How to Choose a Fountain Pen

The key to choosing the right fountain pen is to test out several pens before buying. Find a local pen shop that will allow you to test and ask questions. You will not know which pen is right for you until you write with it. Finding a good pen shop means that you will have access to expert knowledge. The workers can provide nib and ink suggestions, tips on how to refill pens and how to use converters.

Get to Know Nibs

The next step in choosing the right fountain pen is to get a sense of the right nib. You need to determine if the pen feels right by testing the nib. Some nibs are flexible while others are stiff. There are also wide, narrow, chiseled and straight nibs.

Nibs come in different sizes including extra-fine, fine, medium and bold. When choosing the size, you must look at your handwriting. Small writing will need a fine point nib.

The shape of the nib determines how it will work in your hand. The shapes include italic, chisel-point and oblique. Some people like to have variation in thicks and thins and will need flexible nibs. For left-handed writers, oblique nibs work better.

The key with nibs is to write in your own style. Do not change the way you write just because the pen feels different. Fountain pens need to work with the way you write.

Choose Pen Size

Once you have determined your nib preference, you must choose the size and weight of the pen. Fountain pens feel heavier than regular ball-point pens. Thicker pens work well with bigger hands or long fingers. You can also customize the size and weight.

Ink and Fill Mechanisms

Fountain pens eventually run out of ink. Some styles are easier to refill, while others require more work. You must determine what fill mechanism you are comfortable working with.

There are three major fill mechanisms including piston fill, cartridge and ink bladder. The more expensive fountain pens come with the piston fill mechanism. Mid-range and less expensive pens either have cartridges or ink bladders. Some modern pens have both converter and cartridge fills so you can choose which method to use.

When using converters, pistons or ink bladders, you will need bottled ink. Bottled ink is less expensive than cartridges. With bottled ink, you also have more color choices. Most people who choose bottled ink over cartridge prefer the authentic experience of fountain pens.

The beauty of fountain pens is that you can choose your own ink. There are different brands and colors. It is important to know what type of ink your pen needs. Some inks are water based and cannot be used with piston or converter pens. Ask your local pen shop for ink suggestions.

How Much Do You Want to Spend?

Cost is an important factor in choosing fountain pens. The prices range from $10 all the way to $3,000. The highest quality pens come with the highest prices. However, there are several good quality fountain pens that cost only a few hundred dollars. The most expensive pens are often limited editions and write just as well as mid-range pens.

Price also varies by brand. Some pen enthusiasts prefer certain brands over others. Keep in mind that there are both European and American brands.

Once you have chosen the pen, you will need to start looking into paper. You do not want thin paper as ink bleeds through. Experimenting with paper is part of the joy of writing with fountain pens. Before you find your pen match, explore your options and test it all out.

Fountain Pen Resources

Antique Fountain Pens History of the Fountain Pen Inventor of the Fountain Pen Fountain Pen Repair How to Choose a Fountain Pen How to Collect Fountain Pens How to Fill a Fountain Pen