Fountain Pens

Fountain pens are still considered by many to be the only ‘proper’ pens. There's a bewildering variety available, from a few pounds to several hundred (and to several thousand pounds if you really want). Just remember that beyond around £150 you're not usually buying a better writing experience, you're buying additional barrel ornamentation. But there’s nothing wrong with a bit of ornamentation!

You can experience the joys of fountain pens - or introduce a young one to them - from less than £10. Try the Platinum Preppy or the Kaco Retro. Exceptionally good pens can be had for up to £30 - try the Parker Jotter (yes, it’s a fountain pen as well as the familiar ballpoint), the Kaweco Perkeo or the LAMY safari. And if you’re happy to stretch to around the £100 mark, there is plenty of choice from Platinum, Laban, TWSBI and Faber-Castell.

And what about nibs? Well, most sub-£100 pens employ steel nibs, while above that they tend to use a gold nib, which can give a better feel, but don't get hung up on it. Any decent quality steel-nib pen writes perfectly smoothly and both steel and gold nibs offer a range of nib sizes to suit all writing styles. Choose a fine nib if your writing is small and neat, but go for broad if your letters are large and loopy! And why not try an italic (or stub) nib for a spot of everyday calligraphy?

No fountain pen would be complete without ink. Many fountain pens will take both cartridges and - if you fit a converter - bottled ink, while some take only bottled ink. However you feed your pen, there is a huge choice of colours and types of inks out there, and the ritual of refilling your fountain pen is a curiously satisfying one.

When choosing a fountain pen, the thing to remember above all is that the process is quite personal: what’s great for somebody else may not be what’s good for you. So take advice, experiment a little, and then go with your gut.