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Getting started with writing with fountain pens ~ Basic knowledge of fountain pens dedicated to beginners~


In the Beginning - A Love Letter to Fountain Pens


Fountain pen, what a wonderful tool you are. The moment you run your nib gracefully across the paper, it is like music, beautiful and soothing.
You are more than just a writing instrument. You have personality, dignity, and the ability to bring out the originality of the writer. The letters you produce are not just letters, but beautiful and elegant works of art.

The smoothness of the writing you give us is truly exquisite, and it is incomparable to anything else. Using you allows me to put emotion and meaning into the letters, and writing itself becomes a pleasure.

And best of all, you are environmentally friendly and can be used for a long time. Your beauty will increase with continued use and you will be loved forever.

You, as a fountain pen, can be proudly present today, tomorrow, and forever.

How to choose a fountain pen

Now that we have just talked a lot about our love for fountain pens, you must have read this and are now eager to have one.

When choosing a fountain pen for the first time, you should pay attention to the following points.

  1. Budget: Fountain pens come in a wide price range, from 1,000 yen to over 1 million yen. Setting a budget before choosing a fountain pen will help you avoid unnecessary expenses.

  2. Intended use: Depending on the purpose for which you write and how often you use the pen, select the nib diameter, shape, and type of ink. For example, a fine nib is suitable for writing fine characters, while a thick nib is suitable for writing large characters.

  3. Design: Fountain pens come in a wide variety of designs, many of which are unique and luxurious. Choosing one that suits your taste will make writing more enjoyable.

There are various types of fountain pens, depending on the shape of the nib (nib) and the method of ink supply. Typical types are listed below.

Types of fountain pen nibs

  1. Straight nib: This is a common type, characterized by a straight nib.

  2. Italic nib: This type of nib is sharpened at an angle and can be used to draw thick and thin lines.

  3. Flexible nib: With a flexible nib, line thickness can be changed according to writing pressure.

  4. Calligraphy nib: This nib can draw extra-thick lines and is used in the art of writing.

Ink Supply Methods


There are various types of ink supply methods as follows

Cartridge type: Ink is placed in a cartridge and replaced.

Converter type: Ink is sucked from a bottle.

Piston type: A piston is installed in the body of the pen to suck up the ink.

Ironing-glass type: A method in which a groove is engraved on the shaft, called an ironing-glass, to suck up the ink.

Iron filler type: Heating method to suck up ink.

The following is an explanation of three typical types: cartridge type, converter type, and piston type!

The advantage of the cartridge type is that ink replacement is simple and easy. Since it uses disposable cartridges, it can be kept clean and hygienic. In addition, a wide variety of replacement cartridges are available, allowing you to use a wide range of ink colors.

On the other hand, the disadvantage of the cartridge type is that only a specific type of ink can be used for each cartridge, so if the ink you want to use is not available, you need to make your own cartridges or use bottled ink with a converter or piston.

The converter type allows you to use bottled ink and offers a wide choice of colors. It is also environmentally friendly. The disadvantage is that the connection between the nib and the ink supply can become brittle.

The piston type is suitable for long periods of continuous writing, as it allows the use of bottled ink, smooth ink suction, and the ability to store a large amount of ink. The disadvantage is that the ink supply part is complicated and may be difficult to clean.

The most common ink supply system is the cartridge type. This is suitable for beginners and daily users because it is easy to replace ink and allows for a variety of colors. However, you can also choose a converter or piston type, depending on your purpose of use and preference.

Where should I buy a fountain pen?


For first-time buyers and beginners, we recommend specialty stores and stationery stores where you can actually hold the pen in your hand to check the writing feel and balance!
If you are buying from an online store, you can also refer to detailed descriptions and reviews, but
We still recommend that you compare prices and quality, and buy from a reliable dealer.

Some of them are like beginner's sets that you can buy online at a discount. If it is a well-known brand, the quality is not that bad, so you may be able to buy these products online. There are a lot of interesting things to choose from.


Get to know the famous brands of fountain pens!


There are several famous brands of fountain pens, but here are some of the most representative ones! Knowing even just their names may help you when choosing a product!


Montblanc: Montblanc is a representative brand of high-end fountain pens. The design is simple and features a white star-shaped mark. They are made of high-quality materials and are very smooth and comfortable to write with. Some models are customizable and can be engraved with names and logos.

A typical model is the "Boehm. It features a slim silhouette and a luxurious design made of high-quality materials. The nib is made of 18K gold and writes very smoothly.

Parker: Parker is an American fountain pen manufacturer founded in 1921. It is characterized by a simple, classic design, and many of its models are mainly for business use. They are very smooth to write with, and the ink dries quickly for quick writing.

A typical model is the "Sonnet. It features a simple, classic design and is extremely smooth to write with. Another feature is that the nib can be easily replaced.



Waterman: Waterman is a well-established fountain pen manufacturer founded in the United States in 1883. It features beautiful designs and uses chrome and 18k gold for metal parts. The writing experience is very smooth, and the nibs are soft and extremely comfortable to write with.


A typical model is the "Cullen. It features a beautiful design and a nib made of 18k gold, and is extremely smooth to write with. It also absorbs ink well and is capable of withstanding long hours of writing.


Sailor
: Sailor is a Japanese fountain pen manufacturer whose brand is known for its ultra-fine nibs. The ultra-fine nibs allow for writing very fine lines, making writing both easy and beautiful. It also has a very smooth writing feel and does not tire easily even after long hours of writing.
A representative model is the PROFESSIONAL GEAR SLIM fountain pen. It features an ultra-fine nib that allows for very fine writing. It is highly regarded for its extremely smooth writing feel and good ink output.



Pilot: Pilot is a Japanese fountain pen manufacturer that offers a wide range of models, from entry-level to high-end models. In particular, the "capless" model features a novel design that eliminates the need to remove the cap, making it easy to use. They are also extremely smooth and easy to write with.


What tools do I need to care for my fountain pen?


To care for your fountain pen, you will need the following tools

Ink absorbing paper: Used to absorb excess ink from the nib and from the characters you have written.


Pump cleaner: used to clean nibs and feeds (the part that supplies ink).


Brush: Used to clean every nib and feed.

Special cleaning solution: Used to clean the nib and feed. However, the cleaning solution must be selected according to the type and material of the fountain pen.



Using these tools to care for your fountain pen will keep it writing beautifully for a long time!
However, it is important to take care of your fountain pens on a regular basis, as it takes time and effort to care for them!



We recommend buying consumables online!



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