Test 01Tue 27
Nib Test
It all begins at the tip.
Find the nib that suits your hand.
Pen Week 2026 · The Writing Lab
Balance
Test_
Weight changes the feel.
Light, balanced or substantial. A fountain pen’s weight can transform how it feels as you write. Discover how it affects your comfort and find what suits you best.
Find your ideal weight
TEST 06 / 06 · 1 NOVEMBER
02 — Weight
The same words.
A different feel.
Some fountain pens are barely there in the hand. Others feel solid from the very first moment.
Some feel especially nimble, while others invite us to write at a more unhurried pace.
Weight influences how we perceive an instrument, how we hold it and how it feels over shorter or longer writing sessions.
But a heavier fountain pen isn’t necessarily better. And a lighter one isn’t necessarily more comfortable for everyone.
The key is finding the feel that suits you best.
01 — WEIGHT
Three ways a fountain pen can feel.
LightAgility
A lightweight fountain pen can be especially pleasant for those seeking a sense of freedom and lightness as they write.
BalancedVersatility
A medium weight can strike a balance between agility and presence.
SubstantialSolidity
A heavier fountain pen can convey a sense of firmness and substance that some people particularly enjoy.
These categories are only a guide. Whether a weight feels light or heavy also depends on the size of the fountain pen and on each person’s preferences.
Two fountain pens can weigh about the same and feel completely different. How that weight is distributed along the barrel influences how we perceive the instrument.
A pen with more of its weight towards the back can feel different from one whose weight sits close to the grip.
That’s why balance matters as much as the grams.
Some people write with the cap posted on the back of the fountain pen. Others prefer to remove it entirely.
Posting can change both the overall weight and how it’s distributed.
The same fountain pen can feel like two different pens depending on how we use it.
A large fountain pen can be surprisingly light. And a smaller one can feel denser.
The material, the wall thickness and the internal mechanisms all influence the final weight.
That’s why visual size doesn’t always tell us how a fountain pen will feel in the hand.
Comfort can change depending on how long we spend writing. A fountain pen that feels pleasant for a few minutes can feel quite different over a long session.
Posture, the pressure we apply and the way we hold the pen also play a part.
That’s why, when looking for comfort, it’s worth thinking about how we actually use our fountain pen.
There’s no perfect weight for everyone.
Some enjoy a light, nimble fountain pen. Some seek a middle ground. And some like to really feel the pen in their hand as they write.
The best way to find out is to compare, experiment and pay attention to how each one feels.
Iguana Magazine · Writing guide
Light, balanced or substantial?
Discover how weight transforms your writing.
A fountain pen’s weight is much more than a number. Find out how its distribution, size, materials and whether you post the cap all affect how writing feels.
03 — The experiment
Now it’s your turn.
Which weight suits your writing?
You’ve seen some of the features that influence a fountain pen’s weight and balance. Now it’s time to find out which feel suits you best.
Balance Test · 3 questions
Three questions. Three choices.
One personalised recommendation.
- 01What do you prefer when you hold a pen?
- 02How do you like it to feel in your hand?
- 03What would you choose to write with?
04 — The results
The weight of your writing
is personal.
Discover the fountain pens that can give you the feel you’re looking for.
Result 01 — Light
Lightness in every movement.
You’re drawn to fountain pens you barely feel in your hand, letting you write with ease and agility.
Light models may suit your preferences especially well, although how comfortable they are will also depend on their size and weight distribution.
Your trait
Agility
A selection for you · Weight: Light
We’ve selected fountain pens whose weight may suit your preferences.
[Product photo]
Light · 01[Brand · Model][Weight · Price]
[Product photo]
Light · 02[Brand · Model][Weight · Price]
[Product photo]
Light · 03[Brand · Model][Weight · Price]
[Product photo]
Light · 04[Brand · Model][Weight · Price]
Your result is meant as a guide. Perceived weight also depends on weight distribution, size, the grip section and whether you post the cap.
05 — Iguana Personal Advisor
Your formula is personal.
So is our advice.
The Writing Lab tests are the starting point for discovering your preferences. But choosing a fountain pen also means finding the one that suits your hand, your writing and the way you like to use it.
Thinking of buying a fountain pen?
Our team of specialists can help you choose, with your needs, preferences and budget in mind.
ONLINE · BY APPOINTMENT
Speak to a specialist
Book an appointment with our team for personalised advice.
Book an appointment06 — The Writing Lab · Special experience
Your handwriting says a lot about you.
Because everyone’s handwriting is as unique as they are.
At The Writing Lab we explore writing instruments, but there’s something that makes them truly personal: the way you write.
Graphology invites us to look at the strokes, slant and size of our letters and explore what they might suggest about our personality.
Graphology offers interpretations for guidance only, not scientifically validated personality assessments.
07 — Analysis
The tests
Six ways to explore your writing. Find out which features suit you best through short interactive experiences.
Take the test
Test 02Wed 28
Material Test
Touch writes too.
Find the material that feels like you.
Test 03Thu 29
Design Test
Your style writes too.
Find the design that says who you are.
Test 04Fri 30
Filling Test
Every pen has its ritual.
Find your filling system.
Test 05Sat 31
Ink Test
Bring colour to your words.
Find the ink that’s unmistakably you.
Test 06Sun 1
Balance Test
Weight changes the feel.
Discover your ideal pen weight.