FOUNTAIN PEN NETWORK
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Fountain Pen Network! In order to assist you in searching for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, we’ve listed below some of these FAQ’s. Of course, you are free to ask similar and related questions again, but this posting may help you to see what factors to consider and what questions have been asked and answered before.
What Pen Should I Buy?
This is probably the most commonly asked question on the Fountain Pen Network. In many cases, someone new to fountain pens doesn’t know where to start and wants opinions from those who are more experienced fountain pen users. However, it is difficult to answer this question without more information. For example, how much do you want to spend? Do you like small pens or large pens? Thick or thin barrels? Heavy or light? Traditional looking or sleek and modern?
If you are not very familiar with fountain pens, the best strategy is to go to a store that stocks them and try some various types. Also, look at various pen seller sites on the Internet to see the various styles available. Determine the answers to at least some of the questions posed above. Once you have some preferences in mind, the members of the FPN can help you answer this question better.
Some of the following threads include the question of “What pen should I buy” which have been asked and answered before. These will give you some ideas as to the factors to consider. Feel free to ask your question, but remember to have some preferences in mind first so that you can be better helped.
Best inexpensive (cheap) pens:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=9931
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=14898
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7139
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=13308
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=24855
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=24387
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=23587
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=20714
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=17536
Best under $50:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7395
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7825
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=20512
Inexpensive pen for an engineering student:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=9069
Pen for College student:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7306
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=16363
Fountain pen under $75:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=10306
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=10146
Good writer under $80:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=21615
Best pen under $100:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=10586
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=24520
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=18034
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=15214
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7892
Teacher pen under $100:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6912
Seeking specific pen advice:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=10376
Celluloid pen under $100:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=17165
Upgrade fountain pen under $125:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=9644
Small writing FP under $125:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6314
Decent size pen under $150:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6433
Good starter, all day writer for Dr. under $150:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=26785
Best pen for $150:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=26711
Pen under $200:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7028
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6356
Best pen for $200-$300:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=24497
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=21190
Pen for female around $300:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=16459
First expensive pen up to 170 pounds:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8968
Best pen under $400:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8974
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8104
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6378
If you had $500 to spend on pens:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=15403
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=26285
Help me choose another:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8753
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=27425
Student/ starter pen for 8/9 year old:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8772
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=19012
Large / Wide-bodied / Heavy fountain pen:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7985
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=20567
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=20482
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=20291
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=18479
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=18278
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=17432
Small / Slim size pen:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=17700
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=13006
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6676
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6649
Fountain pen for teacher, nicer than Pelikan Go:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7955
Fountain pen for wife, fiancée or girlfriend / Female pens:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=24754
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=18782
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=18436
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=15788
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=14962
Traditional FP:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7201
Most durable pen:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=26512
Black/silver pen:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6265
Newbie advice:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6223
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=25521
Where to get fountain pen repaired:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8030
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8018
Best Pen/ Smoothest writing pen / most reliable / “Go to” pen?
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8722
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=4933
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7423
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=27082
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=25883
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=17883
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=15842
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=23596
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=21607
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=20843
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=19268
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=17773
If you could only have one pen:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7209
Desert island pen:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6190
Chinese Pens:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=22737
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=24969
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=25227
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=24633
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=23656
What is a vintage pen?
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=11044
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7854
Why do you like vintage pens?
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=21030
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=21573
Vintage versus modern:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=17759
Cheap vintage American pens / best vintage under $100:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6809
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=22456
Favorite Pen brand / most underrated pen brand / most elegant brand?
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=2981
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=25584
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=19231
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=20293
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=10200
Scratchy or skipping nib problems
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7080
Nib smoothing:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8221
Best place to buy pens / Where do you buy pens / Pen shops
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=23325
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=10709
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=10071
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=26734
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=10852
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=23079
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=16717
Nib material:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=11275
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=21814
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=20944
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=17450
Should I ink this mint pen?
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...p?showtopic=353
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7104
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6450
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=26544
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=21928
Stub, oblique and cursive italic nibs:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=9502
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=10245
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=10274
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=11348
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=10805
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=10803
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=9436
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=9169
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8914
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8562
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8281
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6686
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=23067
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=20116
Most trouble free modern pen brands:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8909
How many fountain pens do you have:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6460
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=26581
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=21935
How to and how often to clean out a pen?
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=10263
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8432
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=6945
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=22079
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=19396
Fountain pens and airplanes / travel
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=10420
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8749
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=27287
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=26078
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=21642
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=18656
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=17327
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=12382
Do fountain pens adapt themselves to a user’s writing style?
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8976
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=18662
Best ink for your fountain pen:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8290
Nib sizes / preferences:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8021
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=22745
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=25785
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=21353
Fine nib fountain pens:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=26243
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=24436
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7089
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=25866
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=26293
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=7089
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=23921
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=19451
Fine pen for everyday office use:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=27476
Ugliest Pen:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=27192
Wide pen, smooth nib:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=27451
What pen is your holy grail?
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=27128
Most elegant black pen:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=25715
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=22716
To post or not to post, that is the question:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=5857
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=26457
What pen was your biggest disappointment?
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=20039
Why doesn’t Parker revive the Parker “51”?
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=17984
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=27820
Why do you collect pens?
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=5809
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=14420
Do you let others use your fountain pen?
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=28065
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=22165
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=24364
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=19096