Top 10 Quick-Draw Fountain Pens

Many people think of fountain pens as some precious, delicate pens that are best left as desk trophies. But we have a list here of what we think make great pens for daily use. We originally made a “Quick Draw” video back in 2015 and thought it was worth refreshing the list. 

The factors we considered while we selected these Quick-Draw pens:

  • Ease of capping/uncapping
  • Portability (size/features)
  • Durability
  • Reliability (performance)

Our Top 10 List:

Pilot Varsity

The Pilot Varsity is a disposable fountain pen, and it is super affordable. It allows you to "penable" on-the-fly (i.e. introduce someone to fountain pens). No need to ink it up or clean it out, it comes ready to write. It's reliable and easy to always have on-the-go. 

Pilot Varsity fountain pens

  • Weight: Very Light
  • Snap cap, push to post
  • Less than $25 for a 7-Pack
  • Variety of colors, only one nib size

Shop the Varsity

Platinum Preppy

It's super reliable and has a Slip & Seal cap mechanism to prevent the ink from drying out. It's the same writing experience as the Plaisir and the Prefounte. It fills via cartridge/converter, but you can also convert it to eyedropper fill for a big ink capacity.

Platinum Preppy fountain pens

  • Weight: Very Light
  • Snap cap, push to post
  • Steel nib
  • Variety of colors and nib sizes
  • Less than $10

Shop the Preppy

Pilot Metropolitan

This is a great starter pen and it comes with what you need to get writing (i.e. a cartridge and a converter). It has the same writing experience as the Kakuno and the Explorer.

Pilot Metropolitan fountain pens

  • Weight: Medium
  • Snap cap, push to post
  • Steel nib
  • Variety of colors and nib sizes
  • Less than $25

Shop the Metropolitan

TWSBI SWIPE

This fountain pen comes with two different converter options (not common for TWSBI) and a big ink capacity. It comes with cartridge too (also big capacity). The filling options are fun - great for beginners.

TWSBI SWIPE fountain pens and converters

  • Weight: Light
  • Snap cap, push to post
  • Steel nib
  • 2 colors, variety of nib sizes
  • Less than $30

Shop the SWIPE

Traveler’s Company Brass Pen

This is a durable, legit pocket pen. You’re unlikely to misplace your cap, since you pretty much have to post it! It fills via cartridge only.

Traveler's Company brass fountain pen

  • Weight: Light
  • Push to cap, push to post
  • Steel nib
  • 1 color, only available w/ fine nib
  • Less than $60

Shop the Traveler's Pen

Platinum Curidas

One of the most affordable retractable fountain pens we carry, available in a variety of colors. It's fun to see the internal components at work.

Platinum Curidas retractable fountain pens

  • Weight: Light
  • Push to expose/retract the nib
  • Steel nib
  • Variety of colors and nib sizes
  • Less than $100

Shop the Curidas

Pilot E95S

Pocket size when closed, full sized when posted. Despite the small size, you still get full-sized filling options -- cartridge or converter. It comes in two colors, in a timeless design. It's currently the most affordable gold nib fountain pen that we offer, with an inlaid 14k gold nib.

Pilot E95S fountain pens

  • Weight: Light
  • Push to cap, push to post
  • 14k gold nib
  • Two colors, several nib sizes
  • Less than $150

Shop the E95S

Pilot Vanishing Point

Arguably the reigning champion of quick-draw pens. The Pilot Vanishing Point is known internationally as the “Capless”, and it was the original retractable fountain pen. It has an 18k gold nib, and is comfortable on the page despite its small size.

Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pens

  • Weight: Medium
  • Click to expose/retract the nib
  • Gold nib (variety of plating options)
  • Wide variety of colors and nib sizes
  • Around $150 to $800, based on model

Shop the Vanishing Point

LAMY 2000

This is many fountain pen users’ go-to everyday pen. It has a 14k gold nib, partially hooded. It's the only internal piston-filler on our list, with the largest ink capacity. Reliable capping keeps the nib ready to write, and posting is quick and easy.

LAMY 2000 fountain pen

  • Weight: Medium
  • Snap cap, push to post
  • 14k gold nib
  • Incredibly durable (Polycarbonate)
  • Over $200

Shop the 2000

LAMY dialog 3/CC

This is a different type of retractable fountain pen with its twist mechanism. It has a unique, minimalist design - very LAMY. The dialog CC is a slightly smaller version of the dialog 3.

LAMY Dialog CC fountain pens

  • Weight: Heavy
  • 14k gold nib
  • Unique retractable clip (dialog 3)
  • Several colors and nib sizes
  • Around $350

Shop the dialog 3

Shop the dialog CC