By Timothy Dale | Updated Oct 29, 2020 1:22 PM

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Fountain pens have been popular writing tools for years, with avid supporters preferring not to write at all than use a ballpoint pen. Among the many reasons for this loyalty are that fountain pens require less pressure on the paper, allowing slow-drying ink to form lines consistent with your movements, without indenting the page. The result is more natural, less rigid letters and movements than those created by ballpoint pens.

The best fountain pen for you can depend on whether you want to refill the pen directly from an ink bottle, use replaceable ink cartridges, or if you want a fountain pen capable of both refill methods. You also may consider the size and shape of the nib, which is the tip of the fountain pen that opens to distribute ink. The products below have been selected as some of the best fountain pens available in each respective category, based on product efficacy and overall value.

Before choosing the best fountain pen for your next project, take a few minutes to read about some of the most important shopping considerations to keep in mind.

Fountain pens can be made from almost anything, but the most common materials include sterling silver, plastic, acrylic resin, and base metals, like brass, stainless steel, and aluminum.

Fountain pens can be separated into several different types including disposable, cartridge, converter, and piston.

Depending on the type of fountain pen and your level of experience, fountain pens can be used for many different activities ranging from letter writing to expert pursuits, like calligraphy.

The nib of a fountain pen is the metal tip at the end of the pen where the ink comes out. This tip is created by two tines or prongs that meet in the middle. When pressure is applied to the nib the prongs separate, allowing the ink to flow through the gap and onto the paper. Nibs are available in different sizes, including extra fine, fine, medium, and broad. A variety of shapes are also available, including standard, italic, and oblique. Keep in mind that the larger the nib, the more ink is used when writing.

When selecting the cap type, consider how the fountain pen will be used, and how frequently you will use the pen. There are slip-and-seal caps, screw caps, and click-on caps.

The barrel of the pen comes in a range of diameters from slim 6-millimeter fountain pens to fat 14-millimeter pens. Choose a pen diameter that fits comfortably in your hand so that you are not straining your hand muscles unnecessarily while you write.

The aesthetic of a fountain pen may be one of the most important factors for your purchase, especially if you are looking for a decorative item that may be rarely used. Aesthetic features include a range of patterns, colors, and accents for all types and materials of fountain pen.

However, if you want an engraving on the barrel, then you will need to choose a metal barrel. Base metals like brass and stainless steel are ideal for engravings and have a modest color selection.

If you are not interested in engravings, and you love color, then look for acrylic resin or plastic fountain pens. These materials are much easier to color and work with.

For a more luxurious look when you display your pen or give a fountain pen as a gift, consider a decorative box that will keep it safe and show off the pen.

Fountain pens have different maintenance requirements. The upkeep can make them easier or more difficult to use, depending on the type of fountain pen and your experience with fountain pens.

The top-rated picks below were chosen for quality, price, and customer satisfaction to help you find the best fountain pen for your desk.

The Wordsworth & Black Fountain Pen Set comes safely tucked in a premium leather case inside a deluxe gift box, ready to give to a colleague or a loved one. You can choose from 13 different barrel colors and designs for a unique look. This converter fountain pen has a converter cartridge that can be filled like a piston pen and six refill ink cartridges, including three with blue ink and three with black ink.

This fountain pen has a medium stainless steel nib that is appropriate for most writing tasks and a balanced weight along the pen that makes it easy to handle for both left- and right-handed writers. The pen is 5.47 inches long and has a screw-off cap that is useful for keeping your pen safe during travel. A bonus for beginners is that you also get a full instruction booklet.

Beginners may not be interested in spending a lot of money on a fountain pen until after trying a less expensive version, like this converter fountain pen. There are five barrel color choices including black, dark blue, dark red, golden, and black with white lines. This converter pen also has a converter cartridge that you can fill like a piston pen, or you can take the converter cartridge out and use one of the 10 refill cartridges that come with the pen.

The included refill ink cartridges include two blue, two brown, two green, two purple, and two red ink cartridges. The fountain pen is 5.55 inches long with a medium stainless steel nib, and has a lacquered metal barrel with a contoured grip for better control while writing.

If you are just starting to use a fountain pen, then the AmazonBasics Refillable Fountain Pen is a great starting point. It has a simple cartridge refill system and you have the choice between fine and medium stainless steel nibs.

The brass barrel is painted black and has stainless steel accents on the nib, clip, and parts of the cap to give this pen an elegant appearance. It measures 5.5 inches long, comes with three ink cartridges, and has a screw-off cap that makes it a great option for students traveling to and from school.

The converter fountain pen is designed to have a luxury appearance in your hand or on display in your office. While you can choose between 10 different color and trim options, the deluxe black selection has a black lacquered metal barrel, and comes with a 23-karat gold clip, and a solid 18-karat gold nib with rhodium plating.

The fountain pen is 5.6 inches long, has a chiselled silver-plated cap with gold accents, and either a fine- or medium-sized nib. It is hand-crafted and hand-assembled in France and can be engraved with a unique phrase, a date, or a name to add a personal touch to a gift for a colleague or a loved one.

If you are looking for a gift for an artist, this PILOT converter fountain pen may be an ideal option. It has a fine, stainless steel nib that is designed for everyday use, and a quick cartridge replacement system that can be used for switching between colors. The converter fountain pen also can be refilled with a piston system if you want to work with one color for a long period.

The pen measures 5.47 inches long and has a brass barrel that is painted black with stainless steel accents on the clip, cap, and nib. It comes with a case and has contoured grips to make the fountain pen easier to hold and use.

Writing with a fountain pen doesn’t need to involve the potentially messy job of filling up a pen collection chamber with ink directly from an ink bottle. Instead, with the LAMY Safari Fountain Pen you can simply switch out an empty cartridge for a new one in a matter of minutes, without getting your hands covered in ink. The cartridge fountain pen is 5.5 inches long and comes in seven different barrel color options, including black, pink, red, and white.

The barrel is made of strong ABS plastic, which is inexpensive and resistant to impact damage if the pen is dropped. This pen has a medium-size standard nib that is made of polished stainless steel, and it has a chrome-plated metal clip so you can attach it to a notebook or a pocket for added security. With this fountain pen you also get five extra ink cartridges.

Both amateur and expert users may enjoy the versatility offered by a converter fountain pen, like the Black Forest Fountain Pen. It can be refilled using ink cartridges for a quick switch between various colors, or you can use a traditional piston system to fill the collection chamber for long writing tasks. This fountain pen is available in black, blue, dark green, purple, or silver colors, and gives you the choice between an italic, extra fine, or fine nib for a variety of functions.

The barrel of the pen is aluminum and it has a contoured grip to make writing easier for extended periods of time. This pen has a stainless steel nib, a click-on cap, and a metal case. It measures 5.43 inches long, and has a diameter of 11 millimeters.

If you are looking for a traditional piston fountain pen that can be filled directly from an ink bottle, then the Lamy 2000 Matte Black Fountain Pen might be perfect for you. The nib is medium in size, standard in shape, and made of 14-karat gold with a platinum coating for a high-quality look and effective writing results.

The fountain pen’s barrel is made with a combination of black fiberglass and brushed stainless steel to give it a durable weight with a matte black finish. The pen measures 5.46 inches long and its barrel features four windows so you can view the ink level. The pen is on permanent display at the Museum of Modern Art.

If you still have questions about fountain pens, the following answers to some of the most frequently asked questions may help.

There are many differences between a fountain pen and a ballpoint pen, but the most important are the pen type and how they disperse ink.

Ballpoint pens use a thick, oil-based ink that lasts a long time inside the pen and dries quickly, while fountain pens use a less viscous ink that flows smoothly but takes longer to dry.

Ballpoint pens use gravity to push ink down a tube onto a ball that swivels in the socket at the end of the pen to distribute ink. Fountain pens also use gravity to help the flow of ink, but the ink travels to a collection site that ensures only a specific amount is available. The nib is separated by two tines or prongs. When pressure is applied to the nib while writing, the pressure forces the two prongs apart to disperse ink.

To use a fountain pen you can follow these simple steps.

The way to fill a fountain pen can differ depending on the type of pen.

To change the cartridge on a cartridge pen:

To refill a piston pen:

Converter cartridges work in cartridge fountain pens, but either can be refilled like a piston pen following the steps above, or can be refilled using the steps below if it has an ink bladder mechanism:

Cleaning a fountain pen involves the following simple instructions.

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