Cheap fountain pens: the Pilot 78G taking the internet by storm

Cheap fountain pens: the Pilot 78G taking the internet by storm

Is it worth buying a fountain pen if you're looking for quality at a reasonable price? The answer repeated across consumer forums is one name: Pilot 78G. A pen that isn't sold in Spain, that you buy online for under 10 euros and that, according to users, competes without inferiority against high-end pieces. The debate, which has gone on for more than 5,000 days, starts with a specific request: a pen that isn't an M nib, that isn't absurdly expensive and that allows refilling from bottled ink. And it ends up as a catalogue of options, prices and tricks.

The Pilot 78G, the bestseller that isn't sold in Spain

The most repeated recommendation is the Pilot 78G. It can be found on eBay for under 10 euros, with a box of cartridges and a converter. Those who use it highlight that it writes very well, that the fine point never misses a stroke and that its value for money is unbeatable. Some own three and have set aside their lifelong Montblancs and Parkers. The only problem is that it isn't marketed in Spain, which means buying it online. The proof is that it isn't sold here, some joke, as if that were a mark of quality.

Against it, the Lamy Safari and the Lamy All-Star appear as the most accessible option in physical stores. The Safari, made of plastic, costs around 15 euros; the All-Star, made of metal, about 20. Both take cartridges or a converter (3-4 euros) and allow the nib to be swapped in seconds. That modularity is a plus for anyone who wants to try different strokes without buying another pen. The German brand has earned a place among those looking for something more than a workhorse pen.

Hero, Wing Sung and the legacy of the Parker 51

For those who want to squeeze the price even further, there's the Hero 612. It's a copy of the Parker 51 that was introduced in China during the Second World War and later nationalized by Mao. It writes very well, with a fine point, although its piston-fill suction system requires patience. Another option mentioned is the Wing Sung 698, for under 15 euros delivered, considered by some the best value-for-money pen on the market.

The Platinum Preppy is another low-cost alternative: 5 euros delivered. It accepts a mod to turn it into an eyedropper (filling the whole barrel with ink) and, once the logos are wiped off with alcohol, it looks really good. It's a perfect workhorse pen, according to those who have tried it.

The real cost of writing with a fountain pen

The economic question is inevitable: how much does ink cost and how many refills does it give? One user calculates that Pilot V5 pens, used by many before switching to fountain pens, cost 1.7 euros and last a month. With a fountain pen and a bottle of ink, the expense is diluted. An 80 ml bottle of Diamine ink costs just over 10 euros and allows dozens of refills. The savings in the medium term are obvious, although the initial investment (pen + converter + ink bottle) is around 30 euros.

The refilling system also matters. Cartridges are convenient but expensive and generate waste. Converters allow you to use bottled ink, which is cheaper and comes in a wider variety of colours. Some opt for refilling used cartridges with a syringe, a cheap but fiddly method. The eyedropper option, which turns the pen's barrel into a reservoir, gives plenty of autonomy but requires sealing the threads well to avoid disasters.

Maintenance and common problems

Fountain pens require care that ballpoints don't. If they aren't used frequently, the ink dries out and clogs the feed. The solution is to wash them with warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid, rinse them well and dry them before storing them. A Parker 45 that went decades without cleaning got clogged and needed a soaking session to revive. You also need to be careful with expired inks: an old cartridge may not flow well.

Another common problem is the nib. Japanese fine nibs are equivalent to European EFs, which may not suit those looking for a broader stroke. Italics and stubs are appreciated by some, but require adaptation. With Lamys, changing the nib is a matter of seconds, making it easy to try different widths without buying another pen.

Beyond the fountain pen: rollerballs and ballpoints

Not everyone who writes daily uses a fountain pen. Some prefer rollerballs like the Lamy Vista, which takes a converter and allows bottled ink. Others stay loyal to Pilot V5s, although they admit they dry out easily and their cost adds up. The Parker Vector, for under 15 euros, is another safe option, although its cartridges are proprietary and force you to refill with a syringe.

For those looking for something more elegant, the Waterman Kultur can be found for 7-9 euros in France. The Faber-Castell Loom, for around 35 euros, offers a modern, functional design. And for those who won't give up their ballpoint, the steel Parker Jotter remains a cheap and durable classic.

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The fountain pen isn't a nostalgic indulgence. It's a tool that, if well chosen, lasts for years and works out cheaper than buying ballpoints every so often. That said, be prepared to clean it, to choose ink and to discover that writing with a fountain pen is a bit addictive. As one participant puts it: if I start getting hooked, it will be much more consumption than responsible.