Ink, Paper, Presence: What It’s Like to Write with a Fountain Pen

Kirsty Cameron
2025-07-17T15:21:10+01:00

Fountain pens carry a distinct appeal. Their clean lines and refined design often catch the eye of those who value well-made tools. Still, for someone used to ballpoints or rollerballs, picking up a fountain pen for the first time can feel like a bold move.

Many assume that fountain pens are best left to experts or collectors. In truth, a good pen should feel natural in your hand from the very first word. Whether you're sketching ideas or writing down your thoughts at the end of the day, a fountain pen can become part of your daily rhythm, no special training required.

This piece is for anyone curious about using a fountain pen for the first time, but unsure what to expect.

What Makes a Fountain Pen Different

The key difference lies in how ink is delivered to the page. A ballpoint uses a small rolling ball to apply a thick, oil-based ink. A fountain pen, by contrast, uses a nib, this carefully shaped metal point, and relies on capillary action to draw ink through the feed.

Modern fountain pens are designed for ease and flexibility. At Scriveiner, every fountain pen comes equipped with both a converter and the option to use pre-filled cartridges. This means you can easily switch between convenience and customisation, depending on how hands-on you want to be.

We use Schmidt components for the core of every fountain pen. These German-made nibs, feeds, and converter systems are known for their precision and long-term reliability. When paired with our carefully weighted brass pen body, the result is a writing tool that feels solid, smooth, and entirely dependable.

What Will Feel Familiar – and What Won’t

SCRIVEINER_2022_12_08_GREEN_30_600x600.jpg?v=1752760303" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 16px; float: none;">

If you’ve written with a ballpoint or rollerball before, the shape and motion of a fountain pen won’t feel foreign. What’s different is the touch. A fountain pen doesn’t need pressure. In fact, it works best with a light hand. The nib responds to movement with an almost fluid grace, requiring only the weight of the pen itself to glide across the page.

Scriveiner fountain pens are made from brass and balanced to rest comfortably in the hand. This weight helps keep your strokes steady, allowing you to write longer without fatigue. You may even find your handwriting becomes more deliberate, not forced, just more considered.

Making the Most of Your Writing Session

Writing with a fountain pen doesn’t require special skills, but a few small habits can enhance the experience:

Posture matters. Sit upright, with your wrist relaxed and your hand gliding gently over the page.

Use quality paper. Fountain pens perform best on thicker paper that resists feathering and bleed-through.

Keep a blotting sheet nearby. Particularly useful if you write quickly or are left-handed.

Clean the nib and converter occasionally. Avoiding clogs and keeping the ink flowing smoothly, especially important if you like to switch colours.

A More Intentional Way to Write

In an age of fast typing and fleeting screens, writing with a fountain pen can feel grounding. It slows the pace, invites focus, and adds weight to whatever you’re putting on the page – whether it’s a list, a thought, or a letter.

The right pen can turn everyday writing into something to look forward to. Not because it’s difficult, but because it brings back a sense of care. A Scriveiner fountain pen offers that experience – a pen that earns a place in your hand, and rarely leaves it.

If you’re curious about fine writing instruments, this may be the perfect place to begin.

MORE TO EXPLORE:

A New Colour Story for Scriveiner Classic

How to Improve Your Handwriting

A Luxury Pen as a Gift: A Tool that Becomes a Treasure

Letter by Letter: Trace the Story of Latin Calligraphy with Scriveiner