How to Buy Your First Fountain Pen

#fountainpen #tips #notsponsored

SHOP THE VIDEO:

GUIDES YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS:

VIDEO CREDITS:
→ Script: E.J. Daniles & Sven Raphael Schneider
→ Camera: Chris Dummer
→ Editing: Nicolas Jaramillo
→ Supervision: Preston Schlueter & Jack Collins
→ 20th Television

IMAGE CREDITS:
→ Palmharborrtho
→ Mirabellemakery
→ OMAS
→ Kaweco
→ Ancora
→ Tylerdahlpens
→ Thepelikansperch
→ Lizsteel
→ Fountainpenlove
→ Tokiestationpens
→ Indypendance
→ Jetpens
→ Reddit
→ Lamy
→ Pensguide
→ Wellappointeddesk
→ Goldspot
→ Fountainpennetwork
→ Penaddict
→ Unsharpen
→ Gentlemanstationer
→ Pinterest
→ Amazon
→ Thepencompany
→ Andersonpens
→ Cross
→ Nibs
→ Shopify
→ Goulerpens
→ Ebay

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Gentleman's Gazette

00:00 Fountain Pen Introduction

A fountain pen is an elegant, gentlemanly, highly personal writing instrument. Investing in one can be a major personal milestone. We'll help you determine your needs, how to assess fountain pen varieties, and options at different price points, and point you where to buy one.

01:18 1. 1 Determine How You Intend To Use Your Pen

Fountain pen functionality should vary: if planning for EDC with a fountain pen, if the pen is used mostly for writing letters or journaling at home, and if you are interested primarily in calligraphy.

02:39 2. Set a Budget

Usually, it is best to invest in quality with good cost-per-wear. Well-made, functional fountain pens can be found at every price point. It just requires research to make sure you get your money’s worth.

04:07 3. Research Reputable Brands

Use your budget to narrow down potentially viable brands. Narrowing down the selection based on brands with good reputations can make the overall job easier. Getting a grasp on brands and what they’re famous for will give you a better idea of what fountain pens to test out.

06:09 4. Research Reputable Dealers

At well-established shops, owners and salespeople can give you expert advice based on their personal experience and are less likely to push a particular brand.

07:39 5. Determine Your Writing Style and Desired Writing Experience

Before considering the features of your pen, you’ll need to take stock of your writing style. Fountain pen features should complement how you write so that you enjoy writing with the pen. You need to consider how you write. Being aware of writing style terminology and vocabulary will also help you explain your writing style to others.

08:22 6. Select features based on needs and intended use

Consider individual features of fountain pens and how they harmonize with your writing style as well as fit your budget.

12:08 Pen Anatomy - Nib Shapes & Grinds

15:18 Inks & Filling Mechanisms

16:48 Pen Barrels & Caps

19:40 Fountain Pen Dos & Don'ts

→ Do listen to advice from reputable salespeople
→ Do make informed decisions
→ Do try a variety of pens before making the selection
→ Do test nibs
→ Don’t assume the most expensive equals the best
→ Do buy a Pen You’re Willing to Use (and Perhaps Lose!)
→ Avoid Vintage for your First Buy
→ Don't make beginner fountain pen mistakes

22:08 Outfit Rundown

[AmyAnnetteHenion]

This could not have come at a better time for me! I had been planning to blind buy a fountain pen online, but now I'm determined to make a pilgrimage to a pen shop and try some out in person. Also, I love Raphael's proper French pronunciation of "chartreuse."

[richardzak]

I've been using a fountain pen for approximately 30 years or so. My first was a Waterman Phineas and I still have it to this day. I have graduated to the Pelikan and Montblanc and enjoy the fine craftsmanship of these pens.

[Pudgeorama]

So interesting to learn about how Gentleman's Gazette came into being! I remember using fountain pens as a kid in England and struggling along with them. Ink always got everywhere, but they probably weren't good ones or I just wasn't very adept. It's nice to know that there is so much information on your site about such a fabulous writing instrument! Thanks, as always, for everything you do out there making these wonderful videos!

[johnpetrucellijr.]

My first fountain pen is a Parker 21 purchased from eBay for under $20. After a deep cleaning with pen flush and a tine flossing this pen writes very well. I find myself using this pen every day. Nice presentation Raphael. I would like to see a video on fountain pen inks. Keep up the good work.

[SonicFlare]

Agree completely - as an ex- Euro dude living in the US, I too grew up on fountain pens... they are a delight and I started getting back into using them over the past year or so... wonderful and a complete opposite to the digital world we are surrounded with day in, day out...

[jobustify]

Pilot Metropolitan is always my recommendation for first timers. Amazing quality for $30. See if you're into fountain pens before dropping hundreds.

[wullgrew]

I just got my first one. I'm using brown ink right now, and I absolutely love it! It writes incredibly smooth and I love the way it feels while writing. I wish it was a little larger in diameter though.

[linuxman]

I have six fountain pens and they're all different and therefore, offer a different feel. I'm a lefty and I use the pens, all medium nibs, as daily writers.
Your videos never disappoint. I LOVE how you go over your attire as featured in that day's video. Keep up the good work.

[tompegorinno]

I too have my own Fountain pen. It was affordable where I bought it at the time and it was absolutely worth it

[georgejones]

I have recently inherited my grandfathers fountain pens from around the 1940s and they are amazing to write with

[sc]

What timing! Planned to get my first fountain pen tomorrow and this video pops up. Must be a sign.

[sterlingwiggins]

Thanks for the great content! After watching all of the pen videos I decided to give a Pilot Metropolitan a shot and see if I was a "fountain pen guy". It's been about a month and a half and I think I'm hooked!

[dean]

I inherited a fountain pen (one that was never used) and I use no other pen! I write the fastest in class and often get compliments on my writing :) (filled two notebooks these four semesters)

[topwomble]

Got a Kaweco pen from Nomos with a lid that screws on quite far down. Great hard wearing pen, never have to worry about leaks and writes well

[andrenewell]

A subject very close to my heart. I always found writing with a fountain pen to be very elegant but had poor experiences with inferior products (pens and paper). Once I solved this problem I haven't looked back and have been writing (almost exclusively) with fountain pens for the last 10 years.

[LewisLittle]

I bought my first fountain pen (at least, my first since I was in school) a few weeks ago. Actually I bought 4 different ones, all under £10 each, just to try them out and see what I like. One of them was the Jinhao X450 (which you show in this video at 6:06). I got the same colour, the blue wave one, partly for its classy looks, and partly from seeing many positive reviws of this and other Jinhao pens on Youtube. But mainly, because it was only £7, and I figured that if I decided I didn't like using a fountain pen, I haven't wasted a lot of money. Spoiler - I love it. Its a chunky, heavy pen which I like a lot, it looks and feels and writes like a much more expensive pen than it really is. I have a feeling that my collection will be a lot bigger than 4 pens by the end of the year. 😆

[facemeltor]

My first "real" fountain pen was a Pelikan M800 in gold/blue. B nib and ive had much fun writing with it.

[benkonczal]

I’ve been enjoying fountain pens for years… my go to has been the Montblanc 146 with a medium nib. (I purchased it used). But I just recently purchased a Montblanc 149! (Used from the late 80’s-1990?) It has a broad nib and I love it! I have several others and I enjoy them all.

[MogelBoom]

My dad tried to mock me 2018 with the sentence „When you graduate your bachelors degree, I’ll gift you a MontBlanc pen“ although he new I’m about to quit uni.
Did an apprenticeship, went back to uni 2 years ago alongside my 9-5 and it looks like I’m graduating next year with an 1.5 (A-) in Computer Science and he is getting cold feed haha

[sandyschannel]

I don't get to watch like I used to but I'm glad you do these videos and this one is setting me on the right path. Thank you for taking the time and effort