Have you ever paused to think about your own pen collecting milestones? Whether you’re just unboxing your very first fountain pen or you’ve amassed an impressive pen collection paired with a display of dazzling inks, those early “firsts” leave a permanent mark. Your first real pen crush. Your first nib catastrophe. Your first “what was I thinking?” purchase.

To celebrate these rite‑of‑passage moments, we’re asking the Pen Chalet Staff to come up with their fountain pen “Starter Packs.” This week, we turned to Nate, our in‑house Master of shipping, to share the six unforgettable milestones that turned him from curious newcomer into full‑blown collector. Consider this your guided stroll through the thrilling (and sometimes messy) beginnings of a fountain pen obsession—Nate style.

Here’s what made Nate’s list…

1. First Love: Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Matte Black

Now this is the pen that made him fall hard and fast. Every collector has that one “first love” fountain pen—the one that transforms a casual interest into a full‑blown passion. For Nate, that pen was the sleek Pilot Vanishing Point Matte Black. Its smooth, retractable nib and stealthy design showed him that pens could be both functional tools and objects of desire.

“The first pen that made me feel like a collector.” – Nate

👉 Relive your own pen collecting milestones at PenChalet.com

2. First Big Pen Collector OOOPS: I Destroyed My Pilot Vanishing VP Nib

It happens to the best of us. Nate’s first nib disaster struck when his Pilot Vanishing Point Matte Black slipped, sending the nib flying across (and off) the desk. The moment he looked down and saw his dark beauty stuck nib first in the carpet…he knew he was going to have a problem. And he did. He really, really did. Nate destroyed his VP nib!*

“My first writing disaster… and I still reach for this VP every chance I get.” – Nate

🖋️ A little chaos never dulls the spark. Relive your pen collecting milestones at PenChalet.com.

*Nate still has his matte black VP. If you destroy your Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pen nib or just damage the VP nib in a way that can’t be repaired, you can order a replacement nib. The Pilot VP replacement nib comes with the full interior portion of the pen, so don’t worry that you’ll have to be a master pen maker to replace the nib unit.

3. Pen Care Must-Have You Didn’t Know You Needed: Metal Ink Vial Holder for the Desktop

Every collector reaches the point where loose ink samples in easy-to-misplace vials start overrunning their desk—that’s the point at which Nate discovered the metal ink vial holder. This unassuming desktop tool instantly transformed his workspace from cluttered chaos into an organized showcase. Each 4 ml sample vial settles securely into its slot, making storage effortless and preventing spills or runaway caps (while you’re using your sample size inks OR making new sample size inks).

“I didn’t realize how much I needed this until I had one handy when I was making ink samples. Now it’s a permanent fixture on my desk.” – Nate

🗂️ Keep your ink samples in line—and elevate your pen‑care routine—at PenChalet.com.

4. Notebook You Didn’t Get (But Now Recommend to EVERYONE): Dominant Industry Archiving Notebook

Then came the notebook he swore he didn’t need—until he did. Nate ignored the buzz around Dominant Industry’s Log of Atlantis Archiving Notebook…until he finally gave in. Now, with Volume 2 (The Log of Elixir) added in 2025, it’s his go‑to for organizing every swatch, sample, and scribble.

“I thought I was fine without it—then I saw how effortlessly it tames my ink collection. Now I tell everyone: you need this notebook.” – Nate

🗂️ Discover your own pen collecting milestones (and the perfect archiving companion) at PenChalet.com.

5. First Pen Chalet Order:

There’s something electric about that first checkout click, when you realize your pen journey is officially underway. For Nate, it was the Kaweco Classic Sport in Bordeaux that sealed the deal. He’d admired pocket pens from afar, but seeing that deep wine-red finish and knowing it shipped from Pen Chalet made it feel like a personal invitation into the pen collecting world.

When the little Sport arrived, he popped the pocket fountain pen open and wrote his very first lines of diary and doodles, marveling at how such a compact pen could deliver so much personality. It slipped effortlessly into his pocket, reminded him to jot down ideas on the fly, and taught him that great pens don’t have to be bulky or expensive—they just have to excite you.

That Kaweco Sport became more than a tool; it was proof that fancy pen collecting could fit into everyday life. Every time he snapped on the octagonal cap, Nate felt that same spark of anticipation he did on order day. It’s a moment every collector remembers—and a reminder: your first Pen Chalet order could be the start of something wonderful.

👉 Ready to find your gateway pen? Explore Kaweco and more at PenChalet.com.

Nate’s Pen Collection Philosophy:

For Nate, pen collecting isn’t about hoarding rare pieces or chasing the highest resale value—it’s about discovering the next addition, and the calming nature of the rituals of inking your pens, testing your inks, testing your nibs, and leaning into the analog of it all. He believes every pen tells a story: from the unique bite of a custom nib to the buttery glide of a gold flex. His pen philosophy is all about appreciation and curiosity. Appreciate craftsmanship in every component. Remain curious—always test a new ink or experiment with an unconventional pen. And help a fellow pen fan out by sharing tips, swatches, and honest reviews. For Nate, the real treasure lies not in price tags but in the moments a pen inspires.

Your Gateway Pen: Pelikan, Pilot, Nahvalur—What Turned You Into a “Collector?”

Every pen collector remembers their first real spark—the gateway pen that transformed a passing interest into a lifelong passion. For Nate, it was the Pilot Vanishing Point Matte Black; for others, it might be a Pelikan Souverän’s glide or the alchemy of a Dominant Industry Archiving ink. These pen collecting milestones mark the point where “just one more” becomes a delightful habit. What pen first made you stop and say, “I need to learn more”? Drop your gateway pen in the comments—Pelikan, Pilot, Nahvalur, or something entirely different—and let’s celebrate those first-love moments together.

Join the Pen Community with Pen Chalet

Pen collecting is more fun when you share it, and at Pen Chalet, we’ve built endless ways for you to connect, swap tips, and celebrate your ink addiction alongside fellow enthusiasts:

• Pen Chalet Nibsters Facebook Group: Dive into exclusive giveaways, sneak peeks, and currently inked chats with your fellow nibsters. Plus easy access to currently running Giveaways and Sales sitewide (including that sometimes elusive Secret Code for extra entries!)
• The Inky Archive: Unlock access to our brand new vault of free digital downloads—from ink-type posters to sticker sheets—by creating (or logging into) your Pen Chalet account. New goodies drop every few weeks! Get in the VAULT today!
• #GetInked on Social Media: Follow us on your favorite platform – just search @PenChalet. Or tag your photos and videos with #GetInked for a chance to be featured.
• PenChalet.com Blog & Comments: Read our deep-dive posts, then leave your thoughts, swatches, and “first-love” stories in the comments. Or simply let us know what ink you’d like to see reviewed next!
• Newsletter Community Perks: Subscribe for early-access drops, community-only promos, and more.

Whether you’re new to nibs or you’ve built a shelf of grail pens, there’s a place for you here. Join us, share your passion, and discover why pen collecting milestones are best celebrated together.