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Best Pens for 2025

jetpens.com

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Re: Best Pens for 2025

#4

Post by ghaff »

gnabgib wrote: post #2

Largely the same choices, pens, photos, text from the 2024 copy of this: (168 points, 154 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38867708 https://web.archive.org/web/20240104200853/https://www.jetpe...

I've definitely gravitated to the bold gel pens for most purposes. Some inks actually even work as better replacements in some more expensive pens although I rarely bother.

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#5

Post by globular-toast »

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.

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#6

Post by submeta »

Been using the bullet journal method for two years and journaling on paper for over thirty years, and I must say that nothing comes close to fountain pens for handwriting. But for bullet journals (drawing tables, lines, calendars) gel pens are an excellent choice.

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#7

Post by nabla9 »

globular-toast wrote: post #5

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.

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#9

Post by bnycum »

I always enjoy reading this list yearly, and the research that goes into it. As someone who prefers thicker gel pens I used the Uniball Signo 207 as I could easily find these locally as well. Then after reading their recommendations I switched to the Zebra Sarasa Dry because I always smear my writing.

Through Jetpens I’ve also discovered my favorite mechanical pencil, the Uni Kuru Toga.

Re: Best Pens for 2025

#10

Post by crq-yml »

I've embraced the Pulaman over the past year. It's grungy when used on rougher paper, and wet enough to bleed through lighter weights, but the lines are full of character. It's a fountain pen with a marker tip - it fills in a certain complementary thing that Pilot nibs don't have.

I have also become a champion for Bic Gelocity, because they figured out a quick-dry gel formula that has similar viscosity and reliability to their classic ballpoints. Viscous ink keeps my writing legible, and the gel needs less pressure, so it's a great EDC writer.

Some of my bigger explorations have been with graphite - I have both new mechanicals, cheap stuff, lead holders, and vintage pencils. There is a lot of reason to go mechanical for reliability, but cheap mechanicals like the Bic pencil are unreliable - it's worth it to go for a Pentel. Similar story with lead holders - I have some from Daiso that do the job but aren't as tight as brand names. The nice thing about wood is that it handles well - the weight is lighter than metal, and it stays balanced as you wear it down. As well, for drawing, being able to cut the point you want makes a difference. There are woodless pencils which are quite a bit heavier and more brittle if dropped, but they are nice to work with to get something similar to a long point sharpen without having to get out a razor and whittle it by hand.

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