Everything You Need To Know To Pick the Best Fountain Pen Gift
best fountain pen gift

Gifts are one of the most eloquent ways to show you love and care about someone. Whether it’s for the holidays or to mark a milestone in the life of that special someone, a fountain pen gift is always a good idea if you want to gift something timeless and stately.

Even if the person in question isn’t a known fountain pen enthusiast, giving them this writing instrument can start their collection.

But, if you have no idea where to start when picking the perfect fountain pen gift, no worries! We’ve crafted this detailed guide of our favorite giftable fountain pens, as well as what to look for when choosing a fountain pen as a gift.

Best Fountain Pen Gift

1. Waterman Carene Marine Amber Luxury Fountain Pen Medium Nib

This pen is beautiful, well-weight, and a perfect gift item for the fountain pen enthusiast and beginner alike!

When our team tried out this pen, one thing everyone agreed on is that it delivered a writing experience far above its price point.

Not only does it promote smoother penmanship, but it has a considerably longer dry time, meaning you won’t have to use it frequently to make sure it stays functional. This is great for people who don’t write that often. 

Another thing we couldn’t help but comment on is the fine craftsmanship visible with this pen.  Its black lacquer finish and silver plating promote elegance. 

Available in different color options, you can match the color to the person you’re getting this gift for. 

In addition to this, its inner mechanism has a brilliant design that helps it easily support assorted colors of ink cartridges. So, not only is this pen stylish, but it is remarkably functional as well!

Throw in Tomoe River paper with this gift and you’re guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on your loved one. 

Pros: 
  • It has a beautiful and classic design.
  • It supports multiple bottle inks and cartridges.
  • It comes with a beautiful gift box.
  • It comes with a 3-year warranty.
  • It has 18k gold nibs and offers multiple color options.
  • It comes with a converter. 
Cons: 
  • The gold nibs may require professional adjustments.
  • It could have better build quality. 

2. Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen Extra-Fine Nib (L01-EF)

If you’re looking for something visually-appealing and functional but still not very expensive, then you need to check out the Lamy 2000.

Originally produced in the 1960s, this German-designed pen has a long and rich history. It’s been remade time and time again over the years, but its very essence has remained unchanged. With a Polycarbonate Makrolon and stainless steel finish, it looks simple yet elegant.

The Lamy 2000 also has a 14-karat gold nib that’s hooded, a capacity piston filler mechanism, and a spring-loaded clip. What all of this amounts to is an amazing gift item that doesn’t only give consistent flow but is also lightweight and properly balanced.

This writing instrument is just right for fountain pen lovers who like simple, minimally-styled works of art.

You’ll have to purchase a gift box for this item separately, and it also doesn’t come with any additional accessories like ink cartridges or individual ink bottles.

That being said, the subtle way it improves writing and calligraphy style and the fact that it’s high-quality more than make up for any drawbacks.

 Pros: 
  • It offers an exceptionally well-balanced weight and feel.
  • It’s relatively affordable.
  • It has a comparatively large capacity piston filler.
  • Its 14k gold nib further enhances smooth writing.
  • It boasts an iconic German design and finish.
  • It’s a great addition to any collection of fountain pens. 
Cons
  • It doesn’t come with a gift box or any accessory items.
  • The cap “ears” may feel intrusive to some writers.
  • Its 14-karat gold nib may need to be adjusted before it can be used properly.

3. Parker 51 Acrylic Resin Finish Barrel with Gold Trims and Black Ink Cartridge

Next on our list is yet another fountain pen that’s a model revision of an older product.

Available in plum and black acrylic resin finish, this pocket fountain pen offers a new take on the original Parker, which was a worldwide sensation in 1941.

If you’re going to give someone a gift, the Parker 51 is certainly the way to go. 

This pen is sleek, doesn’t have hard starts or sudden breaks, and seems to glide over paper, whether it’s a bullet journal or foolscap sheet! Even with its compact size, it houses a super-efficient internal piston that makes ink collection and distribution seamless.

One thing is certain with this prestigious writing device — whoever you give it to won’t be needing blotting paper!

We also like that it’s available in a wide array of basic colors. When you add this to the fact that it has an ergonomic design that encourages protracted use, it’s clear that this pen is a great purchase.

Pros: 
  • It features gold trim, a chiseled gold finish, and the Parker trademark arrow clip.
  • It’s a fine addition to any fountain pen set.
  • It’s available in a wide range of colors.
  • It comes with an elegantly designed gift box.
  • It comes with a black ink cartridge and 18k gold nibs. 
Cons: 
  • If damaged, the nib can be difficult to replace.
  • Its dry time is accelerated if it isn’t used for long periods. 

4. Sailor Profit Standard 21 Luxury Fountain Medium Nib

The next time you hear a fountain pen enthusiast say that you have to break the bank to get a very decent writing pen, show them the Sailor Profit Standard 21!

This is arguably the best fountain pen gift you could get thanks to all the salient features it holds.

To start with, it has a timeless yet chic design complete with a well-crafted 14-karat gold nib that people of all ages are sure to appreciate. What’s more, the writing experience it produces is second to none, even when used on cheap paper. 

This pen is very well-balanced, so even people who aren’t fountain-pen enthusiasts will have no problem using it. 

This writing instrument also comes complete with a converter and two black sailor cartridges, although it does not come in a gift box.

We’re sure that anyone receiving this affordable fountain pen as a gift would be delighted.  

Pros: 
  • It has a beautiful and classic design.
  • It writes elegantly on everything from cheap paper to documents to notebooks.
  • It comes with various accessory items.
  • It can be dismantled for easy cleaning.
  • It has an exquisitely designed nib.
  • It’s especially perfect for people with small handwriting.
  • It offers great balance and grip when used. 
Cons: 
  • It has a relatively small capacity piston filler.
  • It may feel uncomfortable for writers with larger hands.
  • It doesn’t come with a gift box. 

5. Waterman Expert Fountain Pen Gift Set

By far the most affordable item in our gift guide, the Waterman Expert Fountain Pen rivals its more expensive counterparts in terms of quality and appearance. 

Created by the hands of a French craftsman, this pen has a perfect stainless steel finish. And, weighing a sizable 10.6 ounces, it feels anything but cheap and flimsy when you’re writing. 

As for the writing itself, its stainless steel nib ensures that it is fluid, consistent, and comfortable. On any pad of paper, you can be confident that there’ll be no sudden stops or difficult starts with this pen.

Another thing we love about this pen is that it comes with a leather pen pouch and is well-packaged in a gift box. 

We’ll be the first to admit that this fountain pen is less than perfect. That being said, it does give you a lot for the price.  

Pros: 
  • It has an attractive design.
  • It has a well-crafted stainless steel nib.
  • It writes well on any type of paper. 
  • It comes with a gift box and a pen pouch.
  • It’s very affordable. 
Cons: 
  • Its dry time could be longer.
  • It’s only available in one color option. 

Runner-up Fountain Pen Gift Ideas 

How To Choose the Best Fountain Pen to Gift

Fountain pens have a long history.

As we’ve established, there are many things to take into consideration when choosing a fountain pen. While a big part of these writing instruments is aesthetics, functionality is equally important, especially if you want the receiver of this present to actually use it. 

With that being said, some important things to look for in your ideal fountain pen gift are:

Size

The size of the fountain pen in relation to the hand that’ll be using it can affect comfort and convenience significantly. That’s why a more-experienced fountain pen user will always carefully determine their hand size before purchasing a writing instrument.

Be sure that any pen you’re choosing is a good fit for the hand size of whoever will be using it.

Weight

You have to make sure you consider the weight of the pen to ensure a good writing experience. If the person you’ll be giving this present to is already a fountain pen user, you can simply use the pens they already have to guess what weight they prefer.

However, if your gift will be their first fountain pen, we recommend you get something solid and lightweight. This tends to ease users into the world of fountain pens better.

Filling Mechanism

Sooner or later, all fountain pens run out of ink. However, unlike ballpoint pens that have to be tossed in the trash, fountain pens can be refilled. You can delay the fill time significantly if you get a pen with a larger piston filler capacity. 

If the person you’re giving this gift to is a fountain pen user who enjoys the ritual of frequent ink changes, then you might consider getting them a cartridge or converter pen.

Gift Box

Purchasing a fountain pen that comes with a gift box saves you the trouble and expense of having to purchase this item separately. Bonus points if the pen comes with a small bag for the user to keep it in as well!

FAQs

Do Fountain Pens Make Great Gifts?

Yes, they do.

Due to how well these items combine practicality and aesthetics, they generally make for great gift items.

Should I Get a Fountain Pen With a Piston Filler or Cartridge/Converter?

This depends on who you’re giving the gift to.

We recommend the former for beginners while the latter is usually more ideal for veteran fountain pen users.

Does Giving a Fountain Pen as a Present Have Any Practical Benefits?

Yes, it does.

These types of gifts tend to encourage certain practices like journaling. Journaling in turn has been shown to have several advantages like clarifying thoughts and reducing stress.

Bottom Line

Now, you have great options for fountain pens that make wonderful gifts, and you also know how to choose the best giftable fountain pen. And, if you’d like to complement your fountain pen present with equally fantastic ink cartridges or bottles, here are some options to consider!

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