Luxury Fountain Pen Ink
A bottle of fountain pen ink will last most of us quite a long time, so the extra cost of a luxury fountain pen ink will usually be spread out enough to be relatively insignificant. And the more luxurious inks usually come in more beautiful bottles, so they'll make a lovely desk accessory while you're using them. Some of these bottles even have extra features to make filling your pen a little easier too, especially as the bottle is getting low, which can help with the value.
There are also luxury inks in cartridges, so those who prefer that 'pop in' convenience can still use these pretty inks. Luxury inks often have extra ingredients added to help keep your pen running smoothly and to ensure good and reliable ink flow.
There's no real *need* to use luxury ink, but a fairly small extra cost can make the experience of using your pen just that little bit nicer, so why not?
Fine Writing Fountain Pens FAQ
What makes a fountain pen ink 'luxury'?
High-end fountain pen inks may have extra ingredients to help protect and lubricate the inner workings of your expensive pens, but they can also just be very pretty colours, with less concern for the cost of their ingredients. And they're often supplied in particularly nice bottles, which can really make a difference when they look so good on your desk, ready for use.
What fountain pen inks should I avoid using in a luxury fountain pen?
Anything that isn't specifically sold as fountain pen ink should be avoided. Drawing and calligraphy inks can often contain ingredients that would harm your pen, clogging the feed. The ink doesn't have to be expensive, though! Highly reputable inks, like Diamine, are available at very good prices and are well known for being reliable. Luxury inks aren't a necessity, but they're often a very reasonable price for a nicer experience, in a pretty bottle.
What are some of the best brands that make premium fountain pen inks?
There are plenty, but two of the most popular ranges are Pelikan's Edelstein and Pilot's Iroshizuku.