Top 4 Best First Fountain Pens for Students
Despite all the developments in this technological age of ours, the pen remains very much a necessity. From learning to write to signing documents to sketching and drawing, there’s little that can compare to putting pen to paper.
Yet what pen? Is certainly the question that every student has asked. Inky rollerballs or fine tipped pens, plain ‘ole ball points or smooth V-Techs, the choices are endless and it typically boils down to personal preference and what the pens are for.
Still, there’s little that will beat a good fountain pen. A beautiful expensive heirloom is always a wonderful gift, but for that young carefree, and potentially careless student, it may be just a stretch too far.
Here’s where student fountain pens come in handy. There is a class of fountain pens that are highly collectible, with lots of colour and nib options, and most importantly relatively economical. These are the Top 5 Fountain Pens that we would recommend as first fountain pens.
1. Kaweco Sport Range
German pen makers Kaweco first introduced the now ‘cult’ range Sport in 1911, as a pocket fountain pen for ladies, officers and sportsmen.
The Kaweco Sport series comes in a range of different colours and finishes, providing a wide range of options. The pen’s chunky body makes it easy to grip and it’s relatively light weight is well-balanced for longer writing times. When it is capped the entire length of the pen is about 2/3 that of a regular pen. It’s short stubby look is very cute.
In use, it is essential to mount the pen cap at the end of its body for use as it both extends the pen’s length and provides a great counter balance. Of course, doing so also ensures that the pen cap is not misplaced.
The pen cap is screw top, which makes it easy to ensure that the lid is tightly shut, avoiding any pen leaking mishaps. Pen clips and nibs are customisable and replaceable and while most ship with a cartridge barrel, it is easy enough to buy a converter that will allow each pen to be refilled from an ink pot.
2. Lamy Safari Range
Lamy, another German pen maker, also makes bright, vibrant fountain pens in its Safari range which are perfect for the student budget. Compared to the Kaweco Sport series, the Lamy’s veer towards the more traditional shape and form. The are of medium girth which is perfect for the confident, familiar writer.
The small window on the body of the pen acts as an ink indicator, allowing the user to see easily when ink is low in the pen cartridge. Similar to the Kaweco’s the Lamy’s are based on a cartridge refill, and for this a converter is also available.
These pens come in a range of nibs from extra fine to broad. These too are available to purchase as replacements. Each of these Lamy pens come with a fixed clip on the cap of the pen.
3. Pilot Kakuno
The Pilot Kakuno probably falls in to the budget category of fountain pens. However, this does not stop it from being one that would almost certainly appeal to young students.
For the Japanese juggernaut stationery brand Pilot, the Kakuno is just one in its huge arsenal of writing pens, yet it is one that makes an impression. The Kakuno has an either pearl white or black body with a number of vibrant colourful caps from a soothing light blue or lilac to even a bright yellow or pink. It is hexagonal in shape at the cross section and this helps with the pen grip.
These pens similarly come with a cartridge refill which can be converted with an additional convertor. Generally the pen writes very smoothly and glides across the surface although the fine nib is equivalent to the European extra fine. The bonus of course is the cute smiley face on the pen nib.
4. TWSBI ECO
The Twsbi Eco fountain pen is one of the more expensive options on this list, but it does come with a piston filler which means you can use an ink of your own choice. Twsbi is a house brand of an established Taiwanese pen manufacturer, and while they are not new to pen manufacturing, Twsbi is their first independent foray to the market.
Although made with a plastic body, it is made from strong durable material and has been moulded as one piece. The refillable piston holds more ink that a cartridge typically would, making it a plus point for the Twsbi as you don’t have to buy a convertor for that. It’s clear body also allows you to note how much ink is left. It writes smoothly and typical of the Asian manufacturers the fine nib is particularly fine. Still, the pen does come in a variety of nib options, Extra Fine, Fine, Medium and Broad.
The Fountain Pen is classical instrument that harks to the ‘good ‘ole days’ when things and times were slower. Writing, compared to typing or even more so to dictation, takes a bit more time and a bit more effort. Each outcome though, is an art form in itself. A fountain pen is certainly one of those things that make true value of time well-spent.
While we always associate the fountain pen with beautiful cursive writing, they are also great for illustrations.
