I am passionate about fountain pens. But I don’t collect them just to put them in a glass case and look at them. I use my fountain pens every day; in fact I don’t write with other kinds of pens very much at all. Hey, life’s too short.
What follows are some personal selections that I am confident will provide you with a great writing experience. These are all pens that are proven and popular, and I have listed them by price in a wide range to suit any budget.
I also want to point out that there are no “vintage” pens here. You may get interested in that area, and that’s great. I have a few myself (you can always find them on eBay), but I am way more interested in contemporary pens that are on the market right now.
A Fountain Pen for Under $10?
Platinum Preppy
These pens are something I don’t have a great personal interest in, but they’re especially popular with students. I think they deserve a mention on this list simply because they prove that you CAN get a decent fountain pen for under $10. They come in a range of colors, and you can buy a pack of 7 pens for around $25. And Platinum don’t know how to make a bad nib … not even at this price. The Preppy is not a bad way to stick your toe in the water. (BUY ON AMAZON)
Top Fountain Pens Under $50
Pilot Metropolitan
These are the pens I recommend in “My Handwritten Bible Starter Kit”. They are enormously popular. They’re inexpensive, they’re available in a huge range of eye-catching designs and colors, and they deliver a great writing experience. They also have a metal body, so they feel more substantial than a lot of other cheap pens that are made of plastic. (BUY ON AMAZON)
LAMY Safari
LAMY is a German company, and most children in Germany grew up writing with LAMY fountain pens in school. The Safari comes in a large range of colors, but they have a plastic body so they’re very lightweight. When I first picked one up, I wondered if it would be just too light for me. But then I fell in love … the reason? LAMY nibs! They are so consistently good. German engineering at it’s best. Try one! (BUY ON AMAZON)
Top Fountain Pens Under $100
LAMY Studio
Yes, another LAMY. This is the next level, though. It’s made of steel, so it’s much heavier, but it looks absolutely beautiful. In fact, people will think you’ve spent a lot more on this pen. The only complaints I hear from some people is that the grip section (right above the nib) can feel a little “slippery” between the fingers. (BUY ON AMAZON)
Sailor 1911
Sailor are a Japanese company, and their pens have become a favorite of the fountain pen community. They have a huge fan base, and it’s mostly because of their excellent nibs. I personally own three Sailors, and I love them all. They come in a number of sizes. I recommend you start with the “Standard” (1911S). It’s a very comfortable size to write with. This pen just squeaks into the “under $100” category. You can pick one up right around $99. (BUY ON AMAZON)
Top Fountain Pens Under $200
This is the sweet spot for a lot of great pens. Let me mention four …
LAMY 2000
Okay, another LAMY. (Can you tell I love them?) This one is the brand flagship. It’s been around for about 50 years, and is still in production. Designed in the German Bauhaus style, it’s made of “Makrolon” (Lamy’s own black polycarbonate) and brushed stainless steel. It has a hooded rhodium-plated 14kt gold nib, and uses a piston to fill from bottled ink. A nice feature is the small ink window that allows you to see your remaining ink level. Highly, highly recommended! (BUY ON AMAZON)
Platinum 3776
This pen has become wildly popular over recent years. Platinum nibs are a market leader, and the 3776 has become one of the nicest looking pens in it’s class. (BUY ON AMAZON)
Diplomat Aero
I write with my Aero almost every day. It is such a comfortable pen; the texture and balance are superb. The Diplomat company have had a revival the last few years under new management, and they are producing real quality. (BUY ON AMAZON)
Pelikan M200 / M205
Here’s another amazing German company. I know fountain pen lovers who ONLY collect Pelikans. The word that immediately comes to mind with all their products is “quality”. The 200 is one of their most popular models. The main difference between the 200 and 205 is simply the material that the nib is made out of. (200 = gold plated, 205 = stainless steel). But both are excellent. (BUY ON AMAZON)
Montegrappa Elmo
This is the pen I am currently using for the bulk of my writing as I copy out the Bible by hand. I love it. Typical of Italian design, it has one of the most ornate nibs of any pen I own. But it’s not just “pretty” — it’s an exceptionally good writer, laying down a consistent wet line. I love my Elmo! (BUY FROM GOULET PENS)
Top Fountain Pens Under $500
Ready to step it up a notch? Once you’ve enjoyed writing with a fountain pen for a little while, you’ll be ready to spoil yourself a little …
Pilot Custom 823
A fantastic pen with a 14k gold nib and resin body. The quality is noticeable as soon as you pick it up, but it’s still a workhorse. You’ll want to write with it every day. (BUY ON AMAZON)
And Then There’s This …
The only other writing instrument I really care about.
Like most busy people, I carry a planner. (I use the Full Focus Planner by Michael Hyatt.) But the nature of a daily schedule is that it often changes, and so ink is not a good idea. So I use a classic wooden pencil.
I used to think that all pencils were the same, until I was introduced to Palomino Blackwing pencils. These are seriously a different writing experience. They have a number of different pencils in their range, with different shades and softeness of the lead. I’ve tried several, and they’re all great. But I recommend their most popular …
Palomino Blackwing 602
Give one a try. I think you’ll be surprised at how good they are, and what a pleasure to write with. They also have an ingenious adjustable / replaceable eraser. You can get Blackwings individually, but they’re not a huge expense, so I buy them by the box. One box of 12 lasts quite a long time. (BUY ON AMAZON)
Tip: While you’re at it, get yourself a Kum 2-stage long point pencil sharpener. Amazing! (BUY ON AMAZON)