Fountain pens

The elegance of a wooden pen lies not only in its aesthetic appearance but also in its mechanical construction. The tip of my fountain pens is fitted with a hard-metal ball that allows the pen to glide smoothly and gently across the paper. The difference can be noticed, for example, when compared with the alternative mechanism of a steel nib. This makes writing lighter and comfortable even for left-handed writers. In addition, you can refill the ink at any time, so the pleasant feeling of writing can last as long as possible.

Why choose a wooden fountain pen?

• Turns ordinary writing into an experience
• Leaves beautiful, fine lines
• Fits perfectly in the hand of both right- and left-handed writers
• Has character – it is the most stylish writing instrument
• Each piece is a unique handcrafted original

An alternative to a fountain pen is its ballpoint counterpart. Read about the difference between a ballpoint pen and a fountain pen and you will quickly understand which one suits you best.

What is the origin of the wood?

The entire creative process begins with the careful selection of material, which I process myself. The wood used in my workshop mostly comes from gardens and land where trees need to be cut down. From wood originally destined to become firewood, I select the best pieces and give them a new life. Some types of wood I deliberately search for and, after personally discovering their structure, I even bring them from abroad. One such story is the olive wood from my favourite Greek island Karpathos, which I visit with my family.

Types of fountain pens

The mechanism and shape of most pens are made in one way that I have learned over the years is the best. The differences between my pens are therefore mainly aesthetic. You can choose the colour of the metal components, which are typically either gold or silver.

The greatest choice that makes a wooden pen truly unique is the type of wood. You can choose from more than 20 different types of wood species. In the selection you will find light, darker and warm tones. Popular classics such as apple wood, olive wood, walnut, oak or the tropical wood wenge are also included.

• If you would like to learn more about the individual wood species, I recommend reading the article How to choose a pen and the right pen box.

How do you refill ink in a fountain pen?

Ink can be refilled quite easily using a converter, which allows repeated filling from an ink bottle. The second option is ink cartridges, where you simply replace the old one with a new one. And here is a small secret tip – the body of the pen is long enough to hold two ink cartridges: one inserted into the pen mechanism and another as a spare.

How to care for a wooden fountain pen?

All pens from my workshop are treated in advance with layers of high-quality hard wax oil, so that you will need this maintenance as little as possible in the future.

Although the lifespan of wood is not infinite, it is my mission to ensure such quality that your pen will remain undamaged even after many years. If the shine fades over time, it can be restored by applying oil – I recommend linseed oil. And when it comes to using the pen itself, I have a few basic rules I would recommend to anyone who has no experience with fountain pens.

• Do not press: the beauty of writing lies in its lightness.
• Use it regularly: although the conditions inside the pen are not extreme, ink can still dry out.
• Close it: this is essentially the same case as the point above.
• Do not bend the clip: even I have been tempted since my school days, but believe me – it is not worth it.

Finally, thank you for considering a pen bearing the initials of my name – I truly appreciate it.

Michal Čiliak