Skip to content
Why Fountain Pens Make Great Gifts

Why Fountain Pens Make Great Gifts

Although some believe that the art of penmanship is in decline, there has never been a better time to buy a fountain pen. As the current enthusiasm for Moleskine notebooks, stylish handwritten notes and "hipster PDAs" shows, there are still many people out there who value the experience of writing by hand. Fountain pens are currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity, especially among collectors and young people. Fountain pens also make excellent gifts, and with today's advanced designs there really is no reason why you should not give a fountain pen as a gift. Here are three reasons why fountain pens make great gifts, and some ideas for specific pens and occasions. 

 

Fountain Pens are Functional Art

If you decide to give a fountain pen as a gift, you can be sure that it will be among the most elegant things on the recipient's desk. Many fountain pen manufacturers, such as Mont Blanc and Diplomat, design their pens so that they look as if they belong in a display case, even if they are laid out beside a daybook or in the centre crease of a notebook. In fact, many pen collectors display their pens as if they were works of art. Your gift may herald the beginning of a lifelong hobby.

 

Even fountain pens which have a more "functional" look are beautiful and streamlined in the hand and on the desk. For example, Lamy Safari pens -- among the cheapest of the reliable refillable fountain pen brands available -- are sleek and well-designed, with a pleasing shape and feel.

 

If you are planning on giving a fountain pen as a gift and you want it to be an beautiful piece of absolutely functional art and engineering, try a limited-edition Mont Blanc pen, an antique celluloid pen, or perhaps a Porshe Design fountain pen. 

 

If you are seeking a less-expensive fountain pen to give as a gift but you still want an elegant, unique design, you should consider giving a mid-century Parker pen such as a Parker Duofold or a Parker 51. The smooth, curved design of the Parker 51 in particular was a landmark design considered groundbreaking at the time. 

 

Fountain Pens are More Convenient Than You Think

Nowadays, even inexpensive fountain pens are safe to fly with, and some daring fountain pen users even choose to use theirs mid-flight! Although fountain pens were once notorious for being leaky, inconvenient, and awkward to refill, these problems have now been resolved, as all fountain pen users and retailers are well aware. Modern refillable fountain pen "converters" are extremely easy to learn to refill, and have large leakproof ink reservoirs. For those seeking even more convenience, large ink refill cartridges are available in a wide choice of ink colours and textures -- with far more options than are available to ballpoint pen users, including waterproof permanent ink, lubricated ink, highlighting ink, and scented ink. 

 

A Classic Gift

Fountain pen users have a large and vocal online presence, with many online message boards and websites devoted to fountain pen collecting and daily fountain pen use. The reason is simple: there is really no more comfortable and immersive way to write by hand than to use a fountain pen. There is no special skillset involved in writing with a fountain pen, and many fountain pen users have found that their penmanship improved after they made the switch. Using a fountain pen is an effortless, tactile, extremely comfortable experience. A fountain pen is therefore a gift which is extremely well-suited to those in professions where they are called upon to write by hand a lot, such as writers, doctors, lawyers, students, and other office workers. Because fountain pens have an old-fashioned style and sense of elegance, they are also excellent gifts for those approaching important milestones, such as graduation, a fiftieth or twenty-first birthday, an important promotion, or retirement.

 

Author

Ashley Wigram

 

Some of our favorite pen shops with web sales:

Pen Boutique (Columbia, Maryland)

https://www.penboutique.com/

Points Pens (Staunton Virginia)

https://www.pointspens.com/

 

Our favorite makers:

SchonDSGN

https://www.schondsgn.com/

Franklin Christoph

https://www.franklin-christoph.com/

 

Great Paper for Fountain Pens: 

 

Previous article Are Bullet Journals a New Tool in Mental Health Management?
Next article 5 Ways to Use a Bullet Journal to Help Boost Your Personal Finances

Read More

  • 10 Essential Tips for Taking Effective Meeting Notes with a Meeting Notebook
    May 16, 2023 Jon-Michael Moses

    10 Essential Tips for Taking Effective Meeting Notes with a Meeting Notebook

    Selecting the perfect meeting notebook is the first step to taking practical notes. Consider factors such as size, layout, and paper quality when choosing a notebook that suits your needs. A dedicated meeting notebook can help you maintain organization, allowing you to quickly reference past meetings and create a clear record of the information discussed. Opt for a notebook with sturdy binding, good paper quality, and a layout that works for your preferred note-taking style, such as ruled, grid, or dotted pages.
    Read now
  • How to Use a Meeting Notebook for Creative Brainstorming and Idea Generation
    April 14, 2023 Jon-Michael Moses

    How to Use a Meeting Notebook for Creative Brainstorming and Idea Generation

    Using a meeting notebook can make brainstorming sessions much more convenient and organized than traditional methods. The luxurious paper makes for an enjoyable writing experience that lets you capture each thought without switching between multiple sheets of paper or documents. Additionally, modern notebooks feature two-page spreads that allow two people to write on the same page without disrupting each other’s thoughts – perfect for collaborative environments!
    Read now
  • How To Start And Use A Whiskey Tasting Journal
    January 17, 2023 Jon-Michael Moses

    How To Start And Use A Whiskey Tasting Journal

    1. Be detailed in your descriptions. When it comes to tasting notes, more is always better. So include as much detail as possible about the whiskey's appearance, aroma, and flavor. What did you like or dislike about it? Would you recommend it to others?
    Read now