Compare two affordable fountain pens, understand the extras you may need, and plan your first writing setup. Price examples are in Philippine pesos.

Choosing your first fountain pen? The Jinhao 82 and Pilot Kakuno offer two affordable starting points, with different designs, nib options and initial setup costs. This guide compares the versions available at The Ink Shoppe and explains what to check before you order.

The useful question is how you want to get started. Do you want the lowest-cost route into bottled ink, or are you drawn to the Kakuno’s playful design and choice of fine or medium nib? Here is how to decide, including the extras to check before you order.

Price examples are in Philippine pesos (PHP), checked on 18 October 2026. Prices and selected colour or nib availability may change. Delivery, currency conversion and any applicable destination charges are separate.

Compare the two starting points

Pen	Store price (PHP)	What to consider
Jinhao 82 Translucent Body	₱300	The listing specifies a fine stainless steel nib and one included converter. Leave part of your budget for ink.
Pilot Kakuno Family Series	₱900	The listing offers fine and medium nib selections and includes one Pilot ink cartridge. A compatible converter is a separate purchase for bottled ink.

Choose the Jinhao 82 if keeping the initial cost low matters most

The Jinhao 82 Translucent Body is listed at ₱300, making it the lower-priced pen in this comparison. Its included converter is a refillable reservoir for bottled fountain pen ink, so you can start with a sample instead of committing to a full bottle.

For example, a ₱300 pen paired with one Diamine 3 mL ink sample listed at ₱50–₱100 brings the item subtotal to ₱350–₱400. That calculation excludes shipping and assumes the selected ink colour is available. You can use the remaining budget for paper or simply keep the first purchase small.

This is a sensible route if you are curious about fountain pens but would like to discover your preferences before spending more.

Choose the Pilot Kakuno if its design appeals to you

The Pilot Kakuno Family Series combines a tinted transparent body with a smiling face on the nib. The store listing offers fine and medium nib choices, with availability depending on the colour and variant.

At ₱900, the Kakuno costs more upfront than the Jinhao 82. The Family Series listing includes one Pilot ink cartridge, so you can start with that refill. If you prefer bottled ink, a compatible Pilot converter is purchased separately. Compare the complete setup cost, including accessories and delivery, against your budget.

Pick the nib around your handwriting

Start with the size of the writing you already do. If you write small notes, look closely at a fine option. If your handwriting is larger, consider a medium. Nib labels are a starting point; they do not promise identical line widths across different brands.

Use our guide to choosing a fountain pen nib to work through the options. There is no need to choose a more expensive pen simply because you are new.

Keep the first setup simple

• Choose one pen and one nib size.
• Confirm which cartridge or converter works with that exact model.
• Start with one ink clearly labelled for fountain pen use.
• Try a few lines on the paper you normally use before buying several notebooks.

Once you have written with the pen for a while, you will have a clearer reason for your next purchase: a different colour, another nib size, or paper you enjoy using.

Buying from the Philippines or overseas

The prices above are Philippine store prices in PHP. If you are shopping from another country, contact The Ink Shoppe to confirm whether delivery is available to your destination and request shipping details. Include currency conversion and any applicable import charges when comparing the total cost.

Which one should you buy?

For a lower-cost introduction to bottled ink, start with the Jinhao 82 and an ink sample. For a first pen chosen around the Kakuno’s appearance and nib options, explore the Family Series and check the complete setup cost.

Browse fountain pens at The Ink Shoppe, or pair your choice with a small ink sample when your filling system is ready.

Tags

Beginner Guides Fountain Pens Jinhao Pilot Kakuno

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