Top Professional Fountain Pens
If you're a doctor, lawyer, CPA, or any other professional who wants to use a fountain pen at work without drawing too much attention, I've curated a list of seven pens for you. When I picked these out, I focused on pens that write reliably, have clips that fit comfortably in dress shirts and suit jackets, look presentable but not too flashy, and won't create any unwanted noise or visual distractions.
1. Pilot Metropolitan Black Plain
The Pilot Metropolitan in Black Plain is a fantastic starter pen that still looks incredibly clean and corporate. It has a fast and easy-to-use snap cap, posts well, and can use Pilot's proprietary cartridges or converters for on-the-go writing. It's solid and even comes with decent packaging if you're thinking of gifting it.
2. Pilot E95S Black
With its vintage style, the Pilot E95S in Black is more of a pocket pen since it's smaller and shorter than most fountain pens. While it has a unique look that might get a little attention, the main reason to choose it is for its incredible writing feel. It's smooth to cap and uncap, posts wonderfully, and is completely silent, which is great for those boring meetings!
3. Pilot Vanishing Point Black Matte
The Pilot Vanishing Point in Black Matte is incredibly convenient thanks to its click-retractable nib, making it perfect for one-handed operation. It's a favorite among doctors and nurses for chart-writing. Its stealthy, non-shiny appearance and small nib won't draw much attention. These are great writers, though the converter's ink capacity isn't the best; thankfully, Pilot cartridges hold a good amount of ink.
4. Sheaffer Legacy
The Black Legacy boasts an iconic Sheaffer look that dates back decades and was recently revived in 2025. It now features a steel nib that writes incredibly smoothly with a generous flow, in a medium nib. It uses a proprietary Sheaffer cartridge converter, and all necessary components are included to get you started. The black and silver look is versatile, and its larger, heavier side makes it comfortable for those with larger hands. The packaging is also very solid and presentable.
5. LAMY 2000 Black
The Black LAMY 2000 is truly iconic with its modern yet classic Bauhaus design that's been around for nearly 60 years. It features a very quiet snap cap, posts deeply, and is incredibly understated, avoiding any noise or flashiness. The hooded nib makes it look subtle, and its brushed finish keeps it matte. It's a very reliable writer with a higher-than-average ink capacity thanks to its easy-to-operate piston filler and ink window.
6. Pilot Custom 823 Smoke
Sporting a classic cigar-shaped design, the Pilot Custom 823 in Smoke is Pilot's only vacuum-filling pen, which holds a massive amount of ink, which means you won't need to refill often! The Smoke version is translucent, allowing you to see the ink level without it being too obvious. Its black and gold combination is classic and matches everything. The nib on this pen is one of the best out there, offering an amazing writing experience. An added bonus: the vacuum mechanism locks off the ink chamber, making it much less prone to leaks when flying or changing altitudes.
7. Pelikan M600/M800
All Pelikan Souverän pens could fit into this category, varying mostly in size and weight. They are known for their beautiful styling, great lines, and subtle branding like the Pelikan bird logo and bill-shaped clip. Pelikan has been around for over a century, and their pens are easily recognizable by pen enthusiasts. These are piston fillers with good ink capacities and attractive nibs that write very smoothly and wet. The nib units are removable for easy cleaning. While we mostly see special editions now, I personally think the M815 Metal Striped Blue is incredibly classy!
Honorable Mention: Mont Blanc
I also wanted to give an honorable mention to fountain pen manufacturer, Mont Blanc. While we don't carry their pens in our store, they have significant recognition in the corporate world, making them a valid professional choice. The old standbys, the Mont Blanc 149 or the smaller 146, are highly recognizable, especially if you're gifting a pen.
And there you have it: my list of professional fountain pens! You can check out our Professional Pens collection where you can explore each option mentioned. Write on!
