Fountain Pens of the Month: Four Pens Spanning Affordable to Excessive

Introduction

Some months the pen lineup writes itself. This one covers an unusual range: an interesting and affordable Chinese piston filler, a pen from a small maker who builds nearly every part himself, a historically flavored safety filler that is impractical in the best way, and a heavyweight collector’s piece that nobody actually needs.

The common thread is that each pen earned its place by being genuinely enjoyable to use, even when enjoyment meant tolerating an odd filling system or a pen that weighs more than some phones.

Most Affordable of the Lineup: Majohn P140

The Majohn P140 (also known as Moonman) is the most affordable pen here, but it does not feel like a compromise. It is a large pen with a big number 8 steel nib, piston filled, and finished with an exceptional level of polishing. The demonstrator body is so clear that the brass piston is visible inside, and when capped, the nib shows clearly through the cap.

It is a solid, smooth writer. The medium nib leans toward the finer end of medium, and it has not shown skipping or fussiness. As a big pen, it stays comfortable even in longer writing sessions. Filled with a dark brown ink, watching the ink slosh around inside the barrel is a small pleasure in itself.

For anyone wanting a large piston filler without spending serious money, this is an easy recommendation.

Small Pen Maker: Desiderata Pens SubrK

The Desiderata Pens SubrK represents the small-maker end of the hobby. Pierre of Desiderata Pen Company makes the parts in house, including the clip and the components of the filling mechanism, and he grinds the nibs himself after training with Richard Binder, producing a binderized nib.

This example is a 2023 pen in a translucent amber material with swirls that have real depth to them. The nib grind leans italic, delivering pleasant line variation, and while it has noticeable feedback, it is the pleasant kind rather than scratchiness. It is not a tiny pen either; compared side by side with the Majohn, it holds its own on size.

The pump filler is spring loaded: dip it in a bottle, press, and it pops back, making it easy to use with a nice ink capacity.

The Conversation Piece: Santini Safety Filler

The Santini safety filler is where the lineup moves into “interesting and expensive” territory. This is not a practical pen by any stretch: it is a safety filler, meaning the nib retracts into the body, and if the pen is turned upside down while uncapped, ink will flow into the cap. Turn the end of the pen and the nib pops out.

It is a really big pen with an in-house number 8 nib, ground into a stubby broad-medium style. The writer is very wet and very pleasant, and the finish paired beautifully with a teal ink inspired by Moraine Lake. Burping has been an occasional issue over extended use, including one meeting where ink dripped steadily onto a hand, so this pen stays in the office for note-taking rather than traveling to meetings.

As a conversation piece it excels. People reliably ask how it works and why the nib has to be withdrawn. Occasional flushing of ink trapped in the cap is simply part of living with a safety filler.

The Pure Want-It Pen: Onoto Henry VIII Royal Armouries

The Onoto Henry VIII Royal Armouries edition is the excessive one, in the best sense. It weighs over 100 grams thanks to a heavy silver and nickel alloy construction, and it features Henry VIII’s helmet from the Royal Armouries, complete with a functioning visor.

It uses Onoto’s number 7 steel nib in medium. It took some adjustment because of the weight, but once past that, it is a smooth, pleasant, very nice writer, tested here with a blue-black ink. It looks fantastic and is simply incredibly fun.

Did anyone need this pen? No. Did they really want it? Absolutely. That is the whole case for it.

Overall Buying Advice

The lesson from this lineup is that price and enjoyment do not correlate neatly. The most affordable pen here is arguably the most practical daily writer, while the most expensive is the least practical and the most fun. Choose based on how you actually write: a large piston demonstrator for everyday sessions, an artisan grind for character, a safety filler if you want a desk conversation piece, and the Henry VIII only if your heart overrides your budget.

Conclusion

Four pens, four completely different reasons to own them. Whether you are drawn to polished value, handcrafted nib work, quirky vintage-inspired mechanics, or pure ornament, there is something in this range worth carrying to work.