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Best Pens for 2025

jetpens.com

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Re: Best Pens for 2025

#101

Post by valbaca »

kstrauser wrote: post #53
linsomniac wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm also a big fan of the Jestreams, in particular the "Uni Jetstream Standard Ballpoint Pen - 0.5 mm". 5-6 years ago on a similar thread here or elsewhere, found a pointer to them and got a few, and I really like the precise line it makes, so I can do (what one of my coworkers called) "microwriting" between other lines of text. I use them mostly for note taking and bullet journaling. I've since gotten a few of the d…

Not really. I have a Travelers Notebook with their own lined paper. I got that for the goofiest of reasons: so I could feel like Indiana Jones when I was taking notes for my Diablo game. I’ve started using it for bullet journaling as an experiment.

> I got that for the goofiest of reasons: so I could feel like Indiana Jones when I was taking notes for my Diablo game.

Nah, that's the coolest of reasons \m/

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#102

Post by valbaca »

hackernewds wrote: post #47
fxde wrote: post #18

For 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.

why would pens perform different for right vs left? they're asymmetrical

Mostly because of smearing and the direction of writing: left-hand writers "push" the pen more, while right-hand writers are "pulling" the pen more (not totally and not 100%)

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#103

Post by bpiche »

gorgoiler wrote: post #52
kstrauser wrote: post #12

I'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…

The stock nib is also excellent when inverted (writing with the pen rolled over so that the “top” of the nib is now the side touching the paper). This is extremely useful when annotating diagrams, for example, as the writing is hyper fine. I wanted to love TWSBI but our honeymoon period ended when nearly all of my barrels developed hairline fractures.

I've had a few TWSBIs over the last 5 years or so and I love them. Haven't had any hairline fractures yet - any idea what may have caused them? Am curious now

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#104

Post by xwowsersx »

So I've been using the EnerGel 0.7 or 0.5 mm pens. I generally like them, but it bleeds a bit more than I'd like. Is there a pen with a similar feel and precision, but with ink that dries a bit faster?

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#105

Post by escapedmoose »

eawgewag wrote: post #3

Just want to say, I've had incredible customer service experiences from Jetpens. If high end stationary is important to you, I highly recommend this store.

Seconded. I was extremely impressed when in response to one of my emailed questions, they directly contacted a manufacturer to ask about the acid content of a particular paper. But that’s not all! They then updated the specs on their listing to include the info I’d asked about on their site. It’s so refreshing to frequent a business that’s so serious about their work!

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#106

Post by JadeNB »

sushid wrote: post #23
lqet wrote: post #16

I 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…

I feel the same way but with cheaper Japanese ball pens, my favorite being. I do have to disagree that a Bic Cristal feels "smooth" though. I think it doesn't glide as well as your average Japanese offerings although it does dry exceptionally well. Personally I'm partial to the Zebra Sarasa Clip [0]. [0] https://www.zebrapen.com/pages/discover-sarasa-clip

> I feel the same way but with cheaper Japanese ball pens, my favorite being.

Torture for a pen enthusiast! Your favorite being what? Is it the Sarasa Clip you mention later?

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#107

Post by gorgoiler »

bpiche wrote: post #103
gorgoiler wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The stock nib is also excellent when inverted (writing with the pen rolled over so that the “top” of the nib is now the side touching the paper). This is extremely useful when annotating diagrams, for example, as the writing is hyper fine. I wanted to love TWSBI but our honeymoon period ended when nearly all of my barrels developed hairline fractures.

I've had a few TWSBIs over the last 5 years or so and I love them. Haven't had any hairline fractures yet - any idea what may have caused them? Am curious now

Three Vac Minis purchased between 2022 and 2024 and all three have developed longitudinal micro fractures on the threading between the grip and the body, and the threading around the pump-cap and the body-end. On two of them this eventually led to an ink leak.

The pens travel with me during ~3h of weekly bicycle commuting between my home and my work, store in a pen case in my backpack. They’re not being babied, but I’m hardly kicking them down a mountain either.

My Vac700R, ECO, and Diamond580 are all doing fine but they definitely are deskbound and haven’t seen nearly as much much field use.

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#108

Post by ykonstant »

kstrauser wrote: post #75
ykonstant wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You mean a Mont Blanc ballpoint pen? Because I wouldn't use fountain pens with their water-based inks for signing contracts (even inks that claim to be waterproof).

I was curious so I tested it myself: https://honeypot.net/categories/ink/ Noodler’s Baystate Blue is at least as waterproof as the paper it’s on.

Archival is not just about being waterproof, that's the problem.

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#109

Post by ykonstant »

bayindirh wrote: post #99
ykonstant wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You mean a Mont Blanc ballpoint pen? Because I wouldn't use fountain pens with their water-based inks for signing contracts (even inks that claim to be waterproof).

Water based inks come in tons of flavors. You can have washables (most of your royal blues), "permanents" (most blue blacks and special formulations) which leave a faint mark you can't remove (GvFC inks sans Royal Blue, Pelikan 4001 Blue Black, etc.), pigments which cling to your paper like their life depend on it or you can go full send and get "cellulose reactive" inks which will not leave your paper unless you des…

Right, or you can use an oil based ink with a good ball point pen and not have to worry about where to find "cellulose reactive" inks and how they will interact with your fountain pen.

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#110

Post by bayindirh »

ykonstant wrote: post #109
bayindirh wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Water based inks come in tons of flavors. You can have washables (most of your royal blues), "permanents" (most blue blacks and special formulations) which leave a faint mark you can't remove (GvFC inks sans Royal Blue, Pelikan 4001 Blue Black, etc.), pigments which cling to your paper like their life depend on it or you can go full send and get "cellulose reactive" inks which will not leave your paper unless you des…

Right, or you can use an oil based ink with a good ball point pen and not have to worry about where to find "cellulose reactive" inks and how they will interact with your fountain pen.

Noodler's inks are dime a gallon, esp. in the US, and they're guaranteed to be pH neutral in most used colors (bottles state if they pH neutral), so they don't damage any pen, modern and vintage.

They're specifically designed to be that.

Bulletproof Noodler's inks are as follows: https://noodlersink.com/product-tag/bullet-proof/

They even have 16 Oz. bottles if you want "buy one, leave for grandchildren" amount of ink in one go.

If you want a more mainstream archival ink, go GvFC, Pelikan 4001 Blue Black (not available in US), MB midnight blue or Pelikan Edelstein Tanzanite.

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