Best Fountain Pens 2026

In Croatia the fountain pen is still sold alongside school supplies, and plenty of adults pick one up once they get bored of ballpoints. On a stationery shop shelf, good fountain pens look almost the same as bad ones. This guide is for parents of first-graders, older pupils, students and adults who want their first proper pen. We compared seven models available on Amazon.de, from a pen for learning to write to a piston filler for people who write pages every day. Apart from price, what sets them apart most is the cartridge type. Some take standard international cartridges sold in every stationery shop, others only their own brand's cartridges. Prices are live from Amazon.de on 6 October 2026 and range from 8.50 to 52.95 euros.

Quick overview: best fountain pens 2026

All models are available on Amazon.de with delivery to Croatia. Click a name for the current price.

Fountain pens differ in nib type, filling system and grip, so below we break down each model with pros, cons and our opinion.

1. Lamy safari

Photo: Lamy, Amazon

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The Lamy safari is our best overall pick, and it has held that kind of spot for decades. It launched in 1980 as a pen for children aged 10 to 15 and won an iF Design Award in 1994, writes Pen Heaven. The body is tough ABS plastic, and the triangular grip guides fingers into the right position. The Z50 steel nib swaps out in seconds, so you can move the same pen from M to F or to an LH nib for left-handers without buying a new one. It takes Lamy T10 cartridges or the Z28 converter for bottled ink. This ASIN is the umbra version with an M nib.

Pros: durable classic that survives a school bag, nibs swap in seconds, huge choice of colours and accessories.

Cons: takes only Lamy T10 cartridges, the triangular grip does not suit everyone.

Our opinion: If you do not know which fountain pen to get, get this one. For under 15 euros you get a pen that lasts for years, and when a child's handwriting changes, you only change the nib. The one thing to remember is to buy Lamy T10 cartridges, because standard ones do not fit.

2. Pelikan Pelikano Junior

Photo: Pelikan, Amazon

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The Pelikan Pelikano Junior is made for children just learning to write with a fountain pen. The grip has finger recesses, so the hand does not slide down towards the nib and get covered in ink. The steel nib is size A, intended for beginners, and according to Pelikan it comes in versions for right-handers and left-handers. Its biggest practical advantage is standard international Pelikan 4001 cartridges, sold in almost every stationery shop. This ASIN is the blue right-handed version, and the left-handed one is sold separately.

Pros: built for learning to write, a true left-handed version, cheap standard cartridges.

Cons: childish design that older pupils quickly outgrow, only one nib width.

Our opinion: For a first-grader this is the safest choice. The grip recesses position the fingers on their own, and cartridges are available even in the shop next to the school. Once the child reaches fifth or sixth grade, it is time for a Lamy or Faber-Castell.

3. Faber-Castell Grip 2011

Photo: Faber-Castell, Amazon

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The Faber-Castell Grip 2011 is a fountain pen for pupils who have outgrown children's models but do not want the Lamy's triangular grip. You recognise it by the soft grip zone with dots that stop fingers slipping. Faber-Castell states that it takes standard international cartridges and that the same model suits right- and left-handers. The steel nib comes in EF, F, M and B, and this ASIN is the silver version with an M nib. The clip is steel and sturdy.

Pros: standard cartridges, grip does not slip even with sweaty hands, suits right- and left-handers.

Cons: not classically elegant, the thicker grip does not suit small hands.

Our opinion: This is the most practical fountain pen for secondary school. Standard cartridges mean you will never hunt for a special box before a test, and the dotted grip stays comfortable after two hours of writing. Adults taking notes at work will not go wrong either.

4. Kaweco Classic Sport

Photo: Kaweco, Amazon

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The Kaweco Classic Sport is a pocket fountain pen that fits in a jeans pocket. Closed it measures 10.5 cm, and with the cap posted on the back it grows to 13 cm, a normal writing length, according to Kaweco. It weighs about 10.7 g. The nib is gold-plated steel in widths from EF to BB, and this ASIN has an M nib. It uses short standard international cartridges, so they are easy to find. The octagonal cap stops it rolling off the desk.

Pros: fits in a pocket, standard cartridges, recognisable German design.

Cons: too short to write with unless the cap is posted, short cartridges empty quickly, clip sold separately.

Our opinion: The Kaweco is a pen you carry, not one that sits on a desk. Students jotting notes between lectures and anyone who likes writing in a café will love it. For long writing at school the Lamy or Faber-Castell are better, because a short cartridge does not last long.

5. Pilot Kakuno

Photo: Pilot, Amazon

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The Pilot Kakuno is a Japanese beginner fountain pen, and Japanese nibs write finer than European ones with the same marking. The F nib here gives a neat, thin line that suits small handwriting and narrow-ruled notebooks. A smiley face is stamped on the nib to show children which way up to hold it. The Pen Addict notes that the Kakuno shares its nib with the pricier Pilot Metropolitan. The body is hexagonal, light and weighs about 11 g. It uses Pilot cartridges, and the CON-40 converter is sold separately.

Pros: thin, smooth line, the smiley helps children hold the nib the right way, same nib as the pricier Metropolitan.

Cons: takes only Pilot cartridges, costs more on Amazon.de than in Japan.

Our opinion: If you write small or European nibs leave too thick a line, try the Kakuno. For 24 euros it is hard to find a smoother nib. Just watch the cartridges, because Pilot ones do not fit other pens, so it is smart to order a stock with the pen.

6. TWSBI Eco

Photo: TWSBI, Amazon

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The TWSBI Eco is the only fountain pen on the list that fills by piston straight from an ink bottle. According to JetPens it holds about 1.7 to 2 ml of ink, three to four times more than a normal cartridge. The body is clear, so you always see how much ink is left, and a wrench and silicone grease come with it for taking it apart and maintenance. Empty it weighs about 21 g. The nib is steel in widths from EF to a 1.1 mm stub for decorative writing, and this ASIN has an F nib.

Pros: three to four times more ink than a cartridge, any bottled ink colour, a piston mechanism at an affordable price.

Cons: takes no cartridges so you always need a bottle, the cap can crack if overtightened.

Our opinion: The TWSBI Eco is not for a school bag but for the desk of an adult who writes a journal, notes or letters. Once you try bottled ink, cartridges start to feel expensive. We would skip it for a child, because filling from a bottle takes a bit of patience.

7. Platinum Preppy 03

Photo: Platinum, Amazon

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The Platinum Preppy 03 is the cheapest fountain pen on the list and a good way to try writing with a nib for the price of a sandwich. The 03 marking means a fine (F) nib. Its key advantage is the Slip & Seal cap that stops ink drying out. JetPens cites a Platinum test in which the pen keeps 40% of its moisture after 24 months, so it writes even after a long time in a drawer. The body is clear plastic, and it takes Platinum cartridges or a converter.

Pros: lowest price on the list, does not dry out even after a long rest, ideal for a first try.

Cons: fragile plastic, the cap can crack, Platinum cartridges only.

Our opinion: If you are not sure you like fountain pens, spend 8.50 euros here before you spend 50 on something pricier. The Preppy writes better than its price suggests. Just do not throw it in a bag without a case.

How to choose a fountain pen: nib, cartridges and grip

First decide on nib width. Markings run from EF (extra fine) through F and M to B (broad). For school and small handwriting F or M is usually right, and Japanese nibs like Pilot and Platinum write finer than European ones with the same marking. Lamy, Kaweco and TWSBI fountain pens come in several widths of the same model.

Second are cartridges. Pelikan, Faber-Castell and Kaweco use standard international cartridges made by several companies, so they are easy to find. Fountain pens from Lamy, Pilot and Platinum use only their own. That is fine while you have a stock, but not when a child runs out of ink before school. A converter is a small piston that goes in place of a cartridge and fills from a bottle, while the TWSBI Eco has a piston built into the body.

Third is grip and hand. For children learning to write, finger recesses like those on the Pelikano Junior matter. Test-vergleiche.com recommends models marked LH for left-handers, and the Lamy safari and Pelikano Junior have separate left-handed versions. The Faber-Castell Grip 2011 suits both hands.

Finally, care. Rinse the nib with lukewarm water now and then, especially when changing ink colour, and always put the cap back so the ink does not dry.

Conclusion

The best fountain pens 2026 cost less than you might think. For most people the Lamy safari is the best choice because it is durable and the nibs are easy to swap. For first-graders the Pelikan Pelikano Junior is better, and for secondary school the Faber-Castell Grip 2011 with standard cartridges.

For adults who write a lot we recommend the TWSBI Eco, because it lets you use any bottled ink. The Kaweco Classic Sport is for people who carry a pen in their pocket, and the Pilot Kakuno for small handwriting.

Before buying, check which cartridges your fountain pen uses and buy a stock right away. If your child writes left-handed, look for an LH nib or a model made for both hands.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best fountain pens for school?

For the first grades, the best fountain pens have finger recesses and standard cartridges, like the Pelikan Pelikano Junior. For older grades and secondary school the Lamy safari is good for its durability and swappable nibs, or the Faber-Castell Grip 2011 if you want standard cartridges sold everywhere.

What is the difference between an F and an M nib?

F is a fine nib that gives a thinner line, suited to small handwriting and narrow-ruled notebooks. M is a medium nib with a thicker, more expressive line. Japanese nibs, like Pilot and Platinum, write finer than European ones with the same marking.

Is there a fountain pen for left-handers?

Yes. The Lamy safari has a separate LH nib, and the Pelikan Pelikano Junior is sold in a left-handed version. The Faber-Castell Grip 2011 suits both right- and left-handers. Left-handers benefit from faster-drying ink and a finer nib, because the hand moves over freshly written text.

What are standard international cartridges?

They are cartridges of the same shape made by several companies, so they fit fountain pens from different brands. Pelikan, Faber-Castell and Kaweco use them. Lamy, Pilot and Platinum have their own cartridges that do not fit other pens, so buy the originals or use a converter.

How do I clean a fountain pen?

Remove the cartridge, then rinse the nib and section under lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Let it dry on a paper towel before putting in a new cartridge. Clean it when you change ink colour or when the nib starts skipping. Piston pens like the TWSBI Eco are rinsed by drawing in and expelling water several times.

Why does a fountain pen leak or not write?

It usually stops writing because ink dried in the nib when the cap was left off. Rinsing with lukewarm water helps. It usually leaks because of a badly seated cartridge, a drop onto the nib or a big temperature change, such as on a plane. A model with a Slip & Seal cap, like the Platinum Preppy, does not dry out even after a long rest.

How we chose

We chose the fountain pens in this guide by nib type and width, filling system, cartridge availability, grip and whether a left-handed version exists. We checked the data on the official Pelikan, Faber-Castell and Kaweco sites, in reviews on The Pen Addict and JetPens, and in German tests. We put fountain pens for different ages on the list, from first grade to adults who write every day. We did not test the fountain pens physically; we compared manufacturer data and independent reviews. Prices are live from Amazon.de on 6 October 2026 and subject to change.

Sources and references

1. Pelikan - Pelikano junior, official page: pelikan.com
2. Kaweco - Classic Sport, official specs: kaweco-pen.com
3. Faber-Castell - Grip 2011, official page: faber-castell.de
4. JetPens - Platinum Preppy guide: jetpens.com
5. The Pen Addict - Pilot Kakuno review: penaddict.com
6. Pen Heaven - Lamy safari history: penheaven.com
7. JetPens - TWSBI Eco specs: jetpens.com

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