Until recently my pen storage system has been imperfect, but simple: I kept all my inked pens in two pen cases on my desk, and my uninked pens lived in a larger pen case I kept in a drawer. 

This worked for the most part, but after reworking my desk space following a house move, I wanted to improve my system. I wanted my inked pens to be more accessible, and I wanted to be able to see and enjoy them, whilst keeping them protected at the same time. 

For that reason, I purchased a fairly inexpensive pen storage box off Amazon, with a glass topped display section at the top, and a drawer for more pens underneath. I now keep my currently inked pens in the glass display section, so I can just lift the lid and grab the pen I need easily. I then keep 11 of my other favourite pens in the drawer beneath, as they’re the most likely ones for me to choose to ink up next (in which case, they’ll be swapped with one of the pens in the top section). I then keep the overflow in the larger case that I store in the drawer. 

There are only two exceptions to this rule: my Kawecos, and my Majohn A1 and A2. Since I have more Kaweco pens than any other brand, and I keep a lot of them permanently inked with specific colours, I decided to keep them separate. I also didn’t want to retire my trusty yellow 12-pen case from Pure Pens, so I stored them there. 

I then keep my two retractable fountain pens, my Majohn A1 and A2, in my regular pencil case that I take around with me. Because they’re so quick and easy to use, they’re great for on the go, and so I tend to take those out with me, unlike the rest of my fountain pen collection. 

I’m really enjoying this new storage system so far, as I like being able to see and easily reach for my favourite pens when I’m sat at my desk. This might not be the perfect system for me forever, but for now it works. 

My collection has grown rapidly since I got into the fountain pen hobby at the end of last year, but now I want to focus on bigger purchases that I really want, I expect it’ll slow down now. With this new system I’ve set the limit for myself that once the overspill case is full, I have to start getting rid of pens before I can get more. 

Whether that will actually happen, or whether I’ll just buy another overspill case, or a bigger pen chest, I don’t know, but I guess we’ll see! 

So how do you store your fountain pens? Has your system changed much as your collection has grown?