While pocket knives and multitools are an integral part of EDC, an oft-forgotten piece—also neglected in our digital world—is the pen. They’re in junk drawers, prominently placed on desks, and were always in my dad’s shirt pocket when I was growing up. We take them from hotel rooms by accident or forget to return one at the doctor’s office because we like how smooth it is.
With the notes app on smartphones and tablets, asking someone if they have a pen is almost as rare as asking someone for the time (call me old-fashioned, but I miss these small, passing moments). Luckily, pens are a bit more of a necessity for me. I type 39 words a minute (just so you know, that’s really bad), so I prefer to use pen and paper wherever and whenever possible. I write my work notes and grocery lists on paper. Quick math (I’m bad at that, too) is easiest, scratching down on physical paper with a physical writing instrument.
I prefer a retractable pen with black ink. Felt tips always bleed through for me, but maybe I’m just heavy-handed. Ultra-fine pens are not my favorite because, at some point, I end up tearing the paper. So, you might think I’d loathe a fountain pen, right? Wrong! I just got this Kolo pen and have been thoroughly enjoying it. It’s not the most practical for fast notes, but gift it to someone and I bet they’d be stoked.
These are the pens I use the most for the day-to-day that aren’t an afterthought. It’s not a definitive list of must-have writing utensils, but it is what someone who wholeheartedly believes the pen is mightier than the (key)board uses regularly.
The Pens I Use Most
The Daily Driver
An Office Favorite
A Slim EDC Option
Good for Cooking Notes
Everyday Fancy Fountain Pen
Pen and Flashlight in One
Craighill makes everyday objects but puts years’ worth of thought into the design and materials. The brand first caught my attention with a brass keychain, but held it with the Kepler pen. I acquired it when I first started my current job, and it has been going for over three years now.
The brass casing is heavy, a knock for some, but I thoroughly enjoy the weight. It still maintains a balanced feel when I’m writing, and I appreciate the durable build. Its nib sits a little deeper in the pen than those of others I use, which adds to the overall sleek look. The absence of a pocket clip also keeps it slim, but I do miss it at times. Since Revenge of the Nerds, having a pen peeking out of a shirt pocket has gotten a bad wrap— but I think it shows preparedness and purpose.
It produces a medium line as you’d expect from a ballpoint pen that glides on top of paper instead of digging into it. Refill it with the Schmidt 635 cartridges in the color of your choice, although I always opt for black.
Recently, I’ve been loving the Rite In The Rain Ballpoint. It’s weatherproof which didn’t seem all that practical for myself, but if you work outdoors it’s a great option. My best case use has been in the kitchen or grilling. I like to make notes in cookbooks and jot down tidbits when I’m grilling or smoking. Spills happen and it’s nice to know this pen can brave them.
I really appreciated my time as a buyer for a men’s store. It was a local business that generated 90 percent of its sales in person, and we had barely established an online presence at the time. Protocol and procedures were printed on clipboards, and a go-to method of communication was using words on Post-it notes.
The pen of choice was the Pilot G2. My boss had a cup of them at his desk and one behind his ear at all times, but not in the performative way. He was a graphic designer, so he was constantly jotting down ideas and doodling design concepts in a Leuchtturm 1917 notebook. The opaque black ink is perfect for drawing, as well as writing notes that you need to be dark and legible. Its rubber grip makes it comfortable to hold while furiously writing as well. This is also the pen most of us like in my current office, and is a step above the box of pens we order in bulk.
I’m usually averse to translucent plastic on a pen (mechanical pencils fly), but don’t mind it on the G2 Pilot. Perhaps it's because the silicone paste above the black ink—which prevents the ink from drying out or running back up the tube—reminds one of the mosquito in amber at the beginning of Jurassic Park. Whatever it is, it doesn’t bug me; the G2 is still an everyday pen that looks like one a person intentionally has, and not one they just picked up along the way.
The James Brand is a mouthful of a name, but they make a clean design. I’ve had the brand’s Elko knife on my keys since 2018, so I was excited to see it delve into pens. The initial ones they rolled out were a bit too EDC-friendly because they were pocket-sized, but the Burwell was what I wanted.
The stainless steel construction is both durable and lightweight. Its clip is ultra slim and slips onto a shirt pocket with ease. The overall diameter is also slimmer than that of any other nice pen; it feels a bit smaller than the BIC Roundstick, which isn’t the nicest pen, yet I have four in my junk drawer, and none of them work. I really like the clicker action and find it more satisfying than any other retractable pen I’ve used. It uses the same refill cartridges as the G2, so they’re easy to find.
Even if you are a capable typist, analog writing is something that won't go away. On a sentimental level, nothing beats a handwritten note to say thank you or acknowledge a life milestone; For the more practical-minded, a pen won’t lose its charge, is smaller than a laptop, and can be taken anywhere. They're uncomplicated yet distinctive, and don't have to be expensive. Work notes, journaling, or weekend planning—next time, close the laptop and pick up the pen.
Other Solid Pens to Consider
Yes, It’s Really Been to Space
Gift-Worthy Fountain Pen
Favorite Gel Pen
Bulk Ordered for the Office
For Fine-Point Fans
Another Good EDC Option
Danny Perez is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.