The 23 Best Fountain Pens of 2023

What are the best fountain pens in the world? Join us on a journey to the world of fine writing to find the best pens for writing, drawing, note-taking and collecting. Not only will we explore the best pen brands, including Lamy, Pilot, Kaweco, Sailor, and Pelikan, we will showcase lesser known pen makers. All types of pens - including ballpoint, rollerball, and fountain pens - are represented here.  We hope you use this list to find a good fountain pen for your personality!

This list is directly influenced by our customer's purchasing decisions, reviews, and comments. This isn't our own personal list of best fountain pens. It's a list created by you, dear pen enthusiast. These good pens are in no particular order.

The Top Fountain Pens of 2023

OPUS 88 Mini Baby Beluga Fountain Pen

*A small, yet mighty Goldspot-exclusive pen

This calligraphy-capable cutie of a pen features a wrap-around design on the resin cap and barrel. Whales breach on the blue waves of the pen's screw-off cap. More marine life is visible on the translucent blue barrel.

Although the OPUS 88 Mini is a good pocket-friendly pen, it has an eyedropper-filling system with a shut off valve. That means you can pour several milliliters of ink directly into the barrel. Engage the safety shut-off valve to prevent any potential ink leaks or burping due to changes in heat or air pressure.  This is surely a top pen with our customers!

Narwhal Nautilus Voyage Copacabana Fountain Pen

*Goldspot Exclusive

Based on the oversized Nautilus model, the Nahvalur Voyage has a rounded, cylindrical profile with ample size and feel in hand. An ink window allows you to see the waves of ink rolling inside the piston-filled barrel. Cast by Starry Night Resins, this custom, hand-made resin is inspired by shimmering tropical waters and sandy beaches.

This sensational summer pen is limited to 150 numbered pieces made worldwide with the edition number engraved on the top cap finial.

Leonardo Momento Zero Foresta Umbra Fountain Pen

*Goldspot Exclusive

Discover the secrets of the Foresta Umbra, a limited pen collaboration that combines Tim McKenzie's Diamondcast resin with Leonardo's Italian artisanship. "The forest of shadows" swirls with lush green and deep brown. The pen is enchanted with sparkling, conflict-free diamond dust throughout the resin.

To complement the brown and green shimmering swirls, Leonardo trimmed the pen with ruthenium black metal trims and nib.

Nahvalur 2023 Year of the Rabbit Fountain Pen

*Beautiful narwhal / nahvalur writing fountain pen

The Year of the Rabbit is considered to be one of calm and contemplation. In this spirit, Nahvalur (Narwhal) created a limited edition fountain pen to symbolize longevity, peace, and prosperity. Crafted into the oversized Nautilus shape, the "Year of the Rabbit" pen has pearl white shimmering, translucent resin made by Starry Night Resins. Three “porthole” circular ink windows spot the amount of ink in the large, piston-filling reservoir. Warm rose gold accents complement the pearlescent color pattern.

This edition of 223 pens sold out in a few days.

Kaweco AL-Sport "Mercury Orange" Fountain Pen

*Goldspot Exclusive

For this Goldspot-exclusive, limited edition pen design, Kaweco machined a solid piece of lightweight aluminum into a pocket-friendly, minimalist fountain pen. Then, they anodized the cap and barrel in burnt orange with a matte finish. A subtle impression of the pen's brand mark and the goldspot logo adorn two of the cap's 8 faceted sides. A gold-plated, stainless steel nib and medallion accent the luxury of this pen.

Accessorize this pen with an optional, gold-plated pocket clip and a piston converter if you prefer filling your pens with bottled ink.

Pilot Custom 743 Verdigris Fountain Pen

*Best 14kt gold nib fountain pen

After introducing the world to the cartridge/converter-filling cousin to the popular Custom 823 fountain pen, Pilot (Japan) quickly followed up with a beautiful aqua green version available exclusively in the United States. The Pilot Custom 743 Verdigris has retro appeal and a premium writing experience thanks to its 14kt gold nib available in 6 different sizes.

Just like the Custom 823, the 743 includes a complimentary bottle of Pilot ink inside the gift boxed presentation.

Retro 51 Tornado Tea Time Rollerball Pen

*Goldspot Exclusive Retro Tornado

Whether you love iced or hot tea, loose-leaf or bagged, or you take it with milk and honey, this rollerball satiates every tea lover's writing thirst.

"Tea Time" has an acid-etched barrel with a stonewashed copper finish and is complete with antique copper trim. Each one of 500 pens has its LE number engraved on the top ring and is topped with a kettle on the finial. Just remember pinkies out when you use this new tea-themed pen!

The tea barrel pattern was designed by graphic artist & Retro 51 fan Tracy Marsaioli.

Benu Euphoria 2023 New Year Fountain Pen

*Our favorite New Year fountain pen!

Benu's sparkly, shimmery pens naturally look as though they're a party you can hold in the palm of your hand. To ring in the New Year, Benu crafted a fountain pen to capture all the hope and optimism for the future.

The 10-sided, faceted barrel of the Euphoria catches the light perfectly to show the radiance and shimmer of this gloriously green, gold, and silver pen.

The Benu Euphoria 2023 New Years pen is limited to 500 individually-numbered pens.

Nahvalur Peter Draws Artist Edition Fountain Pen

*Best drawing fountain pen for sketching and artists

Like an artist who takes a bold, new direction, the fifth installment of the Nahvalur x Peter Draws "Peter Pen" takes this collection to a whole new level. Unlike any Peter Pen (or Nahvalur Pen) you've seen before, the Peter Draws "Artist Edition" incorporates Peter's free-flowing, abstract artwork and personal signature directly on the pen.

The gold-trimmed version is limited to 100 pens while the silver version is 900 pens. The gold sold out within about an hour. Silver is still available.

Retro 51 Tornado A.A. Milne Winnie-the-Pooh Fountain Pen in 100 Aker Wood

*Best designed fountain pen (style, elegance, luxury)

Applying classic literature themes to fountain pens and ink (thanks, Wearingeul) seems to be a trend in the past year. Retro 51 adopts the beloved Pooh bear with the 100 Aker Wood fountain pen edition limited to 517 pieces worldwide.

Using the artwork from the original children's story book published in 1926 (now public domain), Retro 51 wraps the illustration of the 100 Aker Wood on the barrel and cap, accenting it with stonewashed pewter trims.

Lamy Safari 2023 Special Edition

*Best fountain pen for beginners

This year, Lamy treats pen enthusiasts around the world to a trio of new Safari pen colors. Spring Green, Light Rose, and Aqua Sky comprise this year's special edition colors. Available for a limited time, these monochromatic pens have a polished finish with a matching cilp and trim.

For writers young and old, anyone can find a Safari pen they'll enjoy writing with in click-top ballpoint, capped rollerball, or fountain pen using a stainless steel nib.

Leonardo Officina Italiana Supernova Bohemian Twilight Fountain Pen

*Beauitufl acrylic Bohemian Twilight fountain pen

The latest limited edition made in collaboration with Jonathon Brooks and Leonardo. Jonathon makes some of the most beautiful pen materials in the business. Salvatore Matrone of Leonardo Officina is like Michelangelo, sculpting these gorgeous resins into functional works of art.

This piston-filling Supernova fountain pen has a built-in ink window, 14kt gold nib, and custom-made ebonite feed for a smooth, wet flow of ink. Select among 4 different trim styles - gold, silver, rose gold, and ruthenium black. These pens are individually numbered and limited to 199 pieces made worldwide.

Sailor Professional Gear Cocktail Cantina Fountain Pens

*Best fountain pen for writing from a luxury brand (Sailor)

The new Sailor "Cocktail" exclusive edition here to shake things up! Five new, colorful designs intoxicate the senses with their tequila-spirited drink names. This limited edition release is only available outside of Japan.

Sailor mixologists crafted five new intoxicating designs - Mockingbird, Blue Margarita, Lavender Margarita, Cyclamen, and Mexican Screwdriver.

The Professional Gear Regular writes with a premium, top-shelf 21kt gold nib available in fine, medium-fine, or medium point sizes.

Lamy Al-Star Petrol and Lilac 2023 Special Edition

*Best budget fountain pen for beginner's and collectors

In 2023, LAMY introduces TWO new, exciting color additions to the LAMY AL-Star collection. Petrol has a deep, teal-blue anodized aluminum finish with a chrome clip and silver nib. Lilac has a vibrant, pinkish-purple personality, also with a chrome clip and silver nib.

You can find a full assortment of ballpooint, fountain pen, and rollerball in each AL-Star color.

The AL-Star is essentially a Safari with upgraded swagger. The anodized aluminum finish and translucent grip section give this pen a modern luxury appeal.

Pelikan Souveran 605 Green White

*Classic fountain pen in a modern new color

In 2021, Pelikan introduced the Souveran 605 in refreshing Green-White. It appears in a list of 2023's most popular pens thanks to its current closeout price. Plus, well, one might say it has an ever-"green" style that doesn't fade.

Stripes of green pearlescent cellulose acetate contrast against elegant, creamy white resin, and palladium silver trims.

The Souveran 605 is sized for a comfortable fit for most writers, gliding smoothly across the page with its 14kt gold nib.

Kaweco Bronze Sport

*Best durable bronze pocket fountain pen!

Don't let this pocket-sized pen fool you, this Kaweco Sport pen is a heavyweight contender. Made of solid bronze, this all-metal writing instrument has a warm, vintage charm with a smooth, textured finish.

The warm, brushed finish of the bronze will patina over time, giving these pens an aged look.

Available as a stainless steel-nibbed fountain pen, capped rollerball, push-action ballpoint, and 0.7mm mechanical pencil.

Leonardo Momento Zero Aloha Fountain Pen

*Best stylish luxury fountain pen brand

Float in a state of peaceful flow with the calming, ocean vibes of the Leonardo Momento Zero Aloha. Turned from marbled blue acrylic, this fountain pen design looks like an impressionist painting of crystal clear waves.

Aloha is available in either gold or silver trim with a matching stainless steel #6 size nib (made by Jowo). This is a new, everyday edition of the popular Momento Zero design.

Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen

*Best professional pen for executives and for your office

There's a reason why the Lamy 2000 fountain pen has thrived for over 50 years. This Bauhaus-styled design is a must-have in many fountain pen collections.

The pen's shape, weight, and feel in-hand offer a pleasurable experience unlike no other. The 14kt gold hooded nib has a smooth flow that feels like butter on the page. Easily draw up the last bit of ink at the bottom of the bottle using the built-in piston mechanism. Spy how much ink is left before you run out using the translucent ink window.

Ikkaku by Nahvalur Ye-Yu Urushi Fountain Pen

*Best new fountain pen

Ye-Yu (夜羽), which directly translates to Nightly Feathers, is the first luxury fountain pen from IKKAKU by Nahvalur.

The rounded, cylindrical body profile is based on the Nahvalur Nautilus pen design with layered, deep black urushi and exquisitely inlaid raden that mimics the feathers of nightingales.

Each Ye-Yu Urushi Raden Pen arrives in beautiful wood box, and includes a Nahvalur converter. For maximum ink capacity, this pen can be converted to fill with an eyedropper by removing the converter and applying a small amount of silicone grease to the section threads.

Benu Skull & Roses Gamma Green Fountain Pen

*Beautiful Benu fountain pen

In collaboration with PenBoyRoy, Benu presents the Goldspot-exclusive "Gamma Green" Skull and Roses fountain pen design.

The Benu Skull and Roses pen reminds us that life is a force of change. While the grim reality is that we shall all meet the same fate, we can choose to blossom like the rose. "Gamma Green" represents the acceptance of fate and perseverance over life's obstacles.

Fitted with a #5 size Schmidt stainless steel nib in 4 different sizes and fills with an international ink cartridge or converter (both included).

Laban 325

*Best simple design fountain pen (luxury)

The Laban 325 epitomizes the brand’s dedication to artistry and craftsmanship. Each pen in this series features a color blocked body with two complementary colors of glossy tortoiseshell resin. Metallic gold accents tie together the color blocking elements to create a cohesive design, reminiscent of classical Greek or Roman architecture. The pen is available in a variety of different vibrant hues as well as some more muted tones for any individual’s style.

The golden yellow Ginkgo is the newest color addition to the 325 collection.

Pilot E95S Fountain Pen

*Best pocket fountain pen for writing

One of the more underappreciated pocket fountain pens at our store, the Pilot E95S has an elegant, streamlined style with a large slip cap and inlaid 14kt gold nib that seamlessly integrates with the grip section body.

Along with the Lamy 2000, the E95S is perennial best-seller for enthusiasts who are looking for a high-performance writing instrument that radiates elegance without an enormous price tag.

Benu Talisman Sakura Fountain Pen

*Goldspot Exclusive

The fleeting beauty of the Sakura flower is the inspiration behind this Benu Talisman fountain pen. For this edition, Benu created a custom blend of swirling, pearlescent resin that mixes throughout the pen's body and cap. Pieces of flower-shaped holographic glitter are suspended inside the material as if caught in the spring breeze. To imbue the pen with the mythical attributes of eternal youth and renewal, Benu added Sakura to the material of the pen.

First shipment of 150 pens sold in a day. The 2nd (and last) shipment is expected in mid-May.

Your Buyer's Guide To Good Fountain Pens

There's nothing more important than finding your perfect pen; the one that is made just for you. That is why we are here, to explore the best pens and what makes a pen good!

To begin with, we will jump into what fountain pens are, how they are made, and the materials and design that goes into a great fountain pen, as well as their rollerball and ballpoint pen siblings.

How Are Fountain Pens Made?

The process is called pen turning, and it's an art form.

Pen Turning

The process of pen turning creates the body of the fountain pen, but there is one element which is more important...

The Holy Grail of The Fountain Pen: The Pen Nib

If you ask any pen enthusiast about their nibs, they will get excited... maybe too excited. The fountain pen nib is a beautiful piece of design work and is the the mechanism by which ink is distributed onto your paper, notebook, or scrapbook. There is nothing more important than your fountain pen nib! Remember this.

When shopping for your pen, you should watch reviews and see photos of the writing of the instrument and examine the writing gear with a focus on the pen nib.

 

What's The Top Fountain Pen For Beginners?

Our favorite fountain pens for beginners, someone who has never wrote with a fountain pen, would be a Lamy Safari fountain pen or a Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen. They aren't the best pens in the world, but they are affordable and write smoothly!

What's The Top Writing Fountain Pen?

This is a controversial question! But I am glad you asked. Our top writing fountain pens include the Pilot Falcon fountain pen, the Pelikan 605m fountain pen, and the Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pen.

The Pilot Vanishing Point

The Pilot Vanishing point is a fascinating and fun pen! A good pen, one might even call it great. They are unique because they have a retractable nib that can go in and out as you please so you don't have to worry about capping your pen or writing instrument.

The Pilot Falcon Fountain Pen (Namiki Falcon)

The Pilot Falcon (also called Namiki Falcon) is a famous best fountain pen for a reason. It is considered by many artists to be the best fountain pen for drawing, writing, and calligraphy. If you are looking for a good fountain pen for calligraphy, this is a great option to review.

Regardless of which writing fountain pen you choose, you want to be confident it can handle longer writing sessions with smooth lines and (if you like to sketch) can draw as well.  The market for these good fountain pens does have a high price tag, so there is a cost for that amazing ink flow.

Other good pens for writing are the TWSBI eco for it's durability and writing excellence.  This is a favorite for the fountain pen community.  They require low maintenance and everyone seems happy with them.  They have great functionality making them a good entry level pen for beginners.

What Fountain Pen Has The Best Nib?

Now you're asking the real questions! This is highly debated. There are many contenders, many of who made the above top good fountain pens list, including fountain pen brands such as LAMY, Montegrappa, Montblanc, Visconti, Sailor, Waterman, Waldman, Namiki, Leonardo, Nahvalur / Narwhal, Pilot and many more. We appreciate a great nib and fountain pens that have peaked our interest include:

  • Sailor Pro Gear

  • Pilot Custom 823 Fountain Pen

  • TWSBI Vac700r

  • Parker Sonnet Pens

Not to mention, the top good fountain pens also come in a variety of types of nibs including flex nib fountain pens, calligraphy nibs, double broad nibs, architect nibs, music zoom nibs, and even ultra extra fine nibs! They also come in a variety of materials including stainless steel nibs, gold nibs (16k gold, 18k, gold, and even 24 karat gold!) and more.  There are so many best pens and good fountain pens to choose from!  Isn't it exciting?

You have a lot of shopping to do, my friend. Or, just pick out one of the best pens we chose above and get your order often within just a few days!  You will find your favorite fountain pen before you know it!

What Fountain Pen Has The Best Filling Mechanism?

There are many fountain pen filling mechanisms to choose from for your new pen, and it's only a matter of time before you have your personal favorite. The filling system of your new pen is how you get the fountain pen ink to fill inside your pen. It's important, so let's see the common systems!

  • Ink Cartridges

This is the simple one. They are disposable ink cartrideges that are purchased and inserted into your pen.  You can find these with good and great pens alike such as the Lamy Safari, but we do have a recommendation to buy a separate ink converter too!

  • Ink Converter

This is the most popular pen filling system, since it is refillable and eco-friendly! The ink converter is simple and will suck up your bottled fountain pen ink. These come with many of the options present on the above list, but you should check the product description to confirm.

  • Vacuum Filler Fountain Pen

You also have vacuum filler pens which suck up the fountain pen ink in a different way!  These writing instruments are unique in the fountain pen world and provide a great writing experience.  They can cost a pretty penny, but there are cheap / affordable price tags for these pens, especially on a sale or deal!  You need at-least one vacuum fill fountain pen in your desk!  Great fountain pens are hard to come by, you can't go wrong with this good fountain pen.

  • Piston Filler Fountain Pen

This is the most classic fountain pen filling mechanism the world has seen! This was on the original fountain pen designs and is a beautiful, simple way to collect ink from a bottle.  Try grabbing a top piston filler pen to add to your desk collection.  You can find these at very reasonable price points and price ranges.  They are great gifts and one of our favorites here at Goldspot.

  • Eyedropper Filler Fountain Pen

This is another fun mechanism that many unique quality writing instruments have to offer.  Great fountain pens are hard to come by, you can't go wrong with this best writing instrument.

What's next for the best pens of 2023?

The year isn't over. In fact, it's just getting started. The fourth quarter is still ahead with many pen brands holding their best releases until the end of the year. Which pens will reign supreme at year's end? We will update this page with the latest and greatest discoveries in the pen world.

Pen brands like LAMY, Montblanc, Montegrappa, TWSBI, Pilot, Visconti, and Kaweco are release new top fountain pens all the time.  Let's see what these good pen brands come up with this year!

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