How much does a fountain pen cost?

A good fountain pen can cost around $30 to $2,000 or more, but you definitely do not need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a great writing experience. For most people, $30 to $100 is enough to get a good fountain pen.

Here’s what you can expect at different prices.

Under $50: a low risk way to try

A Pilot Kakuno is around $30 and has a reliable, Japanese made nib. It's very easy to use, and even has a smiley face on the nib to tell you which way to hold the pen. The TWSBI Swipe, with a German made nib, is $49.95, but the price also includes a large spring converter for drawing up bottled ink.

These aren't disposable or novelty pens. They are proper fountain pens that can introduce you to how fountain pen writing feels without much financial risk.

$50–$100: where things get good

This is the sweet spot for many first time fountain pen buyers.

The PILOT Metropolitan is around $60. It has an almost indestructible metal body, the same reliable nib as the Kakuno, and is available in a range of stylish colours. The TWSBI Eco is from $70 to just over $100 depending on the finish, but gives you a piston filling system and the fun of a clear barrel to see your ink.

This is where you will stop thinking of a fountain pen as an experiment and start using one every day. It's also the point where the pen becaomes your tool for clear thinking.

$100–$300: a noticeable step up

Around this level you start getting better materials and finishing, and often with more sophisticated filling systems and nibs.

For example, the OPUS 88 with its high capacity eyedropper filling and beautifully machined acrylic is around $200, while pens such as the Pelikan M200 give a taste of the traditional German craftsmanship seen in more expensive pens.

$300 and beyond: gold nib pens

Once you get above $300, you're paying for things such as gold nibs, more elaborate materials, hand finishing and limited editions.

The PILOT Custom 823, for example, uses a 14K gold nib and a high speed vacuum filling mechanism. The PILOT Capless has a retractible nib operated by a very satisfying push button.

At the very top end, specialist fountain pens can cost well over $1,000, sometimes $10,000. Prices we used to baulk at, but understandable with the level of craftmanship, collectibility, and responsive feel of the nib.

But importantly: more expensive doesn't always mean you'll enjoy writing with it more.

“I'm worried I'll damage the nib.”

This is one of the biggest reasons people hesitate to buy fountain pens. The nib can seem a little mysterious and delicate, and the thought of replacing one sounds expensive.

But a fountain pen nib is designed for writing. It's not made of eggshell, and in fact most pens under $300 use steel nibs. The main thing to avoid is pressing hard. Fountain pens work with very little pressure, and all you need to do is let the nib glide across the paper rather than force it.

The other good news is we tune the fountain pen for your hand. We check the nib under magnification, and adjust it so the pen is ready to write when it arrives. And if your nib stops writing properly? You can send the pen to us for free retuning. 

The safest way to start

You don't need to jump straight into a $500 fountain pen.

Start with a $30–$100 pen, choose a nib size that suits your handwriting, and try it with a good fountain pen friendly paper.

Once you've experienced the effortless feeling of a nib moving across the page, you'll know whether you want to go further.

Want to see the top 7 adult starter pens?