Your girl went to her very first pen show this weekend, and if I had to summarize it in one sentiment it would be that I should really have gone sooner. That said, I couldn’t have asked for a better first pen show experience than the one I got!
Here are some highlights and tips if you’re considering going to one:
I went for the pens but the people made the show
A part of me definitely went to the Baltimore Pen Show hoping to find community but as a person who tends to shy away from crowds and talking to strangers I didn’t really know what to expect. I’ve had to go to conference type scenarios all my life for work and I’ve pretty much dreaded them all. I find forced social interactions to be painfully awkward. And I’m of a demographic and background that can often make me feel out of place.
Well it turns out, it’s not forced or awkward at all to be in a room full of people who have exactly the kind of personality that would take them down the rabbit hole of collecting fountain pens. And the fountain pen community may not have been traditionally diverse, but the Baltimore show felt super welcoming and accepting. I even met some new friends (and believe me I don’t use that word lightly!).
First timers should start with the Baltimore pen show or one of similar size
Though it isn’t possible to go back in time and try a different pen show as my first to compare, I’m pretty confident in my takeaway that the Baltimore pen show is a really good, manageable size for a first-time pen show goer. I think part of the reason there is such a sense of community at it, is that a lot of the attendees were local and part of the very active DC pen club. Many people knew each other, but not in a cliquey way. Yet it’s big enough to have things to do and see for multiple days, and you’ll see familiar manufacturers, independent makers, retailers, and nibmeisters without feeling too overwhelmed.
I haven’t been to a huge show like Washington DC or San Francisco but I’ve seen many videos about them where people say they’re overwhelming despite preparation. The thought of it was the reason I waited so many years to go to any show at all.
Participate in as much as you can
I checked the show site somewhat frequently leading up to the show and I wasn’t sure if any of it was for me but I signed up for anything that seemed remotely interesting. Some cost a little bit of money and some were free.
I loved them! The workshops were either very informative or very interactive. I went to a seminar about the history of Pilot Vanishing Points by collector David Rzeszotarski, and learned and saw so much I didn’t even know I wanted to know about the pen and how its development ties in with the overall history of fountain pens. I went to a more casual workshop led by Lisa Vanness of Vanness Pen Shop and met some wonderful new friends. Absent these activities I could’ve just roamed the show floor but it really would’ve only been half the experience.
If you’re there to buy something or you’re into limited editions, spring for the “VIP” or equivalent early access pass
I knew I wanted to go for multiple days and also that I wanted to try and possibly get whatever coolest thing Schon Dsgn had on offer, so I got the multi day access pass that let me enter the show an hour before it opened the first day. I got to see and try the monoc nibs in a relaxed environment, then did a quick loop around to stop by the tables of brands I knew I wanted to look at—got a first peek at everything Franklin-Christoph had on offer, got to meet the owner/CEO of Diplomat while I tried their new Nexus pen, etc., then passed by Esterbrook and saw they had a limited edition pen body design that I wanted but had been sold out. I’m fairly certain it would’ve been gone if I wasn’t there early.
What you can get at a pen show
Though it’s always possible to get some kind of in person discount, what’s more likely is you’ll see prototypes, limited editions, and rare pens that are hard to find online. There are lots of vintage pen sellers, small indie makers, and the occasional unexpected appearance of something sold out like what I got. One of my new pen friends put me onto someone who makes beautiful nib holders for the Kakimori dip nibs. Someone else was selling alternative pen bodies for the Sailor fude pen. You can also get your pens tuned or ground by nibmeisters on the spot instead of mailing them in.
I’d approach the whole experience more as a way to try new things and get more complete information about them before purchasing, than a place where you’re going to get a steal. To that end, ask all your burning questions because people (both vendors and other show goers) will be happy to share their knowledge, and ask to try everything!
Stay in the show hotel if you can
Being able to make quick runs to your room to drop things off, take naps or breaks, etc., is very convenient, and being on the premises also makes it more likely you’ll just organically be around when things happen.
Be prepared to be penabled
If you’re into fountain pens, you might have a little difficulty grasping the concepts of “needs” vs. “wants.” One thing you cannot expect is that anyone else at the pen show is going to be any better than you. It’s wonderful to be around people whose jaws don’t drop when they find out how much you spend on pens and stationery, but it’s also a surefire way to spend more money than you planned, with a whole group of people cheering you on.
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