Best Fountain Pens 2023 Ultimate Guide

Welcome to the official Pen-Beast finding the best fountain pens 2023 ultimate guide. I will do my very best in helping you choose the right pen for your writing goals. Whether your goal is to work on your handwriting ability or just to pick up a nice gift for a friend, this guide will solve your burning questions and queries. First is first I am Theo and I love fountain pens! I have personally used fountain pens for years, I love the rich history and culture behind Fountain Pens, I hope in this article I am able to share some of that exciting history with you.

What is a Fountain Pen? Beginner Information Explained

Why use a Fountain Pen? (Explained)

Fountain pens are heavily favored by artists for their ability to create expressive handwriting which is hard to replicate by the average person starting to write with a fountain pen. The beauty of fountain pens is when you have practiced writing with them you can create incredibly beautiful hand writing and add the personal touch to your letters, notes and general writing.

If you were to get a birthday card which was written by a normal ballpoint pen versus a fountain pen which would you want to keep more? My grandmother always sent me birthday or Christmas cards written with calligraphy and I always kept those card, all the cards I got which were written with a ballpoint pen I appreciate but after a while I end up throwing them away (recycling of course).

What Fountain Pen Ink Should you Use?

When I choose a fountain pen I try to think about what I will be using it for most. If I plan to write letters with it then I would aim for a pen which had comfort and long term use built in mind. If I were writing a highly public form of writing I would aim to purchase a pen which to give me the best opportunity to create the most beautiful calligraphy. You first should decide how you intend to use the pen most before deciding which pen you should buy.

Depending on your financial situation you could choose a fountain pen which is a good all rounder. Remember: people want to know the story behind the pen too, when you’re showing friends your new pen do you want to say: “Look at this cool new pen I bought!”, or do you want to say “This new pen I bought is the same type of pen Sir Arthur Conan Doyle used when he wrote Sherlock Holmes”. One of these reflects style, sophistication and history and the other is just a statement of a new “toy”. The pen Sir Arthur Conan Doyle used was the famous fountain pen: Montblanc Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Fountain.

What are the Best Fountain Pens in 2023?

Choose the best Fountain Pen Brands: Ultimate Guide

Choosing the right fountain pen is completely subjective because we all have different needs whether that be financial, luxury or just functional. So to help choose the right brand for buying a fountain pen here are some pros and cons I would consider if I were buying myself a new fountain pen.

Best Fountain Pens for Beginners and First Fountain Pens

If you are a beginner searching for your first fountain pen there are some important details you may want to consider such as: reliability, affordability and ease of use. One common issue when using a fountain pen for the first time is applying too much pressure to the pen when writing so buying a more fine pen nib may be a mistake waiting to happen. Starting off with a medium sized pen nib will give you the time and flexibility to learn how to write using a fountain pen.

If I were buying a fountain pen for the first time I would aim a smooth, simple and reliable design which offers an easy journey to writing. This is a skill at the end of the day, a simple tool in the hands of a master will always produce the finest quality end product, which in this instance is our “hopefully” beautiful handwriting!

What’s the difference between a good and a bad Fountain Pen?

What to look for when Buying a Fountain Pen? (Explained)

I have wrote a list of super important features to keep in mind when buying a fountain pen. Fountain pens can be extremely expensive so finding the one that ticks all the boxes is an absolute must! Here’s some “tick boxes” features I would consider whilst looking for a new fountain pen.

How to Write with a Fountain Pen

To write with a fountain pen, here are some great steps to follow:

1. Prepare your pen by filling it with ink.
2. Hold the pen with a relaxed grip and angle it slightly to the paper.
3. Place the paper on a stable surface at a comfortable angle.
4. Write with very light pressure, maintain a steady hand, and cap the pen when not in use.
5. Practice and experiment with inks and paper.

For some extra tips and guidance for anyone who prefers to learn via video, I found this video which accurately explain exactly how to write with a fountain pen.