My "Best Pen" Recommendations (2021 Edition)

Each year I update the “Best Pens” recommendation page, typically in April around the “birthday” of The Gentleman Stationer blog. Keep in mind that this list shouldn’t be read as a “shopping list.” I’m in no way saying that everyone needs all of these pens in their personal collection - rather, my goal is to provide readers with a starting point to research purchases in various price categories and for different purposes. There's no substitute for your own personal preference and experience! Where possible, I've linked to both my review of the recommended pen and a purchasing option. If I've not reviewed a specific pen, I've linked to someone else's review that I find well-written and reliable. Finally, if you're looking for a recommendation on a "one-pen" carry setup, or a shorter read, check out my post on "Best Pens for When You Only Want One Pen."

Note: This is the updated 2021 version of my "best pens" list. I leave previous versions live, so that everyone can see how the list changes. (See the 2020 List, 2019 List, 2018 List and the 2017 List here.) Note that I no longer accept paid sponsorships or utilize affiliate links. Instead, I rely on Patreon support and sales through the T.G.S. Curated Shop, in which I may sell certain of the pens listed here directly. To the extent I link to a third party, it will be to a trusted retailer or to the manufacturer directly.)

Best Fountain Pens for Beginners

Good fountain pens don't have to be expensive. You can get an excellent first writing experience for just over $10.

TWSBI ECO. Even though some might balk at recommending a piston-filler on my list of "beginner" fountain pen recommendations, I absolutely think the TWSBI ECO offer the best total package on the market at $32.99. Go ahead and learn to love the ink bottle, you can't go wrong with the ECO. Over the years, TWSBI has built out the ECO lineup and added colors beyond clear, white, and black, as well as pens with rose gold trim. (Purchase here)
Lamy Safari. The longer I’m in this hobby, the bigger Lamy fan I become. The Safari is the quintessential "beginner pen" from the German powerhouse that features interchangeable nibs and an original design that's become a classic. If the triangular section doesn't bother you, the Safari (or its aluminum cousin, the AL-Star) are both great options. (Purchase here)
Platinum Plaisir. Since Pilot jacked up the price on the Metropolitan, it’s been replaced in my recommendations by the Platinum Plaisir, which comes in an expanded range of colors and, in my opinion, features a better nib and is much more comfortable to hold than the Metropolitan. The one drawback is that the converter needs to be purchased separately, but Platinum’s high-capacity cartridges are excellent and last a very long time. (Purchase here)
Kaweco Sport. Kaweco specializes in pocket pens, and makes some great ones. Kaweco offers the Sport, their flagship pen, in multiple models at various price points, from the inexpensive classic to the pricier aluminum AL-Sport to the Carbon Fiber AC-Sport. You can purchase the Classic Sport (with gold trim) or the Skyline Sport (with chrome trim).
PenBBS 308. Last year I finally added PenBBS to my list of recommended beginner pens, though I would play it safe by opting for the cartridge/converter model and avoiding their more, ahem, “experimental” filling systems such as their piston filler, magnet filler, or bulkfiller. PenBBS fountain pens come in a wide variety of colors and materials, and the cost ranges from $13 to $30, depending on the material you choose.

Honorable Mention: There are many high-quality, inexpensive pens on the market that might break into the top five. As always, you won't go wrong checking out the Kaweco Perkeo, TWSBI GO, Platinum Preppy, or the Pilot Kakuno. The recently released Platinum Prefounte is also garnering recommendations.

Best Fountain Pens Under $100

The $50-$100 price point is always the most difficult to recommend, mainly because if you’re willing to spend $50 on a pen, you can be better off moving to the $100-$150 price bracket because you will have more options and, in all likelihood, a higher-quality writing experience. That said, if you're willing to shop around, you can find excellent fountain pens for under $100 that aren't for "beginners," but still don't break the bank.

TWSBI 580. The TWSBI 580 continues to rule this category. TWSBI designed the 580 and its predecessors with input from the larger fountain pen community, and offers a reliable piston filler with interchangeable nibs at a price that can't be beat. TWSBI now offers the 580 with anodized aluminum, nickel, or rose gold trim. (Purchase here)
Lamy Studio. The "next step" up in Lamy pens after the Safari and the AL-Star. I don't mind the metal section, but some might find it too slippery or uncomfortable if they grip the pen very hard. Over the past couple of years, the Lamy Studio has skyrocketed up my list of recommended pens, and it now sits at No. 2 in the “Best Pens Under $100” category, and reappears later if you opt to add one of Lamy’s excellent 14k nibs. (Purchase here)
TWSBI Diamond Mini. TWSBI's smaller piston filler makes for a great pocket pen, but because it posts the TWSBI Diamond Mini can also serve as your daily driver. (Purchase here)
Opus 88. It took me a while to get there, but I’m comfortable giving Opus 88’s series of Japanese-style eyedropper pens a “Top Five” slot on this list. Not only do these pens have massive ink capacity, but they now come in a wider range of sizes. I personally prefer their larger pens like the “Omar” series of eyedroppers, which for most people will hold enough ink for weeks of writing, but even their smaller offerings such as the “Koloro” and “Picnic,” both of which come in under $100, hold a substantial amount. (Purchase here)
PenBBS 456 Vacuum Filler. This one surprised even me. When I went to redo the “Best Pens” list, I struggled to find a pen that offered the same combination of a good nib, a reliable high-capacity filling mechanism, and a choice of unique materials for less than $40. PenBBS sometimes gets themselves into trouble by trying to over-engineer their filling systems while maintaining their low price point, but the simplicity of the vacuum-filler on the 456

Honorable Mention: For those looking for a more substantial pen body to house one of Platinum’s excellent steel nibs, the Platinum Procyon makes for a great daily writer. Faber-Castell’s more inexpensive pens, including the Loom and the Neo Slim, feature the same exceptional steel nibs as on their $100+ pens. Lamy has a few other options at this price point, including the Lamy LX and the Lamy Aion, though the writing performance of both is nearly identical to the AL-Star, which is less expensive, and the Studio, which I think is a better pen. Finally, if you prefer a nib with the slightest bit of softness or “spring” to it, you might enjoy the Caran d’Ache 849 fountain pen.

Best First fountain Pen over $100 (Steel Nibs)

Many people have a set expectation that once you go over the $100 price point, a fountain pen should have a gold nib to be “worth the money.” When I was first starting out in this hobby I shared that viewpoint. Over the past few years, my views have evolved, and I now finally believe this is the wrong way to look at things. The German companies (and even Sailor) make extremely high quality steel nibs that can be indistinguishable from gold, in terms of the writing experience they offer.

Faber-Castell Ambition or E-Motion. Faber-Castell pens are some of the best bargains in the fountain pen world, in my opinion. For just over $100, you can get a pen like the Ambition, which is not only an exceptional writer but comes in a wide array of unique designs, including barrels made from exotic woods. (Purchase here) If you find the Ambition too slender, consider the E-Motion, which is a chunky, heftier pen that nonetheless has exceptional balance posted or unposted. I'm also a fan of the "Pure Black" version of the E-Motion, which I recently reviewed. The "Pure Black" is slightly pricier but features a comfortable textured barrel. (Purchase here)
Leonardo Momento Zero and Leonardo Furore. Leonardo Officina Italiana emerged from the ruins of Italian pen company Delta after it shut down, and has effectively taken over the market for $150-300 pens with unique materials inspired by vintage celluloid. (For a bit more coin, you can sometimes actually score Leonardo pens in vintage Omas celluloid, but you need to stay on top of the news because these go fast.) Leonardo’s two main models - the Momento Zero and the Furore - have both received rave reviews. While the Momento Zero is my personal favorite, the Furore is also excellent and has a slightly different aesthetic. Overall functionality remains the same.
Franklin Christoph Model 20 or Model 02. Which one you go with depends on your style preference, and whether you want a slip-on cap (Model 20) or a threaded cap (Model 02). Franklin-Christoph offers a variety of nib choices, including some custom stub and italic grinds. (Purchase here)
Esterbrook “Estie". Kenro’s resurrection of Esterbrook is an example of how to rebuild a heritage brand the right way. Though some initially complained about the price point of these pens, the quality is superb. As I predicted, Esterbrook has taken advantage of the Estie’s popularity to build out the line, and now offer the pen in a fairly wide range of materials, including Diamondcast, and going forward you will be able to select unique nib grinds such as the “Journaler” cursive italic nib by Gena Salorino of Custom Nib Studio. An oversize version of the Estie is available at a slightly higher price point. (Purchase here)
Pelikan Tradition 200/M205. I can’t leave the entry-level Pelikan piston-filler off this list. Pelikan nibs are interchangeable, giving you the option to “upgrade” to a gold nib at a later point in time if you so desire. Watch for the special edition M205 demonstrators in various colors.

Honorable Mention: Cleo Skribent is a smaller German brands that makes excellent pens, but for whatever reason tends to be difficult to find outside of Europe. Otto Hutt is another smaller German maker that receives less attention, but has now obtained new U.S. distribution and is expanding their offerings. Finally, don’t forget old standby Waterman, which recently revitalized their “Expert” line of pens and appears to be preparing to release some new designs.

Best First Fountain Pen Over $100 (Gold Nibs)

The price of gold is still high, but you can find many affordable options for a fountain pen with a gold nib in the $100-200 range. Crossing the century mark for the first time can be a daunting experience, but I don't think you can go wrong with any of these options.

Lamy 2000. A classic minimalist design in a sturdy, reliable package. Everybody needs a Lamy 2000 in their arsenal. As noted below, the Lamy 2000 pulls double duty as my favorite overall fountain pen. Vanness Pens now carries specialty nibs, including the “oblique” range. (Purchase here)
Lamy Studio (14k Nib Option). Lamy's bouncy 14k gold nib is a joy to write with, and has finally convinced me that the "upgraded" version of the Lamy Studio is an excellent option. These pens can be harder to come by, and the color option (currently “Piano Black”) changes periodically, but they're worth the money. You can also purchase gold nibs separately and upgrade a Lamy Studio that ships with a steel nib.
Platinum 3776. Platinum’s answer to the Pilot Custom 74, though Platinum has expanded this line in recent years to include more colors and limited and special editions, which has bumped the pen up the list over the two Pilots listed below. The Platinum 3776 also offers more nib options, including “soft” nibs and a music nib. (Purchase here)
Pilot Custom 74. It upsets me that the Custom 74 often goes overlooked at pen shows. Pilot pens represent the peak of reliability, even if their design typically doesn’t change much over the years because Pilot rarely chases trends. The Custom 74 features an excellent 14k nib and utilizes Pilot’s higher-capacity CON-70 pump converter. (Purchase here)
Pilot Custom Heritage 92. This pen sits at the bottom of the “Top 5” only because it pushes the upper limit of the price point in this category, but you can work that down with a coupon code or by waiting for a periodic sale. Still, around $200 for a Pilot piston filler with a gold nib? If I were forced to choose, this could easily become my daily workhorse. (Purchase here)

Honorable Mention: The Pilot Vanishing Point is one of the few options for a retractable-nib fountain pen, and it's a good one. Due to the position of the clip on the "nib end" of the pen, it can be hard for some people to write with. I personally prefer the slimmer Pilot Decimo as I find the design to be more portable and conducive to short notes. The price point on both is very reasonable, and I still recommend both the Vanishing Point and the smaller Pilot Decimo (collectively referred to as Pilot's "Capless" pens) on a "try before you buy" basis.

My Favorite Fountain Pens

There's no price limitation here, just my pure, unadorned opinion.

Lamy 2000. You can't go wrong with a classic, which is why I own two of these pens: one in an extra-fine nib and another with a medium nib.
Leonardo Momento Zero Grande. Since purchasing my first Momento Zero pens back in 2019, that specific model has remained at the top of my daily carry. I consider the Momento Zero to be the “spiritual successor” to the Delta Fusion 82, a favorite pen of mine that unfortunately has long since been discontinued when Delta went under. This year I’ve actually purchased more Momento Zero Grande pens as opposed to standard Momento Zeroes, mainly because this larger pen has been released in various unique materials - including the legendary “Primary Manipulation” from Jonathon Brooks - and now features an integrated piston filler as opposed to a captured converter.
Montblanc 146. Ignore the haters, and also ignore Montblanc's sometimes over-the-top marketing. The 146 is a solid piston-filler fountain pen that has become my go-to daily workhorse, and I love the look of the platinum-trim versions. In recent years, Montblanc has introduced new special editions of the 146 with minimal mark-ups.
Kanilea Pen Company (Classic Flush Model). The best pens from small makers have a story to tell, and Kanilea Pen Company provides the best example I can think of. Kanilea typically has two or three releases each year, and all of them are inspired by owners Hugh and Karol Scher’s love for the state of Hawaii. Kanilea pens are made to order, and you can choose from a handful of different design profiles, with our without a clip. My own personal favorite is the “classic flush” shape, but I have the “classic slim” as well. (Purchase here)
Pilot Custom 823. After a prolonged (and unjustified) hiatus from my personal rotation, both of my Custom 823s are back in rotation. Featuring a high-capacity vacuum-filling system and an excellent nib, the Custom 823 is the epitome of a workhorse pen that’s gaining more traction in the pen community. Though it can be a bit difficult to clean, you don’t have to refill very often. (Purchase here)

Honorable Mention: While I still enjoy my Sailor Professional Gear Imperial Black Edition and my Sailor 1911 Black Luster, I’m honestly a little bored with Sailor lately. It’s not that I dislike the brand, or that the quality control on the pens has dipped, it’s just that I don’t think they’ve shown a lot of creativity, and instead have churned out an endless array of “special” and “limited” editions, which are basically the same pens they’ve made for a decade or more in different acrylics. Over the past couple of years, I’ve accumulated several Lamy Studios, including a few with 14k nibs. (Pro tip: the Lamy Studio LX All Black looks great paired with the blacked-out Z57 14k nib.) Finally, my Conway Stewart Model 100 sees a lot of use, and the modern version of the venerable British company still continues to use many of the same gorgeous materials that made Conway Stewart famous.

Best Pocket Pens and Pencils

The majority of the writing I do on a day-to-day basis is note-taking, so I use a lot of pocket pens and pencils. Here are my favorites.

Fisher Space Pen. While I once preferred the "bullet" version, my current favorite is the "Astronaut" or "Shuttle" model of the Fisher Space Pen, which is still small enough to stick in a pocket. This pressurized ballpoint refill will write anywhere (even underwater, supposedly). Unfortunately the black-grid Shuttle Pen is getting hard to find.
Lamy Pico. Lamy's entry in the pocket pen market expands from a tiny capsule capable of being concealed in your palm, into as full-size pen - the essence of "pocket carry."
Schon DSGN Pocket Six. I’m often hesitant to recommend pocket fountain pens, since the format is so hard to do well, but Ian Schon has really turned the industry on its head with the Pocket Six, named for the fact that it uses a full-sized No. 6 Jowo nib. This is a game-changer for me, especially since Ian has started releasing the pen in a ton of different wild anodized finishes. (Purchase here)
Traveler’s Company Brass Pens. I’m a sucker for vintage-inspired designs, especially the classic “bullet pencil” format, which Traveler’s Company has taken and morphed into not just a modern bullet pencil, but also a fountain pen, ballpoint, and refillable rollerball that accepts fountain pen ink cartridges. The ballpoint version has become my designated “reading pen,” since it clips so well to the front of a book and the needle tip is perfect for marginalia. (Purchase here)
Kaweco Sport. The grandaddy of pocket fountain pens, available in fountain pen, rollerball, ballpoint and clutch pencil. (Purchase here)

Honorable Mention: I recently discovered the Penco “Perfection” series of pocket pens, which have a more substantial “bullet” shape than the Fisher Space pen, and also feature a Jetstream-like hybrid ink refill that I may prefer to Fisher pressurized version. In the past, I’ve also enjoyed using the Kaweco Supra, which features a larger No. 6 nib. For a disposable pocket pen, the Pokka Pen still has a key role in my portable writing setup.

Best Disposable Pens for Everyday Use

I can't use fountain pens all the time at work. These are the gel pens, ballpoints, and fineliners that you will find me using on a day-to-day basis. I may break this list into different categories of pens in the future, but here's what's currently on my desk.

Pokka Pen. The pocketable Pokka Pen (pun intended) has become my go-to ballpoint, not just a great pocket pen. They're inexpensive, come in a range of fun colors, and you don't need to worry about losing them. (Purchase here)
Pilot G2. People love to hate this pen because it's a more conventional choice, but I've always found the Pilot G2 to be smooth, reliable, and cheap. Though the .7mm writes a very clean line, the .5mm and the .38mm tips are my favorite.
Morning Glory Mach 3. This ultra fine liquid ink rollerball unseated the Pentel Energel. You can't beat a good needle point, and it comes in .38mm. [Update: Apparently these pens are now called the “Pro Mach” and have been slightly redesigned.]
Pilot Razor Point II Ultra Fine. I love porous point / felt-tipped pens, and the Razor Point II is my favorite. It works great in pocket notebooks, even Field Notes and Moleskines.
Uniball Vision Elite. Not to be confused with the Uniball Vision. The "micro" tip version of this excellent liquid ink pen has become a staple. You can even purchase the “BLX” black ink-infused colors in the “micro” tip size.

Honorable Mention: You can't go wrong with a good all-purpose hybrid ballpoint like the Uniball Jetstream or the Pilot Acroball (though I do find them a bit boring). I typically order the .5mm versions online, though the .7mm pens are easily found in most office supply stores. After the Pilot G2, the Pentel Energel in .5mm needle-tip is my go-to gel pen.

Best Refillable Ballpoints and Rollerballs

Sometimes you don't want to use a disposable pen, but a fountain pen just won't work for whatever situation you find yourself in. All of these pens will acquit themselves admirably.

Baron Fig Squire. Baron Fig's retractable rollerball/ballpoint is a winner, and has been shown to have staying power over the past several years. I like the form factor better than the Retro 51 Tornado, which uses the same refill. Since I last published this list, Baron Fig has released the squire in an array of new colors, and also recently released a Squire "click" version, if you prefer a clicky knock. (Purchase here)
Lamy 2000 Ballpoint/4-Color Ballpoint. The Lamy 2000 isn't just one of my favorite fountain pens, it's one of my favorite overall pen concepts. Lamy's ballpoint and 4-Color multifunction versions of its flagship are reasonably priced workhorses that will be with you for the long haul.
Caran d’Ache 849. Not many pens can be labeled “iconic,” and Caran d’Ache’s classic retractable ballpoint, featuring a hexagonal barrel reminiscent of a woodcase pencil, is one of them. The Goliath ballpoint refill comes in both fine and medium points, and the pen itself is available in different finishes and price points, ranging from $20-50. (Purchase here).
Sunderland MK1 Machined Pen. I don’t have many machined pens with staying power in my rotation, but ever since trying the Sunderland MK1 earlier this year, it’s not left my briefcase. What do I like about this pen? For starters, it’s a machine pen that’s relatively slender and easy to post. It also accepts Montblanc threaded rollerball and fineliner refills, as well as the Pilot G2. Thrown in a sub-$100 price point, and you have one of the best EDC pens on the market. (Purchase here)
Baux Pen. Probably the most controversial item on this list, the Baux Pen is the best (and possibly the only) option for those looking for an upgraded housing for Bic ballpoints, including the classic Bic Cristal refill. From the same design family as the Spoke Pen, the Baux Pen features a comfortable aluminum grip section and a well-balanced body. Bic refills last forever and are easy to replace. (Purchase here)

Honorable Mention: What do you know? After much speculation, it turns out that Retro 51 will stick around, and the Retro 51 Tornado will remain a great rollerball option for those that enjoy the Schmidt p8126 rollerball refill or the Schmidt Easyflow 9000 ballpoint refill. While I still enjoy the Sailor Imperial Black multifunction pen, I honestly don’t find myself using it as much as the Lamy 2000 version. For those looking for a pen with maximum versatility that accepts hundreds of different refills, BigiDesign’s Ti Arto Universal Refill and Ti Ultra pens have no real equivalent.

These lists were last updated on May 1, 2021. If you'd like to see how my personal tastes and preferences have evolved over time, check out my original blog posts: