Learn me: Do you have a favorite pen?

Uniball Vision Elite for me. .07, blue/black ink. 

People don't steal them because if I lend it out, I keep the cap. 

#1 on the Uni-ball VISION, I like the square-body in fine. 

And don't laugh, but this is my FAV pen. It's from the gift shop at Alcatraz, it is metal and the cap snaps into place with a satisfying click. It is refillable, so you can customize the ink to your liking. It is thick and heavy, so maybe not too good for long assignments, but if asked to sign an important document, this is my go-to. 

Duke said:

I've also had a number of Lamy Safari fountain pens.  Reasonably priced, feel good, and write well.

Well that took me down a rabbit hole, and Im now looking at this or a Pilot Explorer. 

I've been using the same Safari for at least a decade now, it's a great pen. And not just for writing - much of that time has been spent consulting in enterprise innovation & strategy so a fountain pen is a great conversation starter.

Wow, this is crazy because pens are something of a passion for me. Why? In early 1987 my high school class was challenged to keep a daily journal every day for two weeks. I completed that assignment and have continued every day to this day. I write about a million words a year and go through pens with high regularity. I know this because for my 30th anniversary of journal writing, I counted how many words on average I write per day and weighed my journal sheets to get an approximate number of sheets filled out per year. Anyways, I have tried those "7 year pens" and they are good for a couple of months, even less if those are interesting months. I have tried high end pens from boutique stores and most of the pens that others have shared on this thread already, but for me and what I do, the Paper-Mate Profile Ball 1.4 is the best writing pen at any price. It's comfortable to hold, cheap, easy to find, writes beautifully and the body is clear so you can see when you are about to run out of ink.

10001110101 said:

I am trying to find something lefty friendly. I used to love the Pilot G2, but lately they have all been skipping. Sharpie S Gel are doing the same. Uniball Signos also. What say the hivemind? Or am I the only lefty?

Not the only lefty. Pens are the bane of my handwriting existence. Never found a good one for me.

My favorite pen is one that writes that I can actually find. Pens seem to be like one sock when doing laundry and just seem to disappear. 

In reply to TR7 :

Maybe we need a separate thread abour fountain pens? Also would like to learn more. 

10001110101 said:

I am trying to find something lefty friendly. I used to love the Pilot G2, but lately they have all been skipping. Sharpie S Gel are doing the same. Uniball Signos also. What say the hivemind? Or am I the only lefty?

I'm a lefty, and the Lamy I posted earlier works fine. I'm a bit confused on why the issue with being left-handed, I've never had any problem.

All through college and up until very recently I was a loyal Pilot G2 girlie, but this past year a dark horse candidate for favorite pen has come through... and it was a novelty stocking stuffer from my sister-in-law:

These things write buttery smooth beyond all reason and create a perfect not-too-thick-not-too-thin stroke. The grip is no-nonsense, solid plastic with a soft-touch finish (but not the kind that gets sticky with lots of use). I will be ordering 1,000 more of them.

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

10001110101 said:

I am trying to find something lefty friendly. I used to love the Pilot G2, but lately they have all been skipping. Sharpie S Gel are doing the same. Uniball Signos also. What say the hivemind? Or am I the only lefty?

I'm a lefty, and the Lamy I posted earlier works fine. I'm a bit confused on why the issue with being left-handed, I've never had any problem.

I assume that it's because of smeary ink, but I could be mistaken.

Nicole Suddard said:

All through college and up until very recently I was a loyal Pilot G2 girlie, but this past year a dark horse candidate for favorite pen has come through... and it was a novelty stocking stuffer from my sister-in-law:

These things write buttery smooth beyond all reason and create a perfect not-too-thick-not-too-thin stroke. The grip is no-nonsense, solid plastic with a soft-touch finish (but not the kind that gets sticky with lots of use). I will be ordering 1,000 more of them.

Just added to my cart. The fact they are cat themed as well as good quality sold me.

David S. Wallens said:

In reply to TR7 :

Maybe we need a separate thread abour fountain pens? Also would like to learn more. 

Please do.

Just got a Kakuno. Writes really nicely. Spilled ink on myself before noon EST. I remain undeterred. 

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

10001110101 said:

I am trying to find something lefty friendly. I used to love the Pilot G2, but lately they have all been skipping. Sharpie S Gel are doing the same. Uniball Signos also. What say the hivemind? Or am I the only lefty?

I'm a lefty, and the Lamy I posted earlier works fine. I'm a bit confused on why the issue with being left-handed, I've never had any problem.

Some ball point pens don't work well for lefties. 
A right handed writer is pulling the pen away from the writing, and ball is trailing and being pulled slightly away from the pen body.

A left handed writer is constantly pushing the ball into the pen body, and it tends to jam and not flow nearly as well as it does for a righty. 

That and smudging. But the gist is that ballpoint pens in general are harder to use as a lefty. I've yet to find one I truly enjoy. 

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