Compiled from various threads on Fountain Pen Network, including the prominent “Fountain Pens in Singapore” thread there.
Added my own little discoveries, and kind contributions from readers of this page. Don’t forget to check out the Comments below for the latest contributions!
There’s also a mailing list for fountain pen enthusiasts on Yahoo! Groups
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/singaporefp
Feel free to link to or cite this page. If you’d like to reproduce any or all of this content, I’m fine with that but please credit me or link back to this page.
If you’ve any questions or comments, please leave a reply below or PM me on FPN. My nick is Readymade .
Last updated: 3 July 2009
1. Overview
2. What pen shops are there?
3. Where can I find vintage fountain pens?
4. Where can I find cheap fountain pens?
5. Where are the flea markets?
6. Where can I find specific pens / parts?
7. Where can I find specific inks?
8. Where can I find good paper?
9. Where can I find repair tools / equipment?
10. Where can I go for pen repairs?
11. Who brings all these pens in anyway?
12. What are some good links to check out?
In general, most pen brands aren’t cheaper in Singapore. Most stores sell at full retail.
If you’re looking for deals, it’s better to look online. Pens can be cheaper even after taking shipping into account. Try:
Pen Gallery – http://www.pengallery.com/
(they’ve a great store in brick-and-mortar store in KL too)
Pensinasia – http://www.pensinasia.com/
(Folks on FPN have also reported good dealings with PensinAsia too.)
If you know what you want and you’re in Singapore you can try Mustafa (see Pen Shops), open 24 hours. If you’re a tourist – shopping at Mustafa Centre is an experience in itself 
Aesthetic Bay
http://www.aestheticbay.com/
Aesthetic Bay is moving to a new location. As of 21 July they’ll be at ION Orchard.
Click here for directions, map and contact info
Right now they’re at:
109 North Bridge Road
#02-14, Funan Digitalife Mall
Singapore 179097
Tel : +65-6735 6788, +65-6339 6388
sales@aestheticbay.com
Large variety of pens and inks. The less upmarket stuff might be in cupboards – ask the owner.
Fook Hing Trading Co.
Blk 231 Bain St.
#01-23, Bras Basah Complex
Singapore 180231
Some on FPN have good things to say about Fook Hing, but when it comes to their vintage pens I’m neither impressed by their prices nor their pen maintenance skills. Service isn’t bad. For modern pens, their prices are comparable with Aesthetic Bay’s. If you want Parker 51s, I’d suggest Sin Ghee nearby (except that it doesn’t seem to be open… see Vintage pens).
Apparently you can bargain for discounts if you pay cash (thanks graceaj)
Prestige Time
Blk 231 Bain St.
#01-23, Bras Basah Complex
Singapore 180231
Next to Fook Hing. Can bargain also.
Elephant & Coral
501 Orchard Road
#03-07, Wheelock Place,
Singapore 238880.
Telephone : 65-67361322
Email: info@elephantncoral.com.sg
Raffles Place Branch
30 Raffles Place
#01-32 Chevron House
Singapore 048622
Telephone: 65-65333457
http://www.elephant-coral.com/
Possibly the most expensive pen shop around. Intimidatingly polite staff and the interiors try to project an extremely posh image. But others like the place.
From Tom: “I found the ladies – Juliana and Rika- at Elephant & Coral (Wheelock) not the least bit intimidating. They’re friendly, helpful and allow you to hold fifteen grand’s worth of pen even if you have no intention or means to purchase. They’re real enthusiasts, and know their pens. Don’t be put off: visit for a treat.”
Lin Kong Watch & Pen
111 North Bridge Rd
#03-53 Peninsula Plaza
Singapore 179098
Telephone: (65)-63383626
http://sseoww.com/
The website is run by the daughter of the owners – herself a businesswoman with her own separate pen business.
Mustafa Centre
145 Syed Alwi Road
Singapore – 207704
Tel: +65-62955855
Not a pen shop, but worth mentioning for its great prices and decent variety. Major pen brands all represented but prices no longer as competitive. Service is non-existent – no dipping or trying. Best if you know what you want already and are just looking for a deal. Be thick-skinned.
It’s also the only place in Singapore that sells Hero 336s (for S$1.20 each!), the Pilot eyedropper that graceaj loves so much 
(S$7), and more.
There’re now 2 pen counters: one on the first floor of the main building, and another in the stationery section on the fourth floor.
Sin Ghee
Bras Basah Complex
231 Bain Street #01-45
Singapore 180231
Tel: 63370732
Opening hours: about 3 – 7pm, Mon – Sat.
Shop is still there, but has been shuttered since 10 Oct 2008 
Was the first place to check out if you’re looking for restored Parker “51″s. /sigh
Pek Kay Lee
Blk 34 Upper Cross St
#02-132
Singapore 050034
(from tankahn): “The elderly store owner has Parker 51s. Also Sheaffer PFMs with weak rubber sacs which needs restoration. Do not go to the next shop.”
Fook Hing Trading Co (caveat – see Pen Shops)
Some Singaporeans sell their vintage pens online:
Yong
http://fp-writings.blogspot.com/
The prices on his site are in US$ btw.
From Richard Fan: “bought b4 – but pls note if you go to “green-board” you will his prices slashed by further +30%, so check there before buying asking price – i discovered this after i paid original asking price . . he’s friendly & best thing is you can test the pen before buying”
Cheapies have their charms too!
- Hero 336 – S$1.20 at Mustafa
- Pilot V-pen / Varsity – around S$2.50 at most Popular bookstores, stationery stores
- Pilot Petit1 – about S$4.30. at most Popular bookstores, stationery stores
- Platinum Preppy – S$3.30 at Kinokuniya (Ngee Ann City) and Isetan Scotts 3F
- Sailor Ink-Bar – about S$3.00 at Kinokuniya (Ngee Ann City).
- Pilot “Tank pen” eyedropper. Japanese M / Western F nib only – S$7 at Mustafa
- Pilot – (Model 2A clone?) – with squeeze filler. Japanese M / Western F nib only – S$7 at Mustafa
- Pilot Birdie – Pocket-sized. Stainless steel barrel, cap and clip. Japanese M / Western F nib only – $7 at Mustafa
- Platinum Riviere – S$2 at Daiso (from tankahn)
- Sailor “ink pen” (not the Ink-Bar) – $2 at Daiso (from tt32003)
Daiso
Japan’s largest franchise of 100 yen shops has stores in Singapore too. Every item is priced at S$2 each.
From tankahn: “I found Platinum Riviere pen there. Nib size is medium 0.5mm and is only $2.00 each. There is another disposable fountain pen with 0.5mm nib. Its in Japanese but the packing says “fountain pen”. Daiso have a little shelf full of little containers such as atomisers and small liquid soap dispensers. You can find fat syringes with pipettes there, very useful for refilling your pen cartridges. Don’t worry if you can find any as stocks turnover are high. I found them after making 5 trips.“
Also see his FPN post.
Hero and other China brands
From tt32003: “Also found a stationary shop at second floor Punggol Plaza selling cheap Heros and other brand Chinese fountain pens. These are not the 336 type but with new designs and finishings. Around $5 each. Art friend at Taka has many cheap German made [My comment: Berlitz or Diplomat] fountain pens, around $10 or less.“
Guess you never know where those Chinese pens will turn up.
Thieves’ Market at Sungei Road
Wikipedia has more info. This page has directions.
China Square Central Flea Market every Sunday
Look out for Uncle Goh in particular:
From Richard Fan: “level 2 next to secondary escalator – not main one -, after 12pm, has plenty of old pens – bought quite a few – hit & miss, always caveat emptor – for me flexy nib is important so i need to see & test b4 buying, thats why online for me is discouraging – but after the missus here, online is next step for me cos i am onto a certain brand & nib . . .but go check it out, you will bump into other collectors”
Just to add: the uncle who runs the table there is polite and his selection is worth taking a look at. Most of his pens are used and have Fine / Extra Fine nibs. Picked up a few interesting pieces there myself.
Cash Converters
This is a chain of thrift stores in Singapore, with stores around the island. Click for their website.
From tt32003: “Lastly sometimes at cash converter can find good used pen but really depens on your luck. The harley Davidson 96 limited edition that cash converter is selling now at $35 is really not bad.“
(Also see 4. Where can I find cheap fountain pens?)
Lamy nibs
For Lamy nibs, try Lin Kong, Prestige Time or Fook Hing (thanks Nic!) (see Pen Shops above)
How do you change a Lamy nib? Instructions here.
Harley Davidson Special Edition 96
By some strange quirk of fate, Cash Converters has several of these for sale at about S$30 each.
Also see this FPN topic.
Campo Marzio Design
They’ve a small boutique in the basement of Raffles City.
Pilot Prera
Sighted at NBC stores, including Kinokuniya stationery branches (see Paper section). NBC also stocks some Caran D’Ache pens and inks, and if you’re lucky you might find Sailor Kiwaguro ink
You can fill most of your ink needs at the major pen shops here or at pen counters in department stores. (see Pen Shops).
Noodler’s Singapore colors
Only Aesthetic Bay (see Pen Shops) stocks Noodler’s Ink. The owner commissioned the Singapore colors line from Nathan Tardiff. But they don’t seem to sell online anymore…
Fortunately, Pensinasia offers them online. Also check out the relevant FPN thread.
Pilot Iroshizuku
Also stocked by Aesthetic Bay (see Pen Shops).
Hero ink
Big Bookshop
451 Clementi Ave 3
#03-307 S(120451)
Mon – Fri: 11am – 915pm
Sat Sun Ph: 1030am – 915pm
Take the MRT to Clementi station on the East-West line. It’s a 10-15 minute walk from the station. Location Map
Pelikan 4001
Available just about everywhere. Mustafa has the full (or close to) range of colours. 4th floor, stationery section.
J Herbin
Nobody stocks J Herbin here
tankahn recommends: “For papers, I am using Giant Hypermarket store branded superior multi-purpose paper (70gsm) which I found to be FP friendly. Once you find papers you like best, buy them in A4 size pads and get them hand stitched. The society for physically disabled www.spd.org.sg provides book binding service. I got my Rhodia pads made into Moleskine size journals.”
Clairefontaine / Rhodia
Many bookstore chains sell some version of Rhodia pads. Can try MPH in B1, Raffles City.
Apparently, Rhodia no longer uses Clairefontaine paper in their e-Pure notebooks. See this FPN topic.
Also see the FPN topic on finding Clairefontaine in Singapore
Field Notes
Available at:
Casual Poet
273 B New Bridge Road (Behind CK Department Store and the famous frogs leg stall)
3rd Floor
Tel: 62215022
(thanks lucentstreak)
Japanese brands
Kinokuniya at Ngee Ann City has a great stationery section. The Liang Court branch’s is smaller.
Kinokuniya (Main Store)
391 Orchard Road Ngee Ann City
#03-10/15 Takashimaya Shopping Centre
Singapore 238872
Tel: (65)6737-5021
(Opening hours: Sun to Fri – 10am to 9.30pm & Sat – 10am to 10pm)
Kinokuniya (Liang Court)
177 River Valley Road
#03-50 Liang Court
Singapore 179036
Tel: (65)6337-1300
(Opening hours: Daily – 10.30am to 9.30pm)
The stationery sections are actually managed by another company called NBC Marketing. They have their own stores as well. The Raffles City one is well-stocked:
NBC Marketing
252 North Bridge Rd #B1-66/67
Raffles City
S’pore 179103
Tel: 6336 7466
The Stationery Superstore in Funan the IT Mall stocks Kokuyo and Maruman notebooks and paper.
Stationery Superstore
#02-23/29 Funan Digitalife Mall
109 North Bridge Rd
Tel: 63323870
Grandluxe / Paperluxe
A good alternative to Moleskines. Better paper, but fewer pages. Available at most bookstores.
Miquelrius
Stocked at NBC and Kinokuniya.
Moleskine
Moleskine paper tends to be too thin for fountain pens, but they’re available in almost every bookstore.
Nightingale
Available at Mustafa and Kinokuniya (see Pen Shops)
From graceaj: “There are also the Nightingale notebooks recommended by tankahn at Mustafa. The 3-section notebooks use a paper similar to those in the Handbook, just 10gsm lighter. These come in hardbound and spiral versions in a few sizes. Only thing is the book is divided into 3 sections with ruled, blank and gridded pages, which not everyone may like.”
Muji
Sells some FP-friendly notebooks too. To complement their fountain pens I guess.
Muji stores in Singapore
9. PEN REPAIR TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
When the pen repair bug bite, it bites hard
Chan Kwong Kee (S) Pte Ltd
295 South Bridge Road
(near the junction of S. Bridge Rd and Ann Siang Hill)
Singapore 058838
Tel/Hp : 62277944
Fax : 62271798
Jewellery tools etc wholesaler. Sells loupes, tools and ultrasonic cleaners.
(thanks to tankahn)
Other than returning your poor pens to the distributors (see Distributors), you can try Pek Kay Lee
As far as I know, there’re no active nibmeisters in Singapore.
11. MAJOR DISTRIBUTORS / SALES AGENTS
I’ve included their addresses here for the sake of completeness. They’re mostly located in hard-to-reach industrial estates.
Beste
Handles Parker and Waterman. They also manage pen counters in most department stores and bookshops.
Duralink (S) Pte. Ltd.
Handles Lamy.
102F Pasir Panjang Road #04-11
Singapore 118530
Call + 65 63760881
Fax + 65 63760883
sales@duralink.com.sg
BIC Singapore
Handles Sheaffer.
BIC Product (Singapore) Pte Ltd
60 Alexandra Terrace The Comtech
#05-05 Singapore 118502
Phone: 6227 3066
Fax: 6227 3421
Email: Sheaffer.Singapore@bicworld.com
China Pen King / Alan Koo
Specialises in Chinese pens. He has a shop in The Concourse, but only sells retail on eBay and FPN. His record is mixed. Buyer beware.
For the sake of completeness: Google Map (courtesy of Paladin)
Join us Singapore fountain pen enthusiasts on Yahoo! Groups -
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/singaporefp
Check out the “Fountain Pens in Singapore” thread on Fountain Pen Network.
Fountain Pen Network (FPN) also has an extremely extensive FAQ that’s worth plowing through. If you have a question, chances are someone’s already answered it here. Multiple times.
"To remember everything is a form of madness." -- Brian Friel, Translations, Act 3
[...] Fountain pens in Singapore FAQ [...]
Who are you knowledgeable one???
am very pleasantly surprised to discover this blog, thanks
10. Flea Market
Try Sunday ONLY China Square Flea Market level 2 next to secondary escalator – not main one -, after 12pm, has plenty of old pens – bought quite a few – hit & miss, always caveat emptor – for me flexy nib is important so i need to see & test b4 buying, thats why online for me is discouraging – but after the missus here, online is next step for me cos i am onto a certain brand & nib . . .but go check it out, you will bump into other collectors
9. Vintage / older pens
Local Blog seller http://fp-writings.blogspot.com/
bought b4 – but pls note if you go to”green-board” you will his prices slashed by further +30%, so check there before buying asking price – i discovered this after i paid original asking price . . he’s friendly & best thing is you can test the pen before buying
No lah, not so knowledgeable. Just curious only
Thanks for contributing!
Hi. Where is Lin Kong and Pek Kay Lee located ?
Bras Basah ?
The Google Map link doesn’t work anymore.
Oops. Added addresses for those 2 places.
Can’t find the Google Maps link for Pek Kay Lee any more, but there’s an address now.
After reading your post, I went to Mustafa looking for pens, their Hero 336 looked exactly the same as my Hover H331 (bought in Batam), Pilot also quite similar. They sell Lamy Vista, but I can’t find the XF one. Then I went to Kinokuniya and bought three Petit 1 $1.80 and three Preppy $3.40
Thanks for your post, very informative.
You rock. Thanks.
I’d do a similar one for Manila but I most likely won’t reach your word count!
Hi just like to add some info.
Found Sailor ink pen (not the ink bar) selling for $2 each at Daiso. Uses Sailor cartridges.
Also found a stationary shop at second floor Punggol Plaza selling cheap Heros and other brand Chinese fountain pens. These are not the 336 type but with new designs and finishings. Around $5 each.
Art friend at Taka has many cheap German made fountain pens, around $10 or less.
Lastly sometimes at cash converter can find good used pen but really depens on your luck.
The harley Davidson 96 limited edition that cash converter is selling now at $35 is really not bad.
Thanks for putting my contribution in there. Daiso must be added to your faq list. I found Platinum Riviere pen there. Nib size is medium 0.5mm and is only $2.00 each. There is another disposable fountain pen with 0.5mm nib. Its in Japanese but the packing says “fountain pen”. Daiso have a little shelf full of little containers such as atomisers and small liquid soap dispensers. You can find fat syringes with pipettes there, very useful for refilling your pen cartridges. Don’t worry if you can find any as stocks turnover are high. I found them after making 5 trips.
Carrefour at Suntec City have Rhodia pads for sale. They have only the blank A4 pads left. But its cheaper at around $8.50 per pad compared to other places like Tango Mango or Kinokuniya at Suntec city. Hopefully we can ask the French owned store to bring more in.
Mustafa is bringing in full range of Nightingales journals. I bought their “handbook”. I will be using them from now on. Its cheap at $5.80 each. The paper is highly absorbent but bleed proof for my wettest writers, but this is at the expense of shading which is an acceptable compromise for me. The paper is unlined but all you need to do is to print a loose leaf guide sheet and stick like a bookmark. The paper is transparent enough if you print thick guide lines.
I bought what little they have. I am hoping that will fool their stock control system and make them do a large order next time round so more of you can appreciate them.
Hi. Does anyone know if the Sailor pen from Daiso can use the regular cartridge? The packaging says use Sailor one only. Thanks.
Sailor has their own proprietary cartridges, so their pen should take Sailor carts only.
Oops! Thanks for the info! BTW, does anyone know how much Mustafa sells the Lamy Safari for? I called them earlier today but they couldn’t understand me. Passed the phone around
i got the lamy safari for around 35 bucks from mustafa in Oct. It was on offer.
I went back mustafa in Nov and it was selling at 47 bucks
Was there last night. Safari’s still $34. The Al-Star is $47.
Hallo
Truly informative! Must look out for those pens at Mustafa Centre & Daiso one of these days.. Great effort!
Chow @ http://www.thescribeschamber.com
Hello,
Some random information
Kenny from Books Actually has stopped stocking up on Rhodia E -pure journals and told me offhandedly that he will be stocking up on Field Notes in January 2009. In the mean time, if you really want to try Field Notes – they are available at Casual Poet for about $17-18 for set of 3.
Casual Poet
273 B New Bridge Road (Behind CK Department Store and the famous frogs leg stall)
3rd Floor
Tel: 62215022
Hi, Prestige Time at Bras Basah sells pens too, not just watches
. Got a Pelikan M200 from them recently at a good price. They have Parker 45 and other pens as well, both new old stock and new. No affiliations, just a satisfied customer.
Carrefour at Plaza Singapura has the Peforated pads and stapled books at the end of the stationery aisle. I’ve been back a few times and the stocks are still plentiful.
There are also the Nightingale notebooks recommended by tankahn at Mustafa. The 3-section notebooks use a paper similar to those in the Handbook, just 10gsm lighter. These come in hardbound and spiral versions in a few sizes. Only thing is the book is divided into 3 sections with ruled, blank and gridded pages, which not everyone may like. Personally I find them useful for school, where I use one notebook for each subject and use one section for note-taking, one for revision, and another for project notes and dates.
Note: The ‘Peforated pads and stapled books’ mentioned are the Rhodia ones.
Lin Kong, as well as Fook Hing sell Lamy replacement nibs.
I wonder who brings in Cross Pens. Just submitted one for repair to Times where I bought it. The clip broke off…. Haven’t got back to me.
Mustafa has the Tank and 2A clone in F now. Also, it has been mentioned on FPN that the 2A clone is known as the Pilot Superior.
is this the address for sin ghee?
Company Name : Sin Ghee Store
Category : Engravers
Type : Engravers-Plastic,Wood,Etc094760
Address : #01-45 Bras Complex-Blk 231
Products & Services :
Fax : —-
Tel : 63370732
That sounds like the store, but I don’t think it’s reopened…
If it has pls let us know!
I didn’t see it mentioned, but Muji has some blank spiral-bound notebooks that are pretty FP-friendly. Kinokuniya also has some Nightingales, including the small Handbooks.
Fantastic information! My cherie like Daiso, will go check it out now.
I found the ladies – Juliana and Rika- at Elephant & Coral (Wheelock) not the least bit intimidating. They’re friendly, helpful and allow you to hold fifteen grand’s worth of pen even if you have no intention or means to purchase. They’re real enthusiasts, and know their pens. Don’t be put off: visit for a treat. At present (May 09) they have 20% off on Faber Castell guilloche pens.
BTW there’s a Lin Kong in Parkway Plaza too: sells usual Sheaffer and Parker, but also ST Dupont, Cartier and Montegrappa. Unlike Elephant & Coral, they pay you no attention at all when you walk into the shop to drool over a Montegrappa.
Visited Mustafa today; they have the new Orange Lamy Safaris in stock, as well as Parker 45s going for $39.
[...] Fountain pens in Singapore FAQ [...]
went to mustafa yesterday. saw and bought the pilot tank and the birdie. but the 2a clone was nowhere to be found… anybody has any info?
I was there just a few days ago. Try the pen counter in the stationery department on Lvl 4. The 2A clones look similar to the eyedropper models so keep your eyes peeled
yikes. i’m mistaken! realised what i bought was the 2A clone.
so it’s the tank i’m looking for. think graceaj mentioned its on level 1 of the serangoon plaza outlet. will update everyone when successful!
I want to send my Parker fountain pen for repair.
I am staying in Eastern part of Singapore.
Please let me know where can I send.
Many tks
Eric
Good question! Sorry but I don’t know either. Maybe try asking on the Singapore Fountain Pen mailing list?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/singaporefp/
There’s quite a big range of rhodia pads in kinokuniya. What paper do they use? The preppys are running out. They sell pilot ‘drawing’ ink, lamy big bottles and parker ink.
Thanks! Rhodia pads use Clairefontaine paper
What a cool blog!! I wish I could visit all the shops you have listed here!! Someday — I hope! Thank you for the wonderfully detailed information!!
Dear all,
Latest updates from the paper hunt:
MPH Raffles City B1 and Kinokuniya Taka have decent selection of Rhodia Pads and some Clairefontaine paper. NBC at Raffles City also has some Clairefontaine. Kino Taka has the best Maruman range (including refills).
The new shop at Ion called Prologue has a good selection of Rhodia pads and the best selection of Clairefontaine. They also have a good Kokuyo range (including refills). Definitely worth a visit. Better still, its just next to Aesthetic Bay, so you can pop by and get some ink (saw a good selection of the Pilot Iroshizuku inks there)!
Have tried Rhodia, Mnemosyne, Cambridge and a whole lot of other expensive brands of paper.
U-Grade….proudly made in Singapore…is still be best I’ve ever used. No bleeding or feathering and the nip just glides over it.
Personally I use the A4 top spiral bound notebooks.
i think the problem is that within each company, there are various grades of paper in different notebooks. but there isn’t an obvious description/branding for each type. the ugrade notebook i have is pretty bad. feathering, definite showthrough, some bleedthrough… best local experience for generic notepads is the g’earth so far…
Hi all, just wanted to join in on the paper discussion here, I agree that most major local brands (Azone/U-grade/Grandluxe) seem to have varying finishes and qualities in their ranges. Tried U-grade as suggested but same experience as the one described above.
Only decent experience of mine has been with A’Zone “Elle Erre” ring notebooks which have a smooth cream paper. They are priced reasonable too.
Rest of the time its either Rhodia/Kokuyo.