Best Entry-Level Fountain Pens for Everyday Use
Original video: My 5 Favorite Beginner Fountain Pens
5 entry level pens
If you're new to fountain pens, you might think they’re too messy, too fragile, or too complicated to be part of your everyday carry (EDC). I used to think the same thing. I was deep into the EDC world, carrying a titanium ballpoint pen and never thought I’d switch.
But on a whim, I grabbed a Lamy Safari off Amazon, and the moment I started writing with it, I was hooked. Now, I have a whole collection!
If you’re curious about how to get started with fountain pens without the hassle, I’ve put together a list of affordable, beginner-friendly pens that can easily fit into your daily routine.
1. Lamy Safari – The Easiest First Fountain Pen
✔ Affordable (~$25)
✔ Uses easy-to-swap ink cartridges
✔ Durable plastic body, great for everyday carry
The Lamy Safari is one of the best beginner fountain pens. It’s tough enough to toss in a bag or pocket without leaking or breaking. If you want more ink options, you can upgrade to a piston converter to use bottled ink.
Alternative: The Lamy Vista is the same pen, but clear, so you can see the ink inside.
2. Kaweco Sport – The Best Pocket Fountain Pen
✔ Compact and lightweight
✔ Uses small ink cartridges—no mess!
✔ Great for pocket carry
If you want the ultimate pocket-friendly pen, the Kaweco Sport is unbeatable. It’s tiny when closed, but when you post the cap on the back, it becomes full-sized and comfortable to write with.
They come in tons of materials—plastic, aluminum, brass, carbon fiber—so you can choose one that matches your EDC style.
3. TWSBI Eco – The Best Value for Bottled Ink
✔ Large ink capacity
✔ Built-in piston filler (no cartridges needed!)
✔ Smooth writing experience
If you’re ready to dive into bottled ink, the TWSBI Eco is the perfect next step. It holds a lot of ink and is super easy to clean and maintain.
It also writes buttery smooth, and you can pick from different nib sizes depending on your writing style.
4. TWSBI Diamond 580 – Upgrade for Customization
✔ Interchangeable nibs
✔ Higher-end build quality
✔ Still affordable (~$60-70)
If you want a more premium feel, the TWSBI Diamond 580 has aluminum accents and lets you swap out nibs without replacing the whole pen. It still has a built-in ink reservoir, so you don’t need to deal with cartridges.
Which One Should You Pick?
If you want the easiest, no-hassle option, go with the Lamy Safari or Kaweco Sport.
If you want to play with bottled ink and custom colors, go for the TWSBI Eco or TWSBI Diamond 580.
No matter which one you choose, fountain pens don’t have to be complicated. They can fit into your daily life, just like any other EDC tool.
Have you tried any of these pens? Let me know in the comments what your go-to fountain pen is! 🎨✍️
