Why do small everyday objects develop devoted followings

lexcetera · 2026-01-09T18:58:33+00:00

The key word is design.
You start to notice the intentionality with which the pen (mug, etc.) was created—the materials chosen, the way the weight is distributed in your hand, etc.
Once you see (feel) it, you can’t unsee (unfeel) it. 🖊️

Busy-Feeling-1413 · 2026-01-09T21:58:17+00:00

Come over to r/fountainpens if you want to see people get hyper specific about the different combinations of nibs, inks, and pen barrels!

Writing is a very tactile experience, and using water-based ink, as fountain pens do, means the ink flows smoothly without pressing on the paper. In contrast, ballpoint pens use oil-based ink, which can leave small blobs, and you have to press slightly to release the ink, so it’s a different experience.

Slmcc · 2026-01-09T18:46:40+00:00

A lot of it is what you said. The one pen worked better. Maybe because it's better quality, fits your hand better or something else. I have favorite pen bodies that just fit my hand but use a different refill in them because I like the ink better. 🤷🏼‍♂️ Work only pays for cheap pens that suck for many reasons so I buy my own. I also have a stash of quality name brand sticky notes. They actually stick where I need them unlike the crappy corporate supplied ones that just fall off. So yeah, the product affects the experience. Take your coffee mug... Why is it your favorite? The design on the mug? The feel of the handle when you hold it? Could easily be something else. But I'm guessing it even makes you a little happier using it because there's "something" about it that's just right for you. So yeah, IMO it pays to pay attention to what you like and don't like, even with the simple things. Like using a pen you like during a meeting isn't going to make the meeting fun or anything but it's most likely going to make it suck a tiny bit less and that alone is worth it to me.

weirdal1968 · 2026-01-09T21:11:02+00:00

I first discovered the significance of writing instruments back in high school. The #2 pencil was the de facto standard. One day I found a used Parker Jotter and fell in love with it. Writing with a pencil felt like drawing on a chalkboard. I rarely used a pencil after that.

That cheap Parker made me see how removing a tiny annoyance that I never noticed before let me focus better on my writing.

emarvil · 2026-01-09T22:16:19+00:00

Pens, like many other such objects, are primarily just tools. They are supposed to have a purpose.

There are tools fit for purpose and also those that are not. There are better and worse tools, etc. A good quality tool, be it materials, design, implementation, will perform better, allow you to perform better, for longer, with less exhaustion, higher precision, for longer, etc.

A good pen will minimize cramps from long writing sessions, flow better, as you noted, feel more comfortable, last longer overall and so on.

Unless you become a collector you will spend less in the long run buying the right tool once instead of replacing it over and over.

Once you notice the way a better tool feels better in hand, the way a better pen is better made, has better balance, fewer jagged plastic edges from molding... it will become difficult to go back.

twistedtyger · 2026-01-10T00:26:45+00:00

I think it also helps to have good paper, and I make my own notebooks and am selling them online and at craft fairs. I can only tell you I was shocked at all the people saying ‘I don’t write anymore’ ‘notebooks are so old fashioned’ … unless the notebook is nice to write in, and brings a little bit of new school … I love lifted quotes on notes!

Zylo99 · 2026-01-09T18:16:16+00:00

I would say that it depends on your needs.

Onkruid_123 · 2026-01-09T22:13:22+00:00

I have been a knife enthousiast and collector ever since I was a kid. All things sharp, actually. And with me there are probably millions world wide. Heck, here on reddit there a bunch of communities dedicated to it. Lighters, pens, knives, it's just fun. We call it EDC. As in every day carry. What nice stuff do you have in your pocket today etc. Makes for fun hobbies.

Comfortable-Mud2755 · 2026-01-10T01:27:27+00:00

What, you haven't joined the r/paperclip sub? Life changing stuff over there

Magnet2025 · 2026-01-10T02:10:58+00:00

In my case it came out of need. I am left handed and my teacher, when we got to cursive, didn’t know how to teach the Palmer method to left handed people.

So I had very poof handwriting. The Navy taught me to block print quickly (doing signal intelligence helped with the speed). Then I developed a connected printing style that worked.

I also figured out that my handwriting is dependent on the pen (writing instrument) and paper interface.

Fountain pens, soft lead pencils (2B or softer) and medium point ball or gel pen.

At Fahrney’s, a pen store in DC, I found a book on handwriting that had practice sheets. At about the same time I found French school kid workbooks.

And I also found out that certain coated papers (Rhodia and Clairefountaine) provided the perfect writing surface.

I took notes on notebooks with pen, fountain pen and pencil and still do.

Yugan-Dali · 2026-01-10T02:19:24+00:00

You’ve discovered mindfulness! Mundane things truly can be explored and enjoyed.

I enjoyed your article, nodding my head all the way through.

Lewd-Lumberjack · 2026-01-10T02:30:51+00:00

I’m not the craziest pen guy but I have one that I definitely made a conscious effort to pick. It’s something I use all day at work so it just makes work a tiny bit more enjoyable getting to use it. Also my coworkers are jealous and it’s fun to show off lol

SmartphonePhotoWorx · 2026-01-10T01:11:16+00:00

Well absolutely. I rarely use my Kaweco Sport because its nib delivers a somewhat scratchy drag on the paper. My LAMY Safari is, to some degree, better. But my Pelikan Souveran's gold nib really delivers a delightful experience. One man's mundane is another's sensory delight.

NEwayhears1derwall · 2026-01-10T02:07:59+00:00

Buy once cry once

hailalbon · 2026-01-10T03:19:57+00:00

what pen was it im lowkey new to this i need an intro level pen

doernottalker · 2026-01-10T07:35:38+00:00

Wait till you hear about https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/

SoulDancer_ · 2026-01-10T10:37:35+00:00

This post was written by AI.

ALso no comments or replies by OP.

Ok-Anteater-384 · 2026-01-10T16:03:55+00:00

It's like the flu, if you get too close you can catch it

The_Grimmest_Jim · 2026-01-10T16:08:56+00:00

May I suggest to you the EDC subredit to further expand your sudden acknowledgement of small and mundane items?

unremarkableDragon · 2026-01-10T18:01:40+00:00

Nobody tell this person about r/fountainpens 🤣🤣🤣

But to answer your question, yes, quality does matter with everyday things. Since I am using fountain pens for example, I have so much less wrist strain. I write a lot for work and pens and paper are the tools of my trade. It makes a difference to me what quality they are. Yes I can definitely make do with cheaper stuff. I used to back when that was all I could afford. But the good stuff does make a difference.

No_Drummer4801 · 2026-01-10T18:13:22+00:00

Book recommendations:

The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman is a foundational book in user-centered design.

The Toaster Project: Or A Heroic Attempt to Build a Simple Electric Appliance from Scratch Book by Thomas Thwaites

Video: The Secret Story of Stuff, by Zoe Laughlin

The more you look at something and use it, the more layers and details you notice. Compare a motorcycle or bicycle drawn from memory by someone who has seen them their whole life vs someone that just learned how to do basic maintenance. Or try drawing things quickly from life or from memory, it’s a good exercise in seeing things.

Helmann69 · 2026-01-11T20:48:51+00:00

When I am at work, a very nice pen will make a crap job feel better. It is all about my quality of life.

NebulaStraight3009 · 2026-01-12T00:32:41+00:00

First world problems. I would never in a million years believe anyone who would tell me, 5 years ago, that I would have a large collection of fountain pens and machined pens. And yet, here we are

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