Updated weekly. The methodical review of fountain pens
Nib & Ink
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Fountain Pen Ink Cartridges — this week's spotlight

A guide to fountain pen ink cartridges — standard international vs. proprietary types, compatibility, and the best pens for cartridge users.

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85 / 100 Vintage scientific plate of a Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen showing the brass barrel and rhodium-plated steel nib
The one to buy

Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen Review

A brass-bodied benchmark that out-writes pens twice its price — the safest first-pen recommendation in the catalog.

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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

Latest reviews

A Lamy AL-Star fountain pen in graphite aluminum with cap removed, revealing the triangular grip section and steel nib No. 006 · Just added 82 Lamy AL-Star Fountain Pen Review Vintage scientific plate of a Pilot Custom 74 fountain pen showing a resin body and 14k gold nib No. 005 86 Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen Review A Pilot Varsity disposable fountain pen with translucent barrel showing remaining ink and a semi-hooded steel nib No. 004 76 Pilot Disposable Fountain Pen Vintage scientific plate of a Pilot Kakuno fountain pen, capped and uncapped, showing its hexagonal barrel and hooded nib No. 003 82 Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen Vintage scientific plate of a Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen showing the brass barrel and rhodium-plated steel nib No. 002 85 Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen Review Vintage scientific-plate study of a fountain pen resting on a handwritten letter, sepia on cream No. 001 80 Lamy Safari Fountain Pen

Guides & how-tos

A fountain pen nib moving left across paper with fresh ink still glistening on the page surface Fountain Pens for Left-Handed Writers Illustration of a fountain pen cartridge aligned above the open pen section before insertion How to use a fountain pen A fountain pen held at a writing angle, with ink visible at the nib tip poised to flow onto paper How fountain pens work Vintage scientific plate showing a fountain pen cross-section with the nib, feed channel, and ink reservoir labelled For beginners A fountain pen with its barrel removed, exposing the section and filling chamber How to fill a fountain pen
2,637owner reports synthesized
27expert reviews read
6pens scored so far
8dimensions, every pen

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.