5 Cheap-Ass Fountain Pens

So much more than a graduation gift or banker’s front pocket accessory, the fountain pen is still the best way to write longhand. A fountain pen will tighten up your penmanship and loosen your grip, saving you from writer’s cramp.  Contrary to the marketing hype of a few high end brands, most fountain pens are pretty cheap. Here are the five best for under $30. You can find these in Japan Town, or at Jetpens.com

1. THE PILOT VARSITY — THE THINKING MAN’S BIC

The Varsity is smooth beyond its price point, I’d compare it to any gold-nibbed jotter on the market. It will pain you to throw it out, but that’s what you have to do since there’s no cartridge. The nib has just enough flex and never scratches. These go for $3.00 a pop at Rite Aid.

3 for $7.50 at Jetpens.

2. PLATINUM PREPPY —  おたく/オタク

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practical and simple, with a brand name that doesn’t quite mean anything in English, the Preppy captures the spirit of modern Japan. You’ll want a cup of these in every color on your desk.
The Preppy black ink was the blackest of all the pens I tested.
$4.45 at Jetpens.
Cartridges are two for $1.65.

3. LAMY SAFARI — THE GIFT 

The Safari is the pen for someone who says “I would never spend X on a pen.” At $22, this is the most expensive pen I could justify. Anything more and you’re just paying for the frocket factor.

$28 at Jetpens.

Say you do care how your pen looks peeking out of your frocket, the Kaweco Sport is the  only gold pen on this list (gold color anyway.) Get the smug satisfaction of saying “here, use my pen,” on a budget.

5. PILOT KAKUNO — UNLEASH YOUR INNER JAPANESE SCHOOLGIRL 

The most kawai (cute) pen on this list. The perfect first fountain pen, the Kakuno comes in bright colors so you won’t loose it.

$13.75 at Jetpens.

A finer nib works better on cheap paper.