I write a lot during the day … taking random notes on sticky pads and what not while in meetings / talking to customers … and I think it’s time I buy a nice pen for my home office.

I’ve only ever had the standard plastic ones that you can buy at the local store … usually the “nice” Bic ones that are like $8 for a three pack.

I’ve always preferred black ball point pens (not the fine tip variety .. but the real smooth ball roller type), but I’m open to suggestions. I really don’t know what the premium pen market has to offer … so hit me with it.

I’m willing to spend up to $100 if it really seems worth it … although I bet I can probably get a real nice one for a third of that price.

I’ll be writing with this bad boy for years to come … so I’d like to have something real nice to do so with.

I like Fisher Space Pens, except that they cost around $30 and I lose them too much.

The Zebra F-301 is a decent pen. Four for $15, with 3 refills.

it may not be the best pen in the world but has served me well as a service technician
https://www.spacepen.com/CLUTCH.aspx

 
Fisher Space pens for me. I have the "Original Astronaut" model, just because. It is more expensive than the base models, and is a bit awkward with the side button retract.
 
My favorite, at $25, is the M4B - NON-REFLECTIVE MILITARY MATTE BLACK CAP-O-MATIC. It uses the pressurized cartridge so it can write at any angle, including upside down.

I use Zebra stainless steel pen but put space pen refill cartridges inside.

I have a couple of Parker Jotters. Refills are inexpensive on Amazon.
Really good quality for the money and I find them very comfortable to write with.

I have tactile turn bolt pens, with Schmidt refills to write smoothly or space pen ones to write anywhere.

I carry a space pen in my shirt pocket. Have for years.

If you’re writing enough notes, a Platinum fountain pen is reasonable and will help with the fatigue.

Pilots are a bit smoother.

I also like Sherpa pens, but I’m not sure if they’re in business.

Might be your best choice.

I used Parker Jotter pens throughout a majority of my 30 career with no complaints. They never failed me, sit low in the pocket, and are reasonably priced. The all-stainless steel version look classy compared to generic pens.

mousetester software

Another good pen is the Rite in the Rain pen. They also ride low, don’t break the bank, and do well in bad weather with their matched notebooks.

Something I learned is a lot of nice rollerball pens (different from ballpoint) have screw on caps that are a bit annoying.

I have a nice Scheaffer rollerball that is very solid and under $50 if I recall.

I use G2 pens almost exclusively though. They do have a Limited version that is a bit nicer, maybe $20.

I have found the Parker to easily ruined by drops or writing on anything but paper. Writing on correction fluid included. The astronaut pen takes too much scribbling to get it going. I like the soft grip Bic clickers but they aren’t classy.

I enjoy fine pens and have a small collection of them. My favorite "fancy" pens are my Lamy Studio (rollerball & fountain - I don't prefer ballpoint, generally). They're not the most expensive, but they balance and write the best. You can find them under $100.

That said, I go through a box of pens every couple of months and what I have laying around my desk are Pilot G2 fine point rollerballs.

-Rob

I was always partial to Waterman when I was out in the business world. A statement of class without breaking the bank. Can't go wrong with Cross either. Now I mostly use a carpenter's pencil sharpened with a razor blade or a sharpie.

Another Parker Jotter fan here. My Father gave me my first Jotter when I was in the third grade. Sadly, that pen was lost when I was in High School.

Rotring

Rotring. Available on Amazon. Enjoy these very much.

For over a decade, my home office pen has been a Cross Classic Century that I had received as a gift. It has a black ink ball point that is extremely smooth. Current cost on Amazon is $48.26

About 2 weeks ago, I decided I wanted an equally nice home office pen with blue ink. I bought a cross bailey (could only find with black ink) and a blue gel rollerball refill. About $29 to have a very nice and smooth blue pen. A little thicker than my other Cross but still comfy.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:

The Zebra F-301 is a decent pen. Four for $15, with 3 refills.

I agree. I buy them at SAMS Club, a pack of 9 plus 3 refills is $10.48.

I also like the Zebra F-701 a lot.

I’m not saying they’re the best you can buy, but they are the best bang for the buck, at least for me.

If you find a pen that fits your hand well but doesn’t write well you may be able to find another brand insert/refill that fits and makes the pen perform better.

Every town used to have Stationery Shops with big racks of ink refills and you could experiment with this. Sadly it seems most of those are now gone.

I no longer wear shirts without pockets. I have a Zebra F-301 in my pocket every day all day. Works well for me and at a $1.00 plus a few coins each if I lose one it’s no big deal and I don’t mind giving them to someone who needs a pen.

Edit to add: ^^^^^^^ I forgot about Cross Pens. I have a fistful of those in my home office/library room desk, they all come from jobs I held in the 1980/1990’s. Many have matching mechanical pencils as a set. I have a 1980’s vintage new unused General Motors pair in original box. I won those in a contest. Back then in those days Cross made branded sets for just about everyday. Lots of vintage branded pens on eBay.
.

I've found some great deals on Watermans and other fountain pens on ebay for under $100.

Side note: Zebra Sarasa pens are great for left handed people. The ink is designed to dry very quickly, so there's no problem with smearing what one just wrote.

Another vote for the Zebra 701.
Writes well and has knurling towards the tip for a good grip.

I have an all metal Gerber made in the USA pen that works just fine for me. Has a glass breaker on the tip I could do without of course.