Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

12 Days of Dappered #11 – Something to write with

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It’ll be here before you know it.  So if you’re in need of a few ideas on what to give (or in some cases, what to put on your own list) this year, this is the place to be for the next couple weeks.  Our annual 12 days of Dappered covers one item each week-day between now and December 11th.  That’ll leave some time for shipping if you’re the last minute type.  All will be reasonably affordable.  See the growing archive here.

Just like this and these, pens are a necessity that most guys default to the lowest quality option, then limp along with the damn things complaining all the way.  How many times have you gone to write out a note and wondered: “where are all the ‘good’ pens?”  Also, a decent pen is a clutter prevention device.  Having one great pen that you’ll actually want to keep track of = 25 fewer disposable pens you’ll need to have laying around.  Make a commitment to the pen. On to some options:
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OHTO – Tasche Blue Case Fountain Pen – $17.50
The modern fountain pen.

All the functionality without any of the unnecessary length (that’s not what she said… sorry).  It’s a fountain pen, but shrinks down to 4 inches when carried closed.  Blue body, writes black.  More color options available.

 

Fisher Space Pens: Matte Black – $15.56, Black Titanium – $30.51, Red – $18.11
“In a chicken basket.  Ahhhh… holy…”

The Omega Speedmaster of the pen world.  Only… dirt cheap.  Writes almost anywhere, in any situation, at any temperature.  Very impressive.  Really, really impressive.

 

Made in the USA Embassy Pen – $34.50
The pen really is mightier than the sword.

As seen up top.  Sold by the same site that sells the Maratac Pilot watch. Know that the cap doesn’t fit on the back end on purpose.  Comes with a Fisher Space Pen refill.  Shades of Grosse Point Blank.

 

S&W Tactical Pen – $21.93
Not shocking that it doesn’t look like a daisy.

Like the Embassy Pen, but cheaper.  And black (does have a logo though).

 

The Parker Jotter – $5 – $7.95
Used to be Q branch approved.

As clean and classy as it gets.  Clickable.  Looks great in a pocket.  Inexpensive enough that if it happens to get lost, no tears will be shed.  Stocking Stuffer-able.  More praise over here.

 

Parker Urban Premium – $34.95
Curves that just don’t quit.

The Jotter is Peggy.  The Urban Premium is Joan.

 

Lamy Safari Fountain Pen – $23.24
Plastic body with a brass clip.

Another fountain pen that’s clad in anything but sheep’s clothing.  Ink level indicator in the barrel, a great brass clip, and reloadable.  More over here.  Photo Credit: D. Brown

Any other writing instrument suggestions?  There are plenty of pen aficionados out there.  Or are you of the school of thought that any pen that costs more than $0.50 is as ridiculous as one that costs a fortune?

Comments

  2. I write a lot for work, mostly applications so it isn’t a steady stream of writing, but I do have a pen in my hand and pocket all the time. I like the Pilot G2 and pens that use those refills.

  4. I tend to favor thicker pens. If you have the funds, look at Lamy, Online, and Waterford (the crystal people). A bit thicker, rollerball ballpoint or fountain options, and can be had in a few price points. Acme pens aren’t bad, either.

    You may also consider a pen holder, for the pen aficionado.

  5. The only thing I use at work for day-to-day stuff are the Bic clic pens from Field Notes. They have the classic, old fashioned ones that I can’t seem to find anywhere else. They also have carpenter pencils and a new space pen that look fantastic.

  6. Anybody a Staedtler fan? I love their marker and pencil offerings but haven’t fallen in love with any of their pens yet.

  8. Almost forgot to include it. Then visions of pitchforks and torches jumped in my head. New I almost forgot something.

  9. There’s a way to take the fisher space pen refills and place them in the body of the Pilot G2 (my personal favorite pen). But, I don’t know if that’s too hacker-ish for something intended to be stylish.

    That said, the Embassy All Black Pen is on my personal wishlist.

  10. Mont Blanc pens are undoubtedly nice, but probably outside of most Dappered readers’ Christmas gift budgets. Recommending one here would be like recommending an Omega watch in place of the typical Timexes, Seikos, and Citizens.

    The pens in this post are a little more stocking stuffer friendly for those of us trying to stretch our gift budgets.

  12. Maybe I’m missing it, but how are the embassy and tactical pens used for self protection?

    I mean, in a way that’s not “stabbing your enemy in the nerps?”

  14. The Mont Blanc Meisterstuck is the classic MB pen; however, like BenR was saying… it defintely is not a stocking stuffer, their basic Mesiterstuck model will run you a hefty $350.

  15. I would highly recommend the Kaweco Sport Fountain Pen. Great pen, great price. I have two, one clear and one white. I get complements all the time. And not many people can use a fountain pen so you don’t have to worry much about lending it to people haha.

  16. You can also fit a $6 Mont Blanc Rollerball refill cartridge into a $2 Pilot G2-xx pen (after cutting off a sliver of plastic off the top). Not a slick looking pen, but it writes like one.

  18. I am the other way around.I love their pens but not their markers. Very disappointed at their Lumocolour duo marker.

  20. It’s cool that you selected some FPs, but I’m not a big fan of the Lamy Safari. I’ve got a couple, and they are uncomfortable to hold and don’t write particularly well. The pilot 78g is a better pen all around for less cash (or of course, for more cash, there are lots of options).

  21. Skip the Bullet Pen and go straight to the actual pen model that is used by astronauts: the AG7.

    Easier to use and more authentic. I’ve had one for near a decade and it has worn down to the solid brass in a few spots (where it rubs against my notebook’s spiral) but has been otherwise flawless. Also, the double action clicker is awesome for people who like to fidget.

    http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Space-Original-Astronaut-Pen/dp/B0015ZP2AC/ref=sr_1_4?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1355271719&sr=1-4&keywords=fisher+space+pen

  23. Upvote for holding onto a pen for 10 years… If mine stick around for 15 minutes I throw a mini brain-contained party for myself. *hooray me for not losi- dammit, it’s gone*

  25. Nope. WaterFORD. The folks that are famous for crystal, as I mentioned. Waterman is known for pens. Waterford not so much, but they makes nice ones.

  26. LOL – yes, a clip would make it better. I recently *nearly* lost mine at the same flippin’ movie theater, on two different occasions. If you’re wearing dress pants vs a tighter style of jeans, it has a way of sliding right out. The *pen*, I mean.

    My wife found it on the floor (again, the *pen* – ok, I’ll stop) the first time. I would’ve walked right out and never known where I’d lost it. And I noticed it had fallen out the next time, sometime during the previews. I couldn’t find it until after the main feature had ended, and everybody had left their seats. It actually fell right into a little gap in the base/stem of the seat back. What a pain to get out.

    Anyway, I’ll have to see if I can snag just a clip by itself. I’d clip it to my pocket handkerchief.

    I’ve seen the clips, but only on the reeeeaaaaaly skinny version of the Fisher.

  28. Hahah. I use that line all of the time. My wife gets it. My best bud gets it. But that’s about it.

  29. Me too! I just posted a reply above (or below – depending on the vote ups or downs, I guess) about this exact problem. I’ve lost mine TWICE in less than two weeks – at the same damn movie theater. Moral: if you go to a movie wearing dress pants, *somehow* secure your Fisher Space Pen. Or at least check for it before you leave.

  30. My favorite pen/pencil set in college. Just snagged another one recently for work. I occasionally pick up a pen here and there, when I get in the new pen mood, but time after time, the Jotter still is king.

    I will add, that I have been carrying my Fisher Space Pen with me daily, in my pants pocket, as it too is a pretty decent writing instrument, but mostly because ya hardly even know it’s there. Nice!

    The Jotter has a much better line, IMO, though; even the new ones made in … France.