When it comes to pens, some people couldn’t possibly care less about what it is or how it works as long as it marks against paper. However, for some people, the littlest details of their pens are of great importance. That is most likely why there are plenty of pen manufacturers out there that produce the best of the best when it comes to pens. They combine the best features and try to come up with pens that are of superb quality that can show with the smoothness of their strokes, the durability of materials, the quality of ink, and the elegance of design.
What to look for in a good pen
Comfort
The best pens are usually the most comfortable pens. You can feel it with the first grip and after writing for a while. Good pens usually do not cause your hand to cramp or get tired even with prolonged periods of writing.
This is essential especially if you are expected to write a lot. This ensures that writing is a pleasant experience for you and your penmanship is not affected due to an awkward pen hold.
Style
The best pen in terms of looks may differ from people to people. Some people like a classic vintage-looking pen, while others like a more vibrant and contemporary edge to their pens. You have to determine which style suits you best and which one best fits your personality. Try to ask yourself if you have a favorite color in mind or a particular style that you prefer the most.
Precision
The best pens produce the best penmanship possible with its owner and their existing penmanship. Usually, the pens that improve handwriting are fountain pens, although they may require some special care. There are also ergonomic pens that improve the hand’s positioning in such a way that it improves penmanship as well.
How to find the best pens
- Determine the type of pen that you need. Will you need one that is durable enough to be used on the field? Do you need one that is presentable enough for corporate meetings with important clients? What features are most important to you? Will you be writing for long periods? Would you prefer a pen that does not require a cap? You may ask yourself different questions about the features that you need to determine the best pen type for you.
- Find the right style that suits your preferences. Pens are simply pens. However, they do come in varieties and styles that are subtly different from each other. Find a pen that best reflects your personality and style so that you feel comfortable using it and so that it can easily be identified as yours, especially if you are looking to buy an expensive type.
- Research on the most credible pen brands. There are hundreds to thousands of pen brands out there. However, not all of them are of great quality. If you want the best pen for you or for someone you are gifting it to, try to do a little background research on which pen brands produce the best pens.
- Test it out. Once you think you’ve found the best pen that you can look for, it is best to try it out to be absolutely Nothing beats getting to actually feel the pen on your hand to test the weight of it and the feel of its strokes against the paper. This way, you not only get a good-looking pen with great features, but also you find the one that you are most comfortable with.
Cross Classic Century Lustrous Chrome Fountain Pen
Fountain pens are not only pens, but also artistic pieces that are greatly admired. Just like many pieces of art, they can also cost a lot. Luckily, some fountain pens sell at an affordable enough price so that many can enjoy and appreciate them.
Features
- Stainless steel fountain pen Fine Nib
- Threaded cap and barrel design to secure cap in place
- Comes in a premium gift box
- Lifetime mechanical guarantee
- Over a century of pen making expertise
Pros
The Cross Classic Century Lustrous Chrome Fountain Pen is the very definition of class and luxury combined with affordability. This way, more and more people are able to appreciate the art of using fountain pens that have the unique gravity-dependent mechanism and also result in better handwritings for those who constantly use them.
However, these special and artful pens can be quite delicate and easily damaged with falls or high pressure. That is why this pen comes with a threaded cap and barrel design that is meant to keep the cap in place no matter what unless you deliberately unscrew it for use. This mechanism helps properly protect the delicate metal nib in case the pen falls or encounters external pressure.
You can give this pen right away or have it delivered at the doorstep of someone you’d like to gift it to since it already comes with its own premium gift box. This box can definitely double as a permanent receptacle where you can safely place your pen right after every use. The pen itself is elegant and minimalistic so it can match with just about anyone you want to give it to.
The shiny stainless finish of the body gives it a unisex look so you can give it to just about anyone for almost any occasion. It comes complete with a lifetime mechanical guarantee so you can maximize its use for decades to come, and may even pass it down.
Cons
There have been a few complaints with the Cross Classic Century Lustrous Chrome Fountain Pen’s quality. Most of these complaints come from previous owners of earlier Cross brand pens. If you are a satisfied owner of an old Cross pen, you might not want to give out high expectations for this one, considering its selling price at only about 20 dollars.
Verdict
More than a century and a half’s experience definitely makes this brand a highly credible pen manufacturer. Their affordable take on the classic fountain pen is a great opportunity for first-time fountain pen owners to get a feel of how a fountain pen works for them.
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Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique Ballpoint Pen
Ballpoint pens are a usual mainstay in any school or office. That is because they are usually cheap, disposable, and convenient to use. However, this brand makes something special about ballpoint pens by combining the convenience and functionality of the good old ballpoint pen with sheer elegance and luxury.
Features
- Precious resin crafted with jet black finish and 23.5 karats gold-plated trim
- Reliable swivel mechanism
- Built for precise handling and comfort
- Smooth performance
- Long lasting supply of ink
Pros
The Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique Ballpoint Pen is one of the most elegant takes on the common ballpoint pens. It is trimmed with three 23.5 karats gold-plated rings and adorned with the same gold-plated clip that looks good with any suit and on any executive table top.
To use, simply swivel it to reveal the ballpoint part – no need to uncap or unscrew since the pen comes in a single compact piece that is perfect for fussy users who do not want to bother with misplaced caps. This is because the ballpoint mechanism dispenses viscous ink that does not dry out easily due to the tightly protected roller that only dispenses the ink when the point is rolled against the paper.
This efficient and convenient ballpoint pen also ensures that you experience only utmost comfort with every writing session you have. It is built to fit your hand at a very comfortable grip to avoid discomfort, cramping, and exhaustion.
No matter how long you need to write, your strokes will always be with ease and each stroke with the Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique Ballpoint Pen is as pleasing as ever.
Cons
Be wary of counterfeit versions of this product. Since it has superb quality, it cannot be avoided that others would try to sell counterfeit versions. Try to reconsider buying online and find an accredited local store instead.
Ballpoint pens also need a bit more pressure when writing to be able to dispense the ink. Even though the Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique Ballpoint Pen is already comfortable as is, you may not be able to expect the same smoothness you usually get from a fountain pen.
Verdict
This pen is superbly convenient, excellent, and elegant – just make sure you’re getting the real deal when purchasing.
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Sheaffer Taranis Fountain Pen
Fountain pens don’t have to be dull, boring and archaic looking. In fact, they can be fun, edgy, and bright. This pen is a great example of it. It is definitely the pen for those who want the classic comfort of a fountain pen partnered with a fun and edgy vibe.
Features
- Brilliant amethyst color with Chrome trim
- Classic-modern design and finish
- Patent-pending gripping section
- Includes Sheaffer Skrip ink cartridges in blue and black and a piston converter
- Comes inside a luxury gift box
Pros
The most attractive thing about the Sheaffer Taranis Fountain Pen is its brilliant amethyst shade. It defies the bland and boring blacks and steels of other fountain pens and makes a bright and bold statement. If you are the peacock of the group and would like your pen to stand out like you, this is definitely the pen for you.
It combines modern edge and classic vintage vibe in one neat and brilliant package. It is the perfect pen for artistic, outgoing, and colorful people who are just tired of the plain black and white that the olden times are often associated with.
The cap and barrel are finished with a bright amethyst color and the pen is trimmed with chrome highlights to bring everything together and make it look edgier than ever.
It does not stop with looks though because the Sheaffer Taranis Fountain Pen is definitely up in the scales when it comes to comfort. Its patent-pending gripping section allows you to hold it in such a way that it gives you maximum dexterity coupled with maximum comfort.
You will not only be writing in style, but also be writing in utmost comfort. Since it is a fountain pen, you can expect that your penmanship will also improve over time due to its unique built and grip.
Cons
Just as with any fountain pen, the Sheaffer Taranis Fountain Pen demands some special treatment. It is not the sort of pen that you can use while working on the field or on a site since it needs to be used in a proper manner that involves gravity and the horizontal surface of a desk.
Verdict
If you want something unique and eye-catching, this pen will definitely not disappoint.
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Waterman Expert Fountain Pen
If you have a certain color combo in mind, this pen might just be able to give you what you are looking for. It comes in a striking variety of colors and color schemes that can cater to many different color preferences or personalities.
Features
- Chic Parisian style, available in many colors
- Sophisticated, contemporary, timeless, and elegant
- Made in France
- WATERMAN quality in every pen
- 3-5 year international warranty
Pros
Waterman Expert Fountain Pen comes in a wide variety of colors such as taupe, black, blue, matte, and stainless steel. Each one comes in a cigar-shaped barrel that is made with the finest materials so that you can grip it in comfort and style.
You can choose from the many assortments the one that mostly fits your style and enjoy the excellence of a Waterman brand pen. Some of these fine materials are 23 karats gold-plated steel trimmings that are found in the black and gold combination. It is truly a classy, elegant, and expensive-looking pen that will impress your workmates or business partners.
Each Waterman Expert Fountain Pen is crafted by hand in France where they make artisanal pens like this with utmost care and dedication to excellence. Each pen is a work of art, and therefore you can count on its quality and its design that is most definitely a masterpiece in itself. It is the perfect gift for friends and loved ones and it will definitely impress anyone who receives it.
The secret of these pens is that each one is a descendant of the very first reliable fountain pen created by Lewis Edson Waterman back in 1883. Each of these pens is now a mark of the innovation and dedication to the craftsmanship of its original founder, made possible by the handcrafters of today.
Cons
A handful of complaints point to the inconsistency of the pen when it comes to delivering ink. The ink tends to stop when you pause and may sometimes take some effort to flock back out again. This can be frustrating for some people who do not want their thoughts interrupted by an interruption in ink flow.
Verdict
If you are looking to buy for a friend who has a particular favorite color, you might want to look into the choices that you have with the Waterman Expert Fountain Pen. The international warranty is also a big plus. Therefore, if you are sending it to a friend overseas, the manufacturer has got you covered.
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Pelikan Fountain Pen
With a black barrel, gold trimmings, and a gold nib, this pen is a true vintage classic – perfect for vintage-looking item collectors, or for people who simply like the good old look and feel of a classic-looking fountain pen in their hands as they scribble.
Features
- Barrel and cap finish made of black acrylic resin
- Gold-plated Pelikan clip, fittings, and ornaments
- handcrafted gold-plated stainless steel nib
- Piston filling system
- Transparent ink tank
Pros
Pelikan Fountain Pen is definitely your great granddad’s old pen resurrected. Its barrel and cap are finished with a black acrylic resin that is extra durable to be able to stay with you for a full lifetime. Acrylic has been a great alternative to glass, combining its excellent luxurious qualities minus the fragility.
To complement the black acrylic body is the elegant gold-plated Pelican trademark clip matched with gold-plated rings and the gold-plated nib. It is truly a lovely and charming vintage gift perfect for a dear friend or loved one, or for personal use.
What is special about the Pelikan Fountain Pen is that its gold-plated nib is actually hand crafted. The spliced stainless steel that is plated with gold promises you only the best when it comes to delivering ink to paper with the smoothest and silkiest flow ever.
This fountain pen writes just like its original predecessors so you can expect an easy and pleasurable writing experience that is devoid of exhaustion and hand cramps. It also comes with a piston filling system so you can simply buy a bottle of ink just in case it runs out.
It also has a transparent ink tank so you know just how much ink you have left and how much ink you need to put in to fill it just right. This also leaves out the guess work as to when you should refill your ink tank. Therefore, you have just the right amounts of ink in your pen at all times.
Cons
The Pelikan Fountain Pen is still much like the old fountain pen that is not so resistant when it comes to shock or pressure. It is therefore advised that you handle it with care, especially considering that it is a hundred-dollar pen. Although the acrylic resin is tougher than glass, it is still possible for it to split and crack with great pressure.
Verdict
If classic and truly vintage is what you are looking for in terms of appearance and feel, the Pelikan Fountain Pen is probably the pen you should go for.