These fountain pens hooked me with their simplicity and refillable nature. They’re from a reputable German company and built to last. We carry them in all sorts of cute colors and offer a rainbow of ink refills. There’s even a refillable highlighter now!

I love writing with pen and paper. I know going digital is arguably the most sustainable option and I do use Evernote for work notes and staying organized but there’s nothing that can replace journaling with a good pen or having a to do list that’s on a physical page right in front of you.

Back when I was first going zero waste, I got sick of never being able to find a working pen. They either broke or ran out of ink and I found myself throwing them away and never having enough on hand. Along came the fountain pen! Super old school, a lovely writing feel and ultra compact for your purse or briefcase. I take mine with me wherever I go, and have refilled it many times by now.

PS! If you have old pens, markers or other craft supplies you’re not using, you can donate them to local schools or secondhand craft supplies stores like Seattle Recreative! A great way to keep them out of the landfill and make art more accessible at the same time.

In browsing fountain pen brands, I came across a German company called Kaweco that is well-established and well-crafted but reasonably priced. They have a medium nib (pen tip) which is great for beginners or just everyday writing.

What I love about fountain pens is their compact nature and the smooth writing experience.

The ink flows across the paper easily. They’re a joy to sketch with, sign with or write for pages and pages. With our little Sport pens, you unscrew the lid and put it on the end of the pen to elongate the shape for comfort.

Fountain pens are also significantly more sustainable than disposable pens.  They're meant to be cared for and to last a lifetime, so they don't end up in the landfill. Each pen comes with a converter that allows you to refill it from an inkwell. We offer a variety of colors so you can refill and repurpose your pen time and time again. You can also order disposable cartridges from the company if you're new to the pens or just want the ease of replacement options. They’re still way more eco-friendly - they come in a tiny paper box and the only waste is a 1.5 inch cartridge that lasts as long as a regular pen.

Finding the right paper to pair with your fountain pen

There is such a thing as “fountain pen friendly” paper.  It’s a smoother paper that ensures you’ll have a good writing experience, allowing the ink to flow easily across the page.  You can search for fountain pen friendly paper online or buy notebooks meant for drawing. A smooth “half coated” paper is your best bet.  The paper also shouldn’t be too thin, or there can be bleed through onto the back of the sheet.

We stock fountain pen friendly notepads to be used as to do lists or grocery lists.  If you want to know more about the perfect paper to pair with your fountain pen, this article gives a thorough overview.

How to take care of your fountain pen

You should take care to leave the cap on your fountain pen between writing, as it can dry out.  It won't occur if you use the pen regularly and tighten the cap afree each use, but should it happen to dry out, simply run the tip under a small stream of water and it should start writing again with ease.  If need be, blot it on a piece of scratch paper or scrap cloth before continuing your writing.

I also store mine tip down so that the ink flows properly.  The ink we offer is quick drying, making these pens all-purpose.

So that’s the lowdown! Mine comes with me everywhere - to work, errands, my journaling group, on vacation... My trusty fountain pen.