People have been asking us to make a fountain pen for years. We knew we wanted to do it, but we needed time to make sure it was absolutely perfect. If you already love fountain pens, then you understand the feeling you get when writing with a well-balanced and beautiful instrument. If you are new to them, it’s a feeling you simply must experience to fully understand.
We didn’t want to make just any fountain pen. We wanted it to be something special. We decided that our machined fountain pen needed to be:
If you think about it, that’s not an easy fountain pen to design. Everyone has different tastes not only visually, but from a use standpoint. Some people like clips, some don’t. Some people like to post the cap, some don’t. Some people like heavy, some don’t. Some people want to carry their pen, others want it to stay at their desk. Some people work in boardrooms, others work with their hands. How would we even begin to fit all of that into a single, well designed fountain pen. We were up for the challenge.
The nib will make or break a writing experience. We extensively tested two of the most popular German nibs on the market to see which one performed the best and most consistently. Hands down, the Bock 180 was the winner. We include an EF Stainless Steel Bock nib with each pen, but we also have other options available including a titanium nib for those who simply must have the best.
We’ve always believed in less is more. But a minimalist design on the outside doesn’t mean it’s easy to make it work.
We poured over the tiniest of details to get everything right. Things like a screw-on cap for maximum security, but just ⅞ of a turn to remove it. A cap that can post without the pen being too back-heavy, and still feel great if you opt to use it un-posted. We also went to the limit on wall thickness and tolerance stack-ups and keep the outside diameter at 11 millimeters – not super thick like a lot of other fountain pens.
How deep are the grooves on the grip? 0.15mm. But, we got there after testing several different options to make sure we got it right. All of these details were carefully poured over so the pen is a joy to use in any environment.
This was not actually a question for us from a design perspective, but rather a challenge.
How could we make the pen great without a clip, but also function with a clip that was designed natively for the pen?
Well, we went with a friction-fit implementation so you get the option. Your pen will seal just fine with or without the clip – this took several iterations to get right – and look great either way.
Which material? 301 grade stainless steel. Why 301? It offers a stronger clip that is more resistant to bending during normal use. Plus, we made the clip position adjustable across a full 360 degree range. Simply move the clip to the position you want, tighten it using our (incredibly cool) 5mm allen key tool, and you’re set.
Not happy with where it’s at? It takes just a few seconds to make an adjustment.
We're laser engraving the Modern Fuel logo onto the inside of the finial of your pen.
Why? Because there is something great about our brand, and you should be proud to own one of our pens. But we also don't want to be flashy, so we kept it subtle -- most people won't even know it's there. Everyone has a journey, and our identity is important. This subtle mark echoes the individual journey you're on as a writer, a creator, whatever your fire is. It transforms your Modern Fuel fountain pen into a true collector's item and a statement piece that embodies our commitment to craftsmanship and artistry.
There is no such thing as one-pen-fits all, so we went a step further on the finishing touches. We have an optional smooth grip if you don’t like the grooved look or feel. We have a loop end which can take place of the cap plug – which adds an attachment point with no loss in sealing ability. And then we have an optional body cap, which can go on the back of the body to make the pen the perfect length for those who don’t want to post the cap.
We believe that that we built the “best” everyday fountain pen. It may not be the absolute best at any one particular thing, but we think it is the best all-around that money can buy. It’s a fountain pen that enthusiasts will appreciate, and those new to the category will fall in love with. You can use it every single day, and it will still hold up for decades to come. A fountain pen with aerospace precision, and heirloom quality.
First the components are cut out of solid bars of premium metal independently in the USA. For most manufacturers, this would be "good enough" to assemble and ship. Our clips are made from Grade 301 Stainless Steel, which is polished to a mirror finish. But, for Modern Fuel, we want to ensure the pen is flawless, so we take it one step further.
Once we have the components, we inspect each batch and ensure it meets our extremely tight standards for release. Many of the pieces are rejected, but the ones which pass are prepped for hand assembly by our small team. Every fountain pen gets three O-rings installed by hand, and once assembled it is ready for the finishing process.
Next we put each fountain pen through a custom multi-step finishing process right here in San Antonio. This gives the pen its beautiful brushed look and ensures a beautiful look across all pieces of the pen.
Finally, we use a precision fiber laser engraver on each fountain pen to mark it with the Modern Fuel logo (under the finial) as well as any custom engraving you ordered. Then we install the nib assembly, your unique pen is hand-cleaned, and we add the clip. Lastly, we inspect it one final time to make sure it meets our exacting standards, and then it's packaged up for shipment.
First the components are cut out of solid bars of premium metal independently in the USA. For most manufacturers, this would be "good enough" to assemble and ship. Our clips are made from Grade 301 Stainless Steel, which is polished to a mirror finish. But, for Modern Fuel, we want to ensure the pen is flawless, so we take it one step further.
Once we have the components, we inspect each batch and ensure it meets our extremely tight standards for release. Many of the pieces are rejected, but the ones which pass are prepped for hand assembly by our small team. Every fountain pen gets three O-rings installed by hand, and once assembled it is ready for the finishing process.
Next we put each fountain pen through a custom multi-step finishing process right here in San Antonio. This gives the pen its beautiful brushed look and ensures a beautiful look across all pieces of the pen.
Finally, we use a precision fiber laser engraver on each fountain pen to mark the Modern Fuel logo as well as any custom engraving you ordered. Then we install the nib assembly, your unique pen is hand-cleaned, and we add the clip. Lastly, we inspect it one final time to make sure it meets our exacting standards, and then it's packaged up for shipment.
What are the dimensions of The Fountain Pen?
The Fountain Pen is 136.7mm long when posted to write with a 11.0mm diameter (0.433 in). When securely capped, it is 116.3mm (4.57 in) long and uncapped (and unposted) it is 101mm (3.97 in) in length.
The body cap extends the unposted writing length to 108mm (4.25 in), while the long body extends the unposted writing length to 134mm (5.27 in). It is designed to be well-balanced and comfortable for everyday writing, yet small enough to take with you anywhere.
Is The Fountain Pen heavy?
The weight of the fountain pen depends on the material you choose. Here is the weight for each version (with clip, without body cap or ink):
Aluminum: 16.1g
Stainless Steel: 40.2g
Copper: 45.0g
Bronze: 38.6g
Titanium: 24.2g
Each material offers a different feel, from the lightweight agility of Titanium to the substantial, premium heft of Copper.
Does the fountain pen come with a converter?
No, it does not but it can be purchased separately on our website.
Do I need the long body (add-on)?
The long body is great if you want to use full-sized converter (included with each long body purchase) for more ink capacity. Please note that you cannot post the cap with the long body, and the long body is not available in aluminum at this time.
Will it take standard cartridges?
Standard Configuration: Uses standard international (short) cartridges or a mini converter.
With Long Body Add-on: If you have the long body extension, the pen will fit standard international size cartridges or a full-sized converter.
What are my nib options?
Our fountain pens come standard with an Extra Fine (EF) nib. We also typically offer Fine (F), Medium (M), and Broad (B) options as add-ons in both Stainless Steel and Titanium (all nib add-ons ship as an assembled feeder, nib housing, and nib). A nib assembly can be swapped out in less than 30 seconds.
Is the nib replaceable or swappable
Yes. Our fountain pens use a threaded nib housing, making it very easy to unscrew and swap the nib unit yourself. This allows you to switch between different sizes (EF, F, M, B) or materials (Stainless Steel and Titanium) whenever you like
Do you offer calligraphy or specialty nibs?
Currently, we do not offer calligraphy-specific nibs. We focus on high-quality standard nib sizes for everyday writing.
What ink works best with the pen
We ship with Kaweco branded ink cartridges and think they work great. However, there are a ton of other ink options on the market and all should work well in our pens.
Can I use this pen while traveling on a plane?
We have done our best to use extremely tight engineering tolerances which allow our fountain pens perform very well in pressurized cabins without leaking. However, we would always recommend removing ink from a fountain pen before flying just in case. Also, an inked fountain pen should never be opened in flight as the pressure change is likely to cause the pen to leak immediately once you open it
Is the fountain pen a "click" or "bolt action" model?
No, our fountain pens feature a traditional threaded cap to protect the nib and prevent the ink from drying out.
What does patina mean?
Patina is the natural darkening and character that develops on Copper and Bronze as they react to your hands and the air. Stainless Steel and Titanium do not patina.
Can I get rid of the patina if I don’t want it?
Yes. You can easily restore the original shine of Copper or Bronze using a mild metal polish (like Brasso) and a soft cloth.
Which material is best for long periods of writing?
Titanium is our top recommendation for long sessions because it is the lightest material (24.2g), reducing hand fatigue. If you prefer a weightier, more substantial feel to ground your strokes, Stainless Steel or Bronze provide excellent balance
What's Matt's favorite material?
Titanium. The Blackhawk helicopter’s main rotor hub is made from a single piece of titanium. Maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe it’s just because the metal is that awesome.
What grade of Ti (nickel content because of a nickel allergy)?
We use Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5). This is a medical-grade, biocompatible alloy that is nickel-free, making it an excellent choice for those with metal sensitivities or allergies.
What grade of stainless steel do you use?
We use SS303. This grade is chosen for its excellent durability and resistance to corrosion, ensuring your pen maintains its premium finish over years of daily use.
What grade of copper do you use?
We use CU145 (Tellurium Copper). This specific grade is chosen for its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, but more importantly for a pen, its superior machinability and high resistance to atmospheric corrosion
What grade of bronze do you use?
We use C63000 (Phosphor Bronze). This grade is prized for its high strength, toughness, and excellent corrosion resistance, ensuring your pen remains durable while developing a dark brown, unique patina over time.
What happens if I break it?
Our 100 year guarantee covers all craftsmanship and materials. If the pen breaks for any reason under normal use, we will happily fix or replace it.
How do I clean the fountain pen
To keep your pen writing smoothly, we recommend a simple flush every 4–6 weeks or whenever you change ink colors:
Disassemble: Unscrew the grip section from the body.
Flush: Use the converter to draw clean, room-temperature water up through the nib and flush it back out until the water runs clear.
Dry: Gently pat the nib dry with a lint-free cloth and let it air dry completely before refilling.
Pro Tip: For stubborn ink buildup, you can use a drop of mild dish soap in your rinsing water, but avoid harsh chemicals or boiling water
Why is my fountain pen skipping or hard starting
This is usually caused by dried ink or air bubbles. Try these quick fixes:
Flush the nib: Old ink can clog the feed. Flush with room-temperature water.
Check the ink level: Ensure the converter or cartridge is properly seated and has enough ink.
Prime the feed: Gently twist the converter to push a small drop of ink into the nib.
Paper quality: Some coated papers resist ink. Try testing on a more absorbent surface
