Pilot Kakuno Review: The Best Beginner Fountain Pen
If you are new to fountain pens or an artist looking for a refillable tool, the Pilot Kakuno is one of the easiest places to start. It is affordable, simple, and genuinely enjoyable to use without feeling intimidating. There is something about it that just works. It makes the whole experience feel approachable, which is exactly what you want when you are starting out.
This was also my first fountain pen, so I might be a little biased.
What Is the Pilot Kakuno
The Pilot Kakuno was first introduced in 2013 as an entry-level fountain pen in their lineup. It is simple, lightweight, and designed to make fountain pens feel approachable.
It is easy to set up right out of the box, can be fully disassembled which makes cleaning simple, and it even has a small smiley face on the nib, which adds a playful touch.
Design and Features
The Kakuno has a minimal design with a comfortable ergonomic grip and a roll stop on the cap that prevents it from rolling. The box comes with a black ink cartridge so you can start writing right away.
It comes in a variety of color options. My first was the clear demonstrator, but the newer Madoromi series released in 2025 are dreamy and I highly recommend them. The soft, muted tones feel a little more elevated, especially with the gold-plated nibs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very affordable entry point | Plastic body feels less premium |
| Smooth and reliable nib | Lightweight feel may not suit everyone |
| Comfortable to hold | No clip included on most versions |
| Easy to clean and fully disassemble | Can feel basic after upgrading |
| Interchangeable nib options | Does not include convertor |
| Fun colorways and approachable design | Ink can dry out faster from weak seal |
How It Writes and Draws
Pilot is known for its nibs, and the Kakuno is a great example of that quality in a beginner pen.
The stainless steel nib is smooth, consistent, and easy to control. It is also interchangeable, so you can try different sizes like extra fine, fine, or medium. If you want something broader, you can even swap in compatible nibs like the Pilot 78G. Japanese nibs tend to run finer than Western nibs, so a fine Kakuno will feel closer to an extra fine in other brands. That makes it great for precise writing and detailed line work.
If you are an artist, this pen is especially fun. The ink flow is balanced, not too wet or too dry, and it feels smooth on the page.
If you want to go a step further, you can customize the nib with a grind. I had mine done by Pen Realm in Tetanus (0.15 mm) so I can get ultra fine lines for my drawings, but they offer a variety of grinds depending on what you like.
You can also upgrade the pen with a Pilot Con-70 convertor to hold over 1 oz of any color fountain pen ink you like!
Pilot Kakuno nib comparison: Custom grind, Extra Fine, Medium. Click to enlarge photo
Why It Is Great for Beginners
The Kakuno removes a lot of the hesitation that comes with trying fountain pens. It is lightweight, easy to carry, and low pressure to use. You are not worried about investing in something expensive or damaging a pen while you are still figuring things out. You can just start writing or drawing.
I use my Kakuno for everything: drawing and illustration, everyday writing, journaling, and quick notes and planning.
It is a low-risk entry point before you fall down the rabbit hole.
Why I Keep Coming Back to It
The Pilot Kakuno is a simple, but that is exactly what makes it so good. It makes fountain pens feel approachable. Easy to pick up, easy to use, and easy to enjoy without overthinking it.
Even if I move into more expensive pens, whether within the Pilot lineup or branching out to brands like Esterbrook, the Kakuno still finds its way back onto my desk and I love that. It is by no means a holy grail pen but I am someone who is really enjoying falling down the fountain pen rabbit hole and I hear it’s a very deep fall 🐇.
Tools I Keep Reaching For
These are the pens, inks, and tools that have stayed in my rotation. Simple, reliable, and genuinely enjoyable to use.
