Written By: Miles Watts, Staff Writer
FOUNTAIN PENS: Despite being a seemingly archaic and inefficient writing instrument, fountain pens are actually the opposite, holding their ground against ballpoint and gel pens.
When fountain pens were invented they were often difficult to write with, expensive, and messy. These traits became a stereotype and people quickly lost interest in them when ballpoint pens came to be. These attributes of this type of pen from the past have stuck with it like cancer that dissuades people from, at the very least, trying them. However, this is not the case anymore as many companies who have been in the business of crafting these pens have refined their work significantly when compared to the first creations. There is no denying the dominance and value of a ballpoint and gel pen, but writing with a fountain pen is quite a joy that you should all consider trying.
Ease of Writing
Many people think that writing with fountain pens is difficult and unnecessarily complicated, but in fact, it is quite simple. There are plenty of sources online, such as JetPens or YouTube, that explain how to hold and write with one. It does take a small amount of learning, but it becomes like second nature after a short while. To aid in this process, many pens have grooves in the grip section that help the person hold the pen properly. Fountain pens are typically used with a tripod grip and many pens, such as the Lamy Safari, have defined grip sections to guide the fingers. This ensures that the nib is in the proper position to allow for smooth ink flow and also to prevent damage from coming to the pen. Something that people may have a hard time with when writing is the amount of pressure required to let ink flow from the feed and nib. Fountain pens require very little pressure to get a solid ink flow and the fragile nibs may break if they are pressed too hard. This can be difficult for some, especially if they tend to press into the paper as they write, but writing with one is incredibly comfortable due to the little pressure required to use it. All it takes is a little patience and some time and one can write with a fountain pen without any issues.
Price
Due to being difficult to manufacture in the early days of their development, fountain pens have kept a reputation of being something expensive and inaccessible to the average person. However, this could not be further from the truth, as especially in the modern age, there are a myriad of budget-friendly pens that can be purchased. The Lamy Safari mentioned above is an example of a budget-friendly/beginner pen as it is only about $20. Another cheaper beginner-friendly pen is the Pilot Kakuno, which is usually roughly $15. For those who typically use BIC pens or pencils, spending over $10 may seem excessive. However, these pens are built to last a long time, potentially even a lifetime. These are not instruments that are to be thrown away after the ink is depleted. These are tools that are designed to last. The Traveler’s Company fountain pen is a great example of this as a main selling point is that it will age with the owner. Its $50 price tag may seem intimidating, but is made of quality brass that oxidizes and changes with time. Even if it is expensive at the moment, the lifelong use and sentiment pays for itself. Although there are plenty of expensive pens, there are many affordable options available to people to purchase a writing instrument that will last significantly longer than a BIC crystal. Fountain pens are no longer a luxury item, and this is proven by these budget-friendly and long-lasting pens.
Mess
Another major stereotype that has plagued the reputation of fountain pens is the mess they create. When one typically thinks of a fountain pen, it is not uncommon for one to think of constant ink spills and stained papers, hands, and clothes. And this is still true to an extent. These types of pens have developed significantly since they were first invented and their construction to retain ink has improved dramatically. Many pens (such as the ones mentioned above) take ink cartridges, much like any gel pen would. This is a mess-free way to enjoy fountain pens, and this way of holding ink is popular with brands nowadays. For a messier alternative, some pens like the TWSBI ECO have a piston filling mechanism in the instrument itself and converters can also be bought for pens that typically use cartridges. This allows for them to use bottled inks and for a large variety of colors and personalization to one’s pen. What a person will find that is common with either type is that there are virtually no ink spills. As long as the pen is working properly, modern systems ensure that very little ink is spilled when it is leaving the feed. However, fountain pens will never be able to escape their reputation for being messy as they also have to be regularly cleaned. Despite this, the mess they create is significantly less when compared to when they were first invented.
Conclusion
Although they have been overshadowed by ballpoint and gel pens, fountain pens are still a viable option. They have stood the test of time, even if they are not as popular as they once were. If you want to enjoy the process of writing more or want to take more time writing, I recommend using any of the pens mentioned above. Fountain pens are more than a simple writing instrument, they are a symbol of care and longevity. Whatever is written with them has meaning, and their lifelong resilience has a profoundness that a ballpoint pen simply lacks. If writing is an art and your passion, then take the time to invest in a pen or two to truly savor each word you write.