How to Choose Your First Fountain Pen: Complete Guide

How to Choose Your First Fountain Pen: Complete Guide
Why Own a Fountain Pen?

The fountain pen is a symbol of elegance and tradition. Writing with a fountain pen offers a unique experience, where each stroke reflects your personal style. The metal tip, which can be customized, leaves a special mark that is difficult to reproduce, making each writing unique and inimitable. When you choose a fountain pen, you're choosing more than a writing tool; you're choosing an accessory that adds style and sophistication to your everyday life.

1. determine how you intend to use your pen

Before choosing your first fountain pen, think about how you will use it. If you intend to carry it with you for everyday use, opt for a sturdy and comfortable pen, as it needs to withstand prolonged use. In addition, an elegant pen will be seen as an extension of your personal style. If the pen will only be used at home, you can opt for a more delicate one, as it won't be subjected to intense daily use. Make sure it's comfortable to avoid hand fatigue during long writing sessions, as you'll definitely want something that's more comfortable to hold and won't make your hand tired; it won't hurt if, for example, you only have to make one signature; but if you have to write for 5 hours, it could make your hand hurt.

2. Plan Your Budget

Fountain pens vary greatly in price, from affordable options to luxury pieces costing thousands of dollars. For beginners, it is advisable to start with a moderately priced pen. This allows you to experiment and discover your preferences before investing in more expensive models. As you gain experience, you can decide whether to collect your pens or trade in your first pens for more sophisticated models.

3. Look for reliable pens

At Zerifo, we offer high-quality fountain pens made with durable materials and refined design. Each model is carefully selected to provide the best possible writing experience. The nib, body and design of our pens are designed to ensure reliability and elegance. Choosing your pen starts with knowing that you can trust the quality of the product you are purchasing.

4. Determine Your Style and Desired Writing Experience

A fountain pen can transform your writing and it's important to consider a few aspects before choosing. Are you left- or right-handed? Does your hand tire easily or can you write for long periods? Do you prefer cursive or printed writing? These are questions that can help you decide which type of pen is right for you. Talk to Zerifo support to clear up any doubts and find the pen that best suits your needs.

5. Select the Pen Based on Your Writing Needs and Intentions

The tip of the fountain pen is one of the most important factors. There are tips of different widths and materials, and there are even pens with 18k gold tips - which is the case with the Golden Garden Pen - and each one provides a different writing experience. The nib is a very delicate thing, so you should never push it or hold it sideways, as not only will your fingers get dirty, but you could also end up affecting the way the pen writes. By far the most popular nib is the M size, medium. If a pen doesn't specify its nib size in its description, it's probably an M size. But they're not just widths, they also have oblique nibs, which are basically slanted nibs, so they can be for right-handers or left-handers. There are tips for writing in italics or stubs, which are very wide and more suitable for calligraphy. But there's no rule for this: you can buy and experiment, and then choose the ones you like best as you gain experience. Now, of course, there are reasons to choose one nib over another. Thinner nibs, such as EF (extra thin) and F (thin), are ideal for those who prefer small, detailed letters. Wider nibs, such as BB (broad) or 3B, provide more varied strokes and are perfect for signatures and cursive calligraphy, as the writing is more visually varied, and for some people this is more interesting. But a loose, wider tip uses a lot more ink on the paper than a thinner one, and if the paper isn't right for writing with it, the paper will "bleed" ink and that will look ugly visually. So, if you're going to write on paper like this or you can't control the paper, it's better to choose a finer nib, as it will use less ink, which works to write better in different situations. When there's a lot of ink on the paper, you can end up getting ink all over your hands, which is not what we want when writing. Now, the highest quality fountain pen nibs (I'm referring to the more expensive ones) have nibs made of gold, because it's a more flexible material with a different pressure, which provides you with more comfort when writing, giving you a better writing result. At Zerifo, we offer everything from traditional metal nibs to gold nib options, which guarantee flexibility and comfort.

Types of nibs

In addition to widths, there are oblique nibs for left-handers and right-handers, italic nibs, stubs and architectural nibs, each designed to offer a specific type of writing. Choosing the right nib can make all the difference to your fountain pen experience.

6. nib shapes: an overview

There are several types of nibs that can transform the way you write:

• Stub nib: Produces thin horizontal lines and thicker vertical lines, perfect for varying strokes.
  
• Italic nib: More suitable for calligraphy, it creates a marked variation in the thickness of the strokes.
  
• Architect's point: Wide horizontal and thin vertical strokes, traditionally used by architects and engineers.
  
• Hebrew nib: Similar to the architect nib, but adapted for specific calligraphies, such as Hebrew and Arabic.
• Oblique nib: Available for left-handers and right-handers, ideal for calligraphers who prefer variation in strokes. For calligraphers, the most popular oblique nibs are the OB, OBB and OBBB

As you're just getting into the world of fountain pens, you probably don't want to think about all these minute details. Just go through Zerifo's fountain pen section, see what's available and choose the one you like best according to the recommendations in this post. If you want to learn more about types of fountain pen nibs and how they impact the writing experience with a fountain pen, check out our post on "How to Write with a Fountain Pen."

Paints and Supply Methods

One of the advantages of fountain pens is a variety of inks available. You can customize the appearance of your writing chosen from various colors. Supply methods include traditional systems such as learning pen (converter), where you dip the pen tip into the ink and twist or pull something (depends on the pen model), and the ink will be sucked into the fountain pen; ;and modern cartridges, which are currently a more popular option, and are more practical for beginners, because you can buy the cartridge with different core inks and simply place it inside the fountain pen. At Zerifo, we recommend starting with pens that use cartridges or converters to make the refueling process easier.

See the paints we have in the session: Refills.

Fountain Pen Bodies and Caps

The material of the pen body affects both the aesthetics and the writing experience. Plastic, rubber, metals, and even precious metals are available options. Another popular material these days is resin, which is a good beginner material. For example, Mont Blanc's Meisterstück pen is made of resin, and its price can reach $1,935. Each material has its own characteristics, and the choice depends on personal preference and planned use. The cap also deserves attention, as it influences the pen's durability and balance during writing. Placing the cap on the opposite end of the fountain pen when writing can end up creating cracks in the cap. However, if you do this, the weight distribution will give you a better writing experience, as the weight of the pen in your hand will be more balanced. Some lids are screw-on, while others are pull-on, and the clip type can help with portability.

Design: Classic or Modern?

Design is a very personal choice. Some prefer a classic look that evokes tradition and elegance, while others like more modern and bold designs. Zerifo offers a variety of styles to suit all tastes and preferences.

Where to Buy Your First Fountain Pen?

The best option to find your ideal fountain pen is at Zerifo. Our products are carefully selected to ensure quality, durability and a refined design that complements the style of an elegant and stylish man. Access our fountain pens section and choose the one that suits you best.

Conclusion

Choosing your first fountain pen may seem like a challenge, but by following the tips in this guide, you will be better prepared to make the right choice. Remember to consider your usage, budget, writing style, and desired design. At Zerifo, you will find pens that combine quality, style and fashion, so that each stroke is a unique expression of your good taste. Lastly, read our post on "7 Common Mistakes When Using a Fountain Pen".

FAQ

1. What is the best fountain pen for beginners?
   We recommend starting with a cartridge pen for ease of use, such as those available from Zerifo.
2. How much should I invest in my first fountain pen?
   For beginners, it is advisable to start with a moderately priced pen, experimenting with different styles before investing in more expensive models.
3. What types of tips are most common?
   The most popular tips are EF, F and M, with medium (M) being the most common.
4. How do I choose the ink for my pen?
   Paints vary in color and viscosity. We recommend testing different options to find the one that best suits your style.
5. Do I need special care for my fountain pen?
   Yes, cleaning regularly and handling with care will extend its life and ensure smooth, accurate writing.