This is a bit of a different post for me. Over the last year+ of quarantine I have picked up a hobby of collecting fountain pens. I wanted to share my thoughts and some resources about the hobby for others that are interested. This will be split across multiple posts.
Why should you not use fountain pens?
Before getting into why I got into this hobby and how someone new could get started, it is important to recognize that fountain pens aren’t for everyone. There are a lot of reasons pencils and ballpoint pens are the primary writing instrument used for decades. While there is a lot to like about fountain pens, they just aren’t appropriate in every situation.
- You write infrequently. Fountain pens are designed to be used frequently. Most will dry out after a period of disuse (ranging from days to weeks depending on the model). You’re better off with a ballpoint.
- You don’t want to ever think about your writing instrument. Fountain pens can be somewhat temperamental compared to ballpoints, and writing with one does take a different technique. If want to just grab a pen and not think about it, you’ll probably be happier with a ballpoint.
- You care a lot about water resistance or other archival qualities. Fountain pen ink is water-based (don’t try and put other kinds of ink in one!). As such most are not water resistant and will fade in sunlight. Ballpoint ink is oil-based and so is naturally water resistant. It’s possible to find fountain pen inks with these qualities, but you will be more limited in your choices.
- You only use low-end paper (as often found in schools or offices). As fountain pens have become a luxury good, ink manufacturers assume the use of higher-end paper. Many inks will perform badly (bleeding through and feathering) on low quality printer paper. It is again possible to find pen and ink combos to mitigate this problem, but this will limit your choices.
Why did I get into this hobby?
I would describe myself a both a collector and user of fountain pens. I have pens that I don’t usually have inked but that I appreciate aesthetically. However, I journal every day and actively use most of my pens.
When the pandemic started, I had been journaling off and on for a couple years and wanted to start doing it more consistently. I was also taking a lot of notes while working on my master’s degree. I was looking at some journal recommendations online and saw a discussion about fountain pens.
The thing that drew me in initially was the aesthetics of it all. I work on a computer all day, and the world of pens, inks, and handwriting represented something radically different than my day to day work. This is still something I appreciate about the hobby. The pens I like best have a lot of craftmanship put into their making.
I also like writing. I find journaling really valuable for collecting and processing my thoughts and feelings each day. I also find that a handwritten todo list each day helps me stay on top of tasks in a way that a digital one did not. While I tend to prefer blue and black inks, the variety of colors available also gives me another avenue to express myself.
Finally, I appreciate the reduced environmental impact of fountain pens. Fountain pens last for years unlike disposable ballpoints, and bottled ink has very little waste. The collecting aspect of the hobby does diminish this, but I try to be mindful in what I purchase.
Resources
Note that I have no affiliation with any of the products or companies listed below.
https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/ is my best recommendation for resources and information about fountain pens. It’s an active and friendly community with a lot of good resources on the sidebar.
https://www.penaddict.com/ has a lot of pen and ink reviews along with various stationery and paraphernalia. Their top five list is also a great starting point when buying your first pen.
https://www.jetpens.com/blog/How-to-Write-with-a-Fountain-Pen/pt/271 is the guide I followed when learning to use a fountain pen for the first time.
https://mountainofink.com/ has tons of ink reviews and is my first stop if I am considering buying a particular ink. They also have a good overview of the various properties of ink.
In terms of buying anything, I recommend either Goulet or Anderson. They’re both small, family-run businesses with good prices and a wide selection. I don’t have a local store like this, so I buy online. Do check to see if you have a local store though, there are many throughout the United States.
Do not buy from Amazon. Aside from general concern over their business practices, fakes are common.
My Starter Recommendations
The resources above have some starter recommendations. This is my take on what I like best as a starter tier. These recommendations may not work for everyone. I’d encourage doing your own research using the resources above and others before committing to a purchase.
- Pen: Pilot Metropolitan. These are inexpensive yet rock-solid pens available in a wide variety of colors. I would recommend a fine or medium nib first. The only downside is that the converter doesn’t hold much ink.
- Ink: Pilot. Pilot/Namiki Blue and Black are standard colors, and the Iroshizuku line is higher end and has more color choices. I would highly recommend trying samples first as it makes it easier to experiment with different colors.
- Paper: Maruman Mnemosyne. They offer notebooks in a variety of sizes and the covers stand up to use well. The paper is well suited to fountain pens without being really thin.
Go Slowly!
Don’t go wild with buying pens and inks at first. Particularly on the r/fountainpens subreddit you will see posts from people that spend hundreds of dollars and buy dozens of pens and ink without having tried anything. Inevitably this will lead to disappointment and wasted money. Like many hobbies based around equipment, “Gear Acquisition Syndrome” is a real concern and can lead to buying things for the sake of buying. I find the best way to combat this is to be really honest with myself about what I want out of a particular purchase. Does it fill some need or is it just the goblin brain shouting “Ooh shiny!”? It’s also helpful to wait a few days before making a purchase to see if you still want it.
I find that around $200 is where you stop finding improvements in the writing experience. Beyond that you are paying for a brand name, a particular aesthetic, or the craftmanship. These are valid reasons to purchase a more expensive pen, but I wouldn’t recommend this until you have established your preferences. Buying a really expensive pen that you dislike is one of the fastest ways to turn yourself off on the whole experience.
Up Next…
Next up I’ll be writing up my likes and dislikes in what I’ve tried.