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If you’re an artist or a calligrapher, you must have wished to own a classic glass dip pen. So, we have created a list of the best glass dip pens to help you choose the right one. These tried-and-tested pens are stylish and have a spiral-cut nib that requires minimal re-dipping into the ink.
A good glass dip pen enhances the overall writing experience. They are handcrafted, making them a collector’s item. So, explore the various options and designs to find one that meets your requirements.
Top Picks
11 Best Glass Dip Pens
1. Best For Smooth Writing: Hethrone Quill Pen
Image: Hethrone Unleash your creativity with the Hethrone quill pens with a natural feather on top. With a variety of nibs to choose from, the glass pen kit gives calligraphy artists the opportunity to experiment with different styles. The pen facilitates quick absorption of the ink while extending the writing time. Designed to be aesthetically pleasing, the pens offer a good grip, allowing you to write for hours.
Pros
- Anti-rust treatment
- Elegant design
- Lightweight
- Traditional design
- Stable writing
- Smooth flow
Cons
- Glass pen may be delicate
- Some nibs may be fragile
Quick fact2. Best Vibrant Colors:GC Quill MU-02 Calligraphy Pen Set
Image: Gcquill If you’re looking for a calligraphy set for beginners, the Gc Quill set is a good choice. It comes with a wooden pen, a glass dipping pen, a pen holder with six nibs, and five bottles of dip ink. Crafted for a comfortable writing experience, the lightweight pens give you the satisfaction you require. While super fun and cute, it is also easy to clean after use with just a simple rinse. The vintage design of the box makes it a perfect gift for friends, family, teachers, and all your loved ones who love calligraphy.
Pros
- Pen-holder in the box
- Smooth ink flow
- Stainless steel nibs
- Non-toxic and odorless ink
Cons
- Nibs may not be flexible
- Ink may blob when writing
"I got this set to start learning cursive writing. The pen is easy to grip, and the ink, though not odorless, offers a feather-free writing experience. Moreover, the storage box looks very sophisticated."
3. Best Heat-Resistant:Molshine Handmade Glass Dip Pen
The high-quality spiral design pen is exceptionally comfortable to hold and helps you maintain a good grip. Its superior-quality borosilicate glass material can easily resist heat and acid. This professional-grade handmade glass pen comes in multiple colors and allows you to write around 20-60 words in one dip. The embellishment of the indium foil can enhance the product’s texture, and it can be easily cleaned with water in a few minutes. The beautiful glass calligraphy pen has a classic look, making it a great gift.
Pros
- Classic look
- No frequent refills
- Comfortable grip
- Resistant to heat
Cons
- Delicate tip
"It offers a comfortable, slip-free grip even when I use it for extended periods. Besides, its ink-holding capacity and sharp nib allow me to try various intricate font styles. However, I would recommend storing it upside down to prevent clogs."
Hethrone Quill Pen Best For Smooth Writing | GC Quill MU-02 Calligraphy Pen Set Best Vibrant Colors | Molshine Handmade Glass Dip Pen Best Heat-Resistant | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | - | Wood, Glass | - |
| Ink Color | - | Multicolor | Multicolor |
| Number of Items | - | 5 | 1 |
| Color | - | Natural Wood Color | silvery |
| Dimensions | - | 9.84 x 4.72 x 1.97 inches | 7.09 x 0.39 x 0.39 inches |
| Weight | - | 1.2 pounds | 0.64 ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | - | 41 | 249 |
| Price | $35.99 | $39.99 | $6.49 |
4. Best Easy-To-Use:Mancola Glass Dip Pen Ink Set
The Mancola Glass Dip Set includes a crystal glass calligraphy pen, twelve bottles of color ink, a cleaning cup, and a pen holders. The high-quality borosilicate glass ink pen is an easy-to-use product that can write smoothly and help enhance your artwork. The gold powder in the ink bottle adds to the beauty of your creative work. You can clean the pen using water to rinse and dry it with paper. The glass dipping pen with an aesthetic design allows you to write 40-50 words in a single dip.
Pros
- Portable
- Aesthetic look
- Quick refill
- Great for calligraphers
- Includes a pen holder and cleaning cup
Cons
- Ink requires consistent shaking
"My son was instantly taken by this pen's vibrant color and design. Though vibrant and reflective, its ink takes some time to show its effect on darker surfaces. Nevertheless, the pen’s consistent performance has made it an excellent calligraphy starter kit for my little man."
5. Best Elegant Design:Codace Glass Dip Pen Ink Set
Codace glass dip pen has an attractive and elegant design and is an excellent choice to hone your calligraphy skills. The spiral design pen is made of high-quality borosilicate glass and has beautiful sequins inside, enhancing its appearance. The different ink colors include gold powder to ensure smooth writing, and the spiral grooves allow you to write 40-60 words for each dip. You can quickly switch between different colors, and the leak-proof gasket included in the glass pen kit eliminates leakage. You can clean the pen with water for a few seconds and then dry it with paper.
Pros
- Attractive design
- Environmental friendly
- Non-toxic
- Leak-proof
- Lightweight
- Deep groove
- Smooth writing
Cons
- Ink fades after some time.
"This calligraphy set was a birthday present from my wife. Its pen is well-crafted, and its nib makes cursive strokes look smooth and elegant. The ink bottles can be a bit messy, but careful handling and storage have kept the leaks to a minimum."
Trivia6. Best Leak-Proof: Asxma Crystal Glass Dip Pen
Asxma dip pen is made of high-quality borosilicate glass and is suitable for amateur and professional calligraphers and artists. This tried-and-tested glass calligraphy pen provides a stable grip and has a spiral pattern with beautiful sequins inside. The package includes 12 vibrant color ink bottles containing gold powder to enhance your creative work. This waterproof glass nib dip pen set is safe to use, and each ink bottle includes a leak-proof gasket.
Pros
- Leak-proof
- Water-resistant
- Free from toxins
- Comes with vibrant color ink
- Fade and water-resistant ink
- Makes a suitable gift for calligraphy enthusiasts
Cons
- Very fragile
"This glass dip pen has made everyday journaling more enjoyable. The caps on the ink bottles were a bit tight initially, but with regular use, they have become smooth. Also, the pen takes just a few seconds to clean, making it easy for me to switch colors."
7. Best Easy-To-Clean:Xiaoyu Glass Dip Pen
The handmade thread design pen has a thick meteor pattern tip, which provides an extended writing time and flows smoothly on the paper. The classy glass nib pen can be easily cleaned with water in a few seconds and dried with paper towels. The exquisite design pen is made of high-quality materials. This handy tool for writers and calligraphers allows you to write about 40-70 words in a single dip.
Pros
- Handmade
- Classic look
- Easy to clean
- Sturdy built
- Handy ink bottles
Cons
- Pen holder not included in the set
8. Best Versatile:Gullor Glass Dip Pen
The versatile glass dip pen has a bamboo-style design, similar to the vintage quill pen, and can help you execute your writing work, artwork, and calligraphy. The smooth tip of the pen ensures flawless writing and is compatible with all types of ink. The efficient glass nib pen comes in an attractive packaging and can effectively write up to 50 words in a single dip.
Pros
- Handmade
- Premium-quality nib
- Compatible with all ink types
- Vintage design
Cons
- Ink bottle not included in the set
"The best part about this pen is its smooth ink flow mechansim that creates precise lines without constant re-dipping. It's also visually pleasing, and the sharp nib does not cut or drag the paper while writing or inking intricate sketches."
9. Best Water-Resistant:Thyggzjbs Handmade Glass Dip Pen
The Thyggzjbs glass nib dip pen is made of high-quality borosilicate glass with a spiral pattern and decorative sequins. The handcrafted pen comes with 12 bottles of vibrant ink colors, which are waterproof and fade resistant. The quality-tested glass nib pen holds ink well and ensures smooth writing without the need for re-dipping. A leak-proof gasket prevents leakage. The product does not contain harmful toxins and is safe to use.
Pros
- Leak-proof
- Water- and fade-resistant
- Premium-quality nib
- Compatible with all types of ink
- Vintage design
Cons
- Fragile ink beaker
"This dip pen and vibrant inks make my calligraphy work look even more charming. I would have liked the bottles to be easy to open, but the stand works well for rinsing and resting the pen. All in all, the writing set is both creative and practical."
10. Best Easy-To-Refill:Zonon Handmade Glass Dip Pen
Three multi-color combination glass dip pens are comfortable to use and can enhance the smooth flow of writing. The eye-catching glass nib dip pen has an indium foil embellishment to make it more beautiful. You can easily write about 20-60 words per dip using these high-quality heat-resistant pens made of borosilicate glass and boron silicon. It takes only a few seconds to efficiently clean the glass nib pen with water and refill it with different ink colors.
Pros
- Heat-resistant tip
- Smooth flow
- Appealing look
- Easy to refill
- Comfortable grip
- Superior quality product
Cons
- A bit fragile
"With this set of three glass pens, I can make my writings look colorful without taking breaks to clean them and add different colors. At the same time, the unique build keeps them leak-free while writing, and the lightweight design aids control."
Did you know?11. Best Grip:Thor Series Glass Dip Pen Ink Set
Image: Glass Dip Pen The vintage-style Thor Series Glass Dip Pen has a classic appearance, making it an attractive decorative item. The handcrafted spiral design pen is made of high borosilicate and is heat resistant. The packaging contains 12 bottles of ink of different colors with a thick and delicate gold powder to ensure smooth writing. It also includes an attractive pen holder.
Pros
- Vintage design
- Easy-grip
- Works as a decorative item
- Ensures fluent writing
- The package includes a pen holder
- Affordable price
Cons
- The tip of the pen is a bit sharp
How To Choose The Right Glass Dip Pen?
Here’s a list of all the crucial points you may consider before buying a glass dip pen.
- Material used: A glass dipping pen is considered a delicate product that may break easily if the quality of manufacturing materials is not high. Therefore, make sure to choose products made of high-quality and heat-resistant borosilicate glass.
- Leak-proof: If you are not careful, ink leakage can easily damage your creative works. Try to choose products with leak-proof gaskets to minimize the chance of leakage.
- Purpose: You should also factor in the purpose for using the glass dipping pen. If you need a pen for daily office use, make sure not to buy a pen with a thicker nib, as it will make the paper blotchy. If you want to use the pen for artistic creation, look for a pen nib that allows you to write both thick and thin.
- Cleaning time: Choose a glass dipping pen that is quick to clean and refill. Look for a product that can be easily rinsed with water and dried quickly.
- Design: The glass pen is available in different designs. You can choose the style that suits your personality. If you like classic things, then buy the vintage-style pen. Glass dip pens with modern designs can be used as a decorative item on your desk.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the perfect ink for glass dip pens?
Choose an ink that is neither too dry nor too wet to avoid flow problems. Fountain pen inks work well with glass dip pens.
2. What paper is best for glass dip pens?
Both hot press and cold press watercolor paper have a thick texture and can easily last longer.
3. Can I use multiple colors with the same pen?
Yes, you can. Just rinse the pen with clean water and dry it with a paper towel before refilling it with different colored ink.
4. Do glass dip pens wear out?
Yes, glass dip pens are fragile and need careful handling to extend their life. Their tips can become sharp, might chip over time, or develop flat spots. You can try using a nail file to sharpen the tip. However, if you care for them, they will last longer than ball pens.
5. Do glass dip pens come in different sizes?
Yes, glass dip pens come in different sizes. As in the size of the nib, depth of the grooves and weight of the pen may vary with each model.
6. How should I use a glass dip pen?
Choose your favorite color of ink and dip the pen into the ink bottle. Ensure the tip is only submerged partially, and remove the excess ink by gliding the tip over the edge of the bottle. Turn the pen in your hands as you write, using the ink on all sides of the pen, and dip again as needed.
Why Trust MomJunction?
We bring you this list of the best glass dip pens based on detailed research and customer reviews. These pens are made of high-quality glasses and are smooth, easy to use, and versatile. Our team of researchers, writers, and reviewers have also mentioned the estimated word count each pen can write on a single dip and listed pens that are suitable for beginners. Besides, we have listed the pros and cons of each pen to help you make an informed choice.
The Bottom Line
A glass dip pen allows you to create unique designs on paper almost effortlessly, giving you clean, smooth, and polished results. The best glass dip pens are available in various styles and colors, and the options we have listed here are versatile, made from high-quality materials, and have elegant designs that you will love to flaunt. For beginners, we recommend the GC Quill MU-02 Calligraphy Pen Set. The Molshine Handmade Glass Dip Pen is ideal if you’re looking for an exquisite design, while the Asxma Crystal Glass Pen Dip is suitable for artists. Make sure to choose a pen that doesn’t leak, is easy to clean, and fulfills your purpose so that you can create stylish calligraphy and art in style.
Infographic: Factors To Consider When Selecting A Glass Dip Pen
Choosing the right glass dip pen might be challenging, with various available options. So, consider the infographic below to learn more about what factors to consider to find a suitable glass dip pen.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Chinese Calligraphy
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/special/china_1000bce_calligraphy.htm
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