In a day when the roller ball, ballpoint and various other kinds of throwaway pens are readily available, we see two ways in which people find fountain pens.
                                   Collector Become Writers
         There are those who have come to fountain pens as pen collectors. Some stick with ball points and pencils for writing, viewing their collection as objects like old coins or stamps. But others also see pens as functional objects and want to experience them. Maybe they started, as I did by finding a number of old pens that just needed basic restorations before they would write. Or maybe they were captured by the plethora of new pens at the pen counter. After acquiring several, they discover favorites - or at least favorites for specific tasks. For many, one pen is never quite enough. The attitude, which captures this sensibility, is: "So many pens, so little time". For this group a common complaint is, "I love the way this pen looks, but don't like the way it writes". We see many of these pens that do not work well for a collector who is becoming more of a user. Most times we can make them perform to the writers standards by simple adjustments or retipping.

                                   Writers Become Collectors
         There is another category of collector who started strictly as a pen user. Often these people started years ago with fountain pens, possibly cheap Sheaffer's, Esterbrooks, Osmeroids, or Parkers. These folks write. This activity can turn into an appreciation for the writing instruments as objects. They say, "I wrote my way through college with a cheap Parker (or other pen) and then I got myself a really good fountain pen. But, that old pen wrote better than the expensive new one!" There is hope here as well.
         These writers often have a specific point size and style in mind - often either a fine or italic point that they would like us to duplicate. It is usually possible to come close to the writing characteristics of another pen, especially if we have a writing sample of that original pen as a model.
         Pen users who discover the aesthetic and symbolic functions of fountain pens are at risk of contracting a serious collecting habit. On the other hand, those who are already collectors and take up regular use of fountain pens risk inky fingers. We think the risks are worth it.