When I discovered fountain pens, I wish someone told me…?

If only someone had mentioned that I would be starting a collection to work out what I like and don’t like!

And a couple of other things I’ve learned:

• Buy samples of inks before you buy a bottle! Not all inks feel good in all pens, and the colour you see online may not look like what you get in real life…

• Try and hold a pen before you buy, especially it is expensive or if there are mixed reviews about it (e.g. I didn’t really like the matte black Vanishing Point, until I held it and discovered that, for me at least, it was way more comfortable to hold than the non-matte models… also the clip placement on the VP is a thing for a lot of people, I don’t mind it for short notes, but not sure about longer writing sessions with it, even though it is definitely my fave nib)

• Fountain pen friendly paper is a thing, and it makes a HUGE difference

• Paying more doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll like the pen more…

I’m sure there a few (or a 100) more things others can add :-)