Top 10 Quick-Draw Fountain Pens
Many people think of fountain pens as some precious, delicate pens that are best left as desk trophies. But we have a list here of what we think make great pens for daily use. We originally made a “Quick Draw” video back in 2015 and thought it was worth refreshing the list.
The factors we considered while we selected these Quick-Draw pens:
- Ease of capping/uncapping
- Portability (size/features)
- Durability
- Reliability (performance)
Our Top 10 List:
Pilot Varsity
The Pilot Varsity is a disposable fountain pen, and it is super affordable. It allows you to "penable" on-the-fly (i.e. introduce someone to fountain pens). No need to ink it up or clean it out, it comes ready to write. It's reliable and easy to always have on-the-go.
- Weight: Very Light
- Snap cap, push to post
- Less than $25 for a 7-Pack
- Variety of colors, only one nib size
Platinum Preppy
It's super reliable and has a Slip & Seal cap mechanism to prevent the ink from drying out. It's the same writing experience as the Plaisir and the Prefounte. It fills via cartridge/converter, but you can also convert it to eyedropper fill for a big ink capacity.
- Weight: Very Light
- Snap cap, push to post
- Steel nib
- Variety of colors and nib sizes
- Less than $10
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Pilot Metropolitan
This is a great starter pen and it comes with what you need to get writing (i.e. a cartridge and a converter). It has the same writing experience as the Kakuno and the Explorer.
- Weight: Medium
- Snap cap, push to post
- Steel nib
- Variety of colors and nib sizes
- Less than $25
TWSBI SWIPE
This fountain pen comes with two different converter options (not common for TWSBI) and a big ink capacity. It comes with cartridge too (also big capacity). The filling options are fun - great for beginners.
- Weight: Light
- Snap cap, push to post
- Steel nib
- 2 colors, variety of nib sizes
- Less than $30
Traveler’s Company Brass Pen
This is a durable, legit pocket pen. You’re unlikely to misplace your cap, since you pretty much have to post it! It fills via cartridge only.
- Weight: Light
- Push to cap, push to post
- Steel nib
- 1 color, only available w/ fine nib
- Less than $60
Platinum Curidas
One of the most affordable retractable fountain pens we carry, available in a variety of colors. It's fun to see the internal components at work.
- Weight: Light
- Push to expose/retract the nib
- Steel nib
- Variety of colors and nib sizes
- Less than $100
Pilot E95S
Pocket size when closed, full sized when posted. Despite the small size, you still get full-sized filling options -- cartridge or converter. It comes in two colors, in a timeless design. It's currently the most affordable gold nib fountain pen that we offer, with an inlaid 14k gold nib.
- Weight: Light
- Push to cap, push to post
- 14k gold nib
- Two colors, several nib sizes
- Less than $150
Pilot Vanishing Point
Arguably the reigning champion of quick-draw pens. The Pilot Vanishing Point is known internationally as the “Capless”, and it was the original retractable fountain pen. It has an 18k gold nib, and is comfortable on the page despite its small size.
- Weight: Medium
- Click to expose/retract the nib
- Gold nib (variety of plating options)
- Wide variety of colors and nib sizes
- Around $150 to $800, based on model
LAMY 2000
This is many fountain pen users’ go-to everyday pen. It has a 14k gold nib, partially hooded. It's the only internal piston-filler on our list, with the largest ink capacity. Reliable capping keeps the nib ready to write, and posting is quick and easy.
- Weight: Medium
- Snap cap, push to post
- 14k gold nib
- Incredibly durable (Polycarbonate)
- Over $200
LAMY dialog 3/CC
This is a different type of retractable fountain pen with its twist mechanism. It has a unique, minimalist design - very LAMY. The dialog CC is a slightly smaller version of the dialog 3.
- Weight: Heavy
- 14k gold nib
- Unique retractable clip (dialog 3)
- Several colors and nib sizes
- Around $350
