If you’re looking for a good fountain pen within a 50 dollar budget, you’re probably interested in calligraphy and want that pen to get you started.
However, choosing a good fountain pen isn’t about finding the most good looking one. There are many things that you should keep in mind while looking for the ideal fountain pen for you.
Today, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know before buying the best fountain pen under 50 dollars. Let’s dive in!
In This Guide...
Top 5 Fountain Pens With a Price Under 50 Available on the Market
Let’s take a look at these five amazing fountain pens:
Here’s a quick rundown of the best options that you can find on the shelves.
PILOT Metropolitan Collection Fountain Pen
Kicking off the list with one of the best selling pens in the lower mid-range price category. The company has over 100 years of heritage and experience in making some of the finest pens on the market.
The barrel of the fountain pen is made out of brass. However, the pen has a matte black finish to give it an overall elegant look and comfortable feel in your hand.
The dark black is also contrasted with aesthetically pleasing stainless steel parts that accents the color of the fountain pen.
The nib is made of durable stainless steel and has a medium size, which is ideal for intermediate-level users.
The pen comes in a similarly elegant black box that makes it an ideal gift. Also, it keeps the pen presentable and protected.
Pros
- Sleek matte black finish
- Durable brass construction
- Works with cartridges and converters
Cons
- Dry off quickly if the lid isn’t secured
Get more information on PILOT Metropolitan Collection Fountain Pen
LAMY Safari Fountain Pen
Next up is one of the most popular options in the under 50 fountain pen. The LAMY Safari is one of the easiest fountain pens to write with.
The fountain pen is made of an ABS charcoal plastic body, making it ideal for those who prefer lighter pens.
What I like about this pen is that it has an ink level indicator, so you can stay in check without having to take the pen apart.
The LAMY Safari comes with a blue ink cartridge. However, you can refill the cartridge with the color of your liking.
Pros
- Ink level indicator
- Flexible pen clip
- Compatible with converters
Cons
- You need to buy the gift box separately
Get more information on Lamy Safari Fountain Pen
Picasso 902 Gentleman Fountain Pen
It’s rare to find a decorative pen at the price Picasso 902 offers. The pen comes in 5 different designs that will suit all tastes of broad fountain pen lovers.
The fountain pen doesn’t only look great, but it’s also highly durable. Both the barrel and the nib are made of durable stainless steel.
The pen comes with a screw converter, so you can replace the ink with any type of your choice instead of the stock one.
However, it doesn’t come with the ink, so you have to buy that separately. The pen also comes with a durable snap-on cap to protect the nib and the ink.
The pen comes in a fancy leather box with elegant stitching. That’s why it also works as a pretty luxurious gift.
Pros
- Highly decorative design
- Comes with an ink converter and a luxurious gift box
- Durable barrel and snap-on cap
Cons
- Doesn’t come with the ink
BEILUNER Luxury Fountain Pen
If you’re looking for a handsome fountain pen set that comes at a reasonable price, you should consider this one.
The BEILUNER fountain pen features a timeless design and rugged stainless steel construction. This ensures the sturdiness of the pen throughout the years.
The set includes everything you might need in a fountain pen. It comes with 6 ink cartridges, so you won’t have to buy ones separately. Not only that, but you’ll also get an ink refill converter and a nice leather box!
As you can see, this pen is a great choice for buyers who want to make the most out of their money. It’s also ideal for beginners, as it has almost everything you’ll need to get started.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Comes with box, cartridges, and a converter
- Durable stainless steel design
Cons
- The nib isn’t flexible enough
Get more information on BEILUNER Luxury Fountain Pen
ZenZoi Carbon Fiber Fountain Pen
Last but not least, if you’re planning to splurge your entire 50-dollar budget on a pen, it should be the ZenZoi Fountain Pen.
The pen offers an outstanding level of accuracy. The SCHMIDT nibs are highly flexible, so you should expect an unmatched writing experience compared to pens in the same class.
The pen design is the ideal balance between a classic and modern take on fountain pens. The carbon fiber construction gives it extra weight, so you can enjoy a hefty grip of the pen.
The pen comes with everything you might need, including a high-quality blue ink cartridge and a refill converter.
The fountain pen also comes with a premium gift box that’s designed specifically for that pen.
Pros
- Luxurious design
- Durable and weighted carbon fiber finish
- Comes with a complete set
Cons
- A bit pricier than other options
Things to Keep in Mind While Shopping for a Fountain Pen
Here are some aspects that you need to keep on your radar while shopping for a fountain pen.
Pen Materials
Fountain pens are highly sophisticated pens with different parts, such as the barrel, the cap, and the nib. Each one of these parts can be made using a wide variety of materials.
For example, the barrel is usually made out of stainless steel. However, some modern barrels can be made from tough plastics. I usually prefer stainless steel ones because they look and feel nicer while holding and writing with the pen.
The cap is usually made out of the same material as the barrel for aesthetics. You only need to make sure that the materials are durable enough to handle your use. This includes the metal pen clip as well.
The part that touches the paper is called “the nib”. Similar to the barrel, this part can be made of various materials.
Stainless steelnib tips are the most common ones in the market, as they’re highly efficient and inexpensive. However, some luxury fountain pens have nib tips that are made out of gold. These ones are equally efficient but they’re highly expensive.
Size and Weight
Based on the previous point, you should expect a lot of weight difference according to the material of the pen.
Similarly, fountain pens come in different sizes. You can find fountain pens that are relatively bulky and others that are much slimmer. You should know that a broad pen doesn’t necessarily need to be heavy, as it can be all plastic.
If you prefer heavier pens like me, you should go for a metal barrel with a stainless steel nib tip. But, if you’re looking for a smooth transition from a ballpoint pen, you can start with a slim lightweight design.
Luckily, fountain pens under the 50 dollar mark come in all weights and sizes, so you can choose the one that’s more suitable for you.
Refilling
You should also know that a fountain pen will require to refill the pen more often than a regular ballpoint pen.
Ink refills come in the form of ink cartridges. A good fountain pen will have the option to use a refill converter. This allows you to refill the pen with the ink of your choice instead of stock ink.
If you don’t write frequently, that won’t be a problem for you. However, if you’re someone who needs to write a lot, such as a student or a professional writer, you’ll need to refill the pen with ink every 10 or 15 days.
Accessories
If you’re going to pay up to 50 dollars for a fountain pen, you need to make sure that you get the most bang for your buck.
In other words, make sure that the package won’t only include a high-quality pen. Ideally, the pen should come with a nice box for storage and gifting purposes.
Also, it should come with plenty of replacement ink cartridges, so you don’t have to buy some separately.
Capping Style
Capping the pen is important to protect the nib tip from dust and preserve the ink from prolonged air exposure. The vast majority of fountain pens come with a snap or screw pen caps.
Both styles are effective at protecting your ink from drying out. Screw caps provide ultimate protection. However, they take relatively longer to unscrew compared to snap caps.
Some rare fountain pens also come in a retractable form. They’re much faster than both cap styles but they ink dries quicker in them. That’s why I don’t recommend them.
Nib Tip Width
Nib tips come in three different varieties, which are fine, medium, and broad.
If you’re a beginner, a fine pen variety is your way to go, as it’s the closest to the standard ballpoint pen but with a fancy twist. Broader nib tips are similar to the thickness you get with 0.7 mm ballpoint pens.
Picking The Best Fountain Pens Under $50
There you have it. A comprehensive guide with reviews and everything you need to know before picking a good fountain pen.
Let’s take a look at these great fountain pens one more time:
As you can see, choosing a fountain pen depends on your personal preferences. However, there are a couple very popular options.
For the ultimate fountain pen under 50 dollars it really is a toss up, and it comes down to personal preference.
It comes between the PILOT Metropolitan Collection Fountain Pen and the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen . These are both excellent fountain pens I have used for years.
If you’re looking for more of a complete set for a good value, BEILUNER Luxury Fountain Pen is your way to go. It comes with everything you need to get your fountain pen writing journey started.