Have you ID’d your fountain pen starter pack? Whether you’re brand new to fountain pens or you’ve got a desk drawer full of inked beauties, there’s something universally nostalgic about your firsts. Your first pen crush. Your first ink spill. Your first “why did I buy this?” moment.

In honor of those iconic milestones, we asked our very own SarahBeth to put together her Fountain Pen Starter Pack—a roundup of 5 very real, very relatable pen collector experiences. The experiences that got her started loving pens and inks enough to consider herself a pen collector. Think of it as a tour through the beautiful (and occasionally messy) beginnings of fountain pen obsession.

Here’s what made SarahBeth’s list…

1. First Love: BENU Tattoo in Yellow

This is the pen that made her fall hard and fast. Every collector has that one pen—the first “real” one that ignites the spark. For SarahBeth, it was the vibrant and bold BENU Tattoo. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to invest in something bold and brilliant, this is it.

“The first pen that made me feel like a collector.” -SarahBeth

👉 Find your first love at PenChalet.com

2. First Ink Disaster: Wearingeul Dracula

It happens to the best of us. SarahBeth’s first ink disaster came courtesy of a bottle of Wearingeul Dracula ink—a gorgeous deep red that ended up everywhere but the page.

“It was NOT my first writing sample attempt with this ink…and I still adore it.” -SarahBeth

🧛‍♂️ Still worth the mess? Absolutely. Shop Dracula & more inks

3. Pen Care Must-Have You Didn’t Know You Needed: Nib Grips

Pen care supplies can seem optional—until you’re elbow-deep in a cleaning and wishing you had the right tools. Enter nib grips. SarahBeth swears by them.

“I dismissed these completely at first, but now…I use them all the time.” -SarahBeth

🧰 Stock up on pen care essentials

4. Notebook You Never Use: Clairefontaine 1951 (Lined)

We’ve all been there—buying a notebook for ink tests and then never touching it again. For SarahBeth, lined paper felt too rigid.

“I discovered I don’t like testing inks on lined paper. It makes me feel trapped.” -SarahBeth

📒 Find your ideal paper match (Clairefontaine also has blank page notebooks): Explore journals & notebooks

5. First Pen Chalet Order: Sailor 1911 Wicked Witch

The pen that brought SarahBeth to Pen Chalet. It’s a sleek, violet-toned beauty—and it started a relationship built on fast shipping, great prices, and even better customer service.

“The Wicked Witch was my introduction to Pen Chalet – she’s apparently a fabulous networker.” -SarahBeth

🖋️ Shop the Sailor 1911 collection

SB’s Pen Collection Philosophy: Living the “Just One More” Life

If you’ve ever said, “Okay, this is the last one,” only to buy three more pens and five inks the next week, you’re not alone. From pen rolls to overstocked ink shelves, collecting gets real – real fast.

“Shelves full of inks. Drawers full of pens. No regrets.” -SarahBeth

🛍️ Get your next “just one more” from Pen Chalet

Your Gateway Pen: Diplomat, TWSBI, LAMY—What Turned You Into a “Collector?”

We asked: What’s your gateway pen? The answers rolled in—some classic, some surprising. From beginner-friendly favorites to once-in-a-lifetime splurges, everyone has a story.

“That one pen that opened the floodgates.” -SarahBeth

🗨️ Share yours in the comments—or find your gateway to the next “PEN level” at PenChalet.com.

8. The Pen Community Moment

When you realize you’re not the only one hoarding ink samples, avoiding lined paper, or photographing your pen rest. That’s when collecting becomes connection—and that’s what makes it all worthwhile.

🖋️ Join the conversation. Share your stories. Celebrate your quirks.
And when you’re ready for your next pen or ink obsession?
We’ve got you covered: PenChalet.com

Ready to build your own Fountain Pen Starter Pack?
Browse the pens, inks, tools, and accessories that started it all—and find a few new favorites while you’re at it.

➡️ Shop now at PenChalet.com