What types of fountain ink pens are there?
There are two main types of fountain pens, disposable ink pens and refillable ink pens.
Disposable fountain pens
Disposable fountain pens provide a rich result while being an inexpensive alternative to refillable ink pens. These ink pens come in single purchase options as well as assorted packs, often with three to a dozen pens per pack. Packs of disposable fountain pens can also contain a variety of colors, including black, blue, green, pink, purple and red.
Refillable fountain pens
Refillable fountain pens can easily be refilled with ink cartridge refills. These fountain pens typically have stainless steel tips that elegantly deliver ink onto the page. They can also be filled with any color ink, allowing for more freedom in your writings and designs. Most refillable fountain pens have a higher starting price than disposable fountain pens but have a longer lifespan. However, fountain pens with a transparent barrel do provide a less expensive option.
Which fountain pen is best for daily use?
You don’t have to spend much to acquire a dependable fountain pen. You’ll just want to consider a few factors in your search. Overall, the fountain pen that's best for daily use is one that is lightweight, balanced, and holds a lot of ink.
Filler type
Consider a pen that holds a lot of ink so you’re not constantly refilling it. A piston or vacuum filler works well for this purpose. You may also consider disposable fountain pens as an option so you don’t have to worry about refills, but you’ll want to buy a pack of them or more so you’re set for a while.
Weight and balance
Something more lightweight with most of the weight of the pen towards the front will provide the most comfort.
The “nib” (writing tip)
The nib (as it’s called by fountain pen aficionados), while important, doesn’t need to be a deciding factor in your search. Any nib can be improved through tuning or smoothing and it can even be switched out in some pens.
Can you write on regular paper with fountain pens?
In short, yes. But the heavier the weight of the paper, the less chance you’ll have of issues such as bleed through and feathering.
Are fountain pens better than ballpoint?
Fountain pens offer a more luxurious writing experience and are great for decorative writing. However, ballpoint pens provide a lower-cost, all-purpose writing option that can still produce a smooth writing experience resulting in crisp lines.