What Is the Difference Between the Hedley Fountain Pen Models on Calligraphy.co.uk?

The Hedley Collection on Calligraphy.co.uk differs across three main dimensions: finish (Matte Black & Chrome, Prestige Mixed Metal Chrome & Gold, or Racing Red & Chrome), nib type (Fine, Medium, or Broad Italic, or a Medium Iridium nib), and format (fountain pen alone, ballpoint pen alone, or a fountain pen + ballpoint pen set). Prices range from $23.00 to $56.00 depending on these combinations. If you want a specific nib width for italic calligraphy, choose a fountain pen with an Italic nib; if you want a smoother everyday writer, the Iridium nib option is the relevant one.

The three finishes

All three finishes appear across the fountain pen, ballpoint pen, and set formats, so finish is mainly an aesthetic and price choice rather than a functional one.

The Prestige finish carries a higher price than the other two across the fountain pen options listed.

Nib options: Italic vs. Iridium

This is the difference that matters most for how the pen writes.

• Fine Italic, Medium Italic, Broad Italic — these are the italic nib widths. A broader italic nib produces thicker downstrokes and more dramatic line variation, which suits calligraphy letterforms. A Fine Italic gives a narrower, more controlled line. All three are listed at $28.00 for Matte Black & Chrome and Racing Red, and $34.00 for Prestige Mixed Metal.
• Medium Iridium Nib — a round-tipped nib rather than an italic one. It writes with less line-width variation, closer to a standard fountain pen. It is listed at the same prices as the Italic nibs ($28.00 for Matte Black & Chrome and Racing Red, $34.00 for Prestige Mixed Metal).

So the nib choice is not a price upgrade — it is a writing-style choice at the same price point within a given finish.

Fountain pen, ballpoint, or set

• Fountain pen only — $28.00 (Matte Black & Chrome, Racing Red) or $34.00 (Prestige Mixed Metal), in any of the nib options above.
• Ballpoint pen only — $23.00 (Matte Black & Chrome, Racing Red) or $28.00 (Prestige Mixed Metal).
• Fountain pen + ballpoint pen set — $45.00 (Matte Black & Chrome, Racing Red) or $56.00 (Prestige Mixed Metal). The set pairs a fountain pen with an Iridium nib and a ballpoint pen.

The set is the only format that combines both pen types, and it is priced below the sum of buying the two pens separately.

Engraving

The Hedley Matte Black & Chrome Trim fountain pen with Iridium nib and ballpoint pen set is marked Engravable on the site. If personalisation matters to you, that is the listing to check, since engraving is not shown on the other Hedley entries in the available page content.

How to choose

• For italic calligraphy practice or lettering → a fountain pen with a Fine, Medium, or Broad Italic nib. Pick the width by how large you write: Fine for smaller lettering, Broad for larger, more expressive strokes.
• For everyday writing with a fountain pen → the Medium Iridium nib.
• If you want a fountain pen and a ballpoint in one purchase → the fountain pen + ballpoint set.
• If you want the most affordable entry → the ballpoint pen at $23.00.
• If finish is the priority → the Prestige Mixed Metal Chrome & Gold Trim, at a higher price across every format.

Prices and product details above reflect what is listed on Calligraphy.co.uk at the time of writing; confirm current pricing and availability on the individual product pages before ordering.