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Best Pens for 2025

jetpens.com

21–30 of 113 posts

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#21
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 also realized I like smooth ball points, used to use the finer Pilot gelpoints in school. The Caran D'ache ballpoint is quite nice for a more luxury product

https://www.carandache.com/us/en/ballpoint-pen-ballpoint-pen...

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#22
Do the rankings ever change much year over year? For instance, with intro fountain pens, it will always be things like the platinum preppy, pilot metro, kaweco sport.

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#23
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

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#24
I still like the uni-ball power tank. It's a $2 disposable pressurized pen.

It looks to have less metal than a pressurized refill so it seems possibly even more sustainable than a refillable.

It solves the problem of all your pens being dry when you suddenly need one after a few weeks of not using them.

And they have a nice rubber grip, and you can see the remaining ink.

Fountain pens are nice for extended writing, but for a modern 90% paperless lifestyle, it's hard to imagine something better than the power tank.

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#25
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…

The Bic Cristal is my all-time favourite pen, to the point where I don’t really understand why other pens exist. I was recently thinking of getting a Mont Blanc for fancy business writing (contract signing), but went with the Cristal. Not kidding.

The one flaw: no upside-down writing.

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#27
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…

They seem prone to leaking. Like they develop some kind of siphon or capillary flow of the ink out the open end of the ink tube.

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#28
post #7

I 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.

There are quick drying gel pens. I have some Zebra Sansa Dry’s that are pretty much impossible to smudge.

I have some fountain pens just because I like overly complicating simple things. One good paper, they are awesome. Unfortunately, I’m mostly writing ephemeral notes on lower quality paper so a ball point (or pencil) makes a lot more sense.

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#29
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…

They seem prone to leaking. Like they develop some kind of siphon or capillary flow of the ink out the open end of the ink tube.

You aren’t buying them from Amazon, are you? I’ve never had a genuine Bic do that, but I’ve had some cheapo bootlegs leak.

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#30
I use the BIC 4-Color retractable ball pens for the last 40 years when I have an option. There have been some variations in color ink, grippy hold, ball size, and even replacing an ink with pencil lead.

It is thick so easier to hold for me, has the multiple colors which I use in underlining and just writing, inexpensive compared to four different color pens, it just works, and just as portable as any other pen.

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