Editing Fountain pen (section)

==Today==
[[Image:Pelikano.jpg|thumb|left|A 1970s model metal and plastic fountain pen]]
[[File:Pilot Varsity.jpg|thumb|upright=1|The [[Pilot (pen company)|Pilot]] Varsity, an inexpensive disposable fountain pen]]
[[File:NoodlerPistonFillFountainPen.jpg|thumb|A modern celluloid fountain pen fitted with a vintage nib]]

While no longer the primary writing instrument in modern times, fountain pens are used for important official works such as signing valuable documents.<ref>{{cite web |title=Seal the Deal: The Mightest Fountain Pens |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/msolomon/2015/06/17/best-luxury-fountain-pens-2015/ |work=[[Forbes]] |date=17 June 2015 |access-date=28 August 2017 |archive-date=4 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504160440/https://www.forbes.com/sites/msolomon/2015/06/17/best-luxury-fountain-pens-2015/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Today, fountain pens are often treated as [[luxury good]]s and sometimes as [[status symbol]]s. Fountain pens may serve as an everyday writing instrument, much like the common [[ballpoint pen]].<ref name="gentleman" /> Good quality steel and gold pens are available inexpensively today, particularly in [[Europe]] and [[China]], and there are "disposable" fountain pens such as the [[Pilot (pen company)#Fountain pens|Pilot Varsity]]. In France and Germany, in particular, the use of fountain pens is widespread, since in many European countries children still begin to learn writing with this kind of writing device. To avoid mistakes, special ink can be used that can be made invisible by applying an [[ink eraser]].

Fountain pens can serve various artistic purposes such as expressive [[penmanship]] and [[calligraphy]], pen and ink artwork, and professional art and design. Many users also favor the perceived elegance, personalization, and sentimentality associated with fountain pens,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2006/12/24/to-be-sorted/find-out-why-a-fountain-pen-personalizes-your-prose |title=Find out why a fountain pen 'personalizes' your prose |author=Yoko Hani |date=24 December 2006 |work=Japan Times |quote=the key word I was left with was 'personal' – not only because a fountain pen will over time change to suit your writing style, but because – unlike a typewriter or a keyboard – it will reflect your moods and feelings in the actual form of your writing |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405152838/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2006/12/24/to-be-sorted/find-out-why-a-fountain-pen-personalizes-your-prose |url-status=live }}</ref> which computers and ballpoint pens seem to lack,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2006/12/24/to-be-sorted/find-out-why-a-fountain-pen-personalizes-your-prose |title=Find out why a fountain pen 'personalizes' your prose |author=Yoko Hani |date=24 December 2006 |work=Japan Times |quote=the unique feature of fountain pens that differentiates them from workaday ballpoints – let alone pencils. Also, ballpoints are in their best condition when they are brand new, whereas fountain pens get better the more you use them, Toshifumi Iijima, another of the museum's staff explained. |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405152838/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2006/12/24/to-be-sorted/find-out-why-a-fountain-pen-personalizes-your-prose |url-status=live }}</ref> and often state that once they start using fountain pens, ballpoints become awkward to use due to the extra motor effort needed and lack of expressiveness. For ergonomics, fountain pens may relieve physiological stress from writing; alternatives such as the ballpoint pen can induce more pain and damage to those with arthritis. Some also believe they could improve academic performance.

In some countries, fountain pens are usual in lower school grades, believed to teach children better control over writing as many common mistakes of people not used to handwriting (like too much pressure or incorrect hold) feel unnatural or are almost impossible when using traditional pen tips.<ref>{{cite web|title=Goulet Pens Blog: The 7 Biggest Fountain Pen Mistakes|url=http://blog.gouletpens.com/2016/02/the-7-biggest-fountain-pen-mistakes.html|website=blog.gouletpens.com|access-date=26 July 2016|date=2016-02-23|archive-date=2017-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001111522/http://blog.gouletpens.com/2016/02/the-7-biggest-fountain-pen-mistakes.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Modern-ftn-pen-cursive.jpg|thumb|A modern fountain pen, writing in [[cursive]] script]]

Fountain pens are a popular collectable. Fancier pens have been made of [[precious metal]]s and sometimes even inlaid with [[Gemstone|jewels]]. Some are decorated with lacquer, including Japanese [[maki-e]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Penna Magazine – Namiki Maki-e Guide|url=http://www.pennamagazine.com/en/vintage_pens/namiki-maki-e-buyers-guide-_28|website=Pen Magazine|access-date=26 July 2016|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030130746/http://www.pennamagazine.com/en/vintage_pens/namiki-maki-e-buyers-guide-_28|url-status=dead}}</ref> Avid communities of pen enthusiasts collect and use [[antique]] and modern pens and also collect and exchange information about old and modern inks, ink bottles, and [[inkwell]]s. Collectors may decide to use the antiques in addition to showcasing them in closed spaces such as glass displays.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Morrison|first1=Lennox|title=The fascination with fountain pens|website=BBC|date=10 December 2014 |url=http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20141204-a-fascination-with-fountain-pens|access-date=27 July 2016|archive-date=14 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914164635/http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20141204-a-fascination-with-fountain-pens|url-status=live}}</ref>

News outlets report that rather than declining, fountain pen sales have been steadily rising over the last decade.<ref name="Why are fountain pen sales rising">{{cite news|last1=Brocklehurst|first1=Steven|title=Why are fountain pen sales rising?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18071830|access-date=26 July 2016|work=BBC News Magazine|date=22 May 2012|archive-date=16 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616175549/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18071830|url-status=live}}</ref> There is a clear resurgence in the appeal and culture of the fountain pen, whether for purposes of collection, enjoyment or as a "lifestyle item".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Canham|first1=Jacqui|title=Write way to earn a profit: Fountain pens are gaining popularity as|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/write-way-to-earn-a-profit-fountain-pens-are-gaining-popularity-as-accessories-and-investments-5334080.html|access-date=26 July 2016|work=The Independent|date=20 July 2007|archive-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819231423/http://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/write-way-to-earn-a-profit-fountain-pens-are-gaining-popularity-as-accessories-and-investments-5334080.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Many agree that the "personal touch" of a fountain pen has led to such a resurgence with modern consumers looking for an alternative in a world of digital products and services.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hall|first1=James|title=Fountain pen sales double|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9283229/Fountain-pen-sales-double.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9283229/Fountain-pen-sales-double.html |archive-date=2022-01-12 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=26 July 2016|work=The Telegraph|date=23 May 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

[[Amazon.com|Amazon]] reported "sales so far this year [2012] have doubled compared with the same period in 2011. They are four times higher than 2010."<ref name="Why are fountain pen sales rising"/> The popularity of fountain pens continues to show growth. The market-research firm Euromonitor reported that fountain pen retail sales were up 2.1% in 2016 from a year earlier, reaching $1.046&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-fountain-pen-sales-20170206-story.html|title=Fountain pen sales are surging, despite flat luxury global sales|first=Troy|last=Patterson|website=Chicago Tribune|date=6 February 2017|access-date=4 May 2018|archive-date=5 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505070257/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-fountain-pen-sales-20170206-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>