Fountain Pens

Q: What exactly is a fountain pen, and why would I use one instead of a normal pen?
A: A fountain pen uses a nib and a liquid ink feed system instead of a ball or felt tip. The real reason people get hooked is the writing feel — there’s zero pressure required, so your hand doesn’t cramp even after pages of writing. Plus, you can use literally hundreds of different ink colors, which a regular pen can’t match.
Q: What do the nib size codes like F, M, and EF actually mean?
A: On Japanese pens, they’re often finer than their European equivalents. EF (extra-fine) is extremely thin — good for tiny planners or mathematical formulas. F (fine) is the go-to for neat daily handwriting. M (medium) is closer to a Western fine, a bit smoother and wetter. If you write big or fast, you might enjoy M; if you cram a lot into a Hobonichi, lean toward F or EF.
Q: What’s the difference between a cartridge and a converter?
A: Cartridges are pre-filled, disposable ink tubes — super convenient for travel. A converter lets you draw ink from a bottle, which unlocks the whole universe of fountain pen inks. I usually suggest beginners start with cartridges and later get a converter once the ink obsession kicks in (and trust me, it will). At kawaiizaki, we include the first cartridge with every pen so you can write straight away.
Q: How do I clean a fountain pen, and how often?
A: If you’re using the same ink continuously, flush the pen with room-temperature water every couple of months or when the flow feels sluggish. For a deep clean, just unscrew the section and run it under a tap, or use a bulb syringe to push water through the feed. Avoid hot water and solvents — they can warp parts. Honestly, a Pilot Kakuno or Platinum Preppy needs so little maintenance that many people just keep refilling and never clean it.
Q: How do you pack fountain pens for international shipping? Can they survive the trip?
A: I take a lot of care with this. Every fountain pen from kawaiizaki ships in a sturdy box, and we either include an empty cartridge or a sealed cartridge in the barrel to prevent ink spills in transit. On the very rare occasion a package arrives damaged, just email us and we’ll get it sorted. We ship worldwide with tracking on all orders, and we want your pen to arrive in exactly the condition it left our hands.