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Starter fountain pens
Steel-nib cartridge/converter pens that make a great first step.
Shop now for Starter fountain pensHow-To
How to choose a fountain pen
Fountain pens aren't fussy antiques. Pick the right nib and paper and they're the comfiest way to write by hand.
TL;DR
- First pen? Get a fine (F) steel nib that takes cartridges and a converter.
- Use fountain pen ink only.
- Write on smooth paper, 24 lb (90 gsm) or heavier if you can.
1Pick a nib size
| Nib | Line | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| EF (extra fine) | Very thin | Tiny handwriting, planners, cheap paper |
| F (fine) | Thin | Everyday notes and journaling; the safest first pick |
| M (medium) | Moderate | Letters, signatures, bigger handwriting |
| B (broad) | Thick | Showing off ink color, headers, large writing |
Heads up: nibs from Japanese makers typically run about one size finer than Western nibs with the same label. Specialty nibs like stub and italic give thick-thin variation for a calligraphic look.
2Choose how it fills
Cartridges are the no-mess option: pop one in and go. Many pens use "international standard" cartridges; some brands use proprietary ones, so check before you buy. A converter is a little refillable reservoir that swaps in for a cartridge, letting you fill from a bottle. Piston fillers and other built-in systems hold more ink but take a bit longer to clean.
For a first pen, a cartridge/converter model gives you the best of both worlds.
3Steel or gold?
Most starter and mid-range pens use stainless steel nibs, which are tough and write smoothly. Gold nibs show up on pricier pens and are often described as a little softer or springier. Whether that's worth it is personal. Start with steel and see if you fall down the rabbit hole.
4Size, weight and grip
Big hands may prefer a longer, wider barrel; smaller hands a slimmer one. Metal pens feel solid but can tire your hand on long sessions. Molded grip sections help beginners hold the pen at the right angle. Try "posting" the cap on the back while writing to see which balance you prefer.
5Match your ink and paper
Only use ink made for fountain pens. India ink and acrylic inks can clog the feed. Standard dye-based inks are the easiest to clean. On paper, cheap, porous sheets make ink feather and bleed. Look for smoother paper, around 24 lb bond (90 gsm) or heavier. Our paper weight guide explains the numbers.
Lefties, this is for you
Lefties can absolutely use fountain pens. Try an EF or F nib, a fast-drying ink and smooth paper. Some lefty writers angle the page or write "underwriter" style from below the line to avoid dragging through wet ink.
Keep it happy
- Flush with room-temperature water between ink colors
- Cap it when you stop writing so it doesn't dry out
- Let the nib glide; don't press like a ballpoint
- Store it nib-up in a pen cup if it's leaky on flights or in hot cars
Shop the starter kit
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Bottled ink
Hundreds of colors, from office-ready blue-black to shimmer.
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Converters
Turn a cartridge pen into a bottle-filler. Check fit with your pen.
Shop now for ConvertersMore in the Pens aisle, plus fountain pen cartridges.