Fountain Pen Basics and Tips for Beginners
There is something calming and beautiful about writing with fountain pens. I loved writing with them when I was young, but I seemed to forget them for a while.
As I got back into journaling, recently, I loved seeing how many people on Instagram were using their fountain pens in their journals. I dug out my fountain pens a while back, (some from a couple of years ago, and some from a couple of decades ago), and sort of rediscovered a little bit of myself.
My regular handwriting seems to look so much nicer when I’m writing with a fountain pen. I love to use flex fountain pens for modern calligraphy, but most fountain pens are simply to be used with your everyday handwriting.
There are very inexpensive fountain pens out there, as well as some that can cost hundreds of dollars. Some of the less expensive ones are very nice, actually, and there’s no need to spend a fortune on a fountain pen, (unless you just want to. But I don’t.)
First of all, just a quick bit of info about the most basic parts of a fountain pen:
- Nib: The metal tip that touches the paper (extra fine, fine, medium, etc.) In general, the nibs write a bit more smoothly as they get bigger. I typically use a fine point or a medium point, but extra fine is nice for writing in smaller spaces (although it might feel a little more “scratchy.”)
- Feed: The part that fits under the nib and “feeds” the ink from the cartridge or converter
- Ink Reservoir: The part that holds the ink (can either be a cartridge or converter) Cartridges are generally easier to use, and converters are nice because they can be filled with bottled ink. If you choose to buy cartridges for your pen, be aware that you need to be sure you’re getting the correct ones for your pen. There are less color choices in cartridges, so they are easy for beginners, as they’re simple to just pop in and go. But, there are so many more colors of bottled ink! There are other pen filling mechanisms, as well. For instance, piston filler pens utilize a screw mechanism to draw pen into the barrel, vacuum fillers use a vacuum type filling mechanism. There are some pens that you can even use an eyedropper to fill.
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Fountain Pens for Beginners
- If you would like to start with a very inexpensive fountain pen that can be refilled with different colors of inks (via cartridge or a separately purchased converter), you might like the Platinum Preppy. The Preppy is one of the very least expensive fountain pens out there (that isn’t disposable) and a risk free way to enjoy writing with a fountain pen.
- The Pilot Metropolitan is often recommended as a good first time fountain pen, because it’s smooth and reliable. Although it’s more expensive than the Preppy and has gone up in price, it’s still a quality pen for a decent price. It comes in several styles and colors to appeal to many different tastes. I’ve not tried this one, but it has great reviews, is recommended for fountain pen beginners (and for anyone who enjoys fountain pens.) Update: I got this one in a gold finish for Christmas. It’s a lovely pen that writes beautifully! Pilot Nibs run a little more fine than Western nibs, so I prefer a medium nib in this one. Nib preference is very personal, though!
Update: Over the last few years since I wrote the original version of this post, I’ve acquired quite a few other fountain pens. The Pilot Kakuno would be a great first fountain pen. It’s hugely popular with both beginners and experienced fountain pen users, alike. For good reason! It has a smooth Pilot nib, very, very affordable, and is the perfect size for many. I highly recommend it for a first fountain pen! It’s a great pen at a great price point. As with the Pilot Metropolitan, above, the nibs on these Kakunos run a little fine, so I prefer a medium nib in this one, too.
I’ve become a fountain pen collector who goes to pen shows and obsesses over new inks. So beware – this could happen to you! 🙂
Fountain pens are a lot of fun to collect, but most of all, to use. And, some of my most inexpensive pens are just as much fun to use as my pricier ones.
I especially recommend fountain pens to those who journal, those who love stationery, those who love to write real letters, and, of course, for anyone who just loves pens.
This post was written in 2020 and updated in 2025.
Linking to:
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I love to watch videos of people writing with these fancy pens – it's mesmorizing. I haven't attempted it myself – I find the thought quite intimidating.
Alexandra
EyeLoveKnots.com
Most of the fountain pens in the post are just for everyday writing, so there's no need to be intimidated by them, Alexandra! I was kind of afraid the post would come across as a calligraphy post, so I'll go back and update it a little. The only difference in writing with a fountain pen as compared to a ballpoint pen, is that you write slightly slower, so that the ink has time to lay down.
Hi Pam, as a teenager I had a cartridge fountain pen which I really loved, and used all the time. Unfortunately I no longer have it, but your post reminded me of how much I used to write back then (I had numerous penpals back then). I just might go out and get me a new fountain pen now, although all I seem to write these days are to-do lists! Thanks for a wonderful walk down memory lane. 🙂
Thanks for reading, Cheryl. We have the penpals in common. I had so much fun writing letters back then. Even for my lists, now, I love writing with a satisfying pen. I'm glad you were able to enjoy some old memories!
Hi Pam, I still write to my penpal in Japan, we've been writing since 1979! 🙂
Just got a fountain pen for my kiddo, he is getting used to it slowly- with complains though, will show this to him. Thank you for joining us in Bloggers Stop – Pit stop Crew
That's so nice that he's having the opportunity to write with a satifsying pen. I'm sure he will grow to like it (and maybe, love it!)
I used to use a fountain pen whilst at school but got out of the habit once I left. I was given one for a gift but just cannot seem to master writing with it now. Thanks for sharing this informative post.
If it has a regular nib, (not a calligraphy nib), it will begin to feel like writing with any other pen. Just write a bit more slowly, and you will master it, I'm sure!
Pam, thank you for reminding me of my preteen love for fountain pens! I haven't owned one in decades and now I must have one!
Glad to bring back that memory, Jean! I bet you would enjoy it now!
Thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday, great to "see" you!
Thanks for hosting!
Hi Pam, lovely post explaining fountain pens. I have always admired beautiful hand ✍️ writing. So much to learn about it all. Thank you for sharing your creativity at Love Your Creativity. I so appreciate your heart felt words about us losing our fur baby Chloe. Hugs
Thanks so much, Linda. Thanks for the party each week! I enjoyed reading about your precious Chloe, and I hope the pain is easing a bit.
Lots of good info here explaining these pens for those of us who didn't know. I've never used a fountain pen but have experimented with calligraphy markers. Now I want to get one of these pens!
Thanks, Dee! Fountain pens are so fun to write with, and if you get one with an italic nib, you can explore some kinds of calligraphy with it.
Hi Pam! These are great tips. I have the Pilot Fountain Pen and the Lamy Safari, they’re both excellent pens. Thanks for sharing on the Senior Salon Pit Stop! I’ll be featuring your post on Monday’s SSPS. Congrats! Sharing on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinned.
Maria @ kraftyplanner.com
Hi Maria! I’ve heard good things about both of those pens. Thank you so much for the feature!! I appreciate it!
I love lovely handwriting. I took a calligraphy class when my kids were young and used to do projects for people but it’s been so long since I practiced. You might have given me a nudge to get back into it, Pam!
I’ve always loved beautiful handrwriting, too. I can still remember learning cursive in the second grade and “writing” our letters in the air! No calligraphy needed to use a fountain pen though! I do have flex fountain pens for that, but lately I’ve just been using my regular fountain pens every day. Writing with a pretty pen encourages me to write in my journals. But, I am always all about encouraging people to do calligraphy, soI hope you do get back into it! 🙂
Pam, wonderful post! I love how you covered the basics and shared tips for using Fountain pens. I also appreciate how you encourage people to try calligraphy. That’s fantastic! Thank you for sharing your post and for being a part of the Crazy Little Lovebirds link party. We truly appreciate it!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Stephanie! And, thank you for hosting your party!
Thank you for sharing your experience with these pens. I remember growing up we used to buy my dad fountain pens as gifts. He had an office job and loved them. This was back before computers were common place in every office.
Now, decades later, my sister seems to have fallen down the rabbit hole and recently got herself a few pens, and loads of inks, for her journaling. It has had me really curious and tempted to get into it myself. I do calligraphy and lettering, but I don’t think I have ever had a fountain pen myself. I might just have to get one.
I’d like one that I can add inks to, maybe not a cartridge unless it can be removed and sealed to continue using later if I want to switch it out for a different one. Back in the day my calligraphy pen that had cartridges got punctured, so once you loaded up a colour, you were stuck with it until it was finished. I don’t know what’s available these days.
I like changing colours, but can’t really afford to start collecting multiple fancy pens 😀 I guess I have another rabbit hole to dive into!
I loved you comment so much, Char! Thank you for sharing about your family, and YES, it definitely can be a rabbit hole! But a fun one! I got back into fountain pens a few years ago. Some I use just for journaling and some with flex nibs I use for calligraphy. There are so many options for bottled inks, so you don’t have to use a cartridge now. Thanks so much for visiting!
Such a skill! One of my features for the upcoming SSPS. Thanks Pam!
You’re so sweet, Melynda! Not too much skill needed to use fountain pens for regular writing, though! Thanks so much for the feature – I appreciate that so much!