Updated weekly. The methodical review of fountain pens
Nib & Ink
How we score Guides
This week's top score

Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen — this week's spotlight

The Pilot Kakuno delivers Pilot's renowned nib quality in a forgiving hooded design — here's what to expect before you buy.

Read the review →

Shop by what you actually need

A fountain pen held above an open notebook in writing posture For your first pen Close-up study of a fountain pen nib showing tines, slit, and feed channel in vintage scientific plate style Best under $50 Vintage scientific plate showing a fountain pen cross-section with the nib, feed channel, and ink reservoir labelled Best for daily writing A glass ink bottle with cork stopper beside an uncapped fountain pen resting on a writing desk Best inks Scientific plate study of fountain pen nibs showing tines, slit, and varying tip widths from narrow to broad Pick your nib size A thin extra fine ink line on cream paper beside a broader medium line for comparison, illustrating the difference in line width For fine writers

Recently scored

Vintage scientific plate of a Pilot Kakuno fountain pen, capped and uncapped, showing its hexagonal barrel and hooded nib No. 013 · Just added Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen Vintage scientific plate of a Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen showing the brass barrel and rhodium-plated steel nib No. 012 85 Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen Review Illustration of a fountain pen cartridge aligned above the open pen section before insertion No. 011 How to Use a Fountain Pen A glass ink bottle with cork stopper beside an uncapped fountain pen resting on a writing desk No. 010 Best Fountain Pen Inks A fountain pen held at a writing angle, with ink visible at the nib tip poised to flow onto paper No. 009 How Do Fountain Pens Work? Nib, Feed, and Ink Flow Explained Scientific plate study of fountain pen nibs showing tines, slit, and varying tip widths from narrow to broad No. 008 Fountain Pen Nib Sizes Explained

The same eight tests, every pen.

Nib smoothness, ink flow, hand feel, weight, grip, cap action, line variation, value. Every pen scored the same way.

Every source cited.

We don't physically test. We synthesize manufacturer specs, owner reports, and expert reviews — and we list them on every page.

Updated weekly.

New specimens scored every week. Scores can change when new owner data arrives — corrections are dated and visible.