What are the best fountain pens? Everybody asks this question, whether you’re new to the hobby or a seasoned pen enthusiast. We always want to know which pens are consistently pushing the boundaries of what it means to be the best so that we may experience what the best has to offer for ourselves.
Remember that the best fountain pens for one individual may not be the best fountain pens for the next person. However, when asking what makes a good fountain pen, many writers will agree that certain aspects of the pen, such as nib quality, ink flow and feed system, build quality, ergonomics, aesthetic appeal, and filling system, all come together. We’ve considered these characteristics when rounding up this list of the best fountain pens for the year.
Without further ado and in no particular order, here are some of our top picks for the best fountain pens from last year.
LAMY 2000 Black Makrolon Fountain Pen
The LAMY 2000 often lands on the best fountain pen lists for a reason: it is just that good. This minimalist and sturdy fountain pen is known for its exceptionally engineered design and stellar performance, making it a favorite of many fountain pen enthusiasts everywhere.
TWSBI Diamond 580ALR Nickel Gray Fountain Pen
TWSBI is known for its affordable yet reliable fountain pens; the 580 is no exception. This fountain pen is crystal clear, easy to maintain, and performs at a level that surpasses its price tag.
Opus 88 Demonstrator Fountain Pen
Opus 88 has many excellent fountain pens that are contenders for the best fountain pen from the brand, but perhaps the most unique and best-performing is the Koloro. This eyedropper pen has an ample ink supply and features a beautifully shaped body with translucent acrylic and ebonite, with a unique twist that sets it apart from similar pens.
Leonardo Momento Zero Blue Sorrento Fountain Pen (Stainless Steel)
Leonardo has grown increasingly popular in the past couple of years thanks to its bright, vibrant colors shaped into high-quality acrylic resin bodies with well-tuned nibs. The Momento Zero is a well-balanced fountain pen that represents the very best of the brand, and it is one of the highlights of last year's best fountain pens.
Sailor Pro Gear Black Fountain Pen
Sailor never disappoints, and the Pro Gear stands out as the clear winner when it comes to its lineup of pens. It is a suitable medium in terms of size and cost, and, like all Sailor pens, writes consistently out of the box. And if you’re looking for a lot of color variety, you’ll find it in the offerings for the Pro Gear models.
Pelikan M1000 Souverän Fountain Pen
The Pelikan M1000 is a substantial fountain pen best suited for writers with large hands and those who prefer bigger nibs. This fountain pen feels like a well-tuned, high-quality instrument that is classy and conservative in its design. Despite its size, it is well-balanced and not too heavy, making it an excellent option for daily writing.
Kaweco Classic Sport Fountain Pen
The Kaweco Sport is an unmistakable fountain pen, from the unique cap design to the iconic logo. This unique, compact fountain pen is a great beginner option offered at an affordable price point. You get a smooth, German-manufactured nib right out of the box and a lot of customization options with nib sizes.
Platinum #3776 Century Fountain Pen
The Platinum 3776 Century stands out for its excellent 14-karat gold nib, excellent build, beautiful finish, and reasonable price. Writers can expect a reliable performance with this fountain pen every single time. Like other Platinum pens, this is equipped with the Slip & Seal mechanism that prevents the nib from drying out even after long periods of no use.
Nahvalur Nautilus Nashville Fountain Pen
Nahvalur fountain pens are known for their excellent pens and creativity. The Nautilus is a fountain pen that is incredibly comfortable to write with, even for extended periods. It comes with a very smooth nib that requires little writing pressure. The high-quality resin used for the pen’s body and its sleek design guarantee a good-looking, well-balanced pen for a great writing experience.
Pilot Custom 823 Fountain Pen
Pilot fountain pens are some of the best in the world, and the Custom 823 deserves a spot on this list as one of the best fountain pens from last year. It’s a pen with a large ink capacity, perfect for prolific writers and constant note-takers. The longer barrel gives it a better feel in the hand, and the 14-karat gold nib creates clean, smooth lines on paper right out of the box.
The Bottom Line
The best fountain pens are those crafted with a focus on producing the highest-quality writing instruments for next-level writing experiences. Whether you get the Custom 823 from Pilot or choose a more affordable pen like the TWSBI 580, you’re sure to have an excellent pen in your hands. This list is by no means exhaustive, but you can’t go wrong with the best pens from the best fountain pen manufacturers in the world.
Written by EndlessPens Blogger Ramona Kabigting
