As for the feel of the pen, I think the Preppy feels like the highest quality pen of the bunch. It’s the largest pen, both in length and in grip size, so if you have larger hands you’ll probably find it the most comfortable. The body of the LAMY Safari is ABS plastic. It has a cap and clip to secure the pen when not in use, although it should be noted that the wider body of this plastic fountain pen sometimes prevents it from fitting into the spine of a notebook or a pen holder compartment with as much ease as more “torpedo”-shaped fountain pens. In addition, the plastic body doesn’t offer the same aesthetic appeal or weight as a metal fountain pen. However, it’s more budget-friendly and never cold to the touch. A fountain pen with a medium nib is a versatile choice for journaling, signatures, drawing, or any other task where you want to put personality to paper. The Scriveiner Fountain Pen is a popular choice, thanks to its enameled brass body and medium nib gilded with 18K gold. The Pilot Petit1 is a great little pen. It’s fun and easy to use and many people will be attracted to it simply because of it’s size. Don’t let it’s cute looks fool you… it’s still comfortable to use, even if you don’t have small hands.

Pilot Vpen Disposable Fountain Pen - Black (Pack of 6) Pilot Vpen Disposable Fountain Pen - Black (Pack of 6)

These pens tend to write with a very wet line. On some paper the Varsity will feather just a little bit, but on most paper you’ll just get a nice line of ink. Of all the pens in this roundup, I think the Varsity has the most saturated ink (at least the two blues that I tested). One other benefit is that you can refill a Pilot Varsity. By gripping the nib and pulling it out of the barrel (you’ll want to use something to grip it without damaging it), you’ll be able to fill the pen with ink like you would an eyedropper. Now you can use any color of ink you want!In a world of fountain pens that cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, the term “disposable fountain pen” might seem like an oxymoron. Indeed, they may go against everything that fountain pens seem to stand for… quality, permanence and luxury. Don’t let the term fool you, though. Disposable fountain pens are actually quite capable little pens! Surprisingly, there are actually quite a few different models to choose from, so let’s try to figure out which one is the best disposable fountain pen. Why Would You Want A Disposable Fountain Pen? Finally, I wouldn’t recommend the Thornton’s Novice. While they aren’t bad pens, there is the illusion of value with the number of pens you get for the price. Unfortunately, they just don’t hold up when compared to a set of Varsity, Preppy or even Petit1 pens. They’re not bad pens, by any means, but the Novice are truly the only disposable pens of the bunch, as they are impossible to easily refill.

Pen Disposable Fountain Pen - Blue, Pack of 6 Pilot V Pen Disposable Fountain Pen - Blue, Pack of 6

NOTE: does NOT work with Platinum Preppy or Plaisir fountain pens. While the converter will fit perfectly well inside the pens, ink is only drawn into the feed, not into the converter. Can be used with these pens if you fill the converter outside the pen, then fit it pre-filled. Works normally with other Platinum pens.”Splurging on a luxury fountain pen is usually about the artisanship that goes into making the pen, says Chris. That’s what has made premier fountain pen brands like Montblanc and Cross worth the splurge. But for durability, Chris recommends a metal barrel and steel nib—both of which are common. Searching for the smoothest-writing fountain pen is a lifelong journey for some people. Chris Elfering, the founder of Lochby, a store that supplies journals and accessories specifically for fountain pens, says that the features most important to people shopping for fountain pens are the writing experience and materials. “For [the] writing experience, it's usually about how smooth the nib is and how heavy or balanced the pen is," he says. In regards to materials, he adds that certain items command a higher price—“for example, gold nibs over steel and arco celluloid bodies over acrylic.” The Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen is often recommended for beginners but can be appreciated by anyone. This is a demonstrator fountain pen, meaning that it has a translucent body that allows you to see the filling system and monitor ink levels. Despite having a plastic body, most people find it to be well-balanced and well-made, with sufficient weight and a slightly tapered barrel for grip. There is no pen clip but the cap is faceted to prevent the pen from rolling off flat surfaces. The medium nib included with the Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen is stainless steel. It has a reputation for laying down lines that are slightly thinner than other medium-sized nibs, but in the eyes of many, this is an advantage. It leads to crisp letters, whether you’re writing in cursive or print. It’s worth noting that the nib is technically not interchangeable and Pilot doesn’t sell the nibs separately, but many people have replaced it with a nib from another Pilot Metropolitan pen. A pre-filled fountain pen is a simple and convenient way to explore this type of writing instrument. Many students start with this type of disposable fountain pen, rather than starting with the challenge of learning to appropriately fill the pen with ink. One of the most popular options for students is the Pilot Varsity Fountain Pen.

Zebra Fuente - Disposable Fountain Pen - Black Ink - Pack of 3 Zebra Fuente - Disposable Fountain Pen - Black Ink - Pack of 3

The fountain pen is a stylish writing implement found on business desks or in personal journals. Unlike your standard ballpoint pen, it requires more finesse to use and refill, but it produces a polished look for signatures, formal correspondence, or sending elegant invitations. It’s also popular for use in journaling or art. The material of the fountain pen barrel and its nib will have a big impact on the feel and functionality of the pen. In fact, Chris says that the nib “has the most impact over writing performance.” He explains that the finish will determine how smooth it writes, noting that “gold nibs are softer and bouncier compared to steel nibs.” A fountain pen with a gold nib is often considered one of the smoothest writing fountain pens, but it should be noted that a stainless steel nib is very long-lasting when compared to the softer metal of gold, which can bend or wear more easily. The Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, our top overall choice, has a stainless steel nib that is widely known for being reliable in ink output and durability. The barrel of a fountain pen is often made out of metal (usually brass) but may be constructed of plastic, wood, or other materials. The choice of barrel material comes down to aesthetics and ergonomics. A metal pen offers a weighty feel, but can become tiring to hold for extended writing sessions. A plastic pen is lighter and may be easier to grip for longer periods of time. Other options, like the Faber-Castell E-Motion Fountain Pen with a pear wood barrel, offer the opportunity to make a style statement with your writing instrument. The Asvine Forest Fountain Pen delivers the precise, thin lines of an extra fine fountain pen without feeling scratchy or skipping across the paper. The extra fine nib of this fountain pen is constructed of stainless steel that has undergone physical vapor deposition (PVD) for added durability. While using the pen, you’ll appreciate that it has a textured aluminum body for additional grip, although the somewhat thin diameter of the barrel can make it more challenging to grip for a longer session of writing. When not in use, the cap secures tightly over the nib to protect it from damage or leaking.

PASSIONATE ABOUT PENS

Protecting the nib of a fountain pen is important since it’s essential for smooth writing action. While most fountain pens have a cap for protection, a retractable fountain pen—like this option from the Pilot Vanishing Point Collection—houses the nib inside the barrel of the pen when not in use. This makes the pen more portable and even airplane-safe. I have a long history with these pens. In 2010 I filled a bunch of these “disposable” pens up with ink for an ink testing station at an event at the Smithsonian Air and Postal Museum. Much to my surprise, 7 years and 2 moves later and I still have a few that have not evaporated and write just fine! With that being said, I don’t think you’ll experience any drying out or leaks with a Varsity. You may think that cleaning a fountain pen will be a regular ritual, but the fact of the matter is that if you use the right fountain pen, you don't have to clean it often, according to Chris. He suggests cleaning it perhaps on a monthly basis and adds that he often only cleans his fountain pen when switching ink colors.