2023 Top Rate Popular Fountain Pens
Here we are in 2023! The store manager recommends the top rate ten popular fountain pen brands, introducing practical fountain pens that cover their unique features, nib materials, inking methods, and comparisons of nib thickness specifications. We have carefully selected ten models of high-quality, durable, and reliable fountain pens that are user-friendly and safe to use. We hope that all netizens/fellow pen enthusiasts will gain a better understanding of how to choose a fountain pen after reading this article, making it easy and quick to find the right model for themselves or as gifts for family and friends.
1. Lamy SAFARI Special Edition Fountain Pen – Pokémon
Popularity Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Features: Exquisitely fun design, four Pokémon each with their unique characteristics, affordable price, practical, and easy to write with.
In 2023, Lamy introduced a Pokémon series featuring the starter Pokémon and Poké Ball, bringing you into the “fantasy world of Pokémon,” with a cute and quirky design resembling a game console for the packaging. You can choose to embark on an adventure with Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Poké Ball, paired with the lightweight and practical Safari fountain pen, along with various adorable Pokémon-themed accessories, all at an affordable price! Perfect for personal use or gifting.
Brand | Lamy (Germany) | Filling Mechanism | Converter/ Cartridge compatible |
Nib Material | Stainless Steel | Nib Sizes | EF、F、M、B |
2. Aurora Italian Secret Exploration Series Limited Edition Fountain Pen
Popularity Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Features: The colorful Auroloide barrel makes you feel like you are in a secret realm, coupled with Aurora’s own rhodium-plated 18K gold nib, it promises a top-notch writing experience.
Aurora has launched a brand-new Italian Secret Series, allowing everyone to discover different facets of Italy. The first destination takes us to the cave city of Matera in southern Italy. The second stop on the secret journey is the city of Volterra in the Tuscany region. The third stop, “Baia,” located on the coast of Naples Bay, was a bustling town in ancient Rome and has been a popular vacation spot for nobles and royals for centuries.
Brand | Aurora (Italy) | Filling Mechanism | Piston |
Nib Material | 18K Gold | Nib Sizes | EF/F/M/B or Special Nibs Italic/Stub/CE/CF/CM |
3. Parker Duofold Century Series Fountain Pen
Popularity Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Features: Smooth writing with an 18K two-tone nib, a well-weighted barrel for balanced and comfortable grip, suitable for both classic collections and everyday use.
The Parker Duofold series was launched in the 1920s when most fountain pens on the market were in black and brown barrels. The red Duofold broke the tradition and quickly became popular, turning into the brand’s most beloved and representative fountain pen. The Parker Duofold features a well-balanced grip, paired with a smooth writing 18K two-tone nib, making it a classic collectible that is also suitable for daily writing. For those who prefer metal barrels, the Duofold Prestige offers a more luxurious, premium feel.
As a pen brand favored by the British royal family, Parker launched the Duofold Century Series Platinum Jubilee Special Edition fountain pen to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s 70th year on the throne. Pen collectors should not miss this special edition.
Brand | Parker (USA) | Filling Mechanism | Converter/ Cartridge compatible |
Nib Material | 18K Gold | Nib Sizes | F、M |
4. Otto Hutt Design 03 Series Fountain Pen
Popularity Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Features: The Design 03 series is a metal pen, giving it a certain weight. Its simple, clean, and understated design provides a solid grip, complemented by a smooth writing two-tone nib.
Founded in 1920, Otto Hutt stands for high-quality German manufacturing. This Design 03 series features a vintage and minimalist cylindrical design. The pen body is marked with the original factory number, made entirely of metal for a substantial feel, and includes a smooth writing two-tone nib, embodying over a century of exquisite German craftsmanship!
Brand | Otto Hutt (Germany) | Filling Mechanism | Converter/ Cartridge compatible |
Nib Material | Stainless Steel | Nib Sizes | EF、F、M |
5. Pelikan Souverän M200/M205 Series Fountain Pen
Popularity Index:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Features: A wide variety of styles with outstanding colors, smooth ink flow, and consistent quality.
The Pelikan Souverän M200 series is the smallest in the lineup, featuring a smooth writing steel nib. Recent annual limit editions like the dazzling Golden Beryl and the starry Moonstone have been quite popular. In 2023, they introduced the M205 Apatite, with a semi-transparent frosted blue-green barrel that is quite attractive—a must-have for green enthusiasts! Some models even come with ink sets, making them ideal gifts or personal purchases. Interested friends can feel free to contact us.
Brand | Pelikan (Germany) | Filling Mechanism | Piston |
Nib Material | Stainless Steel | Nib Sizes | EF、F、M、B |
6. TWSBI ECO Piston-Filling Fountain Pen
Popularity Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Features: An entry-level piston-filling fountain pen that allows you to enjoy the fun of a high-capacity fountain pen at an affordable price.
The ECO series fountain pens from Taiwanese brand TWSBI come in numerous colors, featuring a lightweight and durable barrel paired with a piston-filling mechanism that ensures ample ink capacity, making it a great companion for practicing writing or a popular choice for daily use.
Brand | TWSBI (Taiwan) | Filling Mechanism | Piston |
Nib Material | Stainless Steel | Nib Sizes | EF、F、M、B、1.1 |
7. Platinum #3776 Century 10th Anniversary “Decade” Fountain Pen Set
Popularity Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Features: Limited to 3776 sets, featuring a brand new soft flex nib and includes special color inks.
In 1978, Japanese writer Umeda Haruo, a fountain pen enthusiast, and his research team developed the first generation of the “#3776 Gathered” fountain pen based on their ideal pen. “#3776” refers to the height of Japan’s tallest mountain, Mount Fuji, symbolizing Platinum’s goal to create Japan’s best fountain pen. In 2011, Platinum launched the “#3776 Century” series, featuring the patented Slip & Seal airtight system, allowing for immediate ink flow even months after filling—claiming to have the best airtight feature of any fountain pen.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the “#3776 Century,” Platinum released the “Decade” fountain pen set, limited to 3776 sets, with each pen individually numbered. The body design mimics the six-ring pattern of the original “#3776 Gathered,” with the top bearing a 10th-anniversary pattern. The nib has also been redesigned, differing from past “#3776 Century” models in terms of shape and engraving; for instance, the F nib has a softness level between a regular F and SF. The set even includes specially formulated explosive sheen “Fuji Blue” ink, a must-have for ink control enthusiasts!
Brand | Platinum (Japan) | Filling Mechanism | Converter/ Cartridge compatible |
Nib Material | 14K Gold | Nib Sizes | F、M |
8. Sailor 1911/Professional Gear 21K Fountain Pen
Popularity Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Features: Sailor is a brand loved by both beginners and veterans; both the 1911 and Professional Gear series have consistently been popular.
We recommend the 21K 1911L Torpedo series and PG Flat Top series. They have a moderate barrel size suitable for everyone; the 21K gold nibs, exclusively developed by Sailor, are soft, bouncy, and a pleasure to write with. These two series are definitely great companions for your writing, whether for practicing calligraphy or everyday use.
Brand | Sailor (Japan) | Filling Mechanism | Converter/ Cartridge compatible |
Nib Material | 21K Gold | Nib Sizes | EF、F、MF、M、B、Zoom、Music |
9. Pilot Elite 95S Fountain Pen
Popularity Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Features: A compact and cute short fountain pen, lightweight and practical.
Pilot launched the once-popular short pen “Elite S” in 1968, making it an excellent gift for graduates and job seekers. The Pilot Elite 95S is its reissue, available in black gold and burgundy colors. When carried, the barrel measures only 11.9 centimeters long and weighs just 15 grams, making it feel light in a shirt pocket or handbag.
If you’ve never owned a short pen, starting with the Elite 95S is a great idea.
Brand | Pilot (Japan) | Filling Mechanism | Converter/ Cartridge compatible |
Nib Material | 14K Gold | Nib Sizes | EF、F、M |
10. Montblanc Meisterstück 146 Flex Nib Fountain Pen
Popularity Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Features: Flex nib design suitable for everyday use.
The Montblanc Meisterstück 146 flex nib is less soft than the 149 flex nib, providing a medium degree of flexibility that is suitable for beginners practicing English calligraphy and daily writing without the worry of damaging the nib with slight pressure. The flexible nib offers a unique experience when writing in Chinese as well; also, the 146 uses a piston filling system, ensuring stable and generous ink flow. If you love the appearance of the Meisterstück series and want to try a flex nib design, this pen is worth considering.
Brand | Montblanc (Germany) | Filling Mechanism | Piston |
Nib Material | 18K Gold | Nib Sizes | FLEX |