Choosing Your First Fountain Pen

For many, fountain pens encourage creativity, tradition, and deliberation in the formation of every word. Once you start writing with fountain pens, it’s difficult not to reach for them every single time you sit at your desk. While ballpoints are great for on-the-go and rollerballs offer a smooth writing experience, a fountain pen glides effortlessly across the page and opens a world of personalization and appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into this writing instrument.

We have spent nearly forty years connecting customers with their new favourite fountain pen. More often than you may think, we even introduce customers to fountain pens! Which brings us to this guide; here is everything you need to know when choosing your first fountain pen. While there is much to learn about this world, fountain pens do not have to be complicated, nor do you have to spend a lot to end up with a great pen. There is an entry point for everyone, and things do not need to be too complicated. Here are four aspects to keep in mind when choosing a fountain pen.

How the pen feels in your hand

When shopping for your first fountain pen, it’s easy to focus on aesthetics. And while what a pen looks like is very important (and we will cover that in a bit), arguably the most important aspect of choosing a pen is ergonomics. How a pen feels in your hand and how the nib feels on the page will dictate how often you reach for this pen. Like a magic wand, the pen often chooses the writer. The same pen is likely not the best choice for two different people with different interests and writing habits. Here are some keys to remember:

Weight

Not every pen weighs the same. While some writers prefer a lighter pen that floats across the page, others prefer something with a bit of weight that guides every written word. There is no right or wrong answer here!

Material

The material that makes up a pen will dictate its weight. Some pens are made from metals such as brass or sterling silver, which results in a heavier pen. Other pens are made of plastic or lacquer, which will be lighter.

Texture

Material and finish will also dictate the texture of the pen in your hand. For example, let’s take a look at Yard-O-Led. These pens are made from sterling silver, which will feel heavier in your hand than, say, a Scribo that is made from ebonite or resin. Each Yard-O-Led is handmade, so the etched designs will create different textures! They have smooth finishes, hand-hammered finishes, and etched designs. Each will feel different in your hand, and it is up to the individual to decide what feels best.

How the Pen Feels on Paper

After you have decided which pen feels the best in your hand, the true test comes along: how the pen feels on paper. A fountain pen is a writing instrument after all, so you must enjoy the writing experience to use it again and again. Here are some things to consider when choosing a pen that writes how you like:

Feedback

Feedback is the resistance of a nib on a piece of paper. This is another element to choosing a fountain pen that differs depending on the person using the pen. While some like feedback and may choose a finer nib size for this purpose, others prefer a smooth writing experience with little to no resistance. At Laywine’s, we dip pens you are interested in so you can try them out on paper. You may love how a pen looks and how it feels in your hand, but not so much how it feels on paper. And that will be the deciding factor against a brand, model, or simply a nib size.

And remember, the type of paper you use will also influence the writing experience!

Nib Material

The type of material your nib is made out of matters too, as gold nibs are smoother than steel nibs – and mould themselves to your writing angle, which is why you should not lend your gold nib to others! Many starter fountain pens, such as the Lamy Safari, come with a steel nib. You can buy some nibs separately and upgrade to a gold nib, but that bumps you up a price bracket as well. Again, the individual can decide what sort of nib equals the best writing experience for them.

Nib Size

Finally, there’s nib size, which dictates the width of the line left on the page. Most fountain pens come in the standard nib size assortment:

• Extra Fine (EF)

• Fine (F)

• Medium (M)

• Broad (B)

Japanese brands tend to have thinner nibs than German and other European brands. A Japanese Medium and a German Medium are actually different, with the Japanese Medium runner thinner than the German. This is another reason we encourage our customers to try a nib before they buy it. Japanese brands such as Platinum also carry nib sizes outside of the standard range, such as Ultra Extra Fine (UEF). European brands such as Scribo, which is Italian, also carry Double Broad (BB) nibs and flex nibs.

To say it simply, there are many options when it comes to nib size, and once again, there is no right answer. If your printing is relatively small, you may go for a smaller nib size. If your writing is big and loopy, you may want a larger nib size. Either way, trying your desired pen in its range of nib offerings is the best way to go.

How the pen looks

Aesthetics remain an important pillar when purchasing anything that you will be consistently using. We would rather you spend a bit of money on something that you use and love, rather than throwing a paycheque away for a pen that will sit in your desk drawer and gather dust.

Fountain pens come in a variety of colours, finishes, and styles. We often ask our customers if they are looking for something traditional, modern, or something in between. We ask about colour preferences, whether patterns and designs are welcomed, and what accent colours/materials are preferred. When buying a pen as a gift, we ask if you know what jewelry/accessories the recipient wears – that will guide the metals we look at! A pen is an accessory, and one’s personal style plays a big role in picking the perfect fountain pen. The wonderful thing about fountain pens is that once you get one, you will likely get more. So you can explore different designs!

How much the pen costs

Lastly, we always ask our customers about their price range. If you find a pen that you love the look and feel of, but it is way out of your budget, you may not be encouraged to buy it. While we try to line up all these principles, compromises are sometimes needed. Regardless, fountain pens do not need to be hundreds of dollars. There is a fountain pen for every kind of writer and every price bracket. And spending a bit of money on something that you use again and again will always be worth it. Fountain pens last for generations, and unlike disposable pens, they are not tossed out after one use. At the end of the day, you are saving money with your new writing habit!

Starter Fountain Pens

Now, it’s time to get started with your first fountain pen. Here is where we usually recommend customers go for that first addition.

Lamy Safari

The Lamy Safari is a classic starter fountain pen – and continues to be used religiously by pen fanatics. Originally introduced in the 1980s, the Lamy Safari is used in Germany by schoolchildren so they can learn how to write!

The core features of the Safari are:

• Triangular grip section

• Cost-effective, starting around $40

• Interchangeable steel nibs available in EF, F, M, B

• Your choice of colour

• Special editions every year

• Easy to clean and change ink (cartridge/converter)

• Reliable and easy to clean

The standout feature here is the triangular grip section. For those who have never used a fountain pen before, the triangular grip shows you how to hold the pen properly. Fountain nibs are split down the middle, and both of the tines must be on the page for ink to flow. The Lamy Safari places your fingers on the pen so ink flows without issue. When you level up to another pen that does not have the triangular grip, you will already be an expert!

Kaweco Sport

The Kaweco Sport is similar to the Lamy Safari in many ways: German, similar price bracket, fun colours, easy to use and clean. Some key differences are:

• Portable size

• Threaded cap (rather than snap)

• Standard cartridges

The Kaweco Sport takes a standard international cartridge, while a Lamy Safari takes a proprietary cartridge. Lamy needs to take Lamy, but Kaweco can use different brands, such as Jacques Herbin or Graf von Faber-Castell. As a beginner fountain pen user, cartridges are easy to pop in and toss out when the ink runs dry. However, we do recommend eventually using converters and bottled ink, which are more cost-effective and better for the environment. You are then open to a wider range of colours, rather than sticking within any single brand.

Getting Started

If you're purchasing your very first fountain pen, it's hard to go wrong with a Lamy Safari or a Kaweco Sport. Both offer exceptional value, reliable performance, and an easy introduction to fountain pen writing.

If you're looking for something with a more premium feel and classic styling, an Esterbrook model can provide a rewarding step into higher-end fountain pens while remaining approachable for newcomers.

Most importantly, remember that every writer is different, and there is no one right answer when it comes to choosing a fountain pen. The best choice is the one that fits your writing habits, budget, and personal style.

Whether you're taking notes, writing letters, keeping a journal, or simply enjoying the feel of ink on paper, a well-chosen fountain pen can make every page a little more enjoyable.

You can visit us in-store at 25 Bellair, Toronto, and our team will be happy to introduce you to the world of fountain pens. Alternatively, you can book a virtual appointment with us, and we will help you find your first fountain pen.