Fountain pen must haves for 2024

[@FountainPenNews]

Next time you get blood drawn, ask them if you can keep your tourniquet. They just throw them away. Free rubber grips!

[@lynettedyck7327]

Cheap supplies could also include an Ink Miser inkwell. Use one when ink levels are too low to fill from a bottle, or with ink samples, or for soaking a nib. When I first wanted to get one they were sold out at my retailer of choice, so I had to wait. ✒

[@sharonwright8363]

Great recommendation! I would also add that the clear ones are much easier to work with than the black, which was what I got the first time, as it was all that was available at the time. It's too hard to see what you are doing with the black ones, IMO.

[@ChristopherMay]

The value of Preppys as a gift option for a pen nerd is almost infinite. Even for most die-hard, dedicated pen nerds with pens valued over $1000, a Preppy is a great option for those troublesome sheeny/shimmery inks. I seriously rejoice every time I get a new Preppy because it means I can eyedropper convert it and try out some other crazy ink that I don't want in my "good" pens. Couple in the fact that the 0.5 nib is far better than it has any right to be and that Preppys seal better than pens that cost two orders of magnitude more than them and they're just a delight. Absolutely love my Preppy collection.

[@impish22]

great ideas, especially the blunt tip syringe, which I could not live without when it comes to fountain pens

[@foreigndaruma9825]

I'd like to give a shoutout to the Yu-sari notebooks: they show off ink, but dry quickly and lay flat without issue. Reasonably priced and, if you or the receiver really like them, you can easily get a Galen Leather cover for either the A5 or B5 version. I would have one of those in my possession right now if I hadn't spent my budget already... Also, I second the Preppy, brilliant addition to a notebook. I had no hesitation about creating my own matte section with some of the rougher micro-mesh on it, so ideal for experimentation. Ordered a Prefounte for our family's under-10-euro-gift-game. Also thinking that an old Drew C. Brown favourite would be very suitable: the TWSBI Swipe.

[@Slaughter0tter]

Oh fun, a gifts video! The Rhodia Rhodiarama soft covers actually do come in a ton of colors which is nice.

[@debdp]

Are you familiar with the Dingbats journals? I have two of their A6 ones. They are very nice and fountain pen-friendly. If I hadn't gone into using my 6-ring binder, I would probably get one or two of their A5s. Very nice. Very reasonable. I also recommend a bulb syringe to flush out the pens.

[@ChristopherMay]

I've filled more Dingbat journals than anything else. Love the designs and the paper works with everything in my collection other than my FPR Ultraflex pens.

[@norm5785]

Thank you for sharing all these inks with us. Seems like a wonderful selection of fountain oens to try also. Everyone stay safe, warm, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

[@StaticCling99]

I penabled my future daughter in law with a lilac Kaweco Sport and a box of Summer Purple cartridges, for simplicity, along with a matching journal.

[@IreneFaivre]

For cheap intro pens, I prefer the Pilot Kakuno to the Platinum Preppy. Both are great little pens, and the Kakuno is a few $$ more, but Kakunos seem more sturdy. I've had two Preppy bodies crack where they screw onto the section. Also, the Jinhao shark is a really fun little pen with a bit of whimsey. I bought several on sale for about $3 each when I was starting out. Unfortunately, I've also had the body crack on those and occasional leakage. Hmmmm.... Maybed I'm just screwing the body on too tight. A really fun fountain pen for artists is the Sailor Fude de Mannen (with fude nib). One question, where do you get your samples? I know Goulet has a lot of samples. Anyone else?

[@juanitasalicrup6653]

Try Atlas Stationers in Chicago. They have EVERYTHING and a really fine staff with great customer service.

[@donnawaite9508]

Atlas doesn’t do ink samples but they are great for everything else.

[@aresaurelian]

Thank you, Kerry. Wonderful Christmas ideas for fountain pen aspirants.

[@tbayless8324]

Kerry, you used to clip your mic to a pen, that would probably help with the static when you move it around. Thanks again for the video.

[@davidbrowning5672]

As for an entry level fountain pen, I tend to recommend either the Jinhao x159 or the Jinhao x450. The x159 comes with a fine nib and the x450 comes with a medium nib (and more color choices). If the person is thinking of spending a bit more money (just about $20USD), and is a minimalist, I tend to recommend the Hongdian Forest line of pens. They come with a fine nib and write great right out of the box. My niece got a black version (inked with Noodler's black) and her mother got a lavender one inked with Diamine's Claret. Niece is big on goth fashion and sister-in-law ADORES that lavender color in Diamine's Claret.

[@InkandScripts_]

Would’ve been cool if there were links to some of these items. Nifty ideas nonetheless. I’ll be getting myself a few.

[@masheldon]

Good recommendations! I still don't have a syringe, but I could really use one. Cases are great for folks who bought a pen or two and need a way to carry them around.

[@peterdragon2822]

i strongly recommend the jinhao 9019. it´s in the same ballpark as the x159, but I find it to be an even smoother writer.

[@riverbeee9643]

Pens, tea, fantasy books...perfect day! I have gifted ink samples of my entire collection to two fountain pen coworkers on a "just because" occasion. Some notebooks and beginner/intermediate pens as well as syringes too. Really it's because I have too many of everything😅

[@hschwartz9277]

Same but pre-loaded cheap fountain pens & various stationery stuff & put in the nearest Little Free Library.

[@edwardstaats4935]

All good choices. I certainly like the Jinhao 9016 or 9019, plus other great choices

[@guretsugu]

Big fan of Rhodia notebooks! Though not true that they only come in orange and black. The Rhodiorama line of notebooks has a bunch of colors to choose from. You might be thinking only of the Webnotebooks.

[@ms_direction]

Not the wheel of time books fan AND a FP aficionado!

[@sanjaymenon5258]

Just curious about the lighted magnifier - where could one buy that specific kind? Thanks!

[@philipdouglas842]

I use the bulb that parents use to clear infant noses. Baby Booger sucker to flush out my pens.