August 23, 2026

Fountain Pen First Timers

To Fountain Pen or Not to Fountain Pen?

That is the question! Here at Hunter Paper Co, helping people pick their first fountain pen is truly our bread and butter. Here are our top picks for those who have been thinking about diving into the world of fountain pens, but just don't know where to start.

What is a fountain pen?

A fountain pen is a refillable writing tool designed to hold liquid ink in an internal reservoir. It uses a metal nib to apply the ink to the paper, using capillary action for the ink to travel from the reservoir, into the nib, and onto the page.

Fountain pens are made of several key components: the nib (the metal tip that puts the ink onto the page), the feed (which the nib sits on top of), the section (where the nib and feed are housed), and the ink reservoir (inside the barrel of the pen). The lid, clip, and finial are superficial parts of the pen.

Why should I use a fountain pen?

Fountain pens are popular because they can help reduce hand strain while writing; the idea is that the pen should press to the page under its own weight, and the user should be able to write with the pen with barely any pressure on the page. It's also a far more sustainable option than using typical pens like ballpoints and rollerballs because the pen can be refilled with bottled ink or ink cartridges.

How do I choose what nib size is right for me?

The nib is arguably one of the most important elements to the pen because it has a huge impact on your writing experience. Different brands, and different countries, make their nibs their own way.

Here's some things to keep in mind when picking the right nib (and brand!):

Regional Differences: European nibs, like Kaweco and Lamy, tend to run a bit thicker than the Japanese brands, Platinum, Pilot, and Sailor - so a fine nib on a Kaweco sport would actually be broader than the fine nib on a Pilot.
Writing Speed & Style: The broader the nib, the smoother the writing (but also the more ink is used and the longer it takes to dry). If you have quick small handwriting, you might need to sacrifice some of the smoothness in the writing experience to accomodate it by choosing nibs which are extra-fine or fine. If you prefer a smoother writing experience, I would recommend typically a medium nib or above, because the more ink put down on the page, the easier it is for the nib to glide.
Brand Experience: Different brands have different goals: Pilot, for example, design their to be smoother writers - whereas Sailor nibs are designed so the user can feel (and hear) the pen moving across the page. (Some might call this scratchy - but we like to say that the nib has some feedback).
Left-Handed Options: Top tip: LAMY actually have a left-handed nib! It's designed with slightly more surface area to account for the different angles that left-handed users might need to use while writing.

What are the different filling systems for my fountain pen?

1. Ink Cartridges

Firstly, the most accessible filling system for your pen will be the ink cartridge. Ink cartridges come ready to use by firmly pressing the cartridge into the bottom of the feed. They come pre-filled with ink and come in plenty of different colour options (brands like Sailor and Pilot have a huge variety to choose from!)

2. Converters

A converter is a bit more fiddly than an ink cartridge, but also far more sustainable. Rather than using a disposable cartridge, the converter allows you to use bottled ink with your pen. Use simply by attaching into the feed of the fountain pen, dipping the nib into your ink, and twisting or pulling the plunger back out (sort of like a syringe) to pull the ink into the converter. Using a converter gives you plenty more options of ink colour to use, and is one of the unique reasons why people choose to use a fountain pen over other types; you can really customise it to your own liking!

3. Piston Filling Fountain Pens

One step further than a converter would be to use a piston-filling fountain pen (much like the TWSBIs). Unlike other pens, a piston-filler cannot use ink cartridges, and is only usable with bottled fountain pen ink. The idea is that the body of the pen becomes the ink reservoir, and can typically hold far more ink than an ink converter or cartridge. This can be a bit more tricky to use; but for people who end up falling in love with fountain pen ink, a piston-filler might be something to work towards when you're feeling more acquainted with your fountain pens.

Our Top Picks for You!

1. Kaweco Sport

The Kaweco Sport is one of our favourite pens here at Hunter Paper Co. The Sport is a plastic bodied, compact pocket pen that posts (when you pop the lid on the end) to the perfect size in your hand. I personally have two of these, and I love how they write; they're light in the hand and well-balanced. For people who are trying one for the first time, or prefer a smoother writing experience, I would recommend trying a medium nib to get you started. These pens can easily interchange their nibs, so if you love the pen you've picked, you can swap the nib to suit your needs.

Nibs Available: Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, and Double Broad
Filling System: Standard International and Kaweco ink cartridges, or the Kaweco mini-converter for bottled ink

2. The LAMY Safari

Next up, we have the LAMY Safari - one of the world's top-selling fountain pens, and that's no difference here at Hunter Paper Co. The LAMY has a longer body than the Kaweco Sport, and an ergonomic grip to help you hold the pen correctly. Available in both plastic and aluminium bodies, these pens are great options for those looking a bit more length in their pens than the Kaweco. They feel solid in the hand to hold; however, if you find that posting the lid on the end while you write makes the pen feel unbalanced, you can always remove it and write without the lid attached.

Nibs Available: Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, Left-Handed, and Stub/Calligraphy (1.1mm, 1.5mm, 1.9mm).
Filling System: LAMY ink cartridges or the Z28 converter for bottled ink.

3. Pilot Kaküno

And to close-off our round-ups, we have the Pilot Kaküno. Often known as one of the top selling entry-level fountain pens, these are incredibly afforable for the quality you're receiving. The body of the pen when posted is a happy medium between the LAMY and Kaweco, and the body itself is really lightweight and well-balanced - you could easily use this pen with the lid posted. I personally have one with a fine nib, and really enjoy the way it writes; I definitely have some feedback as the nib moves across the page, but I think that otherwise it's very smooth. One of the nice features about these pens is the nib has a little smiley face on it - the idea being if you can see the face upright, you're holding the pen correctly!