Since my favorite type of pen, which are very short pens that fit everywhere and don't take much space isn't in the list, my recommendations go for Penco Drafting Pen and the Penco Bullet Pen. Penco.jp is also a pretty cool website. I have no affiliation with the brand other than really liking these two pens. I must have about 12 bullet pens in different pockets of jackets and pants so I'm never without a pen.
Best Pens for 2025
11–20 of 113 posts
Re: Best Pens for 2025
#12I've had quite a few nice pens over the years. For me, Lamy Safari with its triangular grip is peak ergonomics, and its price-per-usability is fantastic. I tend to have a claw-like grip, and the Safari forces me to hold it in a way that my hand doesn't cramp after 3 minutes. It's great. I love it.
But for quick jotting, like making shopping lists or bullet journal notetaking, I'm on board with this list's top ballpoint pick, the Uni Jetstream. If all ballpoints were this smooth and pleasant to use, I never would've bothered investigating fountain pens. I think they're fantastic, supremely reasonably priced, and rugged enough to lose in the bottom of a bag without leaking all over stuff.
I love my Safaris, but when I need to jot something down, I reach for the Jetstream.
Re: Best Pens for 2025
#13Should have category for more innovative pen, what's new in the writing technology last yer? Their videos on overengineered Japanese stationary are great.
Re: Best Pens for 2025
#14I've had quite a few nice pens over the years. For me, Lamy Safari with its triangular grip is peak ergonomics, and its price-per-usability is fantastic. I tend to have a claw-like grip, and the Safari forces me to hold it in a way that my hand doesn't cramp after 3 minutes. It's great. I love it. But for quick jotting, like making shopping lists or bullet journal notetaking, I'm on board with this list's top ballpoi…
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Re: Best Pens for 2025
#15[deleted]
Re: Best Pens for 2025
#16I have used a standard Lamy fountain pen for 11 years in school, and later several higher-end products (ball pens and fountain pens). But a few years ago I discovered that I really like writing with the Bic Cristal [0]. It's reliable and writing feels very smooth (even better than with some Lamy products I own). I also like that it has exactly the same shape as a classic pencil. Of course it is also very relaxing to know I can get a pack of 50 for 14 EUR. You can gnaw away on it, roll over it accidentally with you chair, lose it, break it in half - doesn't matter, because you can easily afford to have 20 of these on your desk at any time.
Re: Best Pens for 2025
#17I prefer to write with a pencil almost all the time, but my absolute favourite pens are bog standard Bic Cristal (the ones with the rubber grip are even better but not sure you can get them any more). The reason is that I have never in my life picked one up that didn't start writing instantly, no matter how old or battered it is.
That's only thing you need if you write rarely. Ballpoint pens are ergonomically really bad if you write a lot. The reason many people still use fountain pen is that you just move pen on the paper, no pressure needed. New gel pens get you 90% of that with ease to use almost equal to a ballpoint, their takes longer to dry is the only real drawback.
The time to dry factor is why I purposely seek out the 0.38 pilot g2. I’m not sure how anyone can stand the default 0.7. It just gets all over your hand and smears the pages.
Re: Best Pens for 2025
#18For left handed writing switching to the uni-ball jetstream (RT SXN-210 or Sport SXN-150S) was a noticeable improvement for me. I do not know how they compare to the ones recommended for left-handed writers on the site.
Re: Best Pens for 2025
#19Every time this website gets posted I order like $30 worth of office supplies. Dunno why but it’s so tempting.
Re: Best Pens for 2025
#20I see a lot of love for the Bic Cristal, Personally, I love the Muji Gel Ink 0.38, I'm an infrequent writer, so take it with a huge grain of salt, but I find it a really pleasant pen, and cheap enough that I can have them wherever I need them.