Pretty expensive, used to be cheaper, can be more of a clog risk, can scan to a red shade, or is that my scanner? The material of the fountain pen barrel and its nib will have a big impact on the feel and functionality of the pen. In fact, Chris says that the nib “has the most impact over writing performance.” He explains that the finish will determine how smooth it writes, noting that “gold nibs are softer and bouncier compared to steel nibs.” A fountain pen with a gold nib is often considered one of the smoothest writing fountain pens, but it should be noted that a stainless steel nib is very long-lasting when compared to the softer metal of gold, which can bend or wear more easily. The Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, our top overall choice, has a stainless steel nib that is widely known for being reliable in ink output and durability. The Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen is often recommended for beginners but can be appreciated by anyone. This is a demonstrator fountain pen, meaning that it has a translucent body that allows you to see the filling system and monitor ink levels. Despite having a plastic body, most people find it to be well-balanced and well-made, with sufficient weight and a slightly tapered barrel for grip. There is no pen clip but the cap is faceted to prevent the pen from rolling off flat surfaces. The medium nib included with the Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen is stainless steel. It has a reputation for laying down lines that are slightly thinner than other medium-sized nibs, but in the eyes of many, this is an advantage. It leads to crisp letters, whether you’re writing in cursive or print. It’s worth noting that the nib is technically not interchangeable and Pilot doesn’t sell the nibs separately, but many people have replaced it with a nib from another Pilot Metropolitan pen. And then the Noodler’s Heart of Darkness has many, many fans online who love the inks price, durability, and “bulletproof” nature.

Pens, Quink Inks and Refills | Parker Parker Fine Pens, Quink Inks and Refills | Parker

And then you have the day-to-day inks that people might not think of as being the best, but people use for years on end and keep buying, so they have to be at least mentioned… You may think that cleaning a fountain pen will be a regular ritual, but the fact of the matter is that if you use the right fountain pen, you don't have to clean it often, according to Chris. He suggests cleaning it perhaps on a monthly basis and adds that he often only cleans his fountain pen when switching ink colors. The body of the LAMY Safari is ABS plastic. It has a cap and clip to secure the pen when not in use, although it should be noted that the wider body of this plastic fountain pen sometimes prevents it from fitting into the spine of a notebook or a pen holder compartment with as much ease as more “torpedo”-shaped fountain pens. In addition, the plastic body doesn’t offer the same aesthetic appeal or weight as a metal fountain pen. However, it’s more budget-friendly and never cold to the touch. Splurging on a luxury fountain pen is usually about the artisanship that goes into making the pen, says Chris. That’s what has made premier fountain pen brands like Montblanc and Cross worth the splurge. But for durability, Chris recommends a metal barrel and steel nib—both of which are common.Oh and EDIT: e) Noodler’s is run by a alt-right-winger who put the literal ‘Jews With Horns’ anti-semite trope on their ink bottles and has done it twice?– so that’s a massive NOPE from me. Boycott Noodlers, don’t buy their products).

Black Fountain Pen - Etsy UK Black Fountain Pen - Etsy UK

One of the issues with nano inks is the fact they are waterproof and permanent – so if a pen dries out (like my Noodler’s Ahab did – grr) it’s A Big Problem…so clogging is a risk, and then it might be hard to remove the ink as unlike dye ink, it won’t wash away. In my experience very few pens have ever dried out – vintage pens seem to cope just fine, as does Platinum Preppy’s and Monami Olikas although the latter can hard start (translation: it need several tries to make a mark). A fountain pen with a medium nib is a versatile choice for journaling, signatures, drawing, or any other task where you want to put personality to paper. The Scriveiner Fountain Pen is a popular choice, thanks to its enameled brass body and medium nib gilded with 18K gold. This isn’t usually visible when you just write in pure ink, but when you wash with water before the ink is dry you get a colour tint so to speak. I’ve indicated what these inks seem to lean towards – some are more neutral but mostly they have a cool or warmer shade to them. Examples

New, TWSBI Diamond 580 Sunset Yellow

While it’s hard to select one material as the best for fountain pens, Chris does point out that specialty pen materials and finishes, like a lacquered body, wil fetch higher prices. “Lacquered pens are among the most expensive. They're hand painted and require many layers to produce.” Other features that will add to the price of a fountain pen are gold or platinum plating, often seen on the body or cap of the pen.