Believe it or not, the majority of The Gentleman Stationer Readership and customer base does not consist of long-term fountain pen users, collectors, and enthusiasts, but rather those who are deciding to dive into the world of analog tools and writing instruments for the first time. With that in mind, I’ve pulled together a collection of blog posts and related content intended both for new users and more experienced users looking to refresh on their fountain pen (and general stationery) basics.

  1. Fountain Pen Basics (The Gentleman Stationer YouTube Channel). A goal of mine for 2023 is to jumpstart our video content on YouTube. While I enjoy writing, some of what I discuss is much easier to demonstrate visually, especially when it comes to things like filling fountain pens, cleaning fountain pens, and changing nibs, which are covered in the “Fountain Pen Basics” videos.

  2. Fountain Pen Basics: 5 Best Practices for Fountain Pen Users. This recent post explored five topics that all new fountain pen users should consider, even if they decide not to follow all of my recommendations. This article briefly addresses cleaning, storage, and the pros and cons of letting others use your fountain pens.

  3. Fountain Pen Maintenance: How I Clean My Fountain Pens. How often you’re supposed to clean fountain pens and the techniques used are perpetual topics of debate among enthusiasts. I know many, many experienced users who clean their pens once a year (you know who you are!), and others who religiously flush, clean, and rotate their pens once a week or once a month. Personally, I’m less strict and tend to just clean my pens whenever the ink runs out, which is rarely longer than once or twice per month.

  4. Pen Roll vs. Pen Case: Why Consider One Over the Other? After regular cleaning, a recommendation that I give new enthusiasts is to purchase at least one sturdy case or pen roll to protect your pens. Nothing is worse than cracking a barrel or bending a nib if a pen rolls off a desk. Good cases don’t have to be expensive, but they are critical if you travel or commute regularly.

  5. Q&A: Top 5 Fountain Pens for Beginners. While we have a more comprehensive list of pen recommendations in the form of our massive “Top 5” list that gets updated annually, this post from 2015 still holds true. Most of my recommendations from eight years ago have remained consistent, as well as my rationale for choosing the specific pens featured. (I have updated the links, some of which were to models of pens no longer available and/or retailers with whom I am no longer affiliated.)

  6. How to Choose the Best Pen for You. Is a fountain pen even the best writing instrument for the type of writing that you do every day? Everyone’s needs are different, and just because fountain pens’ popularity has grown exponentially in the past several years, that doesn’t mean that they’re the best choice for everyone. And within the fountain pen category, the possibilities are endless. Which brings me to….

  7. Picking a “Workhorse”: How to Choose a Fountain Pen for an Everyday Writer. When you’re writing professionally, whether as a “writer” or as someone whose trade or profession simply involves a lot of writing, those of us who write for long sessions every day have specific needs distinct from pure hobbyists. This article, along with my “Workhorse Pen” series, are directed at those who might be looking for that “one pen” which meets all their needs and becomes a daily companion.