Thoughts on Buying a First Fountain Pen

            So you read my entry “Why Use Fountain Pens?” and are interested in buying your first fountain pen. Congratulations! Buying a first fountain pen can be intimidating, it can be a lot at once to think about. In this entry I hope to guide you in the right direction for buying your first pen by introducing some tips on buying pens as well as suggestions for what brands to consider purchasing from.

The Fountain Pen Itself:

            There are a lot of pens to choose from! From $3 disposable pens to $100,000 limited edition pens. For your first fountain pen I highly recommend buying a pen in the “Medium” price rage. The Medium price range is from $20-$40. Pens in this price range are perfect for those starting out in fountain pens. This range of pens are easily commercially available from many online retailers. Pens in this range typically have well-tuned stainless steel nibs that will provide any writer with a quality writing experience. However: these pens (as well as all pens) are not perfect, and in a rare case will be unfit to write straight out of the box. In this case please return your pen to the seller and replace it; but don’t let it scare you from that brand, mistakes happen, give any brand a second chance!

           
             I recommend purchasing one of the following pens as your first:

•Lamy Safari/Al-Star: I reviewed the Al-Star and found it to be a fantastic pen. The Lamy Safari is simply a plastic version of the same pen. Both of these pens come in a variety of nib sizes to choose from. These pens only work with Lamy brand Ink Cartridges or (for use with bottled ink) Lamy Converters.

•Kaweco Sport: these pens come in a large variety of colors! Kaweco pens are commonly referred to in the “Pocket Pen” category, however: do not ever carry fountain pens in pants’ pockets, that’s just an inky accident waiting to happen! You can choose from nib sizes Fine, Medium, and Broad. The Kaweco Sport only accepts International Short Size Ink Cartridges. These pens are sold without a clip.

•Jinhao #159, X450, or X750: I reviewed the JinhaoX450 and found it to be a pleasant pen. The #159 and X750 are pretty much the same as the X450, so if you read my review of that pen you’ll know what to expect. These pens are more on the classic looking side, which can be appealing. All these pens are metal and are larger than most pens, so if you have smaller hands I would stay away. All Jinhao pens come in a Medium size Nib only and each comes with a Converter for use with Bottled Ink.

•Platinum Balance: This is a Japanese made pen, and its quality shows! The nibs are only Medium sized and the pen does come with a Converter for use with Bottled Ink. Again these are pens that fall into the more classic look.

Cartridges VS. Bottled Ink

            All of the aforementioned pens are able to take Ink Cartridges. A cartridge is a plastic tube containing ink that is inserted into the pen. Cartridges tend to come in more standard colors and are less expensive than bottled ink. Bottled ink is drawn into a pen via some form of piston-operated tool, in most cases that is a Converter. There are many different colors to choose from with Bottled Ink, almost any color you can think of! If you have a converter cleaning your pen is much easier; you simply operate the converter while drawing in clean water and flush out the ink.

           
            If you decide to purchase Bottled Ink, I recommend these brands:

•Noodler’s Brand Ink: This ink is less costly and has over 100 colors to choose from!

•Lamy Bottled Ink: These inks come in more standard colors, but standards are good too. Each bottle has some blotting paper for wiping off your nib.

•Diamine Ink: Another brand of inks with many fun colors. These inks are on the wetter side and they will bleed through and feather on lesser quality paper.

•Parker Quink: If you’re looking for a great black or blue ink then this is the brand to go with. Quink only comes in Black, Blue/Black, and Blue. These inks are quick drying and made for use on lesser quality paper. Also these inks, at least Black, are easily found at Staples.

Paper:

            Paper is, without a doubt, the most boring aspect of fountain pens. But yet it is so important! Without paper we couldn’t use our favorite writing instruments. Investing in quality paper will instantly make your experience writing with fountain pens better. Lesser quality paper will make your ink Feather (giving your writing a blotched look) and Bleed Through (when ink seeps through to the next sheet of paper in your notebook).

            
            Consider buying one of these types of paper:

•Rhodia Brand Paper: This paper is a staple for almost every pen user. Rhodia paper is incredibly consistent and offers a great experience. Coming in many sizes of notebooks each with different lining options (Ruled, Dots, Grid, or Blank). I always carry a size 9”x11.5” Rhodia Ruled Notebook.

•Clairefontaine Paper: High quality paper imported from France. Perfect for writing letters, I wouldn’t recommend using in an everyday basis.

•Staples 20LB Paper: While it isn’t the highest quality paper, it will still get the job done.

Where to Buy

            I’ve only had fantastic experiences buying fountain pen related products from TheGoulet Pen Company. I haven’t received any sponsorship to say this, but in my experience they have the best customer service in American online pen sales. I highly recommend buying your first pen and supplies from them.

I wish you luck in buying your first fountain pen. Remember: buy the pen that makes you happy, one that will hopefully enjoy writing with everyday!