Top 5 Favorite Fountain Pens: A Refreshed List With Vintage Gems and a Surprising Value

Introduction

Some lists evolve gradually. This one was torn up and rebuilt. A year ago, the top five included a Pelikan M800, a Moonman Bohem, the Lamy AL-star, the Magna Carta Mag 600 flex nib, and the Waterman Edson. This year, only one of those pens keeps its seat, and the rest of the list reflects a shift toward older pens, neglected brands, and better value.

One rule stays constant: only one pen per brand. Some brands would otherwise dominate the list entirely, and keeping the limit makes the selection more interesting and honest. Here is the new top five, plus the runners-up that nearly made the cut.

1. Montblanc 147 Traveler in Bordeaux

This is not the usual modern Montblanc pick. For years the 149 held the top spot, but the 147 in Bordeaux better reflects a current attitude toward the brand: admiration, with an appetite for the older, more crafted era. The color alone is a draw, recalling a much-loved Montblanc Bordeaux ink that is long discontinued.

The 147 is a traveler’s pen with a genuinely elegant cartridge system: unscrew the back, slide out a golden carrier, insert short international cartridges, and it seats neatly into the feed. It is gloriously overengineered, and that apparatus also gives the pen very consistent weight and balance from feed to back. The 14 karat two-tone nib writes elegantly, precisely, and smoothly, and the burgundy red ink it currently carries feels like the only right choice.

Finding one takes patience. Listings on the secondhand market often ask far too much for a “stunningly rare color,” but around the $500 range is a fair target. A pen show is the best place to look, where a seller who shares the passion may offer a much better deal than a screen-side seller waiting for top dollar.

2. S.T. Dupont Fountain Pen

A brand new entry, and a brand that had never been tried before this year. The pen was originally bought to explore its association with a famously fastidious fictional character, but it refused to be put down. The standout is the nib: technically steel, yet it writes like the most polished, smooth gold nib imaginable. It is an extremely precise, disciplined fine, laying down ink in a constant, unbroken flow.

The design is distinctive, with the grip slightly overhanging the nib in a way that recalls vintage snorkel-era designs, a tapering rear profile that cannot be posted, and a black lacquer and palladium-trimmed body. It has that whisper of luxury, perfect balance, and a writing feel comparable to far more expensive pens. After a month and a half of use: no skips, no false starts, flawless.

At around $225, it is a compelling counterargument to $1,200 or $1,500 resin pens with gold nibs. The one caveat: zero flex on that nib. S.T. Dupont is not a widely known brand on the secondhand market, which makes these surprisingly findable. Move soon, because once the word spreads, prices will follow.

3. Pilot Custom Urushi

This is arguably the last grail pen on the list, and it earns it. The Custom Urushi is a very large pen whose girth makes writing feel relaxed and effortless, paired with Pilot’s soft, bouncy nib that shares some character with the Pelikan M1000. The traditional Japanese urushi lacquer finish is a decorative art in its own right, and it carries personal resonance from a memorable week in Chicago.

At a list price of $1,800, it is a serious investment. Secondhand examples appear from time to time for around $1,000, sometimes less. The one real downside: it ships with a fairly ordinary CON-70 converter, which feels underspecified for a pen at this price. It works well, but better materials and a more ambitious fill system would have been welcome. Even so, the nib and the lacquer make it easy to love.

4. Waterman Edson

One does not get bored of the Waterman Edson in a year. Bought at the Washington DC pen show, it has been raved about ever since, and for good reason. The nib is hard as a nail but endlessly precise, and the feed delivers what feels like a conveyor belt of ink lubricating the tip: no false starts, no hesitation, just uninterrupted flow whenever needed.

The double barrel design is luminous, holding and radiating light, and the inlaid nib with its art deco flourish makes it possibly the most beautiful pen in the collection. If Waterman brought the Edson back with the same specs, it would likely top the list outright.

The catch is availability. It has not been made in 25 years, so the secondhand market is the only option, and prices have been climbing steadily. Expect roughly $800 to $900 depending on condition. Verify condition carefully on marketplace listings, and make sure the original colored converter is included. Dealers who specialize in vintage and pre-owned pens are also worth watching.

5. Sheaffer Legacy

The final pick caused the most deliberation, and it says a lot about where the collecting taste is heading: toward the past. This is not the modern Legacy, but the version made in the United States over 20 years ago, with an 18 karat gold nib inlaid into the body. The torpedo-shaped silhouette, fluted chrome, and palladium detailing make it a genuine art deco object.

It is quite possibly the smoothest fountain pen in rotation, taking smoothness and turning it up to eleven. Light writers will glide over every imperfection in the paper, while still producing that glorious scribbling etch that makes signing your name feel ceremonial. It is a cartridge converter pen with a colored converter, which neatly hides the ink mess inside.

These usually sell for around $500 to $600, though examples have surfaced in the low $300s. Do not fear a well-loved example; the nib matters most, and minor dings in the chrome are simply part of the pen’s story.

Runners-Up That Nearly Made the List

Four pens came heartbreakingly close. Each deserves a look, especially if the top five do not fit your budget or hand.

Pelikan M1000

A pen that truly felt like it belonged on the list. Currently running a green-leaning ink that matches its green and black body, it is remarkably smooth with a touch of bounce and a distinctive nib. Charming without being twee, it is everything great about the brand in its largest form.

Montblanc Egyptomania

A resurgence story. Set aside for a while to explore other pens, it was impossible not to return to. A wacky, wonderful pen with a hieroglyphic cartouche, a sacred scarab clip, and a winged scarab motif on one of the smoothest and most interesting heritage nibs available. If buying a modern Montblanc, insist on a heritage nib.

Lamy Safari

The perennial grab-and-go. Whenever indecision strikes, a Safari is what reaches the hand. The cursive and stub nibs are particular favorites, and the design remains endlessly interesting. It is ubiquitous and easy to find almost anywhere, which is part of its charm.

Waterman Carène

Adored, and only displaced because of the one-brand-per-list rule and the Edson’s grip on the Waterman slot. The Reflections of Paris edition even made a trip to Paris. Get the basic black: at around $217, it delivers an enormous amount of luxury pen for the money.

Buying Advice: Where to Find These Pens

The common thread across this list is that most of these pens are secondhand buys, and that changes how you should shop. Marketplace listings often overprice rare colors, so anchor yourself to fair ranges and be willing to wait. Pen shows remain the single best venue: you can inspect a pen in person, talk to the seller, negotiate package deals, and often pay less than online asking prices.

Trusted pre-owned and vintage dealers are the next best option, especially for pens like the Pilot Custom Urushi and Waterman Edson, which appear there periodically at noticeably better prices than general listings. For scratches on vintage resin pens, a polishing compound can restore the finish, though light wear is arguably part of the story. And remember: a century of fountain pens is out there to shop in. No longer being made does not mean no longer great.

Conclusion

This year’s list trades familiarity for character: a traveler’s Montblanc with an elegant cartridge carrier, an overlooked French lacquer pen that punches far above its price, an urushi grail, a luminous discontinued Waterman, and a chrome art deco torpedo from the past. The runners-up prove how deep the bench runs. Whichever of these matches your hand and budget, each one is a writer first, and that is what matters most.