a trifle slippery.
I have found that Zebra makes an excellent pen, I have the F301 ballpoint and the matching M301 pencil as well as a Sharbo. This is a combination pen / pencil with a rubberized body. None of these Zebras cost me more than $10.00 and they have shown themselves to be an extremely reliable pen.
Because I have to write on carbonless paper I also use a Parker ballpoint, no other pen I have will write on this material without siezing up except for the famous Bic disposable.
I’m with you on the cheap pen thing, I hate them with a passion.
For anyone else out there with an overwhelming pen fetish, I can say there is help out there if you want it. Staples, Office Max, Grand and Toy, Office Depot, and quite a few other stores carry a vast selection of fine writing instruments. Speaking of which, have you ever cast your eyes on a Rotring? Red and blue ballpoints, a highliter and a pencil encased in an expertly crafted stainless steel body. It also comes in a model with a pointer for your Palm. If I had one of these I might never look at another pen.
Nah… I’d still be using my fountain pen 90% of the time.
Lola is just as bad as I am in regard to pens. She is truly my perfect mate as one of our favourite activities is… you guessed it… cruising the stationary aisle .
