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Specs-based review: based on published specifications and attributed feedback where available; not tested by us. Last verified: .
A practical cartridge-based start for small broad-edge lettering, provided the seller confirms the two-pen contents.
Best for: Beginners, Students, Gift giving, Professional practice.
Skip it if: You want dip-pen nibs for flexible pointed-pen scripts or a kit guaranteed to include practice paper.
Check priceCompared with Manuscript Deluxe: check the linked variants, task fit and evidence limits.
At a glance
| Detail | Catalog specification |
|---|---|
| Category | Starter Kit |
| Suggested experience | Beginner |
| Listed feature 1 | 2 fountain pens with comfort grips |
| Listed feature 2 | 3 precision steel nibs (1.1mm, 1.5mm, 1.9mm) |
| Listed feature 3 | 12 assorted color ink cartridges |
| Listed feature 4 | Complete beginner instruction guide |
First, resolve the package name
The linked retailer lists two fountain pens, three nib widths of 1.1, 1.5, and 1.9 mm, and twelve cartridges. This is not a dip-pen assortment. The pens carry their ink in cartridges and use broad-edge nib units. You do not need to dip them into a bottle between strokes.
There is a naming problem worth knowing before you buy. The retailer title uses “Calligraphy Fountain Pen Set” and model 002903, while Speedball's current website describes two pens, twelve cartridges, and a textbook under its Deluxe set. It also has a separate standard set. We cannot resolve that discrepancy by assuming the photos, title, and contents list all refer to the same packaging revision.
The practical response is to check the contents, not just the name. Ask the seller to confirm the pen count, widths, cartridge count, and whether a textbook or instruction guide is included. Do not pay a premium for a book that is only visible in a different product photograph.
Our starter-kit guide includes this listing as a cartridge-based option. The pen guide explains why it is different from a Speedball dip-pen set. The brand makes several kinds of calligraphy tools, so the brand name alone does not tell you what is in the box.
What these nib widths are for
The listed nibs are broad edges. Their geometry produces thick and thin marks as the direction of a stroke changes relative to the edge. That makes them relevant to Italic and other broad-edge hands. They are not flexible pointed nibs for pressure-shaded Copperplate.
The widths are fairly close together compared with a Parallel bundle that reaches 6 mm. That can be helpful for a learner practising compact letters: the choice is less about switching to an entirely different page scale and more about matching a nib to the lesson's proportions.
Choose one width for the first session. Draw guidelines from the exemplar rather than fitting every nib into the same ruled line. If the letter feels cramped, change the guideline height. Buying a wider nib does not fix a line that was already too small.
What a cartridge does and does not simplify
A cartridge removes the open ink bottle from the writing session. That is convenient at a shared table or when packing equipment away between short practices. It does not remove the need to install the cartridge correctly, allow ink to reach the nib, or clean the feed when the instructions call for it.
We have not tested startup time, flow, or hand comfort. Terms such as ergonomic and smooth in seller copy are not measurements from this review. If a pen does not start, follow the included instructions before squeezing, shaking, or pushing harder against the paper.
Ink choices and a useful cleaning boundary
Use fountain-pen-compatible ink and the appropriate cartridge size. Speedball says its fountain pens accept universal cartridges of the same size. The last part matters: a broad compatibility phrase is not a promise that every cartridge sold online will fit.
Keep dip-pen ink out of the feed unless the manufacturer explicitly approves it. A bottle can be excellent for a separate metal nib yet unsuitable for a cartridge pen. Our ink guide explains the difference. Trying a familiar cartridge first also makes troubleshooting less confusing.
When changing colors, follow the cleaning directions and avoid storing a wet, disassembled pen where small parts can disappear. Keep spare nib units and cartridges together. You should not need to buy the entire set again because the unused sections were scattered across a desk drawer.
Paper is still a separate decision
Do not assume that a starter set includes practice paper. Check the packing list. Start with a smooth surface and make a few trial strokes, then let them dry. Look for spreading at the edges, ink reaching the reverse side, and smudging where your hand passes over the line.
The paper guide helps diagnose those different problems. A Rhodia DotPad provides ready-made alignment points. HP Premium32 is an option for printing custom guidelines if your printer handles the weight. Both require a trial with the actual pen and ink.
For a card or envelope, use a spare piece of the same material for the trial. Do not infer that a pen will behave on a textured envelope because it wrote neatly on a smooth practice pad. The surface is part of the writing system.
A first session with fewer moving parts
Use one pen, one cartridge color, and one nib width. Follow a broad-edge exemplar and practise a few basic strokes before attempting a whole alphabet. Keep the edge angle consistent. If a stroke is incomplete, inspect the contact with the page rather than trying to flex a nib that was not designed for that task.
Our beginner guide can help you choose a lesson. The technique guide gives broader practice advice. A printed copying sheet is useful for layout, but it does not replace a script-specific stroke order.
Once the letters are readable, use the spacing tool to compare the gaps around them. The practice calendar can help you return to the same exercise. Repeat a small task rather than changing nibs whenever a letter goes wrong.
Who should consider this set?
A beginner learning small broad-edge letters
It is a reasonable format once the contents are confirmed. The three widths give you choices without requiring a large collection. Our recommendation is about the setup, not a tested claim that this set will be easier than every other fountain pen.
A gift buyer
Check the recipient's intended script and buy suitable paper alongside it if needed. A gift becomes more useful when the learner knows where to start. The book guide can help identify a broad-edge teaching resource. Do not assume an included booklet covers every lettering style on the packaging.
A learner following pointed-pen lessons
Choose another setup. The nib guide explains the separate point, holder, and ink used for pressure-shaded scripts. Calling both activities calligraphy does not make the equipment a direct substitute.
The buying decision
The set makes sense when you want a cartridge-based introduction and the seller can tell you exactly what will arrive. If the listing remains inconsistent, a clearly specified alternative is the better purchase even if the product photograph looks less impressive.
There is no measured durability score or nib-quality ranking here. The package discrepancy is part of the review, not a footnote to hide beneath a purchase button. Confirm the box, choose a lesson that uses its broad edges, and judge the value against the equipment you will actually use.
Pros and cons
Reasons to consider it
- Two pens and several broad-edge nib widths in one set
- Cartridge filling avoids an open ink bottle during practice
- Steel nibs in listed sizes
- Instruction guide included
Trade-offs
- May require practice for optimal results
- Cartridge system limits ink options
- Nib sizes may not suit all writing styles
Alternatives worth comparing
Choose by the job you need to do, not by how many accessories fit in the box. These are different buying options, not winners from a side-by-side test.
- Pilot Parallel Calligraphy Pen Set: The four-width bundle extends to 6 mm for larger broad-edge exercises.
- Manuscript Deluxe Calligraphy Set: The Deluxe format includes a converter and more interchangeable nib choices.
Price and where to buy
Check the current item title, selected variant, pack quantity, delivery charge, and return terms before paying. A familiar product name can cover several packages. We do not display a fixed price because the retailer can change it independently of this article.
Check priceSources and review method
This is a buying assessment, not a test report. We checked product identity against the retailer through Amazon CreatorAPI and used the references below for specifications and attributed observations. Seller copy can contain errors: specifications describe the intended product, not a guarantee about every delivered unit. Recommendations about practice are editorial advice.
- Speedball: Deluxe Calligraphy Fountain Pen Set Current manufacturer listing with two pens, three nib widths, twelve cartridges, and a textbook. Its Deluxe label differs from the linked retailer title.
- Speedball: Calligraphy Fountain Pen Set Separate current standard set; do not assume similarly named packages have identical contents.
No star score, measured durability, water-resistance result, or first-person testing claim is attached to this review. Illustrations are explanatory drawings, not product photographs or measured writing samples. Customer comments, where discussed, remain the opinions of their authors; no review average has been calculated.