Best Fountain Pen Under $200: Our Top 5 Choices
best fountain pen under 200

If you’re in the market for a new fountain pen, you may be wondering where to start. There are so many quality pens on the market, how can you choose the right one for you? In this blog post, we will discuss the 5 best fountain pen under 200.

These pens are all high-quality and have received great reviews from consumers. We’ll go over each pen’s features and what makes them unique so that you can find the perfect one for your needs.

The 5 Best Fountain Pens Under $200

Here are some of the best fountain pens within the $100-200 price range:

1. Waterman Carene Black Sea St Fountain Pen

The barrel of this limited edition fountain pen is made of a high-gloss lacquer for a truly beautiful writing experience. It has a clip and trim that is plated in palladium, with a liquid sheen that makes a striking, modern statement.

The incorporated rhodium-plated fountain pen nib made out of 18K solid gold has a beautiful design that glides smoothly across the page, drawing inspiration from the magnificent bow of a ship. This fountain pen is carefully constructed in France to complement your personal style. 

It also makes the perfect gift to commemorate special moments – it comes in a dark blue, luxury Waterman gift box and includes an ink converter. 

Every line you write with this Waterman Carene Black Sea St Fountain Pen will be faultless and as lovely as the thoughts you put down. This sleek nib delivers powerful lines and smooth curves with all the majesty and force of an aristocratic hand. You get a thrill as it easily glides throughout the paper.

Specifications:
  • Color: Black silver trim
  • Ink Color: Blue
  • Brand: Waterman
  • Material: Metal
  • Item Dimensions: 6.77 x 2.01 x 3.58 inches
  • Manufacturer: Waterman
  • Brand: Waterman
  • Item Weight: 1.28 ounces
  • Product Dimensions: 6.77 x 2.01 x 3.58 inches
  • Item Model Number: ‎S0293970
  • Color: Black silver trim
  • Material: Metal
  • Size: ‎1 Count (Pack of 1)
  • Point Type: Fine
  • Manufacturer Part Number: S0293970
  • ASIN: B001W1UWLI
 Pros:
  • This black deluxe fountain pen is a beautiful mix of metals and textures.
  • The nib is very smooth for a skip-free writing experience.
  • The weight and width of this pen provide a comfortable writing experience.
  • The fine nib delivers the expected results.
  • When utilizing the ‘long’ cartridges, the ink flow is reliable. It’s not overly moist, and it starts up quickly after refilling the cartridge.
  • The nib is perfectly integrated with the body of the fountain pen for a classic design.
 Cons:
  • The pen writes smoothly but is not ideal for people who want to produce very fine lines. 

2. LAMY 2000 Matte Black Fountain Pen

The Lamy 2000 fountain pen is made from Makrolon, a combination of black fiberglass and brushed stainless steel. The Makrolon has a texture that is different from most other inexpensive fountain pens. 

It has just enough friction to keep it from sliding out of your palm when you’re sweaty, but it is also smooth enough for a comfortable grip. From the posted screw-on cap to the ergonomic grip portion, the Makrolon body gives the pen an unmistakable look and feel.

The Lamy 2000 has built-in ink chambers that are refilled by a piston filling mechanism. The reliable piston filler pulls ink into the ink tank by twisting it while the nib is inserted into an ink bottle. This prevents any messy ink leaks, stains, and spills. Because it is filled with the piston, you can only fill this pen with an ink bottle, and not ink cartridges. 

The fill level of the fountain pen’s ink chamber can be seen through translucent glass. The ink window which allows you to see the ink level is subtle and cohesive, much like the entire body’s general design. 

The pen’s small clip keeps it secured when you have it in your pocket or bag.  

Specifications:
  • Manufacturer: ‎Lamy
  • Brand: ‎Lamy
  • Item Weight: 1.41 ounces
  • Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches
  • Item Model Number: L01M
  • Color: ‎Black
  • Material Type: ‎Makrolon
  • Size: 1 Count (Pack of 1)
  • Point Type: Medium
  • Ink Color: Black
  • ASIN: B000G0EJBA
 Pros:
  • The Makrolon fountain pen’s brushed texture provides easy traction for your fingers when writing.
  • The pen is light but has a solid feel to it.
  • You won’t have to worry about the ink running out because the reservoir is large.
  • The ink flow is smooth, lustrous, and moist.
  • It has a 14K gold nib, which makes it a lovely-looking pen.
  • It has just the proper weight and feels excellent in your hand.
  • It is simple to post the pen’s click-off cap.
  • It is easy to disassemble the fountain pen for cleaning.
 Cons:
  • The nibs have some issues when it comes to quality control.
  • The pen might have some manufacturing residue right after you take it out of the box.

 3. Pelikan M200 Fountain Pen Green Marble Fine

The Pelikan Classic M200 fountain pen is a work of art. It has the characteristic Pelikan structure: mainly cylindrical with a small taper more towards the endpoints of the barrel. 

Because the M200 uses the piston-mechanism to fill up, the nip and barrel do not separate. A slim 24K gold-plated ring separates the internal piston-filling knob from the barrel at the back of the Pelikan fountain pen.

Pelikan’s bill clip is included on the cap. It’s a big clip that does its job well. With its marble-like green tones, this pen has a one-of-a-kind appearance. It also features an anthracite ink monitoring window for viewing the level of ink, as well as 24-carat gold-plated ornamental rings.

The beak clip and Pelikan emblem at the crest of the cap give the pen its unique Pelikan look. The piston-filling process of this pen is dependable. The nib comes in a wide variety of sizes. The barrel components are seamlessly aligned with each other, so you will not even notice them when using the pen.

Specifications:
  • Color: Green Marble
  • Ink Color: Black
  • Brand: Pelikan
  • Material: Resin
  • Item Dimensions: 6 x 0.2 x 0.2 inches
  • Manufacturer: Imperial Trading Limited-OP
  • Item Weight: 0.493 ounces
  • Item Model Number: 994095
  • Point Type: Fine
  • Manufacturer Part Number: ‎994095
  • ASIN: B007RZGQOK
 Pros:
  • The pen can accommodate both a slow and fast writing style.
  • The material used to make this pen is of excellent quality.
  • The gold-plated nib is lavishly embellished with Pelikan artwork making it visually appealing. 
  • The pen is well balanced and comfortable in your hand.
  • The top cap offers the pen appropriate balance for writing quickly and precisely.
  • It’s easy to fill, allowing you to quickly get back to writing.
  • Has an excellent capacity piston filler with excellent fit and finish.
 Cons:
  • The gold plating on the nib wears out after some time
  • The nib skips which can be a challenge when writing

4. Sailor 1911 21K Gold Medium Point Fountain Pen

The Sailor 1911 fountain pen is a cigar-shaped pen with a typical black finish. The acrylic of the pen has been polished to a black sheen, and it feels smooth to touch. The clip is sleek and sturdy, and it gets the job done without bringing too much attention to the pen. 

Sailor has ensured that the modest materials are among the best, resulting in a high-quality item. The pen appears to be well-made, with precisely cut threads. Each part appears to be well-made and finished.

It has two cartridge ink filling systems, as well as a converter filling system. The international ink cartridges are available in black and blue. The 21k gold nib is very attractive and adds to the allure of this pen making it a promising option.

Specifications:
  • Color: Black
  • Ink Color: Black
  • Brand: Sailor’
  • Material: Resin
  • Item Dimensions: 7.09 x 3.15 x 1.57 inches
  • Item Model Number: SG_B0056AEIEI_US
  • Item Weight: 0.8 Ounces
  • ASIN: B0056AEIEI
  • Manufacturer: Sailor
 Pros:
  • The pen is comfortable to hold, allowing you to write for long periods.
  • The packaging is impressive and high-quality.
  • This pen is smooth on the majority of papers and produces a line that is both steady and bold.
  • Because of the structure and elasticity, you can write thin or thick lines using this pen.
  • The brilliance of the gold impresses people, plus the nib is also aesthetically pleasing.
 Cons:
  • The pen does not come with a complementary adapter or cartridges.
  • The ink flow is slightly weak.

5. PARKER Sonnet Fountain Pen

The Sonnet fountain pen is Parker’s icon of refinement, a timeless statement of exquisite flair. The barrel has a red satin varnish with palladium accents, and the embossed silver cap features an art deco design that adds luxury to any writing experience.

For an exceptionally pleasant writing experience, you have the rhodium-finished 18k solid gold nib. This fountain pen is handcrafted in France and meticulously inspected for quality making it an ideal choice.

This fountain pen writes quite well. The Parker Sonnet is a trustworthy writing accessory if you have extended writing sessions. The Sonnet’s structure is truly fantastic. The pen is comfortable to hold, and it’s even nicer whenever the cap is securely fastened to the back.

Specifications:
  • Body Color: Red
  • Ink Color: Black
  • Brand: Parker
  • Material: Metal
  • Item Dimensions: 6.97 x 3.21 x 1.85 inches
  • Manufacturer: Parker
  • Item Weight: ‎1.06 ounces
  • Item Model Number: 2119650
  • Size: ‎1 Count (Pack of 1)
  • Point Type: ‎Fine
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 2119650
  • ASIN: B08RXX4N2N
 Pros:
  • It is simple to set up, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
  • Extra ink cartridges are included with the fountain pen.
  • Replacing the cartridge is straightforward.
  • There are no gaps or blotches in the writing, and it has an excellent flow all through.
  • The entire barrel is made of slick metal.
  • The pen is well-sized and comfortable to use. It’s not too big for a small hand, but it’s also not too tiny for a bigger one.
 Cons:
  • People with very large hands might find the Sonnet fountain pen too thin.
  • Although the resin body of the pen is polished, it is easily scratched.

Fountain Pen FAQs

How Do Fountain Pens Work?

Fountain pens are designed with a nib and ink reservoir. The user writes by dipping the nib into an ink well or using bottled ink to fill the internal reservoir. 

There is some variation in how high-quality fountain pens are filled, but most use screw-in cartridges or converters (small containers that fit into the pen’s barrel and allow you to use bottled ink). When the user writes, the nib transfers ink from the reservoir to the paper.

How Do I Choose a Fountain Pen?

There are many factors to consider when choosing a fountain pen. The most important decisions are what type of nib you want (medium, broad, or extra-fine nib), and what type of ink you want to use (water-based or oil-based). You’ll also need to decide if you want a cartridge pen or a piston/converter pen.

What Is the Difference Between a Cartridge Pen and a Converter Pen?

The main difference between cartridge and converter pens is that cartridge pens are filled with a pre-packaged ink cartridge, while converter pens allow you to use any type of bottled ink. Converter pens also can hold more ink than cartridge pens.

Do I Need To Clean My Fountain Pen?

Yes, you should periodically clean your fountain pen to keep it functioning properly. You can use a bottle of cleaning solution, or you can simply flush the pen with water.

You can either use a bottled cleaning solution (which is designed specifically for a variety of fountain pens), or you can rinse your pen thoroughly with tap water. It’s best to empty the reservoir and nib before doing this so that you can flush away any traces of ink.

What Type of Paper Should I Use With My Retractable Fountain Pen?

Quality fountain pens work best on high-quality paper. If you’re using a cartridge pen, it’s important to use paper that is designed for your favorite fountain pens (otherwise the ink may not flow properly). 

You can also buy special notebooks and papers that are designed specifically for fountain pens. For example, Moleskine makes a wide range of notebooks and pads that have been optimized for use with a black lacquer fountain pen.

Bottom Line

Fountain pens are the most expensive writing instruments, but they can be worth it for an experienced fountain pen user. You don’t need to spend more than $150-200 for a high-quality fountain pen that will write smoothly and last you years of use, especially if you’re just starting out with these types of pens.

This article has given you some of the best fountain pens for under 200. Fountain pens are a great gift idea to give someone who loves calligraphy or the art of writing. Hopefully, this list will help you find that perfect pen without breaking your budget.

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