Venturing into the World of Fountain Pens

Gear Review

My Fountain Pen Roadmap: A Journey into Analog Writing

A structured approach to building a curated collection of fine writing instruments.

~16

Months

6

Pens

4

Ink Variations

Table of Contents

• ①1. Practice Phase (2016)
• ②2. Training Phase (2016–2017)
• ③3. Graduation Phase (2018)
• ④4. Philosophy: Quality Over Quantity
• ⑤Update (11/18/16)

Section I

1. Practice Phase (2016)

Starting from scratch with zero experience, I focused on entry-level models to understand the basics of ink flow and maintenance.

 

The Pilot Lineup

• →Pilot Varsity — An accessible, reliable starter pen ($3) that offers a great low-stakes introduction to the medium. I started with a Medium point in Purple.
• →Pilot Metropolitan — My first "true" fountain pen ($13). This model serves as my dedicated daily driver for work, providing a more robust writing experience than disposables.

Tip: If you are just starting, you don't need to overspend. Models like the Pilot Varsity or Platinum Preppy are highly recommended by the community for a reason.

Section II

2. Training Phase (2016–2017)

Once comfortable, I moved into more serious hardware, specifically focusing on pens that offer better performance and engineering.

The Signature Piece

My choice for this phase is the Platinum #3776. It represents a significant step up in build quality and features.

Feature	Pilot Metropolitan	Platinum #3776
Price	~$13	~$75
Key Benefit	Everyday Utility	Advanced Cap/Seal
Purpose	Daily Carry	Signature Pen

The #3776 is prized for its innovative "Slip & Seal" cap mechanism, which keeps the nib from drying out over long periods of non-use—a major advantage over standard models.

Section III

3. Graduation Phase (2018)

My goal for the final stage is to solidify my collection by focusing on value and variety rather than just volume.

Second Platinum #3776

I plan to add a second #3776 to my rotation. I believe this model hits the "sweet spot" on the cost-benefit curve. Investing in the Red and Blue variants gives me a consistent, high-performing writing experience without needing to spend hundreds of dollars on diminishing returns.

Section IV

4. Philosophy: Quality Over Quantity

My approach to this hobby is simple: I am avoiding broad, impulsive accumulation. My strategy is to limit future purchases to exceptional pens that add specific value to the collection. I would rather possess a few rare, high-quality instruments than a large quantity of standard, unremarkable pens.

 

Section V

Update (11/18/16)

Plans are meant to evolve. After receiving my #3776 earlier than expected and investing in Iroshizuku Kon-Peki ink, my trajectory has shifted:

• →Ink Experimentation — I am moving toward smaller, varied ink samplers (15mL) to explore colors like Shin-Ryoku (Green) and Asa-Gao (Blue).
• →Expansion — I have decided to acquire additional Pilot Metropolitan pens in different colors to facilitate testing these new inks.

My fountain pen journey is just beginning, and I look forward to sharing more as the collection grows.