Brian’s Top Blue Pens
It’s no secret that I, Brian Goulet, am a huge fan of blue fountain pens, and I know there are other enthusiasts who share my same sentiment about pens with such a calming and mesmerizing shade. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of my top blue fountain pens, ranging from the most affordable to options with a higher price point.
Platinum Preppy in Blue
First up on my list is the Platinum Preppy in Blue, a very popular starter pen cherished by many fountain pen users. Its translucent blue body has a delightful feel, and is available in multiple stainless steel nib sizes ranging from an extra fine, fine, and medium. To fill this pen, you can use Platinum cartridges or a Platinum converter, though the latter does cost more than the pen itself. As an alternative, some people choose to fill it with an eyedropper instead. Overall, this pen is a fantastic addition to any collection, especially at a low price point!
Pilot Explorer in Blue
Next up is the Pilot Explorer in Blue. This electric blue writing tool is available with a fine or medium stainless steel nib and shares its nib design with other fountain pen models from Pilot, such as the Pilot Varsity, Metropolitan, and Kaküno. The combination of its striking color and lightweight feel makes this pen easy to fall in love with, and it won’t weigh you down during long writing sessions. The Explorer comes with a CON-B converter or is compatible with Pilot cartridges, but you can opt for a larger CON-70 converter if you want a larger ink capacity of up to a milliliter. This pen serves as a fantastic alternative starter option for those seeking a lighter alternative to the Metropolitan, offering a thinner profile and easier maneuverability, all at an affordable price point.
TWSBI ECO in Translucent Blue
Next on the list are some pretty awesome TWSBIs. This esteemed fountain pen brand offers a variety of stunning blue pens, including the TWSBI ECO in Translucent Blue. The Transparent Blue model comes with several nib options to choose from, including extra-fine, fine, medium, broad, and 1.1 mm stub, all made of stainless steel. This piston-filling pen is a great bargain, well-built, and features a calming blue color.
More recently, TWSBI introduced a new ECO design called Indigo Blue, boasting a cerulean blue hue complemented by bronze trim. While slightly pricier than other ECO models, if you're in search of a tealish-blue color, this could be the one for you. Another blue variation of the ECO is the Dark Sapphire, featuring a navy blue cap and piston knob.
LAMY AL-star in oceanblue
This next pen is one of my all-time favorite shades of blue: the LAMY AL-star in oceanblue. It's a classic pen that we've carried since we started stocking LAMY products over a decade ago. With its anodized aluminum body and solid, slightly matte blue finish, this pen truly stands out. Additionally, its translucent, subtle smoke-colored grip adds to its charm. The pen boasts an iconic LAMY shape, reminiscent of the LAMY safari, and because most LAMY pens use the same nib, you can easily swap them out between different models. While LAMY often releases special editions that grab lots of attention, the oceanblue AL-star remains a popular choice even after decades, and in my opinion, it's the perfect shade of blue!
TWSBI Diamond 580ALR in Navy Blue
We’re back with another TWSBI, and this time it’s the TWSBI Diamond 580ALR in Navy Blue. The 580 is TWSBI’s most recognizable model, and the ALR is a variant with an aluminum piston rod, trim pieces, and textured grip. This pen offers a variety of stainless steel nibs, including extra-fine, fine, medium, broad, and 1.1 mm.
The 580ALR boasts a quality build similar to the ECO but features a more elaborate design, especially with its diamond-shaped barrel. While Navy Blue is a great color, I would be remiss not to mention the Prussian Blue, which leans a little more teal if you prefer a warmer shade. Either way, both pens are excellent options.
Pilot Vanishing Point in Blue Matte
As we progress through this list, we're now entering gold nib territory. The Pilot Vanishing Point in Blue Matte is up next and is well-known among fountain pen enthusiasts. This unique pen features a world-recognized click retractable mechanism and a superb 18k gold nib available in extra-fine, fine, and medium. As a side note, its extra-fine nib is exceptionally fine and writes exceptionally well. The grip section of this pen might take some getting used to because of the pen’s clip placement, which is unique to the Vanishing Point. However, this dark blue shade looks stunning paired with black trim and a black nib, and its matte finish provides a little extra grip. Though the pen is a bit more expensive than other previously mentioned options, it's an excellent choice if you're looking to splurge on yourself or a loved one.
Kaweco Liliput in Fireblue
Now, we're on to Kaweco, a German brand with several great blue fountain pen options. The first one I'll mention is the Kaweco Liliput in Fireblue. This is a very unique pen offered from Kaweco as it's a tiny pocket pen made of steel and is created by actually torching the pen which creates a matte fiery blue-ish purple finish that gives it a distinctive look. The Liliput Fireblue only comes in a fine stainless steel nib which isn’t unusual for pocket pens. It also fills with a cartridge only because it's so tiny, but I’m sure you can find a compatible standard international cartridge that works well with it.
If you want that same look on a slightly larger pen, you can go up to the Kaweco Supra in Fireblue. This pen’s body is crafted using the same technique as the Liliput, but the Supra is physically bigger with a larger #6 size nib. Plus, you also get more nib offerings such as extra-fine and fine. The Supra also comes with an extra section that you can insert into the pen that makes it longer so you can actually use a full-size converter in this one if you prefer to use bottled ink. The Supra costs more than the Liliput, but they’re both cool pens.
Pilot Custom 74 in Blue
This next blue pen is truly near and dear to my heart, which is the Pilot Custom 74 in Blue. This was my first gold nib pen and it was a tremendous introduction into what can make a gold nib great. As for its feel while writing, its bouncy 14k gold nib is impeccable, and it comes available in extra-fine, fine, medium, and broad. This reliable writer is a cartridge converter pen and it actually comes with the larger Pilot CON-70 converter which holds around a milliliter of ink. The Pilot Custom 74 in Blue is a perfect go-to pen!
Platinum #3776 in Chartres Blue/Gold
Next up is another Platinum pen, but this option is in a different league than the Preppy. The Platinum #3776 in Chartres Blue/Gold is a drop-dead gorgeous blue pen with a slightly translucent body, meant to represent the eye-catching blue stained glass from the windows of the Chartres Cathedral in France. It comes with a 14k gold nib that’s available in an ultra extra-fine, fine, and medium size. The ultra extra-fine is about the finest nib that you're going to find on any production fountain pen without having to go with a custom grind. It writes similarly to a nail and has a scratchy feel on paper, so if you really like fine lines, that’s the nib for you! The nibs on this pen are a bit stiffer than Pilot nibs and the Platinum thick gold nibs won’t provide you with the same bounce. But, if you like having a little bit of drag on the page, this is a great pen that gives you a little bit more of that sense of grip as you're writing.
Another pen in this same model is a US-exclusive pen called Sands of Komodo. Because it’s an exclusive, it does have a higher price, but it's a beautiful turquoise translucent pen with rose gold trim that looks absolutely stunning.
LAMY dialog cc in darkblue
Last but certainly not least, we’re circling back to LAMY, this time focusing on the LAMY dialog cc in darkblue. This pen is a smaller version of the retractable LAMY dialog 3 and has a great length and feel in hand. It features a crisp matte blue finish accented by some elegant rose gold trim. Its overall design is classy and stands out amongst other fountain pens. When you twist the pen, the retractable nib emerges, which is different from the Pilot Vanishing Point that requires a click. If you’re fascinated by awesome engineering and consider yourself more of a tinkerer, this pen is most definitely for you! The LAMY dialog cc comes equipped with a 14k gold nib available in extra-fine, fine, and medium sizes. I absolutely adore the way these nibs write – they may seem small but they are bouncy, wet-writing, and have a very smooth feel. Of course, you can also swap this nib onto other LAMY pens for a versatile writing experience.
There you have it, folks! My list of top blue fountain pens! Of course, blue pens are my favorite, but be sure to show some other color pens a little love. You can do so by browsing fountain pens by color on our site. As always, if you have any questions or need any help deciding on a perfect blue pen, our Customer Care team is always here to help. Write on!
