Pilot and Namiki fountain pens: the models worth knowing, pros and cons
Eight Pilot and Namiki pens from a $15 starter to maki-e lacquer art pens, with prices checked October 7, 2026 and honest pros and cons.
The Blog
Practical guides to fountain pens, ink and paper, written in San Diego. Every guide links the sources we checked, so you can see where each price and detail came from.
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Fountain pens across San Diego County: shops, stationery and places to write by area
Pen shops, notebooks and good places to write in North County inland, North County coastal and central San Diego.
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Where to buy fountain pens, ink and paper in San Diego (2026 guide)
Local shops for pens, bottled ink and paper, sorted by neighborhood, plus pen clubs and online options.
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Your first fountain pen: great starters under $30
Six starter pens under $30, a first bottle of ink, and three beginner mistakes to skip.
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Fine vs Medium: Fountain Pen Nib Sizes Explained
EF, F, M and B, stubs and italics, and why a Japanese fine writes thinner than a European one.