Inktend / Pen library / Arts Pocket Brush Pen
Pentel
Arts Pocket Brush Pen
A model in Pentel's fountain pen lineup. Specs below reflect the typical configuration across Pentel's core range.
Priced squarely in first-pen territory — low enough that trying fountain pens for the first time doesn't feel like a gamble.
Specs
About Pentel
Pentel is a Japanese stationery manufacturer founded in Tokyo in 1946 by Yukio Horie, credited with inventing the fibre-tipped pen in 1962. It is mainly known for mechanical pencils, sign pens, brush pens and gel pens rather than fountain pens. Its fountain pen offering is limited, centred on the inexpensive cartridge-filled Tradio, which sells for roughly $15–25.
How to fill the Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen
Fill it two ways: snap in a pre-filled international cartridge for convenience, or use a converter — a small plunger or twist mechanism that installs the same way a cartridge does — to draw ink from any bottle. The converter route opens up the entire world of bottled ink, which is where most of the hobby's color variety lives.
Choosing a nib size
Nib size determines line width, not writing pressure — fountain pens are meant to glide, never press. Extra-fine (EF) suits small, dense handwriting and thin paper; fine (F) is the most broadly recommended default; medium (M) shows more ink character and shading; broad (B) and stub grinds favor bold, expressive strokes and calligraphy-adjacent writing.
Keeping it clean
A quick flush with cool water every time you switch ink colors — and a full clean every 4–6 weeks of regular use — is enough to keep the nib and feed performing well. Inktend's cleaning reminder is tuned to a 21-day baseline and adjusts naturally to how often you actually refill.
Pairing inks with the Arts Pocket Brush Pen
Because refills are quick with a cartridge or converter, this is a good pen for rotating through several colors rather than committing to one; sample vials work especially well here.
Frequently asked questions
More from Pentel
Specs reflect the typical configuration across Pentel's core lineup rather than this exact model — check current listings before buying.