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r/fountainpens•
mattlalune

The online pen shop master list

I've seen some questions about where one can buy fountain pens and the side bar post could use some expansion on this. Here are all the major online retailers I know of in no particular order. I've personally shopped at all of these unless it explicitly says otherwise so I threw in my personal impressions.

4.20.21 EDIT: Thanks to everyone's suggestions. This ended up being way bigger than I thought it would so it'll be an ongoing process.

GOULET PENS

  • Online retailer based in Virginia, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $85+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain pens
  • Glass dip pens
  • Non fountain pens (limited selection)
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Ink samples (2 mL)
  • Paper/Notebooks
  • Pen/Notebook cases
  • Pen accessories

Notable Features:

  • IMO they have the best website design. Intuitive and easy to navigate with plenty of well composed and informative product and lifestyle pictures. There is also a helpful wish list feature.

  • Tying in with the first point, the site has some useful comparison tools. The nib nook compares nib sizes for every width of every model they sell. The swab shop lets you directly compare sample swabs of all of their inks.

  • There's a fairly active Youtube channel. It features a regular video podcast along with product highlights.

Personal Notes

Goulet is focused more on the fountain pen hobby instead of stationary in general. Overall a good one-stop shop for newbies though the minimum shipping price is pretty steep. They have a very good selection of brands for pens and inks.

JET PENS

  • Online retailer based in California, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $35+

Items for sale:

  • Pens. So many pens you never knew existed.
  • Pencils. Again, so many.
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges. Fountain pen, India, Iron Gall, whatever you can think of. Sadly no samples offered.
  • Paper. Notebooks, planners, sketchbooks, comic paper, legal pads. It goes on.
  • Accessories. More than you can imagine for every occasion. Be prepared to be sucked into a rabbit hole when you start browsing.

Notable Features:

  • Jetpens is mainly a general stationary store that imports products from Japan/Korea. Most of their products are from there though they do offer other major Western stationary products (e.g. Rhodia, LAMY, Monteverde, J. Herbin, etc.)

  • Because of the looser focus on stationary, they have a massive catalog of products.

  • Jetpens has a Youtube channel that frequently highlights similar products together or ones that could be used for a particular task (e.g. journaling). The website also has numerous articles giving helpful information.

Personal Notes

Jetpens is a bit different from others in this list since they are not focused on fountain pens. What makes them great is all the obscure but handy stationary products they have. It's very easy to get sucked into reading all the helpful articles about all their products and learn about incredibly niche pens and tools. This is my go-to for everything non fountain pen related.

They don't really sell any pens above the medium-high tier (~$500+). You'll probably need to look elsewhere for your grail pen.

PEN CHALET

  • Online retailer based in Arizona, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $50

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Mechanical Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Ink samples (4mL)
  • Paper/Notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories

Notable Features:

  • Offers a customer rewards program (points towards a free ink bottle and a tier system that gives free priority shipping, ink samples, etc.)

  • Offers regular discounts. Every order includes a discount code for the next order within a limited time frame. Also regular promotion from the Pen Addict podcast.

Personal notes

If you're a frequent shopper, the rewards program is nice to have. Pen Chalet's biggest strength is their selection of pens and inks though other retailers have become quite competitive. If you're looking for an ink that's out of stock elsewhere this is a good place to check. My only problem is the website is a bit of a pain to navigate and compare products.

GOLDSPOT

  • Online retailer based in New Jersey, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $75+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Paper/Notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories

Notable Features:

  • Goldspot sells Montblanc inks which is rare among online retailers.

  • They also have a very cool paper catalog you can order (I believe it also comes with orders). If you grew up browsing toy catalogs this is a real nostalgia trip.

Personal Notes

I really like their catalog and they have a very comprehensive collection of fountain pens and inks. Another good one-stop shop for the fountain pen hobby.

NIBSMITH

  • Online retailer based in Iowa, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: ? It is offered but I can't find the minimum amount

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges (limited selection)
  • Notebooks (limited selection)
  • Pen cases (limited selection)
  • Pen accessories (limited selection)

Notable Features

  • The biggest draw is that Dan offers free tuning for every pen along with custom nib grinding.

  • Largely a one man operation

  • Dan is a nibmeister and has offered nib tuning/grinds in the past. I've been quite happy with his work though he rarely allows pens to be shipped to him for service. I've only seen it once in the two years since I've been shopping there.

Personal Notes

Nibsmith mainly offers fountain pens, particularly in the mid to high end price range. Budget models are offered as well.

I can't emphasize how nice it is to have every pen purchase come with free tuning. Since I'm a lefty it's a pretty common occurrence for a pen to not write how I would like it. Nowadays I don't order a Western pen unless it comes with free tuning.

Since Nibsmith is a smaller retailer compared to others on this list, the prep time for orders can take a bit longer, especially since he offers free tuning for every pen. Worth it IMO.

NIBS.COM

  • Online retailer based in California, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $300+ (!)
  • Free international shipping $550+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Used fountain pens
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges (limited selection)
  • Notebooks (limited selection)
  • Pen cases (limited selection)
  • Pen accessories (limited selection)

Notable Features

  • If the minimum shipping amount hasn't queued you in, nibs.com is primarily a higher end pen retailer.

  • They tend to offer more special editions/less common colors of popular pen models (particularly Sailor pens).

  • One of the few retailers that offer used/vintage pens. The selection is very limited.

  • Besides nibsmith, nibs.com is the only retailer I know that offers tuning for their pens as well as custom grinds for all their purchases. The spencerian grind for flex pens is particularly well known and is a great way to get a calligraphy pen experience with a fountain pen.

  • They are the only US Nakaya dealer. You have to go through them if you don't want to wait 6+ months by placing an order directly or go grey market.

Personal Notes

nibs.com is really only if you're interested in gold nibbed pens. I do appreciate they're tuning certification for pen purchases along with their grind.

Custom grinds/tunings usually take a few days to process. The exception is for Nakayas. They seem to take top priority and usually ship in a day or two for me.

VANNESS PENS

  • Brick and Mortar store located in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $50+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Ink samples (4mL)
  • Paper/Notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen Accessories
  • Shaving products

Notable Features:

  • Vanness is actually a brick and mortar store that happens to have an extensive online storefront.

  • They have an excellent ink selection (including some Montblanc inks) and generous ink samples similar to Pen Chalet.

  • Their fountain pens cap out before the top end ($800+) so some higher end/limited edition models are absent. Sailor pens are also not available.

Personal Notes

Vanness is a great place to try out a bunch of inks. I like that they have a local store front but unfortunately I am no where near Arkansas so a visit is impossible for me.

ANDERSON PENS

  • Suggested by u/thepenoutpost
  • Brick and Mortar store based in Appleton, Wisconsin, USA

Items for sale:

  • Fountain pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Ink samples (3mL)
  • Notebooks/paper
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories

Notable Features:

  • Physical location for local visitors. There is also apparently a Chicago location that is closed right now.

  • Helpful comparison tools for online shoppers. Like Goulet, you can compare nib sizes or ink colors

  • There is an active Youtube channel with a regular podcast

  • Anderson carries Montblanc Inks

  • Overall an impressively large collection

THE PEN OUTPOST

  • Suggested by u/thepenoutpost
  • Online retailer based in Louisiana, USA
  • Flat domestic shipping: $2.99

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens (less than $500)
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Ink samples (3mL)
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories

Notable Features:

  • Active member of our humble subreddit.
  • Discounts available for military/first responders/medical/teachers/students

DROMGOOLE'S

  • Suggested by u/quitaskingmetomakean
  • Brick and Mortar store based in Houston, Texas, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $45+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories

BERTRAM'S INKWELL

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories

Notable Features:

  • Bertram's offers a pen repair service

ATLAS STATIONERS

  • Suggested by u/quitaskingmetomakean
  • Brick and Mortar store based in Chicago, Illinois, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $50+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories
  • Office accessories

PEN BOUTIQUE

  • Suggested by u/quitaskingmetomakean
  • Brick and Mortar Store based in Columbia, Maryland, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $50+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories

Notable Features:

  • Military discount available

FOUNTAIN PEN HOSPITAL

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories
  • Pen repair tools

Notable Features:

  • FPH offers a pen repair service

PAPIER PLUME

  • Suggested by u/quitaskingmetomakean
  • Brick and Mortar store based in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $75+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories

Notable Features:

  • Papier Plume offers their own line of fountain pen ink

YOSEKA STATIONERY

  • Suggested by u/quitaskingmetomakean

  • Taiwanese company with a US brick and mortar store based in New York, New York, USA

  • Free domestic shipping: $40+

  • Free Canada shipping: $90+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Ink samples (3mL, 5mL)
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories

Notable Features:

  • Yoseka sends ink samples in a glass bottle and offer two different sizes
  • Yoseka has their own line of notebooks

FAHRNEY'S PENS

  • Brick and Mortar store based in Washington DC, USA
  • Free domestic shiipping: $50+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories

LEMUR INK

  • Online retailer based in Indiana, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $20+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Ink samples (3mL)
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories

TRUPHAE

  • Brick and Mortar store based in Greenville, South Carolina, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $20+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories
  • Cigar accessories

FOUNTAIN PEN REVOLUTION

  • Online retailer based in Texas, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $50+
  • Free international shipping: $100+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories

Notable Features

  • FPR has their own line of pens and nibs, including the very popular flex nibs

ENDLESS PENS

  • Onine retailer based in Florida, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $100+
  • Free international shipping: $1000+ (discount at $130+)

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories

MONTGOMERY PENS

  • Brick and Mortar Store based in New York, New York, USA

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Notebooks
  • Bags
  • Watches

FEDERALIST PENS

  • Online retailer based in New Jersey, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $50+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Ink samples (4mL)
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen accessories

SHIGURE INKS

  • Online retailer based in New Jersey, USA
  • Free domestic shipping: $40+
  • Free shipping to Canada: $40+

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens (limited selection)
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Ink samples (4mL)
  • Paper/notebooks
  • Pen accessories

OTHER SITES

Amazon

Some popular pens are sold by the manufacturer directly here, even with Prime shipping. Just be very careful about product descriptions and the seller. You can really roll the dice if you order from a third party seller.

Also it's always better to support small and local businesses instead of throwing more money at big daddy Bezos.

Ebay

You can circumvent a lot of regional price markups by going through ebay. They're pretty buyer friendly now so the risk is also not that high as long as you do your due diligence. Again, everyone's budget and fiscal attitude is different but try to go through the dedicated pen retailers if possible. Some of the above companies do sell through ebay as well.

CANADA RETAILERS

STYLO

WONDERPENS

PHIDON

INKY PAW

UK RETAILERS

I've only had experience with Cult Pens which is why it's so much more detailed than the others.

CULT PENS

  • UK based online retailer
  • Free UK shipping (for qualifying orders)
  • Free International shipping: ($100+)

Items for sale:

  • Fountain Pens
  • Non fountain pens
  • Pencils
  • Bottled Ink/Cartridges
  • Paper/Notebooks
  • Pen cases
  • Pen Accessories

Notable Features:

  • Being UK based, they sell Diamine Inks for incredibly cheap. It's often worth it to buy from here even if you have to pay for shipping.

  • Cult Pens has their own line of ultra sheening Diamine Inks that I quite like (I ended up buying them all).

Personal Notes

Cult Pens is a great retailer but living in the US, the temptation of free and quick shipping from local retailers makes me an infrequent customer. They make for a great one-stop shop though especially for customers not from the US.

THE PEN COMPANY

ANDY'S PENS

AWESOME PENS

PEN HEAVEN

PURE PENS

THE WRITING DESK

WRITE HERE

EUROPE RETAILERS from u/Perelka_L

(NL) 24Papershop: https://www.24papershop.com/

(NL) Appelboom: https://appelboom.com/

(IT) Bortoletti: https://bortoletti.com/

(PL) Calligrafun https://calligrafun.com/en_US/index

(IT) Casa della Stilografica: https://www.stilografica.it/index.asp?Language=EN

(IT) Corsani: https://www.stilographcorsani.com/?lang=en

(NL) DeGroen: https://degroen.nl/shop/pennen/

(DE) FountainFeder: https://fountainfeder.de/en/

(DE) Fritz Schimpf: https://www.fritz-schimpf.de/en/home/

(NL) Fontoplumo: https://fontoplumo.nl/

(ES) FPNibs: https://fpnibs.com/

(NL) LCDC: https://www.lacouronneducomte.com/

(DE) Luiban: https://www.luiban.com/en/

(IT) Novelli: https://www.novelli.it/en/pens/pens.aspx

(NL) P.W.Akkerman: https://www.vulpennen.nl/en/

(DE) Papier und Stift: https://papierundstift.de/

(DE) Pen-Paradise: https://www.pen-paradise.de/

(RO) Pennonia: https://www.pennonia.eu/

(RO) Pen-Venture: https://pen-venture.com/

(NL) PenWorld: https://www.penworld.eu/

(BE) Sakura Fountain Pen Gallery: https://www.sakurafountainpengallery.com/en

(NL) Scrittura Elegant: https://www.scrittura-elegante.nl/en/

(DE) Seitz-Kreuznach: https://www.seitz-kreuznach.de/en

(IT) Stilo & Stile: https://www.stiloestile.it/en/ (has hobo stuff)

(HU) Tompens: https://tompens.com/

JAPAN RETAILERS

PENSACHI

  • Japan based online retailer
  • No free shipping

Items for sale:

  • Fountain pens
  • Bottled Ink (limited selection)
  • Notebooks (limited selection)
  • Pen cases (limited selection)
  • Pen accessories (limited selection)

Notable Features:

  • Pensachi only offer Japanese products, mainly fountain pens

  • Being a Japanese retailer, they offer many pen models/products exclusive to Japan. You never realized before how many versions of the Pro Gear/1911 Sailor has made until you've started browsing here.

  • Being based in Japan also means shipping and handling can take a while

Personal Notes

If you love Japanese pens like I do it can be quite tempting to see all of these special versions of the pens you love. It does take quite a while for packages to ship in my experience so I only go here if they have an exclusive pen model I want.

OTHER COMPANIES

Some brands/companies choose to sell their products through their own website or carry a smaller selection. I'm sure there are dozens of them out there but here are some popular ones.

Pen18111

  • If you wanted a maki-e pen without shelling out thousands of dollars, this is a good alternative.

Kanilea Pen Co

  • A Hawaii based and inspired pen. IMO some of best looking acrylic pens out there. Can be quite pricey

  • Since each pen is made to order, lead time is quite long (3 months or so).

Karas Kustoms

  • A machine shop that makes EDC-style pens. They are very sturdy and uniquely can come with a titanium nib.

SchonDSGN

  • Another machine shop that makes EDC pens. Unlike Karas Kustoms Schon only offers the Pocket 6; a very compact pen with a comparatively large #6 Jowo nib.

Birmingham Pen Company

  • Primarily an ink company with a Americana/industrial inspiration.

These are retailers that I know about, but if anyone has any others they would like to add I'd be happy to edit the list and expand it.

Posted Apr 19, 2021, 11:56 PM UTC · edited

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