There’s a certain drama to writing with a fountain pen. The ink flow, the glide, the slight resistance against the paper—it’s a tactile pleasure you don’t get from typing.

Fountain pens used to be reserved for calligraphy lovers and your grandfather’s desk drawer, but not anymore. With modern nib designs, affordable options, and a rainbow of ink shades, they’ve become the must-have accessory for professionals, journaling enthusiasts, and stationery nerds alike.

Don’t know where to begin? LAMY Safari and Pilot Metropolitan are great beginner-friendly options. Pair them with quick-drying ink and a notebook that won’t bleed through. Warning: once you fall in love, you might start collecting.