We interrupt the usual rambling with a public service announcement.
If you're wondering where to get Fountain Pens (FP), FP friendly paper and FP ink in Singapore, here's a little list for you.
Not exhaustive, merely one for the economical buyer.
DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with any of the following stores below, merely a happy repeat customer. Opinions are mine and mine alone. I may be wrong and you are free to disagree with me.
PENS:
1. Fook Hing Trading Co (FH)
Location: Bras Basah Complex, #01-23 (Nearest MRT: Bras Basah, Bugis, City Hall)
Brands carried (FPs): Cross, Faber Castell (FC), Franklin Christoph, Graf von Faber Castell (GvFC), Lamy, Montblanc (MB), Montegrappa, Namiki, Omas, Parker, Pelikan, Platinum, Pilot, Sailor, S.T Dupont, Visconti, Wahl-Eversharp, Waterman, Selected Vintage pens.
Brands carried (Inks): Aurora, Caran d'Ache, Cross, De Atramentis, Diamine, GvFC, J Herbin, Lamy, MB, Montegrappa, Namiki, Omas, Parker, Pelikan, Platinum, Pilot, Sailor, Visconti, Waterman
Brands carried (Paper): Life Noble, Rhodia
Price: $-$$$$$
A favourite of mine, FH carries a plethora of brands which serve the consumer at any budget. The stuff here are friendly and knowledgeable, and would definitely be able to help you pick out what you need.
2. Straits Pens
Location: Hougang Street 21, Block 212, #04-349, Singapore 530212 (Nearest MRT: Kovan)
Brands carried (FPs): Jinhao, Noodler's, Ohto, Pilot, Platignum, Schrade Tactical Pens, Smith & Wesson Pens, TWSBI, Worther
Brands carried (Inks): Noodler's (exclusive ink), Pelikan, Pilot, Waterman
Brands carried (Paper): Monokaki Notebooks, Steve Curnow Bookbinding (Tomoe River notebooks), Tomoe River Loose Leaf, Tomoe River Writing Pads, TWSBI Notebooks
Price: $-$$$
A company that specialises in sub-$100 pens, Straits Pen offers a range that is unbeatable at the price. Be it the introductory Ohto pens (which are made in Japan and uses German nibs) to the robust TWSBI pens, you simply can't go wrong with Straits Pen. The resident Nib Worker Mr Sunny Koh will help you smoothen and customise your new purchase so you are guaranteed of a great writing experience when you return home. Just be sure to make an appointment before you go down!
August 2016 Update - Straits Pen recently brought in new sizes of loose leaf Tomoe River: B5 and A3.
September 2016 Update - They now also have an exclusive Noodler's ink - Pacific Dawn at the Golden Gate (review is up!)
PAPER:
1. Muji
Location: Various. Check out Muji Singapore's site for more info
Brands carried: House brand
Price: $
Although Muji only carries their house brand paper, their paper is largely FP friendly, in line with their motto of providing good quality products at a reasonable price. They come in looseleaf and notebooks, in sizes of A5, B4 and A4. Looseleaf A4 is my choice of paper for schoolwork.
2. Kinokuniya
Location: Ngee Ann City, Liang Court, Bugis Junction. JEM
Brands carried: Midori, Rhodia
Price: $-$$
Carries the Midori Traveler's notebook inserts for you to refill your Midori Traveler's notebook. Rhodia is a new addition to their shelves.
3. NBC
Location: Various. Check out http://www.nbcstationerygifts.com/#!singapore-stores/c1pvf
Brands carried (FPs): Lamy, Pelikan, Platinum
Brands carried (Paper): Campus, Maruman, Midori, Tomoe River Loose Leaf
Price: $-$$
The Japanese paper are value for money, Campus and Maruman perform better than Muji paper, but I find Muji paper sufficient for my uses. It is up to you to decide what you need. Also carries the Platinum Preppy, a disposable FP. They have also recently started carrying Tomoe River Loose Leaf after repeat requests from customers, so for your TR fix, you can go to NBC (if it's nearer for you), instead of having to go to Kovan!
4. Tokyu Hands
Location: Westgate, Orchard Central (Nearest MRT: Jurong East, Somerset)
Brands carried (FPs): Lamy, Pilot, Platinum, Sailor
Brands carried (Paper): Life Noble, Maruman, Midori
Price: $-$$$
A fancy shop specialising in all things Japan, you'll be able to find notebooks of various brands here. There is also a place for you to try out the notebooks before purchase! However, prices of pens here are usually higher than other places, so advice is to go to other stores for your pen purchases.
5. Overjoyed
Location: 89 Short Street, Golden Wall Centre, #B1-08 (Nearest MRT: Rochor)
Brands carried (FPs): Diplomat, Faber-Castell, Kaweco, Lamy, Montegrappa, Ohto, Schneider, TWSBI, Pelikan, Pilot, Platinum, Sailor, Worther
Brands carried (Paper): Rhodia, Clairefontaine, G. Lalo
Brands carried (Ink): J Herbin, Koh-I-Noor
Price: $-$$
The only shop in Singapore that sells Rhodia
and Clairefontaine currently. One should try the paper out when one gets the opportunity to, however in my opinion the Japanese paper can match up to Rhodia and Clairefontaine, so whether or not you should get it, it's up to you. My favourite paper for letter writing comes from here (Clairefontaine Triomphe).
OTHERS:
1. Popular Bookstores
Location: Various
Brands carried (FPs): Parker, Platinum, Sheaffer
Brands carried (Paper): Double A, PaperOne
Brands carried (Inks): Parker, Pelikan
Price: $-$$
My personal choice of A4 paper (PaperOne Premium Presentation 100gsm) comes from here. It stocks a little collection of fountain pens and some ink. A good place to look at if you have one around your home.
2. Mustafa
Location: Mustafa Centre, 145 Syed Alwi Road (Nearest MRT: Farrer Park)
Brands carried (FPs): Cross, Hero, Lamy, MB, Parker, Pelikan, Pilot, Sheaffer
Brands carried (Paper): Double A
Brands carried (Ink): Parker, Pelikan, Waterman
Price: $-$$$$
The only 24 hour open shopping centre in Singapore, this place is definitely worth a visit. There are three pen counters (Basement, Level 1, Level 4) though, so you'll have to do some walking around.
I hope this was useful. As usual, do leave a comment if you so wish.
Back to rambling...
