# What Pen Do You Recommend? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 22, 2004, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423 "2004-09-22T02:12:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![citrus\_x\_paradisi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@citrus\_x\_paradisi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/citrus_x_paradisi)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/1 "2004-09-22T02:12:37Z")
Another school year finds itself upon us, or at the very least, upon me. I went to the local office supply emporium to stock up, and found myself dazed and confused in the pen aisle. So many choices! I envy those people, those ballpoint aficionados, whose keen eyes and sensitive hands have somehow led them to their perfect pens. As for me, I drift from pen to pen like a stray cap- buying pens randomly, out of necessity, but never really finding the pen that fits. I’m a fan of black ink (Blue? Heresy!), that much I know. Unfortunately, I bought gel pens, and now come home from school every day with the side of my hand caked in smeared ink. Worse, the thick ink in these pens has led to smudged attendance cards, inconveniencing teachers as well as myself. I seek guidance! Tell me, O denizens of the 'Dope: What pens do you like? Thanks. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/2 "2004-09-22T02:34:29Z")
Actually, I am most fond of gel pens. Pilot G2 extra-fine. No problems with smudging at all. My biggest problem with ball-points is the pen skipping over areas where my hand had previously rested. The G2s don’t do that! ---
**Author:** ![simply\_cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@simply\_cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simply_cats)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/3 "2004-09-22T02:36:32Z")
I’ve got to go with the clear plastic Uniball fine points. My ink color of preference is green, but in a pinch any color will do. Prior to this I was a big fan of the cheap, blue inked Papermates. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/4 "2004-09-22T02:49:04Z")
For notes? Get a mechanical pencil. You hold it like a pen, it never needs sharpening, and you can fix your mistakes. Plus you look like an engineer (always a good thing, neh?) using one. Then you just need a decent pen for the occasional signing. Like **simply\_cats** , I favor Uniballs. They don’t clog and flow smoothly. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/5 "2004-09-22T03:15:24Z")
I recommend the Bic Ultra Round Stic Grip ballpoint. Got myself a pack of them, and they’re just about the smoothest writing ballpoints I’ve ever used. The box says something about “easy glide” technology, and it works! It’s got a little grip area that doesn’t do jack, but it writes like a dream. Cheap, compact, reliable, buy yourself a dozen for $1.50 and have 11 backups in case you lose one. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/6 "2004-09-22T04:18:15Z")
Being a lefty, I’ve found that fine point pens are far less smeary than medium point ones. My pen of choice for everyday use is Pentel’s RSVP. Generally speaking they’re about $0.50 to $1 each. They were on sale $1 for 3 at my local supermarket last month, though. I buy mostly black, but blue and purple are pretty sharp too. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/7 "2004-09-22T04:46:03Z")
I like a good writing instrument and have tried many pens. Most Gel pens and many roller balls will compress when used left handed which ruins the tips. So if you are left handed then pen choice is limited. I prefer the Pilot rolling ball V5 extra fine in black. It will write consistenly until it runs out of ink. If you want a thicker line then Sanford uniball gell impact 1.0 mm. Not as enduring as the Pilot but a good pen. If you want a really good mechanical pencil then get a Sanford Breeze (you’ll have to order it). The tip is retractable, the lead mechanism is spring loaded (lead doesn’t break as much) and it has a really long eraser. Worth every penny. ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/8 "2004-09-22T05:11:39Z")
I used to like Pilots, but quit buying them after I got several bad ones (tip fray, short life) in a row. Bic sticks work, and they’re cheap, and that’s what I buy for myself. A year ago, however, my sister bought me several Uniball Visionelites, and I’m still happily doodling with the first one out of the box. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/9 "2004-09-22T05:20:10Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I like a good writing instrument and have tried many pens. > > Most Gel pens and many roller balls will compress when used left handed which ruins the tips. So if you are left handed then pen choice is limited. I prefer the Pilot rolling ball V5 extra fine in black. It will write consistenly until it runs out of ink. If you want a thicker line then Sanford uniball gell impact 1.0 mm. Not as enduring as the Pilot but a good pen. > > If you want a really good mechanical pencil then get a Sanford Breeze (you’ll have to order it). The tip is retractable, the lead mechanism is spring loaded (lead doesn’t break as much) and it has a really long eraser. Worth every penny. Out of curiosity, why would left handedness make any difference at all in compression vs using them right handed? ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/10 "2004-09-22T05:27:04Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Out of curiosity, why would left handedness make any difference at all in compression vs using them right handed? Because there are more pushing strokes as opposed to pulling strokes for lefties. However, I’ve never noticed any issues arising from this myself, and I’m a lefty too. I’ll second the nod to Pilot G-2 extra fine tip. Never had any smearing issues, comfortable grip, doesn’t skip. ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/11 "2004-09-22T05:32:47Z")
Old fashioned Bic. Get ten of 'em for less than a buck. Ink rarely smears. Dang near indestructable. If someone swipes one, they’re easily replaced. ---
**Author:** ![Toddly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/12 "2004-09-22T05:48:40Z")
Another vote for the Pilot G2 but I like the medium point. They work good on most surfaces and don’t smear or leak. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/13 "2004-09-22T06:18:18Z")
I think Schaeffer fountain pens are great. I still write with the one that I had when I was at school. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/14 "2004-09-22T14:49:24Z")
Sheaffer makes good pens, true, but their cheap pens (the ones that run under 10 dollars US) are crap. Leaky and tempermental. If you want a cheap fountain pen, go for a Parker, Diplomat or (my personal fave) A&W. Left-handers often have smearing problems with foutain pens, too. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/15 "2004-09-22T14:54:31Z")
I swear I have an office supplies fetish, and this thread is like porn to me. I don’t have a preferred brand - at the moment I have Bic z4s that I’m not too crazy about. I second the Pilot G2 recommendation - as a matter of fact I think I might go to Staples (nirvana) and buy a package. But for my good pens, they have to be heavy. I love a weighty pen. And I adore fountain pens. I haven’t been able to find a nice heavy fountain pen in my budget. Fountain pen wishes on a golf pencil budget. I need a cold shower. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/16 "2004-09-22T14:58:27Z")
Metal-and-black Zebra M301s. Or F301s. One of the numbers is a mechanical pencil, the other a pen. They changed their design a few years back, and I haven’t really tried the newest ones - but the classic ones just rock. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/17 "2004-09-22T15:17:44Z")
I like Pilot precise V7. It has a rolling ball and writes really smoothly. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/18 "2004-09-22T15:33:34Z")
OP: Almost any of the Uniball pens, and then those big clunky pens that are heavy and oh my god I love those pens. But those Sanford Breeze pencils? I can’t find those anywhere online, and I love mechanical pencils. I heart them. \<3. See? That’s a heart. Where can I buy these pencils that I’ve never heard of but mysteriously want? (My favorite mechanical pencil is the papermate Ph.D one. Expensive (for me), but I’ve kept up with it for almost a month now. I feel special. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/19 "2004-09-22T15:41:33Z")
Ah, just buy’em a bunch of [Mont Blanc](http://www.montblanc.com/)s and be done with it! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423/20 "2004-09-22T16:16:31Z")
I’ll add another vote for the pilot G-2. I use the fine (0.7) as oppossed to extra fine (0.5). I’ve never had it smudge, and although I’m not left-handed, I write with my right hand curled over the pen, not under it, so I do have my hand wipe across my last row of writing, and the ink is always dry before my hand gets there. I bought a multi-pack, which has a black, blue, red, and green. And they are even refillbable, the replacement cartidges generally cost about half as much as a new pen. I cannot use a normal ballpoint pen. My handwriting is horrible, and for some reason cheap, 10/$1 pens make it 10x worse. I think it’s the lack of resistance when writing. I also HATE scratchy pens, and cheap ballpoints are notoriosly scratchy. The G-2 don’t scratch, nice and smooth motion. My second favorite pen is the Pilot razor point. It’s a much finer tip, and it almost a cross between a felt-tipped pen, and…some other kind of pen…It’s biggest problem, though, is thast if one isn’t careful, the tip can get easily ruined, and it is more likely to smudge. It also takes a longer stroke to get a good line, so it makes me write slow, which makes my handwriting legible, so that’s a plus in my book, but may be a negative in someone else’s. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pen-do-you-recommend/265423.md?page=2)