Image	Product	Features	Price
	Montblanc Meisterstück Calligraphy Gold Leaf Fountain Pen		Check Price
	LAMY Joy Calligraphy Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Pilot Metropolitan Black Crocodile Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Kaweco Sport Black Large Fountain Pen Calligraphy Set		Check Price
	Pineider Arco Violet Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Sailor Compass HighAce Neo Calligraphy Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Monteverde Monza ID Calligraphy Fountain Pen Set		Check Price
	BENU Talisman Dragon's Blood Fountain Pen		Check Price

 

Calligraphy isn’t only beautiful handwriting, it’s a form of art. But in order to create beautiful calligraphy creations, besides a set of skills, you also need the right tools that will help you get the most out of your handwriting.

In this article, we’ll explore the best calligraphy pens in various categories and give you our expert opinion on those we believe are the cream of the crop. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert calligrapher, we’re certain you’ll find your favorite new calligraphy pen from the choices below.

Best Calligraphy Pens

When it comes to pens and personal stationery, everyone has a specific taste. That’s why we’ve created different categories that cover the best calligraphy pens on the market, so let’s start with our first choice.

Best Overall - Montblanc Meisterstück Calligraphy Gold Leaf 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Montblanc
Color	Black
Weight	52 g
Length	145 mm
Material	Black lacquer
Series	Meisterstück

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Smooth writing
• Flexible nib that allows good line variation
• Simple and elegant design

Cons

• Semi-flex nib, not full-flex
• High price

If you’d like to purchase a calligraphy pen of the highest quality, The Montblanc Meisterstück Solitaire Calligraphy Gold Leaf fountain pen is your best bet. Besides its unique black and gold design, the quality of the nib is what makes this pen truly special. 

The semi-flex nib is made of 18k gold and comes in medium, broad, and flex size, which allows for more creativity and enables you to create one-of-a-kind fonts.

The barrel and cap are made of black resin topped with a layer of gold leaves, which is a modern twist of the classic black and yellow design. These two layers are topped with a coating of lacquer that gives this functional and visually appealing pen its elegant finish.

Best Value Calligraphy Pen - LAMY Joy Calligraphy

 

Specifications

Manufacturer	LAMY
Color	Black, Black and Silver
Weight	15 g
Length	179 mm
Material	Plastic
Series	Joy Calligraphy

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very long and slim pen
• Extremely light
• Available in three nib sizes (1.1 mm calligraphy, 1.5 mm calligraphy, 1.9 mm calligraphy)
• You can use a variety of ink cartridges

Cons

• You need to additionally purchase a converter 
• It’s hard to read the ink levels from the windows

The slim and sophisticated design of the LAMY Joy is probably the first thing you’ll find appealing when looking at this pen, but its other wonderful features make it great for calligraphers. It comes in two color combinations, pure black and black and silver, both of which look very elegant and professional. 

The pen has two flat sides and two rounded sides that’ll prevent it from rolling off your desk. Another great feature is the ergonomic grip that, paired with the light weight of the pen, allows for lengthy writing sessions that won’t cause your hand to cramp. 

The nib is made of stainless steel and allows the ink to flow freely for as long as you’re writing. And lastly, you’re not limited to only one type of ink cartridge when using this pen, which only increases its appeal.

Best Calligraphy Pen For Beginners - Pilot Metropolitan

 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Pilot
Color	Black Crocodile, Plain Black,  Bronze Lizard, White Tiger
Weight	29 g
Length	138 mm
Material	Brass
Series	Metropolitan

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable
• Can use different refills
• Good size that fits both smaller and larger hands

Cons

• Some ink colors look better than others

The Pilot Metropolitan is a versatile pen that’s as good for calligraphy as it is for other purposes. It has a minimal design with a glossy midsection that comes in different animal prints, including crocodile, lizard, and tiger pattern, as well as in plain black for those who don’t like patterns.

The steel nib is perfect for beginner calligraphy aficionados, as it’s the pen’s fairly light weight that won’t strain your hand during practice. Lastly, since the Pilot Metropolitan works with different types of Pilot refills, you don’t have to just stick to the proprietary refills, which makes this pen even more affordable.

Best Calligraphy Pen for Customization - Kaweco Calligraphy Set

 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Kaweco
Color	Black
Weight	11 g
Length	105 mm
Material	Plastic
Series	Calligraphy set

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable
• Extremely light
• Perfect for people with smaller hands
• Four italic nib units (1.1 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.9 mm, and 2.3 mm)

Cons

• Not suitable for people with larger hands
• You need to buy the cartridge converter separately

The Kaweco calligraphy set is the ideal calligraphy pen because it combines two essential features that a calligraphy pen should have. It comes with four nib units that give you versatility and greater creative freedom, and it’s extremely light, enabling you to use it for long hours without straining your hand.

In the set, you’ll also find protective caps for each of the nibs as well as two ink cartridges in black. You can order additional colors of ink to make the most out of using the pen. The only downside to this very affordable set is that it may not be the best option for people with larger hands due to its small size.

Honorable Mention - Pineider Arco

 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Pineider
Color	Black, Black and Silver
Weight	37.42 g
Length	143 mm
Material	Resin
Series	Arco

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Limited edition of just 888 pens
• Unique design
• Available in five nib sizes (soft extra fine, soft fine, soft medium, soft broad, soft 1.3 mm stub)
• 14k gold nib
• Hyperflex quil nib

Cons

• Limited availability, so it might be difficult to find

The Pineider Arco is a limited edition calligraphy pen with a magical design that instantly grabs your eye with its violet hues and palladium trim. Only 888 pens were made for this collection, each of which is made of the brand’s special ultra resin.

It has a flexible quil 14k gold nib that comes in various sizes, so you can easily create different line widths to suit your writing style. The pen’s unique features include the quil-shaped clip, the “soft touch magnetic lock” cap system that enables you to open and close the pen with ease, and the magnetic posting system that ensures you have a smooth writing experience. 

The pen comes in a classic cardboard box exterior packaging, and a much more luxurious interior box. So, if you’re looking for a pen that works impeccably well and looks amazing, the Pineider Arco is the right choice for you.

Best Calligraphy Pen for All Skill Levels - Sailor Compass HighAce Neo Calligraphy

 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Sailor
Color	Navy blue cap, clear barrel
Weight	10 g
Length	135.9 mm
Material	Resin barrel, aluminum cap
Series	Compass

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Ergonomic soft-touch coating
• Stainless steel nib
• Available in three nib sizes (1.0mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm)
• Extremely lightweight

Cons

• You need to buy the converter additionally

If you want to experience writing with a Japanese calligraphy nib without paying a fortune, the Sailor Compass HighAce Neo calligraphy fountain pen is the perfect option. It has a transparent barrel made of resin that acts as a contrast to the navy blue cap.

The nib is made of stainless steel and is available in three nib sizes, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2.0mm. The writing experience is improved by the ergonomic soft-touch coating that, paired with the light weight of the pen, enables you to write effortlessly for hours.

And if you purchase all the nibs together, you’ll have all that you need to get started with calligraphy.

Best for Fine Nib - Monteverde Monza ID Calligraphy

 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Monteverde
Color	Transparent with silver details
Weight	15.88 g
Length	134.9 mm
Material	Transparent resin
Series	Monza

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Stainless steel nib
• Available in three nib sizes (1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm)
• Unique transparent resin design
• Chrome plated trim
• Affordable

Cons

• The converter doesn’t fit properly

The Monteverde Monza is a calligraphy set that consists of one fountain pen and two additional sections that have different stainless steel nib sizes and a converter. These two sections can easily be attached to the main barrel, depending on what nib size you’d like to use. This is truly an affordable set that provides you with enough variety so you can create different styles of letters with the different nibs that come in sizes 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2.0 mm.

The design is eye-catching as a result of the transparent resin used for the pen, which has unique chrome accents on various points, such as the cap, the clip, and the inside of the pen. The cap is threaded and can be seamlessly added at the end of the barrel.

An added benefit of this collection is that it comes with two 2 ml size cartridges, and the pen is compatible with all standard international size ink cartridges, making each cartridge replacement affordable and easy.

Best Broad Edge Calligraphy Pen - BENU Talisman Dragon's Blood 

 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Benu
Color	Green and red with sparkle
Weight	20 g
Length	140 mm
Material	High-quality resin
Series	Talisman

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Standard large international size ink converter included
• Available in three nib sizes (fine, medium, and broad)
• One cartridge included

Cons

• The fine nib is a bit thick

This BENU Talisman fountain pen is a jaw-dropper because of its intricate design that features a black resin base with green and red sparkles throughout. The pen is inspired by the mysterious Dragon’s Blood, which comes from the Dracena Draco (Dragon Tree) that was allegedly used in magic rituals and alchemy, hence its color. 

Apart from the visually appealing exterior, the main star is the high-quality stainless steel, German-made Schmidt nib, which is firm and produces a consistent line. The collection comes with a  standard international converter and an ink cartridge so you can start using it as soon as you get it, and an additional bonus is the massive ink capacity.

The collection comes in 5 different pen varieties, each with a unique name and background story: Mandrake, Dragon's Blood, Peacock Ore, Fox Gloves, and Edelweiss. This pen will definitely become the talisman in your arsenal of calligraphy pens.

Types of Pens That May Be Used for Calligraphy

Before deciding which calligraphy pen you’d like to purchase, it’s beneficial to differentiate between different types of pens suitable for this craft. Let’s see what they are.

Felt-Tip Pens

Felt-tip pens are ideal for beginners who want to practice and improve their handwriting without worrying about the ink spilling. They’re often used for faux calligraphy, however, you can’t create line variations with these types of pens. Another disadvantage of felt-tip pens is that the ink may fade over time.

Markers

Markers are common budget-friendly writing tools for calligraphy because they come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, and are sold in most office supply stores. Even though they’re affordable, they’re a bit more difficult to get used to until you learn to control the line variations. Markers are perfect for decorative calligraphy.

Brush pens

Brush pens are the go-to writing tool for calligraphy beginners since they allow you to control your line variations without spilling ink. They come in different colors and styles, however, if you’re a fan of traditional calligraphy, you might want to opt for a different pen. 

Quills

Back in the day, quills used to be the ultimate writing tool for both everyday writing and calligraphy because of their flexibility, which allows users to control the line variations after they’ve been using them for a while. 

However, using a quill also has a few disadvantages. For one, quills are quite thin, which often results in cramping after using them for a while. Furthermore, quills don’t last long when you use them often, and their tines can split as a result of increased humidity. Lastly, adequately cutting a quill to get the nib that you want requires a lot of skill and is nearly impossible unless you have a quill cutter. So, if you’re a beginner and dabbling in calligraphy, you may want to choose another writing tool.

Fountain Pens

Fountain pens are the bread and butter of calligraphy and one of the most commonly used pens for both avid and aspiring calligraphers. Most fountain pens have internal reservoirs, which makes them practical and long-lasting if you care for them properly,

In terms of nib types, most fountain pens come in different nib sizes, so you can purchase a few nibs to create different line variations. Some fountain pens even have flexible nibs, which allow you to create different lines by using the same nib.

The downside to fountain pens is that you need to clean them regularly to ensure they’re working at peak performance.

Can You Use Normal Pens for Calligraphy?

While you can use any type of pen to create faux calligraphy, for the real thing, you need a pen with a flat or angled tip that enables you to create different line varieties. If you’re serious about calligraphy, we advise that you invest in a proper calligraphy set to get the most out of it.

Buyer’s Guide on Choosing Your Calligraphy Pen

Now that we’ve covered all the essentials related to calligraphy pens, the only thing left is covering some tips on how to choose your calligraphy pen. 

Choose Your Budget

Before you start researching different calligraphy sets and reading reviews, you must first decide on a budget. This will help narrow down your options, making your decision much easier.

Choose the Style of the Pen

Once you’ve established a budget, you should decide on the style of the calligraphy pen you’d like to purchase that’s within that budget. You can choose from the following styles:

• Monoline pens have consistent widths, regardless of the pressure that you apply when writing. These include gel pens, ballpoint pens, and regular fountain pens.
• Pointed pens have a pointed pen holder, which allows you to move the nib across the paper with a different amount of pressure to create thinner and thicker strokes. These include straight dip pens, which are a great option for lefties, oblique pens, and feather quills.
• Broad edge pens are traditional calligraphy pens that produce a thicker line the more pressure you apply to the pen.
• Brush pens are similar to markers in terms of how the ink comes inside the pen’s body, but have a flexible tip that can create lines with different widths, based on the amount of pressure you apply.
• Pencils for digital calligraphy can replace brush pens, fountain pens, watercolors, pencils, acrylics, ink and colors, airbrushes, spray paint, charcoal, and more types of pens. It’s the ideal tool for people who enjoy doing digital calligraphy.

Choose the Nib Type

When it comes to nib types, they generally fall into two categories:

• Flex nibs look like two lines almost connecting into a point, and once you apply pressure, the lines start to separate, allowing the ink to pass through and leave a mark on the paper.
• Italic nibs generally have blunt edges and less flexibility and are used for the italic style of calligraphy.

Choose the Ink and Paper for Writing

Last but not least, depending on the type of pen you choose, you’ll need to use paper that works well with it. Since calligraphy ink has more viscosity than regular ink, you should also choose paper that’s thicker and made for practicing calligraphy.

Conclusion

Calligraphy is an art form, and therefore requires your precision and dedication, but also the right tools to get the results you want. Choosing a good calligraphy pen can make a huge difference when it comes to the quality of your work.

Among the thousands of available options in the Truphae store, one pen that stands out as a top choice for serious calligraphers is the Montblanc Meisterstück Calligraphy Gold Leaf. With its flexible nib, high-quality materials, and amazing design, it’s definitely one of the best tools out there. 

We’d like to know your thoughts about our selection of the best calligraphy pens. Have you used some of the pens on our list and did you like them? Let us know in the comment section below.