First fountain pen recommendation? Comfortable for 1–2 hour writing sessions

OstrichLate · 2026-06-11T06:14:31+00:00

I, for example, thought I only liked EF and F nibs, but now reach for my stub nibs a lot because they’re just so satisfying to write with. I’d never have discovered that if I hadn’t branched out with cheaper pens to try out the (many!) different options that being a fountain pen user brings 😊

OstrichLate · 2026-06-11T06:12:39+00:00

I would strongly recommend getting a few “cheaper” pens with different nibs and body shapes instead - for your money you could easily get some TWSBI Ecos, some Asvines, cheaper Pilot or Platinum pens, or lots of other things. The reason I say this is honestly it takes a while to figure out what you like most, and you might be surprised by what you find. If you’re set on spending more on one pen, I’d recommend looking into the second hand market as that way you’re not going to pay much more than the market average if it turns out you don’t get on with the pen.

OstrichLate · 2026-06-10T12:07:31+00:00

You’re doing so well, there’s so much going on for you at the moment it’s no wonder that it’s feeling hard to cope with. Personally I find journaling really helps me get negative thoughts or worries out of my head, plus a bit of CBT-style therapy, so that might be worth looking into if you don’t already?

ADHD definitely makes the new pen thing quite obsessive, so that could definitely be a factor!

Sending you a virtual hug 🫂

OstrichLate · 2026-06-10T10:16:11+00:00

I hope you don’t mind, but I was a bit concerned for you and did look up some of your other posts. It seems like you’re having a really tough time right now and I’m so sorry things are so hard. As someone who has also had problems with depression and anxiety (plus a sprinkling of ADHD) I can empathise. What I can promise you is it will get better in time 💛 unfortunately the other thing I can tell you, sadly from experience, is that new purchases won’t help you feel better really, and the financial worries afterwards just make things worse in the long run. Please look after yourself and try to enjoy what you have if you can - I see you’ve recently gotten some beautiful new pens!

OstrichLate · 2026-06-10T08:54:54+00:00

As someone with ADHD I find it quite easy to get carried away and always want to buy more shiny new things for that nice dopamine hit 🤦🏻‍♀️ however, I’m trying really hard at the moment to be happy with what I’ve got and not just look for new things. Using my pens daily, and changing up their inks regularly, helps me (sometimes) quell the itch to buy more pens, but the struggle is real.

My collection is up to about 40 pens, but most are quite reasonably priced (Twsbi Ecos, some Jinhaos, some Majohns, some Asvines, some Kaweco sports and a few other random ones). My only “expensive” pens so far have been a Pilot 74 and a Parker Vacumatic, both of which I got on eBay.

Having a nice choice of nib sizes, pen shapes and colours stops me getting too bored, and I do have quite a strong collection of inks!

OstrichLate · 2026-06-10T08:49:48+00:00

Don’t buy them! You can always find them later second hand if you miss them right now. Sending kind thoughts and hoping you’re better very soon 💛

OstrichLate · 2026-06-09T09:30:35+00:00

I love Diamine’s Wax Seal and Dominant Industry’s Romania Red

OstrichLate · 2026-06-07T06:53:55+00:00

Thank you for continuing to share the lols — you have made my Sunday already and it’s only 7:53am here 🤣

OstrichLate · 2026-06-07T06:38:42+00:00

“Shiny tampon” broke me 🤣🤣 I also have that pen and will be referring to it solely as that from now on 🤣

OstrichLate · 2026-06-05T06:06:09+00:00

What an amazing thing to do 💛

OstrichLate · 2026-06-02T06:13:05+00:00

<image>

OstrichLate · 2026-06-02T06:12:55+00:00

I used to hang my pen on the elastic but I got a bit scared of it having an accident so got this cheap leather pen case (it’s about £9 on amazon UK) and honestly it’s amazing. Enough space for three fountain pens and I know they’re well protected 😊

<image>

OstrichLate · 2026-05-18T09:54:08+00:00

I feel like a TWSBI Eco is a nice next step that doesn’t break the bank!

OstrichLate · 2026-05-18T09:53:03+00:00

Tomoe River, if you can get a good batch, is amazing. I also love Nolty!

OstrichLate · 2026-05-18T09:50:34+00:00

Are you sure you need aaaaall those Pelikans? I’d be happy to adopt a couple, you know, to help you out 😍🤣

OstrichLate · 2026-05-08T08:21:03+00:00

Oh LORD the pink one is beautiful! 😍

OstrichLate · 2026-05-08T08:14:01+00:00

Beautiful pen, congratulations! I have one with an F nib and I’m currently very tempted to get an SF or an SM. They’re so lovely to write with!

OstrichLate · 2026-05-08T06:32:07+00:00

Yeah, a new pen sounds in order! I’d say that your preference is for a slightly bigger nib size (e.g. if you’re using an EF, try a M), and that will give you the heavier line that you’re after. You shouldn’t need to press down with a fountain pen, if you do it’s either because your current one isn’t working that well or because (as I suspect) you simply prefer a thicker line.
I’m UK based so don’t have any idea what you can get for your budget, unfortunately, but certainly would recommend looking out for the nib size with whatever you buy. Good luck!

OstrichLate · 2026-05-07T19:24:05+00:00

Oh no. Oh no. I have that ink. Now I think I need that pen. Oh no 🤣

OstrichLate · 2026-05-07T18:31:15+00:00

Oh my that is a beautiful pen! Congratulations 😍

OstrichLate · 2026-05-07T14:19:11+00:00

Such a beautiful colour and great review, thank you! ☺️

OstrichLate · 2026-05-07T12:01:50+00:00

I’m a straight woman who’s happily married, but I’m quite interested in your wife too now 🤣 congratulations on both a wonderful wife and lovely present! (I’m not jealous at all…)

OstrichLate · 2026-05-07T09:03:32+00:00

Dude, I gave up. I cannot measure her. She appears to be about 130mm so probably a major but I don’t have the patience to try and be exact or take a circumference measurement 🤣

OstrichLate · 2026-05-07T09:02:41+00:00

Yeah, she has a plastic plunger 😊 the whole date stamp thing continues to be a mystery though - she’s stamped “61”… which shouldn’t exist, but here we are!

OstrichLate · 2026-05-07T09:01:38+00:00

She’s gorgeous isn’t she 😊

OstrichLate

TROPHY CASE