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To friends long -distsnce , i stilll write in hand but scan the handerittrn letter and forwsrd it by e-mail( the mail porto is much too high!

2 things are essental have some friends to write to,and something to tell( or you may enjoy your memories while notocieng them down on paper slowly snd neat!

Greetings my friend. I’ve just started tracking my inked pens. 4 blacks. I need to change that up. :). Have you had any issues eyedroppering the Kaweco. I’m worried about the burping issues people talk about.

This video is heartbreaking. On the positive it says a lot about you. Not everyone has the ability to be introspective. That takes vulnerability and honesty with yourself. Keep strong.

Hello Chris , I really find these videos fascinating so thank you. Since you started this series I have not bought any new fountain pens. I did not even know that I wanted to stop! It is like the opposite of advertising. I enjoy the feeling of not buying allowing me to be part of the community rather than buying pens to be part of it. If you see what I mean? Best wishes. Anne

I’ve been to corpus. With your humidity, I’d do the same thing on the ink. When we chose a warmer temperature in the hotel, everything got damp. Turns out when the ac wasn’t compressing, it was bringing in fresh air. The floor squished. Lesson learned.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments from your community. I wish more people (especially of your generation) could step back and speak honestly and simply about their experience.

Oh Chris, it's not rambling it's stream of conscience!!! I myself have started to really slow down. But I still have just 2 more pens to arrive that were already in the works. The 3rd one I retrieved from the post office. You can see the review of the Platypus Pens Model 20 on Doodlebud's channel - I got the exact same model. Now that I'm done tempting you I think Waski had a good idea to keep items in his cart, but then I think what I may do is just put items in a wish list, and then maybe I'll forget about it. My current on again-off again focus is Ultra-Flex writing for the time being. After that I'll have to see.

Loved this video - especially the “bat shit crazy” comment! I’m 58 - your age - I’m a retired teacher and I just started a new part time job because I was looking for something in the form of a purpose….? I’ve doing ok on my pen fast, but not perfect - most helpful to me right now is the reminder that I want to buy some Hobonichi items in September so that has kept me from making some of those “nickel and dime” purchases. Thanks for these chats.

I forgot my fast and ordered some carbon black cartridges to hit the free shipping threshold on an Amazon order😂 I scolded myself at first, but then I just had to laugh!

Hi Chris, I’m very good at not spending but sometimes I say “oh I better buy it now or buy an extra, before it goes up in price. Smart shopping or excuse for spending?

I love 'minimal mom' as well !!!!!!! I found her cause I need to do a lot of decluttering of miscellaneous items, and reorganizing of my space to be A LOT more functional and utilitarian and easy to navigate. She is so encouraging and high vibe with great insight. As is currently my clutter is a reason that I don't have physical or mental space for a lot of projects of mine in my life, including many more f pens than I currently have in my collection, a very modest 12 or so. I can barely manage reinking those, and using those on a weekly basis, sometimes missing out a week or two. My goals are definitely to use them as regularly as possible. Daily if possible. Daily journaling, bullet journaling, and all sorts of to do lists. I have also been successfully fasting from window shopping for f pens cause I found myself spending a lot of time obsessively going round in circles filling up a shopping cart and then emptying it. So I've quit that and told myself that I am totally fine with the f pens I've got. I can get a few more inks to play around with, at some point the small diamine bottles, and some standard bigger bottles and that will do me for a while.

Right now I have an overwhelming desire to buy all of Van Diemen's Feline Series. I want to buy it to acknowledge the gorgeous artwork on the boxes, the beautiful descriptions, such as the ink called "Purr"- "a deliciously warm toned pink inspired by a cat's contentment". Who writes this stuff? I want to buy!! Then I ask myself, as you are soul searching in this video, does this desire come from the same place as the industrialists who want to grab more and more land? What is it? How do we find balance?

As planned, I broke my pen fast at the DC Show. I'm now starting to think about how I want to go forward - wait until National Fountain Pen Day? Maybe. I am finding other obsessions/hobbies and I think by pausing on buying, I'm spending more time with the pens I already have, which is good.

I may have to break my pen & ink no spend. The index cards that I ordered arrived this morning, and that then prompted a thought about archival ink......if I don'thave any in my ink stash (I vaguely remember that I had thoughts a few years back about buying a bottle, but I cannot recall if I actually ever did), then I'll have to purchase a bottle! Given that I'm making paper index records of my family trees in addition to my existing digital records, I then thought that maybe I ought to store the index cards in such as an acid free box to help preserve the paper. After all I said to myself, future generations may find it interesting going through all the cards, photographs, etc., so suitable storage containers ought to be investigated. I ask myself as I write this, am I starting to go down a rabbit hole with this project 😂? I'm not too concerned that I may be breaking my no spend on pens and inks, because I've exceeded the initial no spend period that I set for myself..........and I only plan on buying one bottle!

Great video. I thoroughly enjoyed it - a different angle on the pen hobby. I suppose I am on a pen fast as I haven't bought one for a few months. I am focusing on the autumn pen show in London in October, when I may buy another pen, though I'll mainly be looking at storage solutions.

Thanks Chris! Another interesting discussion. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Appreciate your perspective and efforts on behalf of the fountain pen community!

I must be in the buying phase after not buying any pens since February. The pause has given me time to properly consider what I want. For me that was vintage pens with gold nibs. Now I will need will power to control my eBay bidding.

Hi Chris, Thank you very much for the mention in your video. I feel very honored. The channel’s name tag has changed on CZcams, but my name is Lucas Bosco 😁. Regarding the video, not spending has been quite difficult for me, but so far, it has worked out. The part about “nickel and dime” was excellent. It made me think a lot because I admit that sometimes I did that just to get a new pen or ink, even though I could save for other things or for a pen that I would like to have but is beyond what I could afford. I really enjoy your idea for a pen fast. Oh, about the analogy, I heard it a few years ago in a speech, and since then, it sometimes comes to mind. I am immensely grateful for the video. 😊😊

I'm down to 49 pens, but I doubt I will ever get down to my target 24. I'd have to get rid of some really nice pens, just because I never use them. Guess I need a higher target.

I'm on a temporary pen buying ban, because of some expensive home repairs; currently taking place; but thankfully I have enough pens; and video ideas; to keep me occupied for the near future. I really liked the comment from the viewer who likened the pen hobby to a dog chasing a ball. That really struck a chord with me. Anxiety is definitely a buying trigger. You can convince yourself that you need; or deserve; that little bit of happiness that comes with a new purchase.

Fasting, I blew it in the month of July. Four pens and there is no excuse even tho it was my birthday month. Here it is Aug. and moving my craft room to another room in the house has let me know, I can get carried away no matter what I'm into at the moment. Chris, you are so right, it feels good to share and give to those who needs it more than me.

Chris, we enjoy your content, don’t change yourself because of any of us, but only if you want. Those goals are nearer, stay the course.

I really enjoyed this video and benefitted from it, Chris. So much of what you said resonates for me. I am also thinking about how I can make some kind of positive contribution to the world. And I hope you will feel good about your purchase of index cards. You need them for your project and you chose economical ones. I would be out buying the high-end ones so they'd be fountain pen friendly. 😏 You are a great role model!

Hi Chris- Thank you for continuing to share your pen fast experiences with us. Also very appreciative of all of the posts you do each month. These are definitely fantastic contributions to those of us in the hobby! Best regards, as always!

I look forward to your chats on the delay or no buy of pens or inks. Today I looked at my ink swatch cards and an I picked from the choices I have. It felt really nice to shop at home.

What I've found helps online is to let it sit in a cart for a few weeks. I used a lot of index cards recently on a project, and was feeling like I needed to replenish. Well, no, I still have a lot of index cards left over, as I realized after letting my cart sit for a while. When the collection gets smaller, then I'll replace. And you made me think about the quality I need. These are for research purposes and eventually an outline. Maybe the cheap ones sold even in my little town will be good enough for that! Stationery is my Achilles heal.

This was a great video... I'm winding down on the ink reviews end of the month and I was sent some inks to review from an affiliate program I'm in so I cant wait to share those as soon as they come in but after that the only thing I have to look forward to are the Pelikan Hub in September and then thats it my birthday end of October I'm not going out I'm staying home and then if I make enough money from my affiliate program by end of september I will get the Diamine inkvent calendar but if I dont I wont get it this year I have 75 inks I can pick those and make my own inkvent calendar but I think after the new year I am done buying I dont need any new journals or inks I have so many to choose from being the Ink Master for the OC Pen Club is Awesome and all but I'm running out of steam I need a break.... so if I dont recieve any inks I'm taking september to just live journal play with the pens and inks that I have ... I really havnt spent any money on inks or pens or paper I've been gifted so many inks and pens lately and I've sold pens so I can buy new pens so I havnt technically spent any money on pens or inks sense The Diamine Inkvent 2023 so If I continue this trend I hope not to spend any money for the rest of the year :) I am glad you're doing well give Manuel and the kitties a squeeze for me and I will chat with you soon take care <3

This is the time where it gets tough with fomo, with all of the new planners and pens coming out now and around Christmas....yikes. Much strength to us all...lol. So happy for you and thank you for sharing.

great video Chris

"But I'm not nickel and diming!" "Really? Do you really NEED that?" For me, if id only gotten what I needed, I'd only have a single fountain pen and a single bottle of ink. Of course, for me, a vintage Esterbrook. 😁 Probably gray. With either a fine or medium nib. And the cheapest ink per unit I could find. (Probably Waterman Serenity Blue, as it's regularly around $5-7 USD on Amazon, for basically 2 ounces.) But, because of my family purge of my inks, i did start getting inks all over again (there's still gaps in my Esterbrook collection which I still get when possible. Just not whatever I find for "cheap enough.") And I currently have plenty of ink for my current situation. Some for the things I have to fill out. Some for letters. Frankly, more than I really needed. So, I'm avoiding getting most things after a week or so ago (i got the pocket sized pen case then. Didn't want caps coming off in my pockets. So, though not exactly a need, something useful for me.) I have a gift card for Anderson Pens. Have had it for a couple months. Could have used it several times, but it's staying until I have space to work on a vintage pen. I have several that need work, but I also have enough to write with already, Do I want to use the ones that need a new ink sac? Certainly! They're ones that I've looked for for years. (Though it's kinda small for me, an Esterbrook SJ from 1942-48, probably closer to 1948, for example. First "transitional" J series SJ I've ever seen. And the 2 beautiful Esterbrook "Dollar" in copper or green I'd gotten. Look new, except for needing new ink sacs.) I have enough pens I can use right now. Enough inks, though not a big selection. Enough paper. 3 small Pen+Gear notebooks as "memory space." Envelopes. Even blank greeting cards and postage stamps. What else do I really need right now? Not even opening the bottle of Sheaffer Skrip Red i recently found because I really don't need it right away. Of course, this all might change tomorrow.😂 And I also might sprout wings and start flying. Giving to others, I will buy something. Because I'm pretty sure I'll end up leaving my pens and such to a great niece, I am trying to encourage her use of fountain pens as well as her preferred dip pens. Got her a Parker 45 and a bottle of Waterman Harmonious Green. Parker 45 is the ultimate cross between vintage and modern, IMO. First from 1960, made until 2008. So, definitely a vintage design, but a very modern filling system (cartridge converter.) Super easy to disassemble and clean. And the ink is also easy to deal with in general. (Waterman makes some of the best behaved inks out there. And they are all "washable" today. ) Might be looking for one for a retired Army veteran, as well. (A nephew who moved back to the area and expressed interest in fountain pens.) He had a college professor who uses them exclusively. So, about $25 or so, with hunting (might try for a 45 fountain pen, Jotter ballpoint and mechanical pencil set, if it's cheap enough. All would suit his needs (like me, he carries a small pocket notebook for jotting things down, and the 45 and Jotter range are great for just dropping in your pocket and going.)

I so remembered the commercial...couldn't had a V8....Then "batshit crazy" really made me realize how seldom I hear the euphemisms and sayings from my younger days. That's why I just love your channel Chris....you are so down to earth and real. Your bravery shines brightly through your willingness to be vulnerable on your channel. How does one get on your own pal list? I would love to get to know you better even though I'm in California. Like you I fast intermittently and switched from Keto to Carnivore last year. Changed my life! Thanks for the great content Chris.

Please don't change your letter writing for me!! I look forward seeing the diferent inks cause I might want to try them, and I know what they look like before I get a new one or shop my ink samples.

Oooh 🙁 “nickel and dime” hit me hard! So often I buy a lesser expensive item just to get that new acquisition fix, where if I had waited and saved my money - with a little discipline and time I would have been able to get an item that I really desired but felt was too costly

Hi!

I was so upset when you put your ring to the side. I imagined the future video where you say it is lost. Please tell me it is all sorted. Of the inks you showed, I was most eager to see Herbin 1679 Fuschia so I will now check your other recent videos to spot that one.

I'm relieved that there's someone else who doesn't like Lamy Blue Black. It's not vibrant enough for me. Someone generously gave me a bottle of it. Luckily, my daughter does like it, so I'll pass my bottle on to her. I DO love the new Lamy Dark Lilac. It's vibrant, flows very well, and the green sheen shows up fairly well. I've recently found an ink that's similar, that I need to buy. It is Colorverse Purple Cosmo. It's a magenta with a really bright, green sheen. I also love those new Colorverse Blue Dragon inks. I agree about limited edition pens. It creates too much angst. I hope you have a good day.

As someone who learned to type library catologue cards the ease of using cards is wonderful to see. I have an old recipe card box for index cards with ink info. I put brand, if the ink is standard or shimmer, when & where I bought it and then the old "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" written with the same glass dip pen. I file them by colour and then compare the cards when I want that perfect shade! Calligraphy is so visual - and you certainly don't get that from a spreadsheet. Thanks for the idea of the pen inventory.

I’m back. You have so much good info. :)

Such a great idea! And I love index cards!!!

😇🩷🙏🙌

why not just use the pen you inked to record the date, ink, nib (since you flip around), etc.

A thing I do to my too large rings is apply a layer of E600 jewelry glue to the inner band to "size" it and let it sit for a day, then wear. Usually, I get a couple months' wear before needing reapplication. Nothing builds up or gets caught in it, and since it cures to a sort of gummy, it can be pulled off as needed.

First of all, I like your videos a lot. The systems seems easy, My system is similar, but it needs mutch more place. I use a new little (A7) indexcard every time I use a pen and write the pen, nib, Ink, and the dates (inked) with the freshly inked pen. When I clean a pen I writhe the cleaning-date on the card. I have two sections in my "Zettelkasten", infront the cards of the pens in use and in the back the others. Now in alphabetic order of the pen. I startet the system, because I hade no idea if I want to track the pen or the ink I use, so I do both. In theory I could change the sorting, but after 7+ years it would be hard work 😉🤣 looking forward to your next videos,

Hello Chris, thank you for the video. With regard to the Diamine Amber issue , I like Diamine Fire Embers ( Inkvent blue) as an orange. Always readable and flows well, just a thought. Best wishes

This is such a cheerful color pallette! Love it! Somehow I ended up with 3 greens and 3 dark pink / maroons this month.

I loved your idea of the card system (or Zettelkasten, whatever you want to call it;) so much that I ordered a box and cards and indexes and will now start listing all my pens in it. That will take a while, but I love doing it, so it‘s not a chore. :) I‘m a sucker for lists, so I have my pens in various books and ring binders sorted by brands and by color of the ink that is currently in them. I also have all my inks swatched in a ring binder, but I think I will swatch them again on cards and put them in the same box with the pens. I am so excited for this project, it makes me giddy… 😂 Thank you for sharing as always, you‘re a real inspiration in so many ways !

Hello Chris! Thank you for posting this video. I can’t wait to explore your other videos and learn from you! I am a longtime writer and fountain pen user, but I haven’t gotten into the details of this hobby until recently so I am very excited to be here. Thank you!

Thank you again Chris for the video. It was great to see your review of the pens and inks. I'll be interested to see the outcome of your investigation of the Diamine orange and the TWSBI Go. I would be interested in your review of the book that you are reading just for my interest. As far as an analogue card system goes, I find a spreadsheet or database to be more useful to me. I can quickly see comparisons of the data across the differed data sets either graphicly or numerically. The bigger the data set the easier it is to use a digital process rather than a card system, for me anyway. Thank you again.

I read your list and remember the firsts videos I watched on your channel thinking "why so many twsbi eco? I will never buy twice the same pen model" I was young and naive. I've now 2 eco's and 2 preppy's and no intention to sell one of these. 😅