Choosing a fountain pen

Many of us met fountain pens at primary school, scratching out handwriting practice with a blue cartridge. Adult fountain pens are a different experience: smoother, more varied and surprisingly practical. This guide covers the four decisions that matter.

1.Nib size

The nib is the metal tip that touches the paper. Sizes are usually marked on the nib or the listing:

Line width varies between makers: Japanese nibs often write a size finer than European nibs with the same letter. Special nibs such as italic or stub give thick and thin strokes for calligraphic effects.

2.Filling system

Cartridges are clean and simple: push one in and write. Many pens take "international standard" cartridges, though some brands use their own. Converters are refillable reservoirs that replace a cartridge so you can use bottled ink. Piston fillers and other built-in systems draw ink straight from the bottle into the barrel, holding more ink but taking a little more care to clean.

For a first pen, a cartridge/converter pen gives you both options.

3.Steel or gold nib?

Most beginner and mid-range pens have stainless steel nibs, which are durable and write well. Gold nibs appear on more expensive pens and are often described as having a little more spring; whether that's worth paying for is personal. A well-made steel nib is more than enough to discover whether you enjoy fountain pens.

4.Size, weight and grip

Think about how you hold a pen. Some pens have triangular grip sections that guide your fingers, great for learners, less so if you hold a pen unusually. Heavier metal pens feel substantial; lighter resin or plastic pens are easier on the hand over long sessions. Some people "post" the cap on the end while writing to add length; check that the pen feels balanced either way.

Ink and paper

Use ink made for fountain pens; never use drawing inks such as India ink, which can clog the feed. Standard dye-based inks are easy to clean. Paper matters as much as the pen: cheap, absorbent paper makes ink spread ("feather") and show through. Smooth paper of around 90gsm or more usually behaves much better. See our paper weights guide.

Left-handed?

Fountain pens work for left-handers. A fine or extra-fine nib, a quick-drying ink and smooth but not glossy paper all reduce smudging. Some left-handers adjust their paper angle or write from below the line.

Looking after it

• Flush with cool water when changing ink colour, or every few weeks
• Cap the pen when you're not writing so the nib doesn't dry out
• Don't press hard: let the nib glide
• Don't lend it to someone who presses hard

Ready to browse?

Also see the pens drawer and standard ink cartridges.