Pens That Got Away

I love fountain pens. I love many different styles, colors and shapes, and while I love a lot of standard models, I’m a sucker for limited edition models. I’m generally pretty good at knowing when a pen will sell out quick, and when it will stick around for a while, but occasionally there’s a pen that I fell in love with but didn’t get for one reason or another and now regret not buying. I’m keeping an eye out on the secondary market for these pens at a good price to eventually add to my collection. I’m pretty sure most fountain pen users have a similar list, so here’s my list of pens that got away.

Franklin-Christoph 45 Vanness-Broad

In the past year I’ve become a big Franklin-Christoph fan, and I was so sad when I went to purchase the Franklin-Christoph Vanness 45 and saw that it was already sold out! They occasionally release more in very small batches, so I’m keeping an eye out for the next release!

Pelikan M600 Pink-Medium

The M600 is my favorite Pelikan size. The Pink model came out when I was first getting into fountain pens and the price seemed way beyond what I felt comfortable paying for a pen. At the time I didn’t know that years later I would fall in love with this pen model and regret not buying one. I found one of these at the 2019 San Francisco Pen Show, but the price was way beyond what I was willing to pay. Someday I’ll find another one.

Pilot Capless Azure-Broad

I’m a sucker for Pilot VP’s, and I can’t resist a good limited edition one. The Capless Azure (Vanishing Point for those of us in America) was a Japan Exclusive from earlier this year, and as far as I know you can only buy it in-store in Japan. @eskimosoap has a good picture of hers on Instagram.

Pilot Vanishing Point Pink-Broad

This pen came out around the same time as the Pelikan M600, and I missed out on it for the same reasons. I’m keeping an eye out for this one used since I love the Vanishing Point so much. @alicia_sewingblossom has a good picture of both the Pelikan M600 Pink and the Pilot VP Pink.

Platinum Kumpoo-SM

When the Kumpoo first came out I told myself I needed to wait and see it in person before buying. I wasn’t sure if the ridges would bother my grip or not. After seeing one in person I wanted one but it was sold out by then. @nibsandflourishes has a good picture of this pen on Instagram. I’ll eventually find this pen in a Soft Medium nib and snap it up.

Platinum 3776 Wagner’s Anniversary 2015-SF

This pen is gorgeous-I fell in love with it when I saw @fudefan’s pic on Instagram but sadly it’s one I’ll probably never get. It came out the year I got into fountain pens, and didn’t even know it existed until it was long gone.

Sailor Pro Gear Mita Club Shooting Star of Jonuma-B

This pen is just so pretty! it’s a sparkly dark teal with white ends and looks amazing. Only 90 of these pens were made, @thenibsmith has an amazing picture of one on his Instagram.

From my list I’m clearly a fan of teal and pink, but I’m okay with it. What pens do you regret not buying? Let me know in the comments below!