Pilot Kakuno vs. Platinum Preppy: Which First Fountain Pen Is Right for You?
If you're choosing your first fountain pen, you can't go wrong with either of these. The Platinum Preppy is the least expensive way into fountain pens — $7 — and its clever cap keeps the ink fresh for months, even if you forget about it in a drawer. The Pilot Kakuno costs around $15-$20, and it's the pen we hand to everyone. The hexagonal grip guides your fingers to the right spot, and the little smiley face is a detail that alludes to the original intent of the pen: children. That being said, adults most likely make up the majority of loyal fans. The Preppy is the better deal, and the Kakuno is the better teacher. Here's how to decide which one is yours.
The case for the Preppy
Seven dollars gets you a real fountain pen — not a toy, not a compromise. The Preppy's superpower is Platinum's Slip & Seal cap: an inner mechanism that seals the nib when you snap the cap on, so the ink doesn't dry out between writing sessions. If you're the kind of person who journals in bursts — every day for a week, then nothing for a month — the Preppy forgives you. It also has a clip, so it rides along in a pocket or planner loop, and the body color matches the ink color, which makes it easy to build a little rainbow of them without breaking the bank.
The case for the Kakuno
The Kakuno was literally designed to teach people to write with a fountain pen, and it shows. The hexagonal body won't roll off your desk, the facets guide your fingers into a comfortable grip without forcing it, and the smiling face stamped on the nib is a built-in reminder of which side faces up — the one thing many new fountain pen users get wrong at first. It feels a touch sturdier in the hand than the Preppy, and the Madoromi series dresses the same friendly pen in soft pastels with a gold-toned nib, if you want your first pen to feel a little special.
A quick word on nib sizes
Both are Japanese pens, and Japanese nibs run about one size finer than Western ones — a Fine from either brand writes closer to a Western Extra Fine. That being said, the Kakuno runs slightly more fine than the Preppy but the Preppy writes more smoothly on the paper. The Preppy comes in 02 Extra Fine, 03 Fine, and 05 Medium; the Kakuno in Extra Fine, Fine, and Medium. If you're not sure, beginners tend to prefer medium nibs.
One thing to know about ink
Keep in mind that Pilot and Platinum cartridges are not interchangeable. Each pen takes its own brand — the cartridge with the little silver ball inside is a Platinum cartridge, and it fits the Preppy. The Kakuno takes Pilot cartridges, including our Iroshizuku cartridge colors, and we walk through loading one, photos and all, in our step-by-step Kakuno guide. Both pens also take their brand's converter when you're ready to explore bottled ink.
So which one?
Pick the Preppy if you want the gentlest possible price, a clip, and a pen that shrugs off neglect. Pick the Kakuno if you want the most comfortable learning experience and a pen that feels like it'll be with you a while. And honestly — at these prices, plenty of people start with both and let the pens sort it out. There is no wrong first pen, and there is no wrong reason to start.
Still deciding whether a fountain pen is for you at all? Start with Before You Buy a Fountain Pen. And whenever you're ready, come pick out your first — we'd love to help you get started.
