The Ultimate Buying Guide For Your First Fountain Pen

Posted on November 18, 2025

Choosing your first fountain pen is a personal journey. From weight and nib style to ink type and design, every detail shapes the way your handwriting feels. This guide walks you through how to select your first premium fountain pen, so you can enjoy writing again: on paper, not pixels.

A fountain pen slows life down in the best way. It invites you to pause, think and write with intention. That’s why your first luxury fountain pen should feel personal, like a quiet companion you want to keep with you. Whether you’re journaling, planning your week, signing contracts or writing letters, the right pen brings joy to the page.

At William Penn, we’ve spent years curating pens from across the world, so every writer, new or experienced can find one that feels right in hand and true to their voice.

The Experience of Writing With a Fountain Pen

Writing with a premium fountain pen feels different from using a ballpoint or rollerball. The ink glides, the nib responds to your pressure and the page records your rhythm. Some pens become travel partners. Some find a place in your work bag. And some become gifts, carried forward with memory and meaning.

From classic fountain pens with soft curves to bold designs like the Benu fountain pen, each pen offers its own story on paper.

What to Look For

Before you choose your first luxury fountain pen, it helps to understand the elements that shape your experience on paper. These small details decide how your pen feels in hand, how the ink meets the page and how personal your handwriting becomes over time.

1. Body and Material

If you’re new to fountain pens, choose something light in the hand. Resin, ABS plastic and aluminium feel comfortable during long writing sessions. The grip design matters too, look for something that feels natural.

2. Nib

The nib is the character of the pen. Most beginners enjoy a medium nib, balanced for both personal notes and journaling.

Tip widths you may encounter:

• Extra-fine: It is delicate
• Fine: It is good for everyday notes
• Medium: It is friendly for most writers
• Broad: It has expressive strokes

Rounded nibs offer even lines and Italic nibs have line variation, something you might explore later as your handwriting style grows. Some brands like Sailor fountain pen offer a remarkable range of nibs crafted for very specific writing styles.

3. Filling System

A fountain pen carries its own reservoir of ink. There are three friendly options to begin with:

• Cartridge: It is simple to use
• Converter: It is used for bottled ink
• Piston: It has larger ink volume

Those drawn to colour might prefer converters and bottled inks, while new users may find cartridges convenient. A demonstrator fountain pen (transparent body) allows you to enjoy the view of ink moving inside.

4. Weight and Shape

A fountain pen should feel balanced the moment it rests in your hand. Lighter bodies are kinder during longer writing sessions, while a fuller build offers a grounded, reassuring hold. If you’re unsure, try holding a few and your hand will tell you what feels right.

Brands That Have Shaped Writing

Fountain pens are shaped not only by craftsmanship, but by the people who carry them.

At William Penn, we curate premium fountain pens from across the world, each guided by its own story, design language and purpose. Below is a closer look at the makers who continue to define the art of handwriting and who they are best suited for.

Montblanc fountain pens

A mark of legacy, often chosen for important milestones: new roles, anniversaries and personal achievements.The Montblanc 130211 Starwalker Space Blue Precious Resin Fountain Pen is perfect for those who see writing not just as a function, but as a ritual.

Lamy fountain pen

It is clean, modern and thoughtfully built. It is ideal for everyday notebooks, meeting notes and personal journaling. Lamy 065 Studio Fountain Pen Medium Brushed Steel With Chrome Clip is favourite among learners, designers and those who appreciate quiet simplicity.

Sheaffer fountain pen

Sheaffer 100 9374 Coffee Edition Matt Brown Fountain Pen with Regal Brown PVD Trims is inviting and reliable, often a first step into the world of fine writing. A wonderful gift for students, new professionals or anyone beginning their writing journey.

Cross fountain pen

Familiar, comfortable companions for everyday thoughts: at your desk, in your pocket or on the move. The Cross AT0746-12MF Bailey Light Fountain Pen is a thoughtful option for professionals who value reliability.

Benu fountain pen

Bursting with colour and personality, the Benu Minima Purple Flame Fountain Penbright has patterns, cosmic finishes and playful silhouettes. It is ideal for artists, journal lovers and those unafraid to write with flair.

Caran d’Ache fountain pen

Swiss precision with a quiet confidence, made for writers who appreciate balance, exactness and clean lines. The Caran d'Ache Limited Edition Year Of The Tiger Fountain Pen (18K Medium) - Black With Gold Trims is a wonderful choice for those who like their tools purposeful and grounded.

Sailor fountain pen

Sailor is celebrated for nibs that feel almost tailor-made. Their pens respond beautifully to subtle shifts in pressure and angle. The Sailor 1911 'King of Pens' Fountain Pen Black with Gold Trims is a wonderful choice for those who appreciate craftsmanship with character, from expressive journals to careful lettering.

Hugo Boss fountain pen

Hugo Boss brings a sense of quiet style to the writing desk. The Hugo Boss Gear Metal Fountain Pen (Medium) Chrome pairs well with the modern professional who values clean lines and confident presence, both in design and in daily use.

Craft and Care

A premium fountain pen is something you grow with. The more you write, the more it shapes itself into your hand.

To keep yours at its best:

• Clean the nib regularly
• Store it with the cap closed
• Use good-quality ink
• Wipe it gently after refilling

If you wish to go further, try bottled inks from global makers. It turns your pen into a canvas, one colour at a time.

A Pen That Feels Like You

For some writers, a pen becomes a keepsake. For others, it marks a milestone: a first job, graduation or beginning a new chapter. Whether it’s a luxury fountain pen with a gold-trimmed nib or a more understated shape with clean lines, your pen should reflect your personality.

Those who want to add a personal touch can choose a personalized fountain pen, engraved with a name, date or message. A small detail that turns a writing tool into something treasured.

Writing That Lasts a Lifetime

A fountain pen is a reflection of who you are. With time, the nib adjusts to your touch, the ink mirrors your rhythm and every word you write becomes part of your story. Clean it often, choose quality ink and keep it safe; care turns craftsmanship into legacy.

Whether you’re picking your first luxury fountain pen or gifting a personalized fountain pen engraved with meaning, remember it’s more than ink and metal. It’s an invitation to slow down, think deeply and write with intention.

Explore the world of premium fountain pens at William Penn and find the one that feels right for your hand and your story.