The Best Fountain Pens for Beginners – Start Your Pen Obsession Here

Back in 2016, I got into writing and journaling seriously. And when this happened, I had the need for more stationary. This quickly got me interested in different types of pens, and at that point I hadn’t used a fountain pen since my school days. I decided I wanted to begin writing with a fountain pen so I could express myself with class. But at first I had no idea where to start. Thankfully for you, I’ve learned loads and I’m here to list some of the best fountain pens for beginners and save new pen enthusiasts some time.

Let me begin by explaining the difference between ink cartridges and ink converters.

Fountain Pen Ink Cartridges vs Ink Converters

-image from LuxiPens

Before I get to the pens themselves, let me break down what I think about ink cartridges versus converters. Ink cartridges are the most common ink solutions for fountain pens. They’re essentially plug-in and play solutions to providing ink. You can typically buy packs of cartridges for your pen that will last you months to years. Converters on the other hand, allow you to manually refill your ink directly from an ink bottle.

If you’re just starting out with a fountain pen and you find a deal that includes some ink cartridges, then by all means go for it. You’ll be able to get started with your pen much quicker and if you have a few cartridges at your disposal then you won’t need to worry about buying more for a while.

But in the long-term, I find it more cost-effective and more pleasing to purchase an ink converter and some fountain pen ink for your pen. This will allow you to refill your pen(s) more frequently for a longer stretch of time. This is ideal for those who may use their pens daily.

Not all ink is suitable for your pen!

It’s also important to know that not all ink is suitable for your fountain pen. You’ll need to buy fountain pen friendly ink; otherwise you run the risk of some inks clogging up the pen nib. Other types of inks may also not look as smooth on the page.

The good thing is that most fountain pen manufacturers have their own branded fountain pen ink for you to purchase, making it easier to find the right type of ink for your pen.

I’ll be sure to include direct links to the correct converters and ink types for all pens I’m about to list.

The Best Starter Fountain Pens

LAMY Safari

Buy Lamy Safari (Many colours available) | Buy on Amazon UK | Buy on Amazon US
Buy Lamy Vista | Buy on Amazon UK | Buy on Amazon US

The German-made Lamy Safari tends to be many people’s first fountain pen, especially for students. It’s an affordable pen with a solid grip and great ergonomics. It has a steel nib that produces a wet and consistent ink flow.

The pen itself is made of ABS plastic, the same stuff used to produce LEGO. But the downer here is that the Lamy’s broad and colourful design isn’t always appropriate for everyone’s needs. I myself own a Lamy Vista, which is the same design as the Safari but with a see-through exterior and a silver clip. I found the more muted see-through design to be more to my liking than some of the vibrant exteriors associated to the Safari.

Another thing to note about the Safari is that it has a replaceable nib, which is crucial for a pen’s longevity.

Design aside, the Lamy Safari and Lamy Vista are both suitable options for fountain pen beginners, no matter what point in life you’re at. For those wanting to invest in a converter and ink, see the details below.

And for those of you who prefer the simplicity of cartridges, here are the Lamy Safary and Vista compatible ones…

Pilot Metropolitan

Buy Pilot Metropolitan | Buy on Amazon UK | Buy on Amazon US

The Pilot Metropolitan has been praised as the go-to fountain pen for beginners since it’s entry on the market in 2012. The pen looks and operates like a fountain pen that should cost far more. It’s all in the presentation. For under $20/£20 you receive a high-quality metal body, a choice of nib width, an included converter and a nice box to keep the pen in.

The Pilot Metropolitan produces clean lines, and the medium width nib is perfect for all beginners.

Jinhao X750

Buy Jinhao X750 | Amazon UK | Amazon US

With it being the cheapest fountain pen on this list, the Jinhao X750 is likely the most favourable first time fountain pen. At the cheap price of £8/$8 these pens offer a comparable level of quality as pricier pens like it. But the pen is made with cheaper materials.

Those who choose the Jinhao X750 are often not expecting much, only to then be blown away with its performance. The nib keeps the ink wet and flows well with a vast amount of writing styles. The weight of the pen is also suitable for longer writing sessions without feeling any discomfort.

This pen is compatible with a variety of cartridges, inks and converters. The Jinhao X750 does come with a converter, but you may wish to purchase a better one for long-term satisfaction.

For beginner fountain pen ink, you can use any ink that’s specifically for fountain pens, including the one’s I’ve linked above. There are hundreds of different inks to choose from in a variety of colours, so feel free to dig deeper to find the one that’s perfect for you. Just be 100% sure that the ink is for fountain pens.

Conclusion

This is just a small selection of fountain pens for beginners. There are many options out there to explore but I believe these are the most accessible to people who have little knowledge of pens and are keen to get started right away.

My personal favourite on this list is the Lamy Safari and Vista, mainly because of its flexibility and its height and weight. It’s lightweight enough to use without discomfort, but it also has enough weight to make writing signatures feel legit. Please do share your own preferences and other recommendations in the comments!