Stylophile

Stylophile or Stileophile: n. Someone who loves pens.

I have distinctly preferred one writing utensil or another since middle school. In my younger days, I gravitated towards blue Bic Pens with chewable plastic caps, multi-ink clicks pens, and free pens with a comfortable grip. In college, I fancied the colorful Pentel pens with rubber swirl grips. I have returned to conference booths multiple times to grab a few more of a perfect, free pen. For the last half of my 30s and the start of my 40s, my favorite pens were the Papermate Injoy gel pens, available in every color of the rainbow. I was hooked on the Uni-ball Signo 207 retractable gel pens with a medium tip for the past year or two. A collection of pens, pencils, and fine-tip markers are scattered across my home, campus office, car, and every bag I carry regularly.

I may have a small problem.

In March 2024, I was introduced to fountain pens thanks to the Archer & Olive (A&O) spring subscription box. A&O produces high-quality journals, notebooks, art supplies, and related accessories for creatives. I have used their products for years. The spring subscription box contained a green and gold fine-point fountain pen and three glass jars of ink in shades of blue and green.

I had never written with a fountain pen before. I watched several YouTube videos to learn how to use and load ink into the pen. Writing with a fountain pen requires a lighter touch to not damage the nib. You lightly draw the nib across the paper. Capillary action and gravity work in tandem to pull the ink from the cartridge through the neck of the pen and onto the paper without the ink spilling everywhere.

Loading the ink into a fountain pen can be messy. I regularly stain my fingers and make a mess in the sink. This is the only downside I have found to using a fountain pen.

I quickly fell in love with fountain pens. I purchased three more bottles of ink. I mixed the inks to make new colors: Writer’s Blood (deep red) and Midnight Blue to make purple and green and Writer’s Blood to create brown. It was fun to play and see what I could create.

Eventually, I purchased a second fountain pen: a Hondgian 1861 Stainless Steel fountain pen with a medium nib. I loved it and soon ordered a second one in pink, along with a bottle of pink ink. These are now my “go-to” pens for my writing practice.

I feel more connected to my writing when I use a fountain pen. It took me a while to get used to writing with one, but it was well worth it. I love the slight scratch of a fine-point nib on paper and the glide of the medium tip across my notebook. It feels like I am painting my words, not just writing them. Fountain pens are beautiful, elegant writing instruments that elevate my writing experience.
I am so grateful for my first “gateway” fountain pen. Thanks to fountain pens, collecting my thoughts and ideas on paper is a fresh experience. I seriously doubt I will purchase many single-use disposable pens in the future. It’s too much fun to use a fountain pen.

Once you go fountain, you’ll never go Bic again.

My fountain pens. The A&O pen, my “gateway” fountain pen, is featured at the top. My Hondigan 1861 pens are featured in the middle and front.