Fountain pens priced between $150-200 are the sweet spot for most fountain pen lovers. The mid-range price is an expression that you have graduated from using a beginner pen and can purchase a high-quality writing instrument that speaks to you.  That is why we couldn’t resist creating a list of the top 5 fountain pens between $150-200.

Once you reach this $150-200 fountain pen price range, you find new options. You may be able to experience a gold nib for the first time or buy an entry-level pen from a luxury pen manufacturer. The $150-200 fountain pen price range may offer you the change to experience a historic European or Japanese brand writing instrument that isn’t available at a lower price. For most people, even those that have high end writing instruments, a pen in this price range tends to be their daily writer. 

Luckily for pen lovers everywhere, there are many fantastic fountain pens falling in the $150-200 price range. That’s why Pen Chalet had such a hard time whittling down our favorites to a Top 5 we could share. So get ready for the official release of Pen Chalet’s new Top 5 List: Top 5 Fountain Pens Between $150-200. 

Please remember that Pen Chalet Top 5 Lists are created using actual purchase prices at Pen Chalet, www.PenChalet.com, which may not be full retail prices. Pen Chalet Top 5 Lists also do not consider taxes, shipping costs, or coupon adjustments when choosing Top listings in different categories. 

Pen Chalet Top 5 List: Top 5 Fountain Pens Between $150-200

1. Platinum 3776 Century

   

   Platinum 3776 Fountain Pen

   These fountain pens are awesome and, in our opinion, an all-around great buy. Retailing for $220 ($285.00 for a music nib), they are an absolute bargain at Pen Chalet’s discounted price of $165.66 for a multitude of nib sizes, including ultra extra fine, extra-fine, fine, medium, broad and double broad.

   The Platinum 3776 fountain pen name is a reference to the height of Mount Fuji (in meters), the famous peak located near the Platinum factory in Tokyo, Japan. The pen comes in a multitude of colors with either gold or silver trim. Buyers also receive an exceptional Platinum 14K gold nib with their Platinum 3776 Century purchase. Japanese nibs run approximately one size smaller than a European nib; therefore, a medium nib may write like a European fine nib. In fact, the ultra extra fine nib produces pretty much the thinnest line we have ever tested, but due to the very thin line, it will not be as smooth as you may expect. Don’t be surprised if this pen becomes your top daily writer!

2. Pilot Falcon 

   

   Pilot Falcon Fountain Pen

   Another Japanese pen, the Pilot Falcon is one of the most beloved pens coming out of Japan. The Pilot Falcon retails for $190, but is on sale at Pen Chalet for $152, making it another fountain pen purchase of exceptional value. The Falcon comes with a distinctive flex nib that is fun to experiment with and offers a variety of sizes including extra-fine, fine, medium and broad.

   Choose from three colors: black with gold trim, black with rhodium trim and red with rhodium trim. All three options come with the Pilot 14K gold flex nib. Your writing will come alive as you experiment with the flex offered by the Pilot Falcon. 

3. Lamy 2000

   

   Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen

   A European made fountain pen makes the list with the Lamy 2000. This pen has become one of the flagships of the Lamy pen company. The modern classic design has been a mainstay for decades, made from black fiberglass and stainless steel brushed finish top with a 14k gold nib. The Lamy 2000 might be one of the smoothest writing instruments you own.

   Retailing for $219.00, the Lamy 2000 fountain pen is currently available for $175.20 at Pen Chalet. Available in extra-fine, fine, medium and broad 14k nib options. Although not part of this list, the Lamy 2000 also comes in a heavy weighted brushed stainless steel version, which retails for $399.00. The Lamy 2000 has an easy to fill piston system and has a small non-descript ink-viewing window. German engineering at its best showcasing seamless classic modern lines and timeless style.

4. Montegrappa Fortuna Copper Mule

   

   Montegrappa Copper Mule Fortuna Fountain Pen

   This Italian made pen makes our Pen Chalet Top 5 List due to its combination of unique design and value. The Montegrappa Fortuna Copper Mule design is inspired by the Moscow based Vodka Mule, which is traditionally served in a copper mug. The Montegrappa Copper Mule is a full-sized fountain pen made out of copper with a brushed steel grip and trim, and a steel nib in either fine, medium or broad. This heavy weighted pen is well balanced with more weight upfront, creating a comfortable writing experience for fountain pen users.

   The Copper Mule retails for $375.00 but is currently available at Pen Chalet for only $195 (barely qualifying for this list). Already exceptional due to its Russian Vodka Mule inspired design, this fountain pen only gets more distinctive once you’ve added it to your fountain pen collection. Since the pen is made of copper, it changes colors soon after taking it out of its plastic sleeve. Due to this unexpected and popular feature, the Montegrappa Copper Mule pens each end up with their own, unique copper patina that will be a little different each time you use the pen. 

5. Sailor 1911 Standard

   

   Sailor 1911 Standard Fountain Pen in Yellow

   Sailor Pen Company is one of the big three Japanese brands whose sweet spot fits right into this Pen Chalet Top 5 category. The Sailor 1911 is named after the year the company was created and the British sailor who introduced fountain pens to the company founder, Kugora Sakata. Known as the Sailor brand’s flagship pen, the Sailor 1911 comes in three cigar-shaped sizes: Standard, Large and King of Pen.

   The Sailor 1911 Standard fountain pen barely qualifies for this category but is just outstanding; from its weight, its balance, its shape and especially its nib. The Sailor fountain pen nib is known to be one of the best in the industry laying a smooth line down on paper with an exceptional 14k gold nib. The nib options available on the Sailor 1911 Standard pen are very diverse, including extra fine, fine, medium-fine, medium, broad, music, and zoom. This wide range of nib sizes makes sure your writing preference is represented.

   The Sailor 1911 Standard is a slimmer pen design, unlike its big brother the 1911 Large or the even larger “King of Pens” design. The Sailor 1911 Standard fountain pen comes in a variety of colors, trims, and nibs, and retails for $225.00, but it is currently available at Pen Chalet for $200, just making the list. The Sailor 1911 Standard is the brand’s flagship pen for a reason. You will not be disappointed to own a Sailor 1911. 

This list was tough for us to create, as there are so many wonderful fountain pens in this price range. We could not resist creating a quick list of Honorable Mentions including the Diplomat Aero, Aurora Vintage Duo-cart, Pilot Custom 74, and the Esterbrook Estie.

Pen Chalet’s 2019 “Top-5” Pen Lists are a collection of various pens and other fine writing accessories that we feel deserve a PC Top 5 Listing for 2019. PC Top 5 Lists are divided into specific categories. Whether you are a beginner or a long-time expert, we hope you enjoy our Top-5 lists.   

Please note that each Top-5 category and the pens that make a Top-5 list are based upon the personal subjective opinion of Pen Chalet as of the date each list is created. Pen Chalet Top 5 lists will most likely change in the future years, as each list is contingent on many factors such as: (i) availability; (ii) cost, which may include discounted/closeout pens that Pen Chalet has been able to acquire from one of its many manufacturers or distributors; (iii) popularity with our customers based upon sales; and lastly (iv) just basic personal preference. 

Also please note that Pen Chalet has not been paid by any manufacturer or distributor to include a certain pen on any Pen Chalet Top 5 list. We will include a brief reason why we have placed each item on a “Top-5” list with each listing. Be sure to let us know what you think, whether you agree or disagree.