Niche interest: Christopher owns a diverse collection of a few hundred pens.
I STILL remember the very first time I felt the desire to start collecting pens – I was writing away at a question for my school’s final-year exams when the lines of ink began to thin.
The friction between my pen and paper became increasingly tough and before long, the ink stopped flowing onto my paper even though there was still plenty left in the cartridge.
No matter how hard I shook it, nothing worked, forcing me to timidly ask my teacher for a spare pen.
The embarrassment of having everyone stare at 11-year-old me as the teacher handed me a pen has stayed with me ever since.
At the time, I thought to myself, what if I had so many pens that I would always have a spare to use when one stopped working?
Thus began my pen-collecting journey. I started with a few pens, then my collection grew to a hundred and now I have a few hundred.
I keep my pens in stationery boxes. Every once in a while, I perform a routine check by writing a few words with each pen to make sure they’re functioning properly. This usually helps keep them from drying out.
To date, I have spent about RM1,000 on my pen collection. The cheapest pen I own is probably RM5 while the most expensive is about RM155.
After the initial stage of collecting gel pens, I researched the topic further and discovered a spearhead-shaped pen known as a fountain pen, which immediately caught my interest.
The moment I laid eyes on these pens in person, I felt an odd sense of attachment. Something about their striking designs and mechanisms captivated me, resulting in the addition of seven fountain pens to my collection.
Fountain pens offer their users a unique experience, from selecting the right nibs and choosing the best inks to finding the perfect pen for their needs.
Despite their appeal, fountain pens remain a niche topic in Malaysia, which is why I decided to write about them to spark readers’ interest.
Beyond aesthetics and writing experience, fountain pens hold a value far greater than that of a common pen.
When well-maintained, they can last for years or even generations, making them a worthwhile investment.
Crafted from durable materials like resin, steel and lacquer, these pens resist wear and tear far better than common pens. Additionally, their designs allow for repairs when necessary.
Fountain pens also have a dedicated following, with enthusiasts gathering at events such as Fountain Pen Day, Inktober and new pen releases.
These events foster a sense of camaraderie among the fountain pen community, making it welcoming for people from all walks of life.
That was what initially got me inspired to start my fountain pen collection. I participate in these events whenever my local pen shop hosts them.
Beyond being a display of beauty, a collection of fountain pens represents a personal journey of discovery and fosters a spirit of togethernesss in this digital era.
Christopher, 14, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
