In an age of swiping and tapping, it seems surprising that demand for fountain pens is on the rise, yet take a closer look and it’s easy to see their appeal. Not only can writing with a fountain pen reduce hand fatigue – they require less pressure to use – but they offer a smooth writing experience that’s unparalleled by a ballpoint or rollerball.
Fountain pens are also better from an eco point of view, lasting a lifetime if properly looked after. This means less waste goes into landfill. Finally, they’re great for those of us with messy handwriting, instantly improving the look of cursive by necessitating a lighter touch and unhurried, flowing hand movements.
A joy to write with and a chance to leave your unique mark – buy the right fountain pen for you and writing notes and letters will no longer prove a chore. Check out our reviews below to find out more.
How to buy the best fountain pen for you
What features should I look for?
While it may sound obvious, the best fountain pen is the one that feels right for you. Start by looking at the style and shape – there’s no point having a pen you don’t enjoy using. Next, try it out to get a sense of its weight and size (most online sellers will list a pen’s weight and dimensions). A light pen doesn’t always equal cheap; it can mean it’s easier to write with. You’ll find plenty of expensive pens that are made with lighter materials to reduce hand fatigue over long periods.
Next, look at the nib – this is the metal tip of the fountain pen that touches the paper. Nibs come in different grades, ranging from extra fine (XF) to double broad (BB or 2B); this corresponds to how wide your lines can be. Extra fine is good for those with small handwriting, while broader nibs suit those with large handwriting or dramatic signatures.
The material the nib is made from will also affect how it performs (although different materials don’t necessarily mean one pen is inferior to another). The most common are steel and gold alloy (14k, for example). While steel nibs are hard and durable, soft gold nibs are often tipped with another material that’s harder, such as iridium, to make them more durable. Gold nibs also offer greater flexibility, and adapt to your handwriting style over time. Both nib materials are resistant to corrosion and wear, as long as you’re buying a good-quality pen, so which you choose will be down to personal preference.
Finally, find out how much your pen will cost to refill. Each pen will have a reservoir – a cavity inside for the ink. Most have cartridge reservoirs, so you can simply swap out the empty plastic tube for a new one. While this is convenient and mess-free, you’ll be tied to buying compatible cartridges for the lifetime of the pen, limiting your choice of ink. Factor in waste from the empty cartridges and the pen will cost more in the long run.
Alternatively, you can fill your pen with ink yourself. For this, you’ll need a convertor; some pens come with them. A convertor is a refillable reservoir for your pen that looks like a cartridge, allowing you to top it up as much as you like. On the plus side, you’ll save money and will be able to any ink of your choice – but it’s less convenient than a disposable cartridge system. You can also find piston-fill pens and piston convertors. These use a screw mechanism that sucks in ink through the nib into the reservoir. Piston pens don’t use cartridges, so you’ll always have to fill manually.
How much should I spend?
While there are cheap and cheerful fountain pens costing less than £15, for longevity it’s best to look for a pricier, good-quality pen. A model costing less than £50 will not only be better built, but can be repaired if damaged. A well-made pen should last for decades – although this relies on regular cleaning: rinse or flush it through with water to wash away dry ink in the feed.
Pay more and you can expect premium materials (resin over plastic, for instance), better balance and feel, and thoughtful design details, such as secure screw-on caps and seals.
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The best fountain pens to buy in 2018
1. Monaggio Fountain Pen Set Fine to Medium Nib Original Bamboo Wood: Best fountain pen under £18
Price:£18 | Buy now from Amazon
If you’re not sure about committing to fountain pen writing with a pricey version, this Eco Edition bamboo design is a perfect starter model. It has its own matching case, for a more premium feel, a German-forged two-tone nib, and an ink converter, so you’re not tied to its cartridges (you’ll need to buy them separately; it doesn’t come with any).
That said, the cartridges are relatively affordable, at less than £14 for 20, and it’s also compatible with most mainstream versions (although not all, so check before you buy). The cartridges are simple to fit and a tactile bamboo body makes it enjoyable to write smoothly on different types of paper without scratches or snagging.
Key specs – Size: H11.9 (without cap) x Dia1cm; Weight: 99.8g (including case); Nib: fine to medium iridium-tipped steel; Body: bamboo
2. Pilot Capless Fountain Pen Birch Wood Barrel Red: The best for never losing the cap
Price:£245 | Buy now from Amazon
A combination of luxury and technology, the Capless range was launched in 1963 following six years of development – its upper barrel alone is made up of 18 components. The modern incarnation has been continuously refined since, resulting in a legendary pen that’s available in six colours from Graphite to this deep red wooden version.
Its appeal is clear: not only is there no cap to misplace, one click deploys the nib and a second click retracts it, providing leak-tightness and no dry ink. As a pen that’s always ready for use it excels, but there are other points that make it a pleasure to use, too. For example, the wood grain lines up between the top and bottom halves, it has a pleasing weight without being heavy, and it comes in a gift box. The converter is sold separately, however, if you want to break away from a cartridge habit.
Key specs – Size: H13.8 (retracted) x Dia1.3cm; Weight: 26g; Nib: fine, medium or broad rhodium-plated 18k gold; Body: resin-impregnated birch
![Image of Capless "Wood Axis / Deep Red" [nib : Medium]](http://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/413sMBiAuTL._SL160_.jpg "Image of Capless \"Wood Axis / Deep Red\" [nib : Medium]")
![Image of Capless "Wood Axis / Deep Red" [nib : Fine]](http://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/413sMBiAuTL._SL160_.jpg "Image of Capless \"Wood Axis / Deep Red\" [nib : Fine]")
3. The Writing Desk Conway Stewart 100 Cherry Red: The best luxury fountain pen
Price:£385 | Buy now from The Writing Desk
You can spend a small fortune on a high-end pen without really knowing what you’re paying the extra for, but with a Conway Stewart (now made by Bespoke British Pens), it’s easy to see the value. Not only is it an iconic British brand that crafts its pens in the UK, they’re made individually, so you'll never see another pen like yours.
Exuding the classic luxury of a Savile Row suit, this chunky red marbled resin pen is based on an original design from the 1940s. There’s a choice for its flag-branded gold nib, from fine to broad, a cartridge converter, and a leather-covered gift box with pen tray, for truly effortless classic style and smooth-as-silk writing.
Key specs – Size: H13.8 (capped) x Dia1.3cm (max); Weight: 23g; Nib: hallmarked 18k gold; Body: resin
4. Cross ATX fountain pen in rose gold: The best for a modern look
Price:£80 | Buy now from Cross
Hinting that technology and handwriting can co-exist, the ATX collection has had a reboot. There are three new metallic finishes, all of which are designed to complement your mobile phone. The rose gold version is particularly glamorous, combining an on-trend colour with deep etched diamond engraving on the body (adding some extra grip, if you find some pens too slippy) alongside polished black clips.
However, it isn’t style over substance: the ATX’s place as one of Cross’ most popular pens is well-deserved with a hand-finished precision-ground nib, two cartridges with fast-drying ink for less accidental smudges, and a gift box. Note that you’ll need to buy the converter separately, if you want to fill from a pot.
Key specs – Size: H14.3 (capped) x Dia1.2cm; Weight: 25g; Nib: fine or medium stainless steel-plated with polished rose gold PVD; Body: PVD titanium alloy on brass
5. Kaweco Sport Classic Chess Fountain Pen B: The best compact fountain pen
Price:£21 | Buy now from Amazon
Sport and fountain pens might not be natural bedfellows, but in this instance the pen derives its name from an original 1911 design for those who might need a smaller than average pen – namely people in sports. While it’s an average 13cm in use with the cap on top, capped it measures a handy 10.5cm. There’s a range of nib options from extra fine to extra broad; the broad German-made nib model provides smooth, sweeping strokes, and is good for beginners and satisfying signatures.
Choose the chess pattern and it will offer a more individual look than a standard black pen. It will need the cap in place to feel balanced as you write, but a big plus is that it’s affordable enough to always have a few to hand. It takes short international standard cartridges and you’ll have to buy a converter separately.
Key specs – Size: H10.5 (capped) x Dia1.3cm (max); Weight: 20g; Nib: broad steel with 23k gold overlay; Body: plastic
6. Waterman Expert Black Fountain Pen GT: The best pro-style fountain pen
Price:£52 | Buy now from Amazon
For those who like a bit of heft to their pen, turn to the Waterman Expert. It weighs a satisfyingly 30g, although take away the cap and it’s a much lighter 19g – and still perfectly balanced without it. In its gift box, its classic cigar shape wouldn’t look out of place on an executive’s desk, although it can easily be a pen for everyday jotting and notes.
Made in France, its two-tone W-adorned nib is a pleasing point of difference, although its medium version is a bit on the wide side. If you like your writing neat, choose the fine nib. It comes with a single cartridge and can be converted to ink – although you’ll have to buy this separately.
Key specs – Size: H14.2 x Dia1.3cm; Weight: 30g; Nib: fine or medium 23k gold-plated stainless steel; Body: lacquered brass with gold-plated trim
