The Top 6 Fountain Pens I Recommend to Beginners

[@-yeme-]

Perhaps the best value pen I own at any price point is the Asvine P20. I'd recommend it to anyone regardless of their experience with fountain pens. Piston fill with ink window, extremely smooth nib, nice aesthetics and a feel of quality that would not be out of place in a far more expensive pen. It feels like a premium product for around the cost of a Kaweco Sport. I have nothing against Kawecos and own a couple, but it's a wonder that the Asvine can be sold for the same price.

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

Absolutely agree.

[@j.allen.howard]

I totally agree! I have the Lake Blue and the Gradual Yellow color ways. Both are great writers!

[@tbayless8324]

Me TOO!! I don't know really who makes Asvine pens--I have 3 and I would pick this up and have someone write with it first. Writes every time.

[@BookishMandy]

100 percent agree. I like my vac126 as well in that same price point.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

@@-yeme- thanks for that recommendation!

[@calanm7880]

I’ve nothing against the triangular grip on Safari, because it does encourage kids in particular to hold better than a bunch of fingers crunched up together. But you can actually use it in the older traditional hold- think dip pens facing in direction of the arm. Place the fingers on the raised aspects of the grip (as opposed to the cut away bits) and it works for old school arm writing. I feel this has to be by design because it works so well.. it covers both holds and not just the more common modern style that holds perpendicular to the arm. I just don’t think many folks realise it is more flexible regards position than it appears! Loved the video btw

[@Smazonybekon]

I agree with you on Lamy being addicting! Safari was actually my first serious fountain pen, which I fell in love so much that I had to buy 3 more of these. One year ago, I decided to buy Al-star, and I can humbly tell that it's worth the price. I love the weight that it puts in my hand. It's not too heavy, not too light, and I find that really comforting. As for access to nibs replacement, it's something that saved my life! I am seldom clumsy when I hold my fountain pens, but there had been one time, when someone bumped into me while I was writing, and it slipped from my grip, hitting straight on the floor bending the nib. I was so devastated, because I fought it had broken for good. Thankfully, I just had to buy a new nib, instead of a whole pen. I would recommend Lamy fountain pens to beginners as well as fellow advanced pen lovers. Although, I would keep in mind what you had said in your previous film. The scratchiness of the extra fine nibs is something that I unfortunately experienced. Overall, I think that your films are very educational, and I'll for sure stick for a while :)

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I'm very grateful for your support. And I'm glad to meet a fellow Safari fan!

[@karenhilton4684]

I own eight pilot Kikuno extra fine point fountain pens I fill with different colored ink cartridges for my artwork. I absolutely love them!

[@marvinmediocre]

An extra fine nib from a Jinhao 80 can be used on a Lamy Safari. It's a really good nib.

[@berolinastrassmann]

Ooohhh that is a good hack. Thanks!

[@NeilBaileyF1]

Great video. The Jinhao x159 is an excellent pen…although I know the pen snobs don’t like them. I have 2 and they are excellent writers. Agree on the scrivener classic. Like you I have the British racing green version, and it looks great with shin-ryoku ink. And the preppy….cheap as chips as we say here in England, but functional and the nib is excellent.

[@fbales]

I like your list. I have all those pens, except the Scrivener. I just got the Sailor Tuzu yesterday, but haven’t tried it. I always recommend a Pilot Metropolitan (my 1st fountain pen too) or a Lamy Safari for a first pen, but usually the Safari for a couple of reasons. You mentioned changing the nibs, but I like that feature because it’s easy. Probably the easiest nib to change of any fountain pen. The 2nd feature has to do with cartridges. Some women friends have had trouble inserting a cartridge. With a Lamy, you just put it in and screw on the body and it will seat. Not necessarily for beginners, but I like stubs, and I’ve tried many, but my favorites are the Pilot 1.0 stub (also called cursive medium in a Pilot Prerra, and the Lamy 1.1 stub. I love writing letters with either of them. Sorry for being so windy. I’ve never had any problems with any Pilot or Lamy pens, but I don’t use EF nibs. I think there are some inexpensive Chinese pens now, they are much better in recent years, but I always recommend better pens for a first pen to limit the chance of them being disappointed.

[@johnclark1371]

An entry pen that I would add to the list is the Schneider Ray. I got it on Amazon for $22, and have been very impressed. I bought the medium(Schmidt) nib. It’s wet and smooth. It is truly excellent entry pen. I agree with the rest of your list. Love the channel.

[@tootsfour956]

I was given a Scriveiner by my husband, and its a wonderful writer. Thank you for this video! Blessings

[@psychophipps]

Wing Sung 601. High-quality Parker 51 clone with a pump-filler system and ink windows. Slip cap, high capacity, mine has a smooth extra fine nib (says Fine in the ads in Amazon, but just being real) that is great even on cheap paper, and the fantastic "This is a great pen!" hand-feel the Parker 51 is famous for. $20

[@davebrown5440]

I have no problem with the Lamy finger grip. Come from the school days when if you don’t do as you were told you received the Cain over your knuckles, my older sister was a left handed and received the Cain over left hand. Thank you for your KZbin channel I’m enjoying & gaining information.

[@aprils.]

Pilot makes incredible fountain pens at all price points.

[@chrismoellering695]

I agree on the Metropolitan. It's a great pen at that price point.

[@izzyg8316]

I'm a sucker for my Kakunos. I love how quirky-looking and light they feel in my hand. 🥰

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Kakunos are awesome!

[@freddyhudson]

Really helpful video - just before christmas!

[@Plams5]

Keep going with the relavant content! Love your vids!

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

@@Plams5 thank you!

[@jacquelinescrimgeour8831]

Really enjoyed your video and learned some good information as I am returning to fountain pens after many years so am out of touch with the latest available. I will be looking for more of your video to watch. Thank you very much!

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for watching!

[@storge306]

You're so cool 😎 Thank you for this video. It is _exactly_ what the FP community needs

[@storge306]

eta: I recommend the Muji Aluminum Fountain Pen. I love it so much that I bought it twice. However, as it has a schmidt nib, it will be somewhat similar to the Scriveiner pen. *booyah!*

[@eleanorjlh]

One caveat for the Diplomat Magnum -- it's not as available in some overseas markets. Here in Aus, I had to order mine from US Amazon as there are no stockists here.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

@@eleanorjlh yeah, fountain pen distribution is weird. I don't know why some products are more available in some areas than in others.

[@tanvirahmad5893]

Twsbi eco was my first fountain pen and I still write with it. Such a comfortable writer.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

They are very comfortable, that is for sure!

[@BookishMandy]

I just bought my first metropolitan a few weeks ago and have really expensive pens too. It’s a good one! I would also suggest some Nahvalur pens too. They have such beautiful builds and you can swap their nibs easily (and they offer different colors which is huge to me as an aesthetic person). I just got a vac filler a month ago and bought a fine nib along with the double broad. Both are great and it’s nice to have one pen with different nib options.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

@@BookishMandy I haven't tried Nahvalur yet, but they look lovely.

[@klt479]

Great video and recommendations! You have a great way about you, cheers!

[@judyjacobs5827]

Low price and good looking pens that I recommend for starters include the Pelikan Twist, which comes in lots of colors and is easy to hold. The shape begs to be turned, but don't do it. Pull the cap off. Another candidate is the Jinhao x159, which some dislike for it resemblance to a high-price pen, but it's a wonderful writer. The Jinhao 9091 is really large, has several steel nib options and a generous converter, and looks impressive. A pen line called "Cutie" seems to be a white label Lamy Safari in a big range of decorated barrels and sometimes comes with rainbow-colored nibs. I have these in all sorts of designs, colors, finishes and they write like crazy. Amazon has a basic pen under its own brand that is inexpensive and decent. Wing Sung 601 (iirc) is a hooded nib, sleek, looks a lot like classic Parker 51. Classic pen models can often be had for your price range, and can often be restored inexpensively. Old Esterbrooks are not at all like the modern ones.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for all those recommendations! I'd especially like to try the Pelikan Twist. I think they just came out with another pen in this price range too.

[@KendallW]

Some good choices. I would add the Jinhao x159 (big #8 sized nib, lots of color choices, girthy experience), the Moonman A1 (solid build click/retractable pen based on the Vanishing Point tried and tested design), and the Faber-Castell Grip (really nice grip, lol, and unique feeling smooth nib).

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

@@KendallW thanks for those recommendations!

[@ladyamalthea85]

I do enjoy this kind of content. The Tuzu is cute, I do love that blue.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks! Yeah, it's a fun pen!

[@valeriegriffith5409]

I love my Kakunos EF fountain pens. (14 and counting. ) I'm purchasing a clear resin kit from Amazon to try to fill the anti choke holes. This is to try to slow the evaporation rate. Potential problem: vacuum effect in a snap cap. I've learned to try to slowly lift the cap up. As a tinker person, have you experimented with syringing a CON-70? I'm not to fond of placing part of the nib section into a bottle of ink to try to fill it up. Next Project: Decorating the clear demonstraters with finger nail stickers. Lacquer will be used.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Those are good ideas. I think I've used a syringe for the CON-70. Maybe? I don't remember.

[@valeriegriffith5409]

@DowntheBreatherHole it's not that I don't like the look of various other brands of fountain pens like the Homo Sapien, the Nautilus, and the Korolo 88, but the nibs just aren't fine enough for me. When I look at the Kakunos, I look at the curvature of the EF nib in a pen that's 85% the size of a Custom 74 EF and 90% cheaper. I'm winning 😌 😎 🤪!

[@bowtiejoe2413]

Another great video! How about the Pilot Varsity. I have used fountain pens for decades, and like Varsities quite a bit.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

The Varsity is a good one. In fact, I'm pretty sure they were the first fountain pens I used, way back in high school. My only problem with them is that they are disposable. To me, one of the appeals of fountain pens is getting something that will last.

[@AndreaMurphy-v7x]

Agree that the magnum is underrated! I have two and I love them.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Awesome! Go Magnum!

[@speedbird8987]

The Platinum Prefonte is a nice pen. But my favorite is my Muji FP - it’s a great everyday pen, for writing lists, calendar entries, jotting notes, etc, but I heard they were discontinuing it 😢

[@JoseFbt6bk]

I would recommend the Pilot 74G+ . It is lighter than the Metropolitan. The nibs are interchangeable between the two models. The Asvine P20 would also be a good choice, although I am aware that for a beginner the piston filling method might be a bit scary.

[@evayaaasantewaa448]

Thanks! I really enjoyed this video.

[@arliemoses4272]

The Lamy Nexx is a great pen at around $15. The Pelikan Twist is also good.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I would love to try those pens. I've heard good things. And the Nexx's price of $15 is amazing. Some places sell replacement Lamy nibs for more than that!

[@davidg.8745]

Interesting list. I’m new to this rabbit hole, so I have limited experience. I prefer the Pilot Explorer over the Metropolitan. I would add the TWSBI Eco to my list.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

That's interesting because the Pilot Explorer and TWSBI Eco are on my "naughty list" that I focused on in the video I posted right before this one. The Explorer was an especially bad experience. I loved it, but the cap stopped staying closed after a year, and everyone who has commented on that video about the Explorer has had the same problem.

[@AndrewHawes-c8v]

Safety features are definitely overlooked when discussing good beginner pens. The best thing about the Kakuno is that the body has holes in the cap and the bottom of the body. Unlike something like a Kaweco Sport, when you get Kakuno caps stuck in your nostrils, you'll still be able to breath. Airflow is extremely important for fountain pen use, because without it, your brain will quickly begin to die and make it difficult to control the pen. I think the Kaweco Al Sport Raw is probably the worst in this regard. While the smooth finish makes it very easy to remove from a nostril, because it is so smooth and pleasant to touch, you won't want to. The best advice for new fountain pen users is to make sure at least one of the pen caps you swallow or put in your nose belongs to a kakuno. Once you have that peace of mind, you will be able to focus on the next important step of starting with fountain pens: finding the best-tasting ink.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

hahaha thank you for that important reminder. I will make sure to only swallow Kakuno parts from now on. In all seriousness, though, I think there might be some additional regulations that have to be met if you're marketing to kids, at least in the US, hence the holes.

[@ym10up]

Kakuno is absolutely great for value. It's among the cheapest pens I own but the one I use the most. It's reliable, well behaved, and pretty forgiving with poorer quality paper. I just bought a second one at the pen show today

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Nice! What pen show are/were you at?

[@ym10up]

@DowntheBreatherHole it's at the Toronto pen show, Scriptus, this past Sunday

[@GcOGc01981]

I have the scrivener pen also mine is narrower but it is an excellent pen.

[@archivist17]

My recommendations would be: Kaweco Sport; HongDian 5010; Jinhao 80; Jinhao 82; Pilot Metropolitan/MR/Cocoon; Asvine V200; HongDian M2.

[@anguswhite8233]

I like your list: sorry you’ve had problems with EF nibs - I’ve got small handwriting so I like Japanese EF’s esp. the Pilot78g+ which comes in EF, F and M; it also comes with a con40 converter which you’re best filling with a spring syringe: the capacity’s not great but if you’re using an EF nib it will last long enough for you to be ready to switch inks when it runs out; I also like that this fp is available in both silver and gold trims so you get to pick what you like; would be more interested in trying out the Tuzu if it came with an EF nib option (Sailor please take note!:)

[@JoseFbt6bk]

I forgot. Also Faber Castell Grip and Faber Castell Hexo. Excelent both of them.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I really need to try some Faber Castell pens! They don't get talked about as much, but I've heard excellent things!

[@kthomas8038]

Ellington Pens has VERY nice pens that are quite affordable, but they look beautiful and the nibs are excellent (even the EF)! Affordable luxury!! Worth checking out. (I do NOT work for them, lol, but do own one of their pens and love it!)

[@LisaBeetsKS]

I agree! I got a F and wish I had gotten an EF, but it’s the best pen I own at the moment. I found their ink cartridges way too slow-drinh (lubricated?). But love it with different ink in the converter. My budget cannot handle the prices that most “enthusiasts” pay for luxury pens.

[@aynwynn2789]

I can’t believe you didn’t include the Platinum Preppy; it is less expensive than the Kakuno (under $10), with nicer maki choices ($17). Plus it comes with Platinum’s slip and seal cap, which keeps nib ready to write for a very long time. If you’ve not tried one- do it! They are stylish (the smoke is especially nice, IMHO), and the nib is very, very smooth. BTW- I’m a huge Pilot fan- I have multiple Kakunos, and a CH 92, Falcon Metal, and four Versions of the E95 (two vintage). I just think for entry level Platinum Preppy should be on this list.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

The Preppy is actually on my naughty list. haha It is great in so many ways, but it's too brittle for my taste. Part of the appeal of a fountain pen is having a pen that you can use for years and years, and my experience with low-end Platinum pens hasn't made me feel like they are durable enough to recommend to beginners who want a reliable pen.

[@kart182]

You should include purchase links in your description

[@mollymollie6048]

Just a note from someone who doesn’t like a tripod grip at ALL…or a heavy pen. The Lamy Safari (regular) is light enough, but the one I got many years ago was the aluminum and it weighed a ton. The tripod grip is painful after short periods, given a lifetime of writing in and idk what kind of grip, more like a death clutch, that will not comfortably conform to that hard plastic tripod grip. I just tried the Sailor and imo, as someone who finds the tripod grip really uncomfortable, it’s just as bad as the Safari. The Diplomat looks really interesting! I wanted some ‘italic’ nibs and maybe I’ll just get one of those pens instead. Were you using a F or M with your demo? I really like the Kaweco Sport and Kaweco Student (which is jumping up in price to $60) as well as the Pilot Kakuno and Kaweco Perkeo. I just bought the Kaweco Sport after dipping my toes back into fountain pens with a set of Platinum Preppy’s (which are really nice pens for $6 a pen!) and love the lightness of it, the grip is comfortable (not as comfortable as the Student…which is heavier, but the way the weight is balanced it doesn’t bother me,) and it is a really enjoyable writing experience. I wouldn’t recommend the Pilot Varsity…I’ve tried two, both were scratchy and blobby with the ink, and got ink all over your hands right away. Not a fan. Otherwise, while I used that Lamy as a note-jotter for years at work, I hadn’t ever bought another one. Now, my interest is really piqued and I’m wanting to take a calligraphy class as well (old school calligraphy, not the brush pen ‘modern’ kind) as soon as I can find one in my area. Thanks for the video! I’m going to go watch the “5 pens to totally avoid” video you have, lol, watch you list ones that I like 🤣 Everyone is different, has different hands, grip styles, strength, etc and there is a pen for everyone!

[@justinstuart9109]

I agree with the caveat for the metropolitan. I've had two and both eventually developed hairline cracks in the plastic grip. I still like that model but won't buy it because of this issue.

[@ym10up]

May I suggest an addition to your list? Faber-Castell School+ Fountain Pen is a very affordable starter pen with a smooth medium nib. It's not going to going to dazzle you, but it won't disappoint you either.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I haven't tried any Faber-Castell fountain pens, but I want to. I've heard great things!

[@samsowden]

i just bought a pen at the supermarket brand new for 1 euro. it has a rubbery grip section and a (naturally untipped) stub nib. it works just fine. my perception of value in fountain pens has gone right out the window

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Hey, whatever works, right?

[@michaelrichards7770]

Personally have had only bad luck with the Metropolitan. Great video though.

[@marachristian8726]

I love LAMY, but cannot get past the Fugly Clip on Safaris (looks like a giant broken paper clip! ACK!) I like Pilot Explorers and Platinum Plaisirs, but I get annoyed when entry-level pens have proprietary converters/cartridges because it just confuses newbies and makes them frustrating to refill, which for me is a key draw for using a fountain pen! When I Penable a friend or family member that I can spend more time "Shelaborating," I will go with Japanese pens, but when I am Penabling a newbie, I only go with pens that accept standard international cartridges and converters. Faber Castell Grips and Kaweco Perkeos are my Faves for using at work and gifting,

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I still need to try the Faber Castell Grip. I've heard good things!

[@lizdelisle1912]

I love the Kaweco sport as a starter pen! I have several Kaweco ALs!

[@echowoods4869]

I kind of don't like the Tuzu. I have already commented on it under the Figboot review in a bit of a controversial take, but I just don't see how the nib adjustment is useful here. If the barrel was not triangular, there would be no need to adjust the nib itself, whatsoever, because you can just rotate the round grip in your hand freely. Since then, though, I thought about it and arrived at the conclusion that the Tuzu is more of a local competitor to the Safari in Japan. I'm thinking that it has better regional price (Lamys are probably imported, therefore having a natural price bump), while also having finer nib choices that appeal to the Japanese audience more than the awful QC of the Safari EF nibs. The nib adjustment is like a bonus feature to appeal to a wider audience of abnormal grips against the Safari, too. Wicked marketing practices, honestly. Here in the EU though, Safari are a very good offer.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Yeah, I think the Safari still wins for me personally. The rotating grip section is cool, but I don't really use it. To me it's more of a gimmick. But I'm sure there are some people out there that find it useful.

[@chrisblanc663]

I purchased the pilot metropolitan, and really wanted to like them. The size weight and price was great, but they each dry out super fast. Like clipping it closed simply does not seal it or something. I have tried several, and they all seem to have the same problem. So sadly I can’t recommend the metropolitans from my experience. 😢

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

That's so weird! I've never had an issue with that. They definitely don't have the best seal out there, but they haven't been bad for me. Could it be the ink?

[@chrisblanc663]

@@DowntheBreatherHole I’ve tried several different inks. I really can’t explain it, since I do seem to be the only person who has this issue with the Metropolitan that I know of. It’s too bad because I would love to use them if I could. They are exactly the type of understated, sleek pen that I gravitate to.

[@Charon-5582]

The Lamy medium nib feels kinda odd, it doesn't have a pencil like smooth feedback like a pilot and it isn't smooth like glass. It feels... gummy? Grippy? It's smooth but it has a bit of resistance, still feels good though. The broad feels like a bigger medium nib from my experience.

[@Charon-5582]

Almost like dragging a pink eraser lightly across the page...

[@princeajaz9167]

Platinum Preppy???

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

The Preppy is on my naughty list. It's very crack-prone.

[@nunyabisniz8047]

I wanted to recommend entry level Jinhao and Asvines, but it just can't work given how poor chinese quality control is. I would recommend them a Jinhao 10, and then it would arrive and the nib is bad or the barrel cracks in 2 weeks. I just stick to pilot or lamy for beginners

[@mixeddrinks8100]

I don't get why Pilot didn't fill the holes in their Kakuno so we can eyedrop it... maybe just to sell their stupid converter. Or else it is way better than the Preppy.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I think the holes are there due to regulations. These are kids pens. The Lamy Safari, which is also used by a lot of children, also has holes in the back as well. I've heard it's some kind of anti-choking thing. It seems weird, but laws can be weird sometimes.

[@danmagoo]

I got the Tuzu with a Fine nib, and it has almost zero ink flow, so it is completely unusable. If anyone wants to take a chance on this one, I recommend you get a Medium nib at least.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Oh no! Sorry to hear that! Yeah, I heard the fine was a bit dry and scratchy, so I went with a medium. With the nibs being Asian grinds, I knew the medium would feel more like the fines I am used to anyway. That said, I hope you can get yours working. Sometimes if you flex out the nib a little bit it can release some tension and increase the ink flow. I don't know if you've tried that already, but it might be worth a shot.

[@noamgal4947]

I’ll die on the hill of explorer being better than metropolitan. Metropolitan doesn’t fit the con-70, and the body of the explorer in my opinion is much more comfortable to hold.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

In many ways, the Explorer is better than the Metropolitan. I love the design! But according to my experience and that of many others, it just doesn't last.

[@znab7610]

why am I watching this when I don't need another pen?

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

@@znab7610 haha that's dangerous!