A guide to buying fountian pens in India
In a world that demands we type faster and scroll endlessly, there is something quietly rebellious about picking up a fountain pen. It's an invitation to slow down. And it sort of turns writing into something that feels almost meditative.
If you are thinking about buying a fountain pen this year, this guide will help you find the right one without all the trial and error I went through.
The Beginner's Mistake
First, please don't walk into your local pharmacy and grab a Parker Vector. Those pens are fine when you're twelve and broke, but you've got money now. Time to upgrade.
The hobby seems overwhelming because there are so many variables—nib thickness, ink types, paper quality, filling systems. But it's not complicated. I've spent considerable time and money testing different pens, and I've learned that buying the right pen comes down to five decisions. That's it.
Decision #1: Choose the Right Nib
The nib is the metal tip that touches the paper. Your choice depends on your handwriting.
Fine (F): Best if your handwriting is small and neat. You get precision, but the writing feels slightly scratchy compared to thicker nibs.
Medium (M): The best starting point for most people. Good balance of control and smoothness.
Broad (B): For large handwriting or signatures. These feel the smoothest and wettest. I use them because my letters are long and they hog two lines on ruled paper like they're paying rent for it.
Decision #2: Which Pen to Buy (And How Much to Spend)
I'll be honest—these are my personal favorites based on actually using them.
The #1 Pick: Epitome 72 E (with the Jowo Nib Upgrade)
This is the smoothest pen I own. It writes beautifully. But here's the catch: you must pay the extra ₹1,500 for the German Jowo nib upgrade. It transforms the whole experience and is worth every rupee. The downside? It's hard to find and often out of stock. If you need something now, Click sometimes has pens already fitted with the Jowo nib.
The Runner Up: Pilot Metropolitan
Close second. It feels premium, looks professional. But only buy the Medium (M) nib. Don't buy the Fine (F). The Medium is incredibly smooth, while the Fine feels feedback-heavy for beginners. You won't beat this pen for under ₹4,000.
Under ₹2,000
Pilot Metropolitan (M Nib): The gold standard for starting out. Metal body, professional look.
Pilot Kakuno (~₹1,000): Looks like a student pen, but it shares the same nib as the Metropolitan. Same quality writing, more fun body, half the price.
Kanwrite Heritage: Indian-made. Feels substantial in your hand. Uses a piston-filling mechanism and an ebonite feed, which means consistent ink flow.
Gama Kalaignar: The late Tamil Nadu CM M. Karunanidhi loved the Airmail 69T fountain pen. After his death, demand skyrocketed. Gama recreated it as the Kalaignar. If you like fine nibs and that old-school classic feel, this is for you. One of the few pens in this range with a see-through ink tank. Check it out at https://gamapens.com/product/gama-kaliagnar/
₹2,000 – ₹5,000
Epitome 72 E (~₹4,500 with upgrade): My top pick for smoothness and pleasure.
Gama Eyas Neo (~₹2,700): Handcrafted ebonite from Chennai. Classic feel, highly respected in the Indian pen community.
Gama Deluxe (~₹4,150): Larger, chunkier version. Great if you prefer a substantial grip.
Above ₹5,000
TWSBI Eco: Famous for its transparent body so you can watch the ink moving around. Excellent nibs, very user-friendly piston filling system.
Decision #3: How Does The Ink Get In?
Cartridge: Disposable plastic tubes of ink. Easy. Limited color choices. You'll keep buying them, which adds up.
Converter: A mechanism that fits where a cartridge goes but lets you suck up ink from a bottle. The Pilot Metropolitan usually comes with a CON-40 converter.
Piston Filler: The pen has a built-in mechanism to draw ink straight from a bottle. These hold way more ink than converters. You'll find this in the Kanwrite Heritage, TWSBI Eco, and Epitome.
Decision #4: Choosing Your Ink
The right ink ensures your pen doesn't clog and your writing looks beautiful on the page.
For Daily Writing: Pilot Blue (30ml). Affordable, flows well, easy to clean.
For Personality: Diamine or Epitome Turquoise. Vibrant alternative to standard blue.
For a Unique Look: Diamine Ancient Copper. My personal favorite. It gives your writing a vintage, classic aesthetic.
For Premium: Pilot Iroshizuku (₹1,500 and up). Widely considered some of the best inks in the world. Beautiful bottles, exceptional flow. Kon-peki is my favorite shade.
Warning: Only use ink labeled "Fountain Pen." Never use India Ink or Calligraphy Ink. They will clog the feed and ruin your pen.
Decision #5: Paper Quality
Fountain pens use liquid ink. Standard copier paper isn't thick enough—it bleeds and feathers. Look for:
- Weight: At least 80 GSM (100 GSM is better).
- Coating: Smooth paper handles liquid ink better.
Good notebooks: MyPaperClip (Neo Basic), Roda A5 Note, Camlin Premio, Rhodia, or Amazon Basics 100 GSM options.
If you want to splurge, Tomoe River or Nakabayashi offer a luxurious writing feel. But the ones above are perfect for daily use.
That's It
You now have a framework. Pick a nib size. Pick a pen in your budget. Pick a filling system. Pick an ink you like. Pick decent paper.
Happy writing. If you pick up any of these recommendations, let me know how they work out.