Test 01Tue 27
Nib Test
It all begins at the tip.
Find the nib that suits your hand.
Pen Week 2026 · The Writing Lab
Material
Test_
Touch writes too.
Resin, metal, wood, or even volcanic lava. A fountain pen’s material determines far more than its appearance. Discover how it shapes what you feel as you write, and find the one that suits you best.
Find your material
TEST 02 / 06 · OCTOBER 28
02 — Material
Before you write a word, you’re already feeling it.
Every material offers a different experience.
Some fountain pens surprise us even before they touch the paper.
Some are light and smooth. Others feel reassuringly solid. Then there are those with perfectly polished surfaces, natural textures, or finishes that seem to change with the light.
Material influences how we perceive a fountain pen, how we hold it, and how much we enjoy using it.
Because writing isn’t only a visual experience. It’s a tactile one too.
01 — MATERIALS
The same purpose. Completely different sensations.
Not every material feels the same in your hand. Some stand out for their lightness, others for their solidity, their texture, or their uniqueness.
ResinLightness and versatility
Light, pleasant to the touch, and able to take on countless colors and finishes. Resin lends itself to fountain pens that are understated or full of personality.
MetalSolidity and presence
From lightweight aluminum to denser brass, metals bring a sense of temperature, weight, and solidity that can transform the experience.
WoodNatural warmth
Grain, tones, and small variations that give each piece a character of its own. A material that connects writing with nature.
Ebonite and UrushiTraditional craftsmanship
Ebonite is a historic material in the world of writing. Combined with Japanese Urushi lacquer, it can become an expression of craftsmanship and tradition.
Volcanic lavaAn unexpected texture
The Visconti Homo Sapiens incorporates a basalt lava compound that gives it a distinctive surface and feel.
A smooth, polished surface can be pleasing for its uniformity.
But some materials owe their personality precisely to their texture, grain, or small irregularities.
No sensation is universally better. The question is which one you’d like to feel in your hand.
Metal can feel cool at first and gradually take on the warmth of your hand.
Wood and certain resins feel different in temperature.
Small details that can shape our relationship with a writing instrument.
Some materials allow for virtually identical finishes.
Others feature patterns, grain, or variations that make each piece slightly different.
Esterbrook’s resins, Graf von Faber-Castell’s woods, and Namiki’s craft techniques each interpret uniqueness in their own way.
A resin fountain pen can be surprisingly light. A metal one can offer greater presence.
But material isn’t everything. Size, internal mechanisms, and weight distribution also influence how a fountain pen feels.
More weight doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality.
Some materials appeal to us for their properties. Others, for their history.
Ebonite connects us to the origins of the modern fountain pen. Wood brings nature’s individuality. Urushi lacquer embodies a Japanese craft tradition. And volcanic lava proves there are still new ways to experiment.
Material can be a form of expression too.
Iguana Magazine · Writing guide
Resin, metal, wood, or even lava?
Discover how material transforms your fountain pen.
From the lightness of resin to the solidity of metal, the warmth of wood, or the tradition of Japanese lacquer. Explore the materials that give writing instruments their personality and see how they shape the way a pen feels in use.
03 — Experiment
Now it’s your turn.
Which material suits you?
You’ve explored some of the sensations different materials can offer. It’s time to find out which ones come closest to your own preferences.
Material Test · 3 questions
Three questions. Three choices.
One personalized recommendation.
- 01What do you like to feel when you pick up a pen?
- 02Which finish appeals to you most?
- 03What matters most to you?
04 — Results
Every material
has its own character.
Discover the fountain pens we’ve selected for every way you like a pen to feel.
Result 01 — Resin
Lightness that inspires.
You’re drawn to comfort, smooth surfaces, and the freedom to choose from different colors and finishes.
Resin fountain pens can offer you a light, versatile experience, with designs ranging from understated elegance to bold, expressive patterns.
Your trait
Versatility
A selection for you · Resin
We’ve selected fountain pens with materials and finishes that may match your preferences.
[Product photo]
Resin · 01[Brand · Model][Price]
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Resin · 02[Brand · Model][Price]
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Resin · 03[Brand · Model][Price]
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Resin · 04[Brand · Model][Price]
Your result is meant as a guide. How a pen ultimately feels also depends on its size, weight, and finish, as well as on the way you hold it.
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
Talk to a specialist
Schedule a consultation with our team for personalized 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 what makes them personal is 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 suits 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 color to your words.
Find the ink that feels like you.
Test 06Sun 1
Balance Test
Weight changes the experience.
Find your ideal pen weight.