Fountain pens have a reputation for being complicated, expensive, or fragile. In reality, a good starter fountain pen is a joy to write with, built to last, and often more affordable than you'd expect. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know before buying your first one.
Step 1: Understand the Basics
A fountain pen works by drawing ink from a reservoir (either a cartridge or a converter) through a feed and out of a nib onto the page. Unlike ballpoints, you don't need to press hard — the ink flows with gravity and capillary action. This is what makes fountain pens so comfortable for long writing sessions.
Step 2: Choose Your Nib Size
The nib is the metal tip that touches the paper. Nib size determines how thick your line is:
- Extra Fine (EF) — Very thin lines. Great for small handwriting, detailed notes, or if you write on thin paper.
- Fine (F) — The most popular choice for everyday writing. Versatile and forgiving on most papers.
- Medium (M) — A broader, wetter line. Great for journaling and showing off ink shading and sheen.
- Broad (B) — Bold and expressive. Best for signatures, headings, or if you love a dramatic ink colour.
Our recommendation for beginners: Start with Fine or Medium. Fine gives you more control; Medium lets you appreciate the ink more.
Step 3: Pick Your First Pen
You don't need to spend a lot to get a great first fountain pen. We carry a range of beginner and mid-range options including the Platinum Preppy (our top value pick — smooth, reliable, and won't dry out between uses), the LAMY Safari (the world's most recommended beginner fountain pen with an ergonomic grip and robust build), and the Pilot Kakuno (lightweight and friendly to hold with Pilot's famously smooth nibs — check in-store for current availability).
Browse our fountain pen range →
Step 4: Choose Your Ink
Most beginner pens come with a cartridge to get you started. When you're ready to explore bottled inks, we carry a wide range including Pilot Iroshizuku (Japan's most celebrated ink line, with stunning colour depth and shading) and J. Herbin Authentic Ink (beautiful French inks in a wide colour range, smooth-flowing and safe for all fountain pens).
Step 5: Get the Right Notebook
Fountain pen ink can bleed or feather on thin paper. Look for notebooks with 80gsm or higher. We carry fountain-pen-friendly notebooks from Rhodia, Maruman Mnemosyne, and more — all tested and trusted by our team.
Quick Starter Combinations
| Budget | Pen | Ink | Notebook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | Platinum Preppy Fine Crystal | J. Herbin Authentic Ink | Rhodia Heritage A5 |
| Mid-range | LAMY Safari | Pilot Iroshizuku | Maruman Mnemosyne A5 |
Come In and Try Before You Buy
The best way to choose a fountain pen is to hold one. Visit us at Bangsar Village II and our team will be happy to let you try a few nibs and find your perfect match. Also worth reading: our Best Pens for Journaling guide and our Fountain Pen Ink 101 for a deeper dive into inks.