It all started when a letter arrived almost two years ago. My pen pal had written her letter with a fountain pen and various ink colors. Her handwriting was gorgeous. I was hooked. I had to learn more about using a fountain pen.

I started out cautiously and purchased some very affordable pens: The Pilot Metropolitan and the Lamy Safari. Both of these cost less than $25 and are great starter pens. They allowed me get comfortable with the pen, take it apart, play with nib sizes, work with inks and learn more about maintenance without the worry of breaking, destroying or losing them.

Now I'm ready for the next step - I want a nicer fountain pen. So I turn to my Fountain Pen Sensei. My Fountain Pen Sensei, Tracy Lee, is a friend and fellow letter writer. Famously known as @legally_inked on Instagram, she has an amazing fountain pen collection and knows everything about pens. Whenever I have a question I send her a text and she gives me guidance.

Recently, she offered me an chance to spend a day in her enchanting personal library, view her pen collection and film answers to all my questions so I could share with others. I'll list all her resources and favorites below. To see her library, pen collection and learn what I learned, check out the following two interview videos:

Mentioned in my interview with Tracy Lee:

Nib Meisters

Daniel Smith The Nibsmith

Deb Kinney

Michael Masuyama

Pens

Pen Stores

Pen Shows

Inks

Paper

Nib Meisters