Fountain pen starter — Vandero (AU)

A concise guide to choosing your first fountain pen in Australia: nib sizes, starter kits, inks and paper pairing for consistent writing and pleasurable journaling.

Ideal for students, planners, and anyone exploring handwriting with a quality nib.

Shop ink bundles Browse notebooks

Why choose a fountain pen?

Better ergonomics

Less pressure, smoother lines, comfortable long writing sessions.

Refillable inks

Economical and eco-friendly — switch inks and colours with converters or cartridges.

Personal style

Nib choice and ink pairings create signature handwriting and expressive strokes.

Starter kits we recommend

Curated combinations: pen, converter/cartridge, 30ml ink, and an A5 notebook for practice.

Classic Fine Pack

Fine nib, blue-black ink, beginner-friendly feed.

View pack

Flex & Flourish

Soft nib option for expressive strokes and calligraphy basics.

View pack

Student Starter

Durable body, medium nib, ergonomic grip for daily notes.

See notebook

Compare nibs & inks

Fine: crisp lines, ideal for small handwriting. Medium: balanced flow. Broad: richer ink laydown, great for shading.

Dye-based: vibrant and smooth; not waterproof. Pigmented/waterproof: archival, less shading. Choose by use-case.

Flush with water monthly, use a proper converter, avoid mixing incompatible pigments. Store nib down for long periods.

Feature	Fine	Medium	Broad
Line width	0.3-0.4mm	0.5-0.6mm	0.7-1.0mm
Recommended use	Notes	Daily	Headers & shading
Ink economy	Best	Good	Higher

Care & common troubleshooting

Cleaning routine

Disassemble nib and feed if model allows.
Flush with lukewarm water until clear.
Soak in pen flush for stubborn pigments.

Prime tips

If ink skips, gently agitate, check converter seating and nib alignment.

Alex — Pen Specialist

Available for nib adjustments and ink advice in Newcastle, NSW.

Where to buy & local support (Australia)

We ship across Australia. Local pickup available in Newcastle. Support for warranty and nib work through our service points.

Pickup

Unit 5, 17 Hunter Street, Newcastle NSW 2300

Contact for pickup

Shipping

Flat-rate shipping across Australia; expedited available at checkout.

Shop starter kits

Resources & guides

Beginner's guide PDF

Downloadable walkthrough: nib sizes, ink choices, and maintenance.

Open guide

Video: nib basics

Short clips on nib care and common fixes.

Watch

Paper pairing

Which Vandero notebooks handle fountain ink best (*** feathering, minimal bleed).

See notebooks