Does Not Obey the Laws of Physics

Yes, I know I've already wrote a long blah blah blah about the economy of fountain pens and a beginner recommendation for pens, but I keep having thoughts about this stuff as I dip in and out of the fountain pen community and it's not enough just to journal these thoughts at myself.

Also, yes, I might have gotten an expensive pen on a very, very good deal (like 50% off deal) and I have thoughts now, because I've always found the fountain pen community to be a bit...let's say removed from the rest of the stationary world. Anyway, so I'm ranting a bit. I should probably make a new tag for all my fountain pen ramblings at this point.

( Thoughts on how to introduce beginners to fountain pens. )

( Bargain Hunting Fountain Pens )

( Fountain Pen Myths )

And finally...

Lastly, I want to point out that there are many reasons a person might want to get into fountain pens. Some because they write. Others because they sketch. Still others because they want to collect a bunch of pretty pens. Everyone's motivation is legitimate, but their perspectives are going to be different depending on why they got into fountain pens in the first place.

I come from a point of economy and improved writing experience. Also, the desire to use bottled ink. I like how a fountain pen nib writes over how a rollerball nib writes. I enjoy using bottled ink. I enjoy the way the fountain pen feels in my hand. And finally, I enjoy filling up my pens from the bottles when I write it dry. It makes me feel accomplished and enjoy the process of writing. I also feel less bad about drafting 200+ pages of fanfic. Oh, and also I journal daily for mental health reasons, so I consume a substantial amount of ink pretty fast.

I believed in getting converters for my pens, but I recognize the inherent economy of reusing cartridges by refilling with an ink syringe. I believe someone called converters over priced branded ink syringes and I can't really disagree. I've got a few pens that are cartridge only pens and I refill with a syringe because I'm too cheap to buy the mini-converter. However, I've had enough cartridges break during the refill process that I just feel better having a converter for the pens that can use them. And when I break all of my cartridges, I'm going to convert the pens into eyedroppers so I can do away with cartridges forever.

So, what I'm saying is, I want economical alternative to an enjoyable writing experience. I want to feel comfortable writing, use many ink colors, but also avoid purchasing a bunch of single use pens and avoid plastic waste. Fountain pens fit what I want. I have everything from $1 pens to $150 pens and they all have a place in where and why I use them. (Hint: my cheap pens are the ones that leave the house.)

OK, not really.

Basically, I've seen a lot of consensus on beginner fountain pens and in my experience, I'm not so sure I agree with most of their assessments. Which is why I want to write a blog post about my totally objective and not at all subjective opinion on what the recommendation for beginner fountain pens ought to include.

So, why fountain pens?

I think the biggest barrier to entry on a fountain pen is trying to convince people that it's totally worth switching over from their easily accessible rollerball/gel/ballpoint pens to the more archaic fountain pen. After all, the disposable pens out competed the fountain pen for a reason beyond just marketing.

While it's true that the disposable pen is much more convenient, I would argue that the fountain pen's upkeep is greatly exaggerated. First, if we ignore the ecological cost, modern fountain pens use cartridges, which makes them just as easy to refill as the rollerball/gel/ballpoint pens. If you use a high end rollerball/gel/ballpoint, you'll already be familiar with buying refill inserts for your high end pen. The fountain pen is no different, except instead of inserts, you buy cartridges that plug into the pen instead.

( Maths )

For basically the same amount of convenience, you'll be shelling out slightly less money for the ink. However, there is a secondary option. If you are willing to refill your fountain pen from a bottle, thus freeing yourself from proprietary cartridges and plastic waste, you'll actually save significantly on ink refill. I've already done the math in previous posts here and here, so I won't rehash the math. The crux of the question is this: is it worth the hassle?

( Yes. )

OK, so the fountain pen isn't worse than rollerball/gel/ballpoint, but why make the change? What's better?

( Here's what you get from going Fountain Pen )

OK, if my long, long spiel has finally convinced you to give fountain pens a try...WAIT. Figure out what you want out of your pen first before you invest $15 into the fountain pen experience. There are many, many guides out there (just google), but here are some of my personal experiences.

( Getting to the point of this entry )

Aaaaaand, that's concludes the definitive guide to beginner fountain pens. There really isn't that many options on the market, which is a shame, because it really shouldn't cost an arm and a leg just to get a pen that refills ink from a bottle. WTF?

I...I...

Pilot Kaküno Special Edition

Ugh.

I already have the ;) smiley (F) nib and the :P smiley (EF) nib. Must resist :D smiley special edition shiny... Must...resist...

Also, why are you so much more expensive? I mean, yeah, I get that the special edition includes a converter, which the other versions don't have, but WTF, that's still way more expensive than it ought to be.

*makes grabby hands anyway*

(In case you can't tell, cashew likes Kaküno pens. They are very, very good and highly under rated given their cheap price point and amazingly smooth performance.)

Because I'm tired from getting angry at fútbol, I've swapped over to looking at pretty fountain pens for some eye candy and distraction. Then I started reading pen blogs again. And then I keep going back to the claim fountain pens are more economical than ballpoints.

I never quite fully felt satisfied by that particular argument, probably because the people who are making that argument are usually not the ones who ever needed to be economical with their writing instruments. Usually, those who are touting the economical aspect of fountain pens are people who own 30+ pens and at least one $700+ pen in their collection. I think their idea of economical is a little confused.

So, since cashew is taking a break from ranting angrily about fútbol, it's time to take on Fountain Pens.

( Do you like stationary? You should like stationary. You are missing out. )

Fountain pens are not economical if...

This bit here is mostly for those who have already converted to the way of the fountain pen. If you write about the economy of writing with a fountain pen, do not bring up the following points:

1. Customizable nibs - fountain pens with changeable nib units are not economical. Nib units cost anywhere between $10 and $20, as the pen they are switching into cost no less than $30 to purchase. As such, it is not possible to keep the pen's cost down if you bring in nib customization. And I won't even get into the expensiveness of custom ground nibs.
   
   
2. Ink variety - While it is true that fountain pen inks are kind of mind boggling in terms of choice, a lot of them are actually very expensive. You can see why when some advertise gold flecks in the ink. What's more, every time you switch inks, you have to flush the pen properly, and that not only drives up the water bill, it is also ecologically irresponsible. Wasting fresh water to wash pens is not the argument you want to be making.
   
   
3. Aesthetic - Do NOT talk about how pretty the pen is. Just don't. Using rare metals, expensive acrylic, volcanic rock to create unique looking pens also result in $700+ investments up front and completely destroys your economical argument. (Not to mention the production of rare metals and expensive acrylic is not environmentally friendly.)
   
   
4. Cartridge fill system - This is a mistake I keep seeing, where fountain pen enthusiasts attempt to soothe refill anxiety for the newly converted by bringing up the ink cartridge refill system (plug in new cartridge when old one is empty). While convenient, the cartridge refills also contributes to the plastic waste while costing almost twice as much per mL of ink compared to their bottled counter parts. Cartridge is not economical. Don't bring them up.
   
   
5. Piston fillers - Literally one of the most expensive filling mechanisms in fountain pens. Apparently the technology used to build the refillable ink reservoir directly into the pen body shoots the price up to the >$50 range. Most brands cost >$100. Furthermore, due to the reservoir being built directly into the pen body, if there is a defect, the entire pen is null and void. Unlike a regular converter system, where the reservoir is removable and replaceable, thus allowing you to keep using the pen either replacing the converter for less money or go without by doing an eyedropper conversion But since we're trying to convince people to switch, maybe don't overwhelm them with extra stuff they'll need to purchase outside of the pen and ink.

TL;DR — Fountain pens are both more economical and more ecologically friendly provided you get the right pen and the right ink. Otherwise, it is primarily a hobby.