Quality pens under €100
The fountain pen is the quintessential refined, beautiful, and precious pen. Aesthetics, stylistic research, and choice of materials are paramount, "dressing" the true heart of the pen. And then there's the technique, the system that allows the ink to flow from the reservoir through the nib, resulting in a light and impeccably precise stroke.
In reality, many people are familiar with fountain pens in their humblest versions, the ones found in the school supplies section of supermarkets or at market stalls. They're not beautiful, but they're cheap, don't last long, and often people regret buying them after the first use.
Between these two extremes lies a whole world of "superhero" pens. They vary in color, model, and material. They reflect different personalities and tastes, are durable, have character, and are affordable.
An example of these pens is a Platinum model, Plaisir . Made of anodized aluminum in bright colors and semi-transparent resin with captivating contrasts, Plaisir has a simple, clean line, a basic nib, and a feature that may seem normal—but those who regularly write with a fountain pen know that it isn't always—namely, that it ALWAYS writes. You forget it open for hours, and it writes. You pick it up after months of inactivity, and it writes. In a very short time, this pen became a hit everywhere, even at Giardino Italiano after the newsletter, with a special discount for subscribers. (If you're not yet subscribed, know that every month you miss out on exclusive offers .)
Plaisir costs 18 euros, and is still a quality pen, produced by a very well-known brand.
Like that one, Giardino's catalog features many others that do excellent work but often go unnoticed. This time, we want to highlight these pens.
So here is the ranking of our “underdog” pens (all available in our catalog), divided by price range, and presented in a playful way like superhero cards.
| <30 |
Kaweco Sport Classic Kaweco Sport Skyline Kaweco Sport Frosted Platinum Plaisir |
| €30 - €60 |
Kaweco Student Pininfarina "Prima" |
| >60€ |
Aurora Ipsilon Kaweco Sport AL Pineider Avatar UR Pineider Avatar UR Demo Sheaffer Sagaris |
Less than €30
Let's start with pens for smaller budgets.
- Name: Kaweco Sport
- Alter ego: Sport Classic , Sport Frosted , Sport Skyline
- Superpowers: Removable clip; small when closed, standard size when open.
- Special features: Easy to handle, adaptable, vintage (it has been around for a century)
Between €30 and €60
A little further, we find some truly surprising fountain pens, with unique features and stories.
- Name: Kaweco Student
- Alter ego: —
- Superpowers: Steel nib, durability.
- Special features: Extremely popular among students in the 1960s; classic Vintage line that made history.
- Name: " Prima" Pininfarina
- Alter Ego: —
- Superpowers: Ethergraph tip, paper oxidation.
- Special features: It's not a fountain pen, ballpoint pen, or pencil. It doesn't require ink, refills, or leads. It oxidizes the paper, leaving a precise and indelible mark. It uses a technique discovered by Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th century.
Between €60 and €100
This is the price range with the most models, with some truly special pens.
- Name: Aurora Ipsilon
- Alter Ego: —
- Superpowers: Variability, adaptability
- Special features: Best-seller from the Turin brand Aurora, available in different colors and styles (from classic to modern).
- Name: Pineider Avatar UR
- Alter Ego: Pineider Avatar UR Demo
- Superpowers: Made of ultraresin; unbreakable; resistant to oils, electricity, high and low temperatures, and atmospheric agents.
- Special features: Pineider ultraresin is considered even superior to celluloid, making it ideal for those working outdoors or in production environments. Available in a wide variety of colors. The Demo version is completely transparent or available in transparent colors (amber, red, blue).
- Name: Kaweco Sport AL
- Alter Ego: —
- Superpowers: Made of anodized aluminum in different colors.
- Special features: Same line as the Sport, but in metal with futuristic colors.
- Name: Sheaffer Sagaris
- Alter Ego: —
- Superpowers: Made of metal, with a slim, vintage line, understated and timeless.
- Special features: End-of-line items on special offer, available in various finishes and colors. Available in lacquered, chromed, satin, or brushed gunmetal metal, with gold or chrome finishes.
Among our "superhero" pens, we're sure there's more than one that's tempting you. With their eye-catching shapes and colors, they have character, durability, and ease of use—and they won't disappoint!
Take advantage of this opportunity now: some of them are on this list only because they're on sale. You can find them all in the Giardino Italiano catalog!