#pilot kakuno cartridges

[pratignya18]

Brand-ed!

What are your favorite brands and why? “Humans are genetically hardwired to notice differences and differences are often what attract people to your brand in the first place” A good pair of jeans, a comfortable pair of boots, and an ink pen that glides like molten butter on paper and you’ve made me the happiest person around. It was in the summer vacations of grade 8 that I shot up and moved…

[grubloved]

new ink!!

[decepti-thots]

not a meme question, but do you have a favorite pen? i don't know anything about them but you seem to, lol

I do, but my answer will differ depending on if you're asking my personal favourite pen or if you want advice as someone who doesn't use FPs as to what a good way to try one out is, anon! (sorry you just ACTIVATED MY TRAP CARD)

I currently have six fountain pens, five of which are 'starter'/budget pens and one of which is a mid-range 'enthusiast' pen. My favourite I own is the latter. It's my Nahvalur Original, which I own in the Spring colour, and which cost me around £45. It's a pen designed to exclusively take bottled ink with a fancy filling mechanism, instead of ink cartridges. It's not high end by the standards of fountain pens, per se, but it's solidly in the 'enthusiast' realm. (My Dad, who once owned an FP because he needed something that looked good while signing Important Work Documents, did a double take when I told him how much it was, lmao. He did not ever spend that much on one pen.) It is a hefty, lovely thing with great build quality which I can use with fancy ink and feels great to write with. Nice nib, great quality, looks awesome.

But if you have never used a fountain pen, and want to try it, you do not need to spend over £20 or your local equivalent, fwiw. Many cheap fountain pens suck, but equally, many people who have spent thirty years collecting them who own pens worth hundreds will happily tell you, many cheap fountain pens are excellent, and noone needs to spend much to get an industry-gold-standard one. My second favourite pen is my Pilot Kakuno, which is aimed mostly at schoolkids in Japan where Pilot are based, can be bought for under twenty pounds shipped in the UK, similar prices in most of the world, and writes better than multiple 'adult' pens I own. Because Pilot has incredible high quality pen nibs and the Japanese FP market is competitive. You could easily buy just a Kakuno and be set forever with a pen that is extremely good quality! And there's other similarly great options too; there's a whole section of the market that is just 'good pens for newbies'. The Lamy Safari is a very famous option from a western (german) brand, for example. (Also have one of those, it's good.)

If you want to try fancy fountain pen inks with special qualities like sparkle or sheen, you'll probably need to put down a little extra money for a converter- basically a refillable cartridge that refills from a little ink bottle, instead of the disposable ones most stationary shops sell. But you don't need that if you're happy with the normal ink cartridges. All cheap fountain pens accept cartridges, though the better brands do tend to require you buy their cartridges, unfortunately.

And if you REALLY don't want to risk it: buy a Platinum Preppy. Platinum are a very well regarded brand, they use the same nibs in their entry level pens as they do their £30 ones, just with cheaper gel pen like bodies- and they are like. £5. Comes with a cartridge. Writes great, I own one. Again, a Japanese brand aimed squarely at schoolkids, very cheap but genuinely good to write with.

(The one thing for fountain pens I would say is, do spend the extra little bit on a cheap notebook with fountain pen friendly paper. Same as with e.g. paints, good paper is more important than the pen a lot of the time. The worst fountain pen in the world on good paper is better than a £500 pen on shit paper. Here is a guide; I use Clairefontaine.)

anyway sorry maybe you didn't want all of that. but if you think fountain pens sound Interesting and are curious, i'd encourage you to try one, but buy cheap. many cheap pens rule. and fountain pens are great- they are better than almost every other kind of pen for doing longform writing, because they don't cause wrist strain when doing it for long periods. i would definitely recommend a fountain pen over other kinds if you want to use it to write for long periods, no matter what pen you get, tbh!

[whatsinmypen]

Starter Fountain Pens 

(that aren’t the Pilot Metro or Lamy Safari) 

(So you never have to ask me for recs again)

New to fountain pens? Long-time enthusiast? No matter, you’re probably sick of hearing about the Lamy Safari and the Pilot Metropolitan (or Pilot MR in certain markets) and their respective merits as beginner fountain pens. It feels like every other day someone asks for suggestions for their first fountain pen, and inevitably the recommendations for either of those two come flooding in.  

It’s not without reason. I’m guilty too—the Lamy Safari is still one of my favourite pens of all time (and I will still recommend it), and the Metropolitan is just about the safest bet you can make on a fountain pen when you’re just getting started.  

That being said, there are a ton of other pens out there, and I feel like newbies sometimes miss out on pens they might like better. So, to help further our collective horizons, here are 22 OTHER fountain pens for absolute beginners.  With links!

All under $30.  

1. Pilot Varsity ($3.30 or $21.25 for assorted 7-pack)

Afraid of commitment? Looking to dip your toes before diving in? No problem--just try out a disposable fountain pen! For a pen designed to be disposable, the Pilot Varsity writes pretty well and comes in 7 fun colours. Just mind the paper you're using--it can bleed through pretty easily, as it is one-size nib only (and that size is medium).

2. Platinum Preppy ($6.00)

Not quite as "disposable" as the Pilot Varsity, the Preppy has a few advantages: multiple nib sizes (though they're all pretty fine), a wide assortment of colours, and can even take a (proprietary) converter if you so choose. They do crack pretty easily, especially at the cap and grip section, but they're still a solid choice for a fountain pen newbie.

3. Jinhao 993 Shark ($3.95)

Not only are these pens adorable and affordable, their (hooded!) nib is exceptionally good considering the low price, though medium is the only nib size you'll get. Don't feel too bad though, because this pen comes with a converter included! I honestly have zero complaints about this pen, it's an awesome, quirky buy.

4. Jinhao x450 ($9.90) & x750 ($9.99)

Now these look like fountain pens. Pull one of these out at a meeting and you'll definitely get a couple of questions (or perhaps encounter a pen friend out in the wild!). Metal construction, medium (& somewhat gushy nibs), and a converter included? Sign me up! They might be a little heavier than what you're used to, but otherwise make for a great starter pen.

5. Paili 013 Vacuum Filler ($9.95)

Pro: a vacuum filler pen for under $10?? Yep. Forget those cartridges and unleash the power of bottled ink with this surprisingly reliable fountain pen!

Con: If you're a newbie, you're likely unfamiliar with this filling mechanism, so it might be a little daunting. But I promise there's no mystery, and YouTube is your friend!

6. Platinum Prefounte ($11.00)

Another Platinum, this time a little dressed up but still fun! The Prefounte comes in both fine and medium nibs and takes either proprietary Platinum cartridges or converters (sold separately, unfortunately). This pen is also pretty forgiving if you end up forgetting it in your drawer: Platinum's Slip & Seal mechanism can keep the ink from drying for quite a while (allegedly, up to a year). Keep in mind, Platinum pens tend to have a little bit more feedback (read: scratchy feel on paper), so if you don't like the feel of writing with pencil, for instance, maybe opt for a medium nib.

7. Luoshi Labyrinth ($12.95)

If you want something striking and unique, this Luoshi might be right up your alley. The Labyrinth is an all-metal pen with a surprisingly smooth medium-fine nib. It might be a little too weighty for those not accustomed to hefty metal pens, and some people have complained that the cut out labyrinth design adds some discomfort to lengthy writing sessions, so keep that in mind!

8. Pilot Kakuno ($13.50)

If you've heard good things about the nib on the Pilot Metropolitan but wanted something cheaper/quirkier, boy have I got good news for you! Marketed for children in Japan, the Kakuno has the same nib unit as the Metro, making for a superb writing experience at a considerably lower price point. They come in a ton of colors and take proprietary Pilot cartridges or converters. Nibs of different sizes come engraved with different smiley faces for extra fun.

9. HongDian Black Forest Series ($16.95)

This pen is just cool. Matte, all metal finish? Check. Cool colours? Check. Converter included? Check. Matching colour nib? Check (on a couple of them, at least). Though this pen is metal, it is pretty slim and comes with a textured grip, making for a pretty comfortable writing experience (unless, of course, you don't like slim pens!)

10. Kaweco Perkeo ($17.00)

I call this pen Kaweco's Kakuno, because... well, just look at it. Then go back up to #8 and see that I am right. Regardless, this pen is a solid choice for a beginner, with different nib options (all pretty smooth) and a great assortment of colours. It also has a triangular grip, which will help you hold the pen in the correct position--though some people find it uncomfortable, so keep that in mind!

11. Platinum Plaisir ($17.60)

Pros: Aluminum body, several colours to choose from, different nib options (fine & medium), and Platinum's magical sealing cap to prevent your ink from drying.

Cons: Converter (proprietary) sold separately. Boo.

12. TWSBI GO ($18.99)

This little pen (the most affordable TWSBI iirc) has quite a few things going for it. It comes in several colours and has a bunch of different nib sizes (from extra fine all the way to a 1.1mm stub). The filing mechanism (a simple spring loaded piston) is very practical and easy to use, though it may be a little unfamiliar to most beginners and will require bottled ink (so go ahead and add to cart while you're at it!).

13. ONLINE Slope ($19.00) & Switch Plus ($20.50)

Smooth writers with ergonomic grips (i.e., triangular) to keep you in position when writing. Both the Slope and Switch Plus are made of plastic with stainless steel nibs that come in both medium and fine and write pretty smoothly. They're a great choice for a beginner, but maybe skip these two if you're not a fan of the triangular grip or if you like heavier pens.

14. Delike Mojiang Pocket Pen ($19.95)

If you'd like to give pocket pens a try, maybe start with the Mojiang. This little pen is all-metal, which gives it a nice heft despite its small size. It only comes in fine, but writes more like a medium. Though it takes standard international converters and cartridges, watch the size--some converters might be too long to fit! Furthermore, smaller pens usually mean smaller ink capacity, so if you're writing in long sessions you may have to refill more frequently.

15. Moonman M2 Eyedropper ($21.95)

If you want a large ink capacity and want to see it slosh around your pen as you write... well, look no further! Though this pen can take cartridges and converters, it was designed as an eye dropper pen, meaning you fill the body of the pen itself with the ink of your choice with... you guessed it, an eyedropper (included!).

16. Wancai Mini ($21.25)

Same as the above, just. Teeny tiny!

17. Diplomat Magnum ($23.20)

Despite its lofty name, the Diplomat Magnum is pretty slim, not to mention super light. It has a nifty little ink window so you can keep an eye on your ink level and comes Diplomat's soft touch stainless steel nib (in sizes extra-fine to medium) for a super smooth writing experience. This is another pen with a (less pronounced) triangle grip, and comes with a converter included.

18. Pilot Explorer ($23.60)

Pilot at it again with the superb nibs. Like the Kakuno and the Metropolitan, the Explorer also features a frankly incredible stainless steel nib (in both fine and medium). It comes in several colours and Pilot even deigned to include a converter with this one (though it's a squeeze converter that 1. might be a little unfamiliar to some and 2. kind of sucks in general, so maybe stick to the Pilot cartridges with this one).

19. Faber-Castell Grip ($24.00)

This pen is literally designed to be a beginner fountain pen, but it still looks pretty sleek, imo. It does feel a little plasticky/cheap, but that Faber-Castell nib writes super smoothly. It only comes in fine, though it writes more like a medium. No converter included with this one (boo-hoo).

20. Kaweco Sport ($25.00)

Another German pen, and another pocket pen! I love Kaweco nibs (from EF to medium, though you can buy other Kaweco nibs separately), and the Kaweco Sport is a great introduction to pocket pens. They come in a ton of colours and are pretty reliable, though they only take short international cartridges (and a short converter, which, you guessed it, is sold separately). There are several colour and material variations, but the classic has a plastic body and stainless steel nib. Maybe skip if slim writing utensils are not comfortable!

21. Pelikan Twist ($26.00)

OK, this pen may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I had to add it. It's super funky and the nib (medium) is pretty good. All in all, it's a pretty nifty way to try out a Pelikan, and if you're into the design (and the triangular grip) it can be a fun and reliable daily writer. Converter sold separately (askjdbaklsdjb)

22. TWSBI Swipe ($26.99)

This pen may not look like it goes over the top, but let me tell you, it does. The TWSBI Swipe boasts no less than four different ways of filling it. You can use your regular cartridge. You can use the (included!!) traditional converter. You can then swap that converter out for a piston converter (also included! what?!), and if you're not happy, you can just eyedropper the whole dang pen. It might be a little too much, too soon for complete newbies, but the learning curve is not very steep, and it's a great way to try out all of these methods on a single pen. Like the TWSBI GO, nibs (stainless steel) go from an extra-fine all the way up to a 1.1mm stub.

[l-coleart]

Sketchbook Supply Recs!

Hi y’all, Since I’ve been posting more sketchbook pages recently, I thought I would share some of my favorite supplies. My recommendations are tailored to creating a user-friendly, portable kit mainly focused on ink and markers. I’ve found that having a kit like this makes me more likely to regularly develop my sketchbook, which I view as one of the most important parts of keeping one. None of these recommendations are sponsored or affiliated, I just hope that by sharing what supplies I enjoy, others can find new things to try. Keep reading under the cut!

I often find that products marketed towards the stationary and note-taking/organization niches perform better at lower prices for frequent sketchbook use than products targeted specifically towards the art and illustration community. Don’t shy away from products in office-supply stores just because it doesn’t say ‘for art’ on it. 

I also recommend refillable pens whenever possible. They usually offer more customization in ink color and nib size. Refillable options produce less plastic waste than disposable options. Refillable designs tend to have more ergonomic designs, with larger barrels and better weight balance that minimize hand discomfort. If you draw frequently, this is something worth considering to avoid damaging your hand joints in the long term. In addition, they’re built with durability in mind, allowing them to be thrown in your bag or pencil case without worry. 

Darker ink drawing pens make up the core of my kit, so I’ve tried a variety of options and usually have at least a few of these in my bag. Currently, the Pilot Kakuno Pocket Fountain Pen (around $10-19 depending where you purchase from) is my favorite. I love the line quality this pen can produce– the barrel is a bit larger than most pens and the body and cap give it a good balance in the hand. This pen also takes cartridge refills, allowing you to easily switch colors between refills without the mess. There are a wide range of colors available for this pen, and the thinner water-based ink formula is easy to work with. The ink dries down matte, so it scans accurately without digital manipulation. It also comes in a few different nib sizes with different cosmetic options/color ways for the pen body. Though fountain pens typically have a slight learning curve in learning how to draw with them, I found this one especially easy to work with since the nib has an etched design that shows when you’re holding it properly. 

The Pilot EnerGel Alloy Body Ballpoint Pen (around $8-10) is another of my favorites. The metal body of the pen is a slightly larger barrel size with a nice weight balance which allows smooth lines without hand discomfort. They’re also refilled with cartridges, which come in a few different colors and point sizes; I enjoy the 1.0 mm the most for this pen. The water-based gel ink formula for this pen is one of the best I’ve tried, as it’s very smooth, dries fast which minimizes smudging, and scans well. The V5/V7 Ballpoint Pen from Pilot (available in multi-packs for around $1-2 per pen) has a similar ink formula in varied nib sizes. They aren’t refillable, but they last a long time. I think they’re worthwhile, especially as a beginner friendly, widely available option.

Muji Pens (available online for about $2 per pen) are another great ballpoint gel option. They come in an impressive range of colors, thicknesses, and cap types. They can also be refilled with cartridges. I think the finer 0.38 and 0.5 nib sizes are my favorites from this line. 

If you prefer a brush-tip style pen to ballpoint or fountain pens, I really enjoy the Tombow Fudenosuke or Pentel Pocket Brush. The Fudenosuke (around $3-4) is a felt-tip brush pen. The nib is a perfect firmness to get a variety of line weights with ease. I find that this makes it well-suited to thumbnails and other fast sketching. They come in a smaller range of well-formulated, pigmented colors, which consistently scan well. They aren’t refillable, but last a long time, which I think makes them worth it. 

The Pentel Pocket Brush (around $7 with two refills included) is a bristle brush pen. The fibers are very smooth and can achieve a wide variety of textures and line weights. It has a bit more of a learning curve than some of my other recommendations, but that’s mostly if you haven’t inked with a brush previously– it’s relatively easy to get comfortable with. It’s also refillable with cartridges and has a few different color options. This pen is one of my favorites for figure drawing. 

Though it’s not a pen, I also think the Rotring Mechanical Drafting Pencil (around $20-30) deserves a mention for folks who prefer sketching in pencil. The metal body and textured grip create a good weight balance that makes it write exceptionally smooth. It also takes standard graphite and other colorful options which give an equivalent level of customization to the previously described pens. 

Markers and colorful supplies are another important element of your kit. At the top of the list for me is a couple of different highlighters and felt tip pens. I love Zebra Mildliners, especially the double-ended ones with the super fine/brush tip combo (usually less than $1/pen when purchased in packs of 5 or more). They’re easy to draw with and can be a great choice for adding value or colors. The color range (mostly pastel and creamy colors) is also impressive. Stabilo makes a similar style of pen called the pointMax (M 0.8) (usually about $2 a pen, but also comes in packs) that comes in some darker, more vibrant colors. I prefer the thicker size since they tend to last longer, but they make some thinner liner versions of this pen (called point88) with the same ink formula that are also good. If you like a thicker marker, Chunky highlighters are the way to go. Stabilo Boss (about $1.50 in a multi-pack) and Staedtler Textsurfer (about $1.70) are great options that come in a variety of colors, with Stabilo coming in creamy pastels and Staedtler coming in more bright and neon colors.  

Within this category, novelty supplies can also be a good colorful addition. Mixed color pencils can be really fun for line drawing. Koh-i-Noor makes some of my favorites (about $4 but they last a long time) with earth tones, primaries, and neons. Gelly Roll pens (about $1.50 /pen) also are a nice novelty pen while still being high quality. They have a good color range with metallic, neon, glitter, and other finishes. 

On top of drawing supplies, some washi tape, stickers, double-stick tape, and cool paper also make fun additions. It’s harder to make specific recommendations for specific washi tape and stickers, however, supporting your local stationery/craft/paper good stores and favorite artists and designers who make and sell it is always a good move! I have some from Natalie Andrewson, Alex Tomlinson of Pigeon Post, and Starmint Art that I use all the time. The best ones complement the imagery and colors you use. Be curious, collect, and repurpose things that make you excited!

Hopefully these recommendations help you find something new and exciting. Let me know if there are other topics you’d be interested in! Thanks for reading :^)

[themetalvirus]

Do you have any recommendations for fountain pens? I was looking at some but i dont know if the ones i was looking at are any good lol

OH YOU ASK BISCUIT ABOUT HYPERFIXATION? YOU ASK THEM AND ARE GENUINELY INTERESTED? HUG FOR LIBELELLE. HUG FOR TEN THOUSAND YEARS. you will regret this i am so sorry in advance

anyway, the most recommended beginner pens are the lamy safari and pilot metropolitan. i personally don't like the metro (the grip section is slippery and makes my fingers inky, and the ink capacity is tiny teeny baby size), and i have never owned a lamy safari, but some people hate the triangle grip. their nibs can also vary greatly in quality, so buying one is a gamble, but a lot of people seem to like their safaris (and metros, some people swear by the metropolitan)

if you just want something cheap, you can try the platinum preppy - they're reliable for the price. the catch: the pen body will crack after about a year. they are not built to last, but if you wanna just test out if you like the (BEGINNER) fountain pen writing experience, then they're a fine choice

personally, i'm a big fan of the twsbi eco, but they are also prone to cracking over time and they get into a lot of shitty corporate slapfights with other pen companies who make piston fillers (my favorite kind of filling mechanism, so much ink capacity [but harder to clean!]). their nibs are reliable and juicy. you can also try the twsbi swipe for a very similar experience with a... cheaper price and look to match. the swipe comes with the same awesome nibs though

there's also the kaweco sport, which a lot of people swear by, but i've never owned because i personally find it ugly and unappealing (SORRY). it's a pocket pen, which means it's tiny when closed but full length when posted (when you put the cap on the end), making it a versatile everyday pen for people who have, like, jobs and stuff. i haven't heard many complaints about the quality control with the sports' nibs. i personally don't think it's the best pen for someone JUST starting out because of its status as a pocket pen, but again, lots of people swear by it. the ink capacity is piss tiny

there's also, of course, the pilot kakuno! cheaper than the pilot metro with what sounds like a reliable nib. i've never owned one, but they seem good for students and the like. it has a fun little smiley face on the nib =) because it's a pilot, the ink capacity is PISS TINY. but it's a good pen.

a word of warning. do NOT buy the ooly splendid. i repeat, DO NOT BUY THE OOLY SPLENDID. cleaning it is a NIGHTMARE because it has a little wick in the nib. like a marker. imagine trying to get all the ink out of the tip of a marker. it is a nightmare. do not buy the ooly splendid it sucks it doesn't even have a good seal so all the ink gets all boogery on the nib. bad

SOME NOTES: lamy and pilot use proprietary cartridges/converters, which basically means you can only use their way of refilling your pen. converters let you use whatever ink you want, which i greatly prefer. kaweco uses international standard short cartridges and converters, which gives you more options for cartridges if you choose to go that route. twsbi uses the piston fill mechanism, which has the most ink capacity by far, but it's harder to switch colors because of the way you have to dismantle the pen to clean it

ok. one thing to note is that these pens will either come with one (1) cartridge or no ink at all. so. what ink do you use?

WELL! one thing that is important to stress is to not use india ink. it will clog and destroy a fountain pen. make sure you only use inks that are clearly labeled for fountain pen use - any other ink may damage your pen.

in any case, i really like waterman intense black for a nice black ink that's easy to use and clean out of pens.

don't use any piddly shit they sell at michael's, it sucks (know from experience)

for any other colors, some brands i can fully endorse are diamine (cheap AND very very reliable!!) and pilot iroshizuku (more expensive, but the ink writes wet [more ink flow] and is vibrant).

brands i would warn against for ink are... NOODLER'S. the owner of noodler's ink is a rabid trump supporter and conspiracy theorist, and with ink names like "1984" and "censor red", i'm surprised more people don't know/care. another is ferris wheel press just because their shit is overpriced and underperforming compared to most other brands. if any ink is more that $40 it's basically a scam

also, shimmer inks are NOT for newbies; they are prone to clogging pens and ruining them. no glitter for new people you will regret it

UHHH OKAY THATS ALL MY BEGINNER ADVICE. SORRY ITS SO MUCH. GOOD LUCK OUT THERE SOLDIER

[meyer-sensei]

Fountain Pens and Inks

gouletpens.com

Fountain Pen 101

LAMY Füllhalter

How it's made: Lamy Fountain Pens

Jacques HERBIN

mountain of ink.com

fountainfeder.de

stilo & stile.com

KAWECO Füllhalter

DIAMINE fountain pen inks

ROHRER & KLINGNER Schreibtinten

Akkerman ink

P. W. Akkerman Den Haag

appelboom.com

de-atramentis.com

Manufakturen: Der Herr der Tinte

TWSBI fountain pens

FERRIS WHEEL PRESS

RHODIA Kollektionen

CLAIREFONTAINE Kollektionen

TOMOE RIVER PAPER

Leuchtturm1917 Notizbücher

PILOT iroshizuku ink bottles

PILOT iroshizuku ink cartridges

Graf von FABER-CASTELL Tinten

PELIKAN Edelstein Tinten

SAILOR shikiori inks

SAILOR studio inks

SAILOR hocoro dip pen

PILOT iro-utsushi dip pen

KAKIMORI dip pen

PLATINUM Preppy

PLATINUM Plasir

PILOT Kakuno

PILOT Metropolitan (Europe) aka

PILOT Cocoon (Japan)

[cheekedupwhiteboy]

i trust ur fountain pen opinions. i wanted to ask what ur favorite and least favorite pens were. i have a pilot kakuno that i clean + use the right cartridges for but its so leaky unfortunately. been considering saving up for a lamy 2000 by the end of this year. i'd love to hear ur thoughts and opinions

I don't really have a least favorite, although my Kaweco Parkeo has been pissing me off because it keeps leaking ink onto the grip section and making my desk look like a crime scene whenever I open it

My personal fave is probably tied between my TWSBI Eco-T (cheap, big ink capacity, writes well, great workhorse pen, TRIANGULAR GRIP SECTION!!!!) and my Pilot Custom Heritage 92 (also a piston fill. decidedly not cheap but the gold nib is really lovely to write with)

a Lamy 2000 has also been on my wishlist for a while..... although I've heard their higher end pens have quality control issues. I do really want to write checks or whatever with a Lamy 2000 with a big fat BB nib though PS: TWSBI also makes the Go, which is an ultra cheap spring-loaded piston fill pen if you want to try switching from cartridges/converters to bottled ink. afaik all of their pens use the same steel nibs and they are (ime) consistently excellent for the price #twsbishill

[teddybearsticker]

Sarah, what orange pen did you use on your hobonichi goals spread?

I’m almost always writing with my Pilot Kakuno in an EF nib :-) I think the ink I was using is the pilot cartridge ink in orange

[t3ddyyyy]

I had this fountain pen when I was like 9 that i got when I was in Germany. It was this really beautiful light green color but a cartridge spilled on it and it turned purple. I had to throw it away bcs my mom didn’t like the mess. That was the last I had of them.

These past few months I have been deciding to exclusively write in cursive and I decided that I should use a fountain pen as it would also be less waste and I could just buy a converter and just refill the ink every time it gets empty. I ordered the things on Amazon and I’m so excited to get them in a few days.

I got a pilot kakuno and a con 70 for the pens. I also got noodlers heart of darkness which comes with a free pen they call the Charlie pen and noodlers nightshade which is this really pretty purple brown

[grimark]

i bought a cheapo fountain pen about a week ago (pilot kakuno, if anyone’s curious) and i swore to myself that this was not going to be a gateway drug to becoming a person who is Really Into Fountain Pens but i think at the very least i am going to have to get a bottle of ink and a converter, or else figure out how to refill old single use ink cartridges with a syringe the way some people apparently do, because otherwise i am probably gonna be going through one of those bad boys a week, and that is honestly more cartridges than i really want to be buying.

[naralanis]

You're going to be the drain of all my birthday money with all this talk about fountain pens RIP

Anyway, I'm hooked, do you have any recommendations for pens that feel really nice but are under $100?? Do they exist?

To make matters worse: I'm a lefty, so I don't know if I even could write with one. But I'm also an artist, so I could try drawing.

Thanks for all your advice!!

I regret nothing, let your wallet suffer as mine has!

please god no don't be like me

Not only do the pens you ask about exist, I have several recommendations for fountain pens under $100, fret not! There's a fountain pen for every budget, but I especially have some great recs if you want something that feels luxurious without paying top dollar.

My top recommendation in your case would be the Lamy Safari or the AL-Star (and you can go for one of the special limited editions that are on sale pretty much everywhere right now; you can find the regular editions under $20 at Amazon and some other online retailers; the AL-Star is a little more expensive).

Here's my reasoning:

1. They're not expensive.

2. Interchangeable nibs. Find that the fine is too thick? Why buy a whole ass other pen? Buy an extra-fine nib! And yes, technically many fountain pens have interchangeable nibs, but the Lamy's are by far the simplest I've encountered.

3. Lamy makes a left-handed nib (designated by LH). Now, this might make a big difference or not, but I have some lefty friends who swear by them, and they're not hard to find, nor are they more expensive than the regular nibs.

4. They're light. This can be a good thing or a bad one depending solely on your own preference, but since you seem to be interested in trying to draw with it, lighter is usually better (according to my fountain-pen peeps who actually draw with them!)

OK, so, it's no secret I love the Lamy Safari/AL-Stars -- they're my daily drivers, and have been for several years. However, not everyone is a fan, and that's OK! Here are some things people don't like so much about it:

1. The triangular grip -- while the grip is there to make sure you keep the pen at the correct position when you write, some people don't like it, because they grip the pen a little differently. This may be especially true for lefties -- if you've adapted your grip to write overhand, for example, the angle may be a little bit uncomfortable.

2. It doesn't come with a converter. Yeah, this one bothers me as well. There are plenty of cheap pens around that give us a converter to use bottled ink. The Safari doesn't -- if you want a converter to come with your pen, you have to shell out for the AL-Star. Lamy, why??

3. The line may be thicker than you expect. This is especially true for people who want very, very fine lines (usually for sketching, or if they have handwriting like my wife's, whose writing resembles morse code to the naked eye). This is true for most European-style nibs. If you want like, hairline-fine nibs, you gotta go for the Japanese extra fines!

If you'd like to delve much, much deeper into the countless other recommendations I have, see below the cut! You've been warned!

Here are some other recommendations, from least expensive to most expensive! I'm attaching links to certain fountain pen retailers, but feel free to look for these models elsewhere.

1. Jinhao X450/x750 ($6-$10)

Pros: Cheap, hefty, comes with a converter, several colour options

Cons: May be too heavy, nib comes in medium (and it can be juicy!). Luckily, you can buy separate #6 nibs that you can swap out.

2. Jinhao 8802 ($12-$20)

Pros: Cheap, pretty, good heft, comes with a converter, and comes in a fine nib!

Cons: ... struggling to think of any, tbh! I love this little pen!

3. Hong Dian Forest Series ($15-$20)

Pros: IT PRETTY and also one of the most reliable pens I own. Comes with a converter, fine nib options, it's all-metal.

Cons: May be a little too slim if you have big hands!

4. Diplomat Magnum ($18-$25)

Pros: Ink-window so you can see your ink level, converter included, soft-touch nib (it can take a bit more pressure from people not used to fountain pens), several colour options

Cons: It's light. Very, very light, and some people really don't like that. It also has a triangle grip, so avoid if you're not into that.

5. Platinum Plaisir ($17-$43)

Pros: Japanese fine nib, so it goes very fine. Also, the Platinum seal on the cap is fucking phenomenal -- this shit NEVER dries out.

Cons: These nibs are pretty stiff and have a little feedback (a Platinum quirk). Also, the crazy difference in price reflects the addition of special editions.

See also: Platinum Preppy, Prefounte (cheaper!) and Procyon (expensive!)

6. Pilot Metropolitan ($15-$30)

Pros: classy look, good weight, smoothest fine nibs you'll find pretty much everywhere

Cons: a converter is included, but it is the shittiest one imaginable!

See also: Pilot Kakuno, Explorer (close or cheaper), Prera (expensive)

7. TWSBI Diamond 580 AL R ($50-$70)

Pros: It's a piston filler -- that means instead of that measly little cartridge or converter, you get a massive chunk of the pen body to house the ink! And it's a demonstrator, so you can see it sloshing around. It also has Fine and Extra-Fine nib options.

Cons: the TWSBI fine nibs are closer to the Lamy fines than the Pilot/Platinum ones -- they're overall juicier, which may be a hindrance for lefties.

See also: TWSBI ECO (cheaper, unless we're talking special editions), TWSBI Vac700r (expensive!)

8. Lamy Studio ($70-$80)

Pros: It's beautiful, comes with a converter, and has a nice weight to it without being too hefty. Plus, it takes the standard Lamy nibs -- from the Safari, AL-Star, LX, Aion, Scala, Logo, CP1... etc etc etc!

Cons: The usual with Lamy nibs (thicker line than you may expect). Plus, some people may find the grip a bit slippery (it's stainless steel).

9. Kaweco AL-Sport ($80-$90)

Pros: This little pen can take a beating. Toss it in your backpack, your laundry (pls don't), run it over with your car (pls pls don't). It's very compact, as it's a pocket pen -- fits in your palm!

Cons: It... tiny. Very tiny, with teeny ink capacity to match. No converter. Short cartridges only. Clip sold separately...

See also: Kaweco Sport Classic (cheaper, along with Frosted Sport and Skyline Sport!), Kaweco Sport Brass (same price or higher) Kaweco Perkeo (cheapest!)

WHEW, there you go. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg--there are many, many more pens around in this price range and below (and obviously, above). Have fun in the rabbit hole!

[irrigos]

here’s the fountain pens my fallen london ocs would use, again, for an audience of me

Morgan:

Platinum Preppy

had a nice fountain pen (probably Eliot bought it for them) and they knocked it off their desk and bent the nib almost immediately. now they use their 5 dollar-est fountain pen. they have 80000 of them, most of them modded to be eyedroppers instead of using cartridges. the pens leak not infrequently and Morgan has just accepted their lot in life (ie inky fingers). they will lend you one if you ask and forget to ask for it back, but it's not worth it. that pen will leak on you and also its DEFINITELY been in their mouth.

Eliot:

Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo in Champagne

a pen that strikes a decent balance between cost (it’s $200 so its still a flex) and actual utility and value (it’s a retractable gold nib, so it’s a luxurious writer and more portable). It’s the smaller line of Vanishing Points, which fits Eliot’s delicate little hands, and it’s in this lovely rose gold, and you know he’d be wild for rose gold

Hepsibah (technically this is @starlit-mansion​‘s oc but call a cop)

TWSBI Eco Jade

the TWSBI Eco is a very affordable pen (one of my personal faves honestly). Easy to fill, easy to clean, doesn’t require much fussing with. She would borrow one of her daughter’s nice gel pens for use at work and then use this for her poetry.

Izzy (again @starlit-mansion​‘s)

Pilot Kakuno

the nib has a little smiley face on it :) Izzy is probably a big gel pens person (and like. washi tape and Japanese stationary in general) but if she had a fountain pen, she would like something very cute and happy

Percy:

Sailor Shikiori Amaoto - Tou

I don’t play any male characters that don’t like pink. His dad got it for him to try to encourage him to write more letters and Percy only uses it to write down all his horticulture notes. Percy, please respond to your father’s letters.

Jacob:

borrows Morgan’s pens. that’s communism babey

[buddygrouse]

hi hello! i just wanna say that i love LOVE your fountain pen drawings so much you actually made me want to try getting my first fp just to try drawing with it,, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of pen/ink you use? i've been having such a hard time looking for broad nib ones and the way your colored inks have this gradient-y effect to them is so... chefs kiss... (if u dont wanna answer its alright!!! i just wanted u to know that i love ur art and i hope youre having a nice day!!)

sorry for the late response, i just started a new job and things have been hectic!

thank you so much, im honestly super happy that i inspired you to try fountain pens! i only got into them at the start of this year but they've been extremely fun to use for both drawing and writing.

i've limited myself a bit by preferring broad nibs as they are less popular than M or F, but there are still plenty of options! one important thing to keep in mind is that a broad nib from a european brand will usually be broader than one from a japanese brand

i started drawing with 2 M and F pilot kakunos. unfortunately they don't offer a broad size, but they are SUPER affordable and good quality so I definitely recommend them to beginners who want to see if FPs are for them.

for those beginning with a broad nib, I personally recommend kaweco sports to the end of the earth. their prices vary depending on material, but the plastic ones are very affordable. they're also VERY lightweight which is nice, especially if you are drawing for long periods of time.

other pens i have used would be Lamy Studio and Vista, Pilot Prera, and Pilot Elabo. I loved how smooth both of my lamy's are and lamy inks are incredible, my only complaint is that they are heavy and not as comfortable to hold. i would probably not recommend the lamy studio based on it's price point because it honestly feels less comfortable for drawing than the vista. the prera is perfect but does not come with a broad nib option.

i'll admit i have mostly only used cartridges up until this point and have only recently started experimenting with converters. make sure to buy the correct type of carts for your pen. i really love lamy's inks, and also use some cartridges from j.herbin as well. the works ive posted on tumblr were i believe both lamy ink in lamy pens. colored inks will usually have better options for shading (the gradient effect), but it's good to do research if that's specifically what you're looking for!

wow this got a lot longer than i imagined, but i hope it's helpful to you! i hope you have a ton of fun trying out inks and pens

[sabertoothwalrus]

I wanna talk about fountain pens cause I’ve become a recent fan and I just now realized that a lot of my wrist pain is gone since I’ve been using them this semester

Here are the three I have at home (one is not pictured because I keep it in my apron at work):

First is the Pentel Tradio. It’s technically a felt-tip pen, but the shape of it allows for subtle line dynamics and smooth writing. It’s great to use for note taking or quick drawing studies and you can easily buy replacement nibs (which are also refill cartridges).

Next is the Pilot Kakuno with a Medium nib:

Look it’s got a lil smiley face!!!

I like this one because it has a range of body colors, nib sizes, and a refillable converter available that you can put any fountain pen* ink in. It’s good for fast note-taking, and good for drawing if you’re not going too fast and you like a thin, consistent line with little line dynamics.

And one of my favorites, the TWSBI ECO 1.1mm Stub nib:

This one is cool because it has a filling mechanism built into the pen, and it can hold a huge amount of ink. I got the broadest nib because for drawing I prefer broader, wetter pens that won’t skip when I go super fast and will have a good variety of line dynamics. It can keep up with fast note taking, but it’s a bit too thick to be practical. This one cost about $30, so almost twice as much a the Kakuno, but I think it was well work it.

Anyway I highly recommend getting a fountain pen because there’s a huge variety for students, writers, lefties, artists, etc!!! I’m a little bit addicted to them now but they’ve really helped my wrist pain so!!!!

*It’s really important you only put fountain pen ink in a fountain pen because india ink etc will clog it.

[deeplannergirl]

My First Fountain Pen

I have been drooling over the beauty that fountain pens are.  Often thinking they were only for people that are super fancy or that are hand lettering experts.  I was so wrong, I know.

So then I stumbled into Lamy fountain pens, and saw all the other options in a variety of styles and prices.  But I didn’t want to “invest” in one just yet.  What if I didn’t like it?  What if it ended up on my desk, collecting dust and abandoned?  

I did some very quick research one night and found Pilot’s kaküno fountain pen.  It looked very cute, extremely affordable, and the reviews were good enough to make me want to try it.  In my Amazon cart it went!

Couple days later I got my package (thank you Amazon Prime) and was over the moon excited to try my very first fountain pen.  But I wanted to share the experience with you, so of course I have a video available.

But first let’s get some basic information out of the way:

How much is it? I paid $9.82 Where to buy?  I only found this on Amazon, but depending where you live you may find it in local stores. Link to Amazon? My pleasure! Here you go: http://amzn.to/2qEZut9

The cartridge that I bought (suggested by Amazon) was used up fairly quick, in my opinion.  I started using it on March 29th and had to replace it on April 13th.  It wasn’t the only pen I used but did use it daily. 

Here is the link to the refills that I bough with it: http://amzn.to/2p5BmhO

So what are my thoughts so far?

Bottom line, I love this fountain pen!  And this only tells me that, hopefully, I will also love the next one I purchase (possible a Lamy one, got any recommendations?).

My number one favorite thing about this pen: how light it is.  I’ve been having issues with my wrist and while this pen can’t fix that, it definitely helps by not forcing me to put too much pressure on it while writing.

My number two favorite thing is the nib.  I didn’t even pay attention to it when ordering the pen, but luckily I bought the fine nib one.  And I love it!  I love all fine things in the writing world!  But as far as I’ve seen, there is also a medium nib, if fine isn’t your thing. (I haven't purchased this one, but here is a link to one I found: http://amzn.to/2qF3FoF).

And that is all I have to say about this very cute and awesome kaküno fountain pen.  I love it and I highly recommend it for someone, like me, that is brand new to the world of fountain pens.

Hope you’ve found this useful for your developing pen addiction and let me know if you decide to try it!

Happy writing!

-DeePlannerGirl