Fountain pens at Mega run from $35.12 inc GST for a Parker Jotter stainless steel fountain pen to $496.32 inc GST for a Pilot Custom 823 with a 14K gold nib. The Pilot Falcon sits in the middle of that range at $340.34 inc GST - a mid-to-high example, not the ceiling. Whether any of them is worth it comes down to how often you write by hand, not the price tag alone.
- Fountain pens at Mega run $35.12-$496.32 inc GST; the Parker Jotter is the entry point, the Pilot Custom 823 the top.
- The Pilot Falcon, $340.34 inc GST, is a mid-to-high example with a soft medium or soft extra fine nib.
- Worth it for daily handwritten notes and drafts; not for pressure-copy forms or shared desks.
- Keep a ballpoint on hand for carbonless forms a fountain pen can't mark through.
Is a fountain pen worth it for everyday office writing?
Yes, if you write meeting notes, drafts or a planner by hand most days and want a pen that doesn't need downward pressure to lay ink. It's a poor fit for carbonless order forms, shared reception desks, or quick grab-and-go notes - a ballpoint handles those better and cheaper.
| Pen | Price inc GST | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Parker Jotter Fountain Pen, stainless steel, medium nib | $35.12 | An affordable way to try the format |
| Pilot Falcon Fountain Pen, soft medium or soft extra fine nib | $340.34 | Daily handwritten notes, drafts, personal planners |
| Pilot Custom 823 Fountain Pen, 14K gold nib | $496.32 | Writers who use a fountain pen daily and want a gold nib |
| Pilot Iroshizuku ink, 50ml bottle | $31.68 | Refilling any of the above |
Why the price moves so much
- Nib material - steel nibs (Parker Jotter) cost far less than 14K gold nibs (Pilot Custom 823).
- Barrel and build - the Falcon's rhodium-plated nib and finish sit above entry-level steel pens but below a gold-nib pen.
- Ink system - some pens use cartridges, others a piston-fill converter; check what's included before buying ink separately.
Where it earns its cost
- Meeting notes and drafts - the nib feeds ink without needing pressure.
- A personal planner or diary - an extra fine or fine nib suits small, dense handwriting.
- Writers who already enjoy handwriting - the ink and nib combination gives more control over line weight than a ballpoint.
Where it's the wrong tool
- Carbonless, pressure-copy forms - a fountain pen's light nib won't transfer a mark through multiple sheets. Keep a ballpoint for these.
- Shared reception desks or sign-in sheets - a pen anyone can pick up and use without instructions is more practical.
- Quick grab-and-write tasks - capping and uncapping adds a step a retractable ballpoint skips.
Most offices land on a mixed setup: a fountain pen for your own notebook, a ballpoint everywhere paperwork needs pressure.
Before you buy
Check the paper you'll write on. Ink can show through thin, uncoated paper or feather on absorbent stock. Test on the actual notebook or pad you plan to use before committing to a daily routine, and follow the pen's instructions on capping between uses.
FAQ
How much does a fountain pen cost at Mega?
Fountain pens run from $35.12 inc GST for a Parker Jotter stainless steel pen to $496.32 inc GST for a Pilot Custom 823 with a 14K gold nib. The Pilot Falcon, a mid-to-high option, is $340.34 inc GST.
Is a fountain pen worth it for everyday writing?
Yes, if you write meeting notes, drafts or a planner by hand regularly and value a pressure-free nib. It's not the right tool for carbonless forms or shared desks - keep a ballpoint for those.
Can I use a fountain pen on carbonless forms?
No. A fountain pen's nib needs no pressure to write, so it won't transfer a mark through pressure-copy paper. Use a ballpoint for that task.
What's the cheapest fountain pen at Mega?
The Parker Jotter Fountain Pen, stainless steel with a chrome trim medium nib, at $35.12 inc GST.
What ink does a fountain pen need?
Use ink designed for fountain pens, such as Pilot Iroshizuku, from $31.68 inc GST for a 50ml bottle. Check whether your pen takes cartridges or a converter before buying.
One last thing
Mega Office Supplies is family owned and operated since 2008. Standard orders over $149 inc GST ship free (excludes bulky items and regional or remote areas).
