Just because we live in the digital age doesn’t mean we have to give up handwriting. Spending most of our time on laptops, smartphones or in front of the TV, many of us feel the need to escape into other activities such as reading, handwriting or meditating. Since we dedicate every article here to writing instruments, today we’ve rounded up 5 great fountain pens for everyday use, thus to spend your time in good company.
Pilot Custom 823
A great value for money pen, if you will. This particular Pilot is available in two colours, Amber and Smoke, both made of precious resin with a translucent finish that allows you to see the ink inside. Don’t be fooled by its construction, as Pilot used a resin that makes the pen feel sturdy in the hand. For EUR 249 you get a well-proportioned fountain pen equipped with a 14k gold nib in F, M, B sizes and a vacuum filling system that can easily hold up to 2ml of ink per fill, which is more than a decent amount of ink for the entire day.
Sailor 1911 Realo
Sailor has long held a reputation for their superbly crafted fountain pens as well as for their extremely fine nibs, that’s why the Sailor 1911 Realo, one of the most popular pens created by Sailor is also on our list. For EUR 391 you get a 21k gold nib that comes in an array of sizes such as extra fine, fine, medium fine, medium, broad, music and zoom, a piston filling mechanism that holds around 0.9 ml of ink and a classic cigar-shaped body. This is not a pretentious pen and works perfectly for everyday use. Its understated design will win over any pen aficionado.
Montblanc Meisterstuck 149
Perhaps the most iconic fountain pen in the world, the Meisterstuck 149 is the quintessence of elegance and perfection. In terms of construction, it has a highly polished precious resin body that shines beautifully in the light. There are two versions available, one with gold-coated ornaments and the other with platinum-coated trim. The platinum-coated version costs EUR 740 and for this price you get a solid pen with an impressively large nib made of 18k gold and a piston filling mechanism. Why is this pen a great everyday writer you may ask. Well, besides the history behind it, the German craftsmanship and the overall quality, the writing performance it delivers is on another level.
Otto Hutt design08
The Bauhaus inspired legend from German, now in two NEW shades, is already on its way to becoming a very popular pen among designers and minimalism enthusiasts. Masterfully designed by Mark Braun and precisely assembled by Otto Hutt’s craftsmen, the pen has an understated look and the focus is clearly on functionality and performance but aesthetics are not neglected either. Let’s see what one gets for EUR 1116: a well-proportioned design and a really solid construction along with a revolutionary filling mechanism developed by Otto Hutt (Pull+Twist system) and a nib made of 18k gold available in EF, F, M and B sizes. This is by far the cleanest design and boldest approach and we recommend it for everyday use not only for its performance but also for its ability to adapt to diferent contexts.
Montegrappa Extra 1930
Often called “the Montegrappiest pen of them all”, the Extra 1930 is inspired by a design born over 80 years ago and has been the company’s brand-defining writing instrument not only for its iconic cylindrical shape but also for its performance as well as for its incredibly solid construction. It is the most expensive in our list with a price set at EUR 1258 but it is also the most unique.
The fact that it is made of celluloid explains the higher price, as we all know how difficult and time-consuming the celluloid manufacturing process is. The smooth 18k gold nib provides a pleasant writing experience and the grip section on this one is so comfortable even for longer sessions. The pen comes equipped with a piston filling-mechanism which means you’ll have enough ink for the whole day. Enthusiasts of vintage pieces will really appreciate this everyday writer.
Do you even understand what everyday use means? You’re calling a £1200 pen everyday pen? Better stop writing such blogs when you have no connection to the reality