"Best Pen" Recommendations (2024 Tenth Anniversary Edition)

Each year I update the “Best Pens” recommendation page, typically in April around the “birthday” of The Gentleman Stationer blog. This year’s update is a big one for me, as I’ve been writing T.G.S. for 10 years as of today. Much personal time - not to mention expense - has gone into the testing and research over the past decade, so I hope you find it helpful!

I’ve always said 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 pens in different price categories, that can be used 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: I leave previous versions of the Best Pens List live, so that everyone can see how the list changes. (See the 2023 List, 2022 List, 2021 List, 2020 List, 2019 List, 2018 List and the 2017 List here.) As of 2021, T.G.S. no longer accepts paid sponsorships or utilizes affiliate links. Instead, We rely on Patreon support and sales through the T.G.S. Curated Shop, in which we may sell certain of the pens listed here directly in our own store. 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 less than $30. 

  1. TWSBI Swipe. TWSBI’s Swipe fountain pen is, to me, a game-changer at the sub-$30 price point, since TWSBI ships this pen with two different converters and a cartridge, setting you up to use either cartridges or bottled ink. Now available in five different colors, while the lineup doesn’t currently have the same variety as the ECO, I expect that to be the ultimate end result. (Purchase here)

  2. TWSBI ECO. For the ECO, even though some might balk at recommending a piston-filler on a list of "beginner" fountain pen recommendations, I absolutely think the TWSBI ECO offers an exceptional deal at $32.99 if you can go ahead and learn to love the ink bottle. 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 and bronze trims. (Purchase here)

  3. Lamy Safari. 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)

  4. Pilot Explorer. The Pilot Explorer topped both the Platinum Plaisir and the Pilot Metropolitan in this year’s “Beginner” recommendations, though it’s certainly not just a pen for first-time users. The finishes on this pen look great, and what I particularly love about the explorer is that it’s a full-sized pen that remains lightweight. (Purchase here)

  5. 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 Classic, Skyline, and Collection series to the pricier aluminum AL-Sport to the Carbon Fiber AC-Sport, Art Sport, and now even a piston filler model. Beginners will want to stick to the Classic Sport (with gold trim), the Skyline Sport (with chrome trim), and the “Kaweco Collection” (both trims depending on color).

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, Pilot Metropolitan, TWSBI GO, Platinum Preppy, Platinum Plaisir, or the Pilot Kakuno. The recently released Platinum Prefounte also garners recommendations though it’s not taken off as much as some of Platinum’s other models, but give it time.

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-$200 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. 

  1. 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)

  2. 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)

  3. 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. TWSBI has started to pay more attention to the Diamond Mini Series, and currently offers this pen in Grape (dark purple) and White/Rose Gold finishes. (Purchase here)

  4. 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”Jazz”, “Omar,” or “Minty” 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)

  5. TWSBI Vac700R or TWSBI Vac Mini. After a so-so experience years ago with the initial iteration of the TWSBI Vac700, I remained wary of recommending this pen over other vacuum-filling options. Not anymore. TWSBI has redesigned the filling mechanism for more consistent ink flow, and has even released the Vac700R in a rainbow-anodized “Iris” finish. The Vac Mini is an excellent “pocket ink tank” that you can pocket carry without concern due to the shutoff valve that should prevent ink from spilling into the cap. (Purchase here and here)

Honorable Mention: Faber-Castell’s more inexpensive pens 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 less expensive AL-Star, and the Studio, which I think is a better pen. Nahvalur (“Narwhal”) regularly releases different versions of their “Original Plus” vacuum filler at the $55 price point. Finally, I’ve heard a lot from readers and local pen club enthusiasts about Scriveiner, a UK-based brand that sells primarily through Amazon but has now entered Office Depot in the U.S. These pens use reliable Schmidt nibs and I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen, especially for the price.

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. 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.    

  1. Schon DSGN Anodized Full-Size and Pocket 6 Fountain Pens. My personal favorite fountain pen success story, Schon DSGN sells a growing range of pocket and full-size fountain pens that start at $150 for an in-house design with unique anodization patterns. These pens feature well-tuned JoWo stainless steel nibs, but are also compatible with Schon DSGN’s in-house titanium “Monoc” nib if you feel the need to “upgrade” the pen later. (Purchase here)

  2. 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. Leonardo’s two main models - the Momento Zero and the Furore - have both received rave reviews, and newer releases such as the Momento Magico have been popular. While the standard Momento Zero is my personal favorite, the Furore is also excellent and has a slightly different aesthetic. Overall functionality remains the same. (Purchase here)

  3. Kaweco Art Sport. This year’s Kaweco Art Sport release was a stunner, and in addition to four new gorgeous resins, this higher-end version of the popular Sport fountain pen saw a nearly 30% price drop. Featuring a resin body as opposed to injection-molded plastic, the Art Sport shows a lot more depth to the material and feels warmer in the hand. The cap edges are also more rounded and less “sharp”. Kaweco is - in my opinion, unfairly - somewhat hampered in the $100+ price category due to the perception that the brand is “supposed to be inexpensive,” probably because their popularity has been driven by the injection-molded plastic Sport. I’ve been intrigued by what the brand has been doing lately, however, and continue to recommend Kaweco to a range of enthusiasts. While it’s far too early to give the pen its own entry on the list, Kaweco just recently released a Sport piston-filler, which falls around $165. (Purchase the Art Sport here)

  4. 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. Franklin-Christoph is in the process of revising their line of pens, so longtime fans may see changes to favorite models, plus possibly some new additions, soon. (Purchase here)

  5. Esterbrook “Estie". The most recent iteration of classic American pen company 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 good. As I predicted, Esterbrook has taken advantage of the Estie’s popularity to build out the line, and now offer this pen and a growing number of other models in a fairly wide range of materials, including Diamondcast, and has recently focused on expanding their offering of pens with unique nib grinds, including the “Journaler” cursive italic nib by Gena Salorino of Custom Nib Studio, the “Scribe” architect by Josh Lax of J.J. Lax Pen Co., and a needlepoint by Kirk Speer of Pen Realm. An oversize version of the Estie is available at a slightly higher price point. (Purchase here)

Honorable Mention: Faber-Castell pens can still be a bargain, and I love the ones I have, but I’ve heard reports that the nibs aren’t quite as good as they used to be. Otto Hutt (particularly the Design03 and Design06 models) continues to show promise but remains plagued by U.S. distribution issues and the fact that metal pens tend to be less popular in the United States than in Europe. The Diplomat Aero and Pelikan Tradition M200/M205 are obvious options that could easily be included in the top five, though the shape of the Aero can be polarizing, and I’ve found Pelikan’s own design choices to be getting a bit stale lately. As Nahvalur has grown, their “Nautilus” series of Ebonite piston fillers has become extremely popular, especially as they focus on store exclusives and limited editions.

Best First Fountain Pen Over $100 (Gold Nibs)

The price of gold is still high, but you can still find affordable options for a fountain pen with a gold nib in the $100-200 range. Lately, however, you have to go up to around $225 in most instances, and I don’t expect this trend to stop as manufacturing simply gets more expensive. 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. 

  1. Lamy 2000. A classic minimalist design in a sturdy, reliable package. Everybody needs a Lamy 2000 in their arsenal. As noted below in the “Overall Favorite Pens” section, the Lamy 2000 pulls double duty as my favorite overall fountain pen. (Purchase here)

  2. 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. (Purchase here)

  3. Pilot Custom 74. It upsets me that the Custom 74 often goes overlooked at pen shows. Pilot pens represent the peak of reliability, and in recent years Pilot has expanded the Custom 74 lineup to include eight different colored demonstrators in fairly unusual colors, representing a marked departure from the norm. The Custom 74 features an excellent 14k nib and utilizes Pilot’s higher-capacity CON-70 pump converter. (Purchase here)

  4. Pilot Vanishing Point or Capless Decimo. Of the handful of options for a retractable-nib fountain pen - the category has grown somewhat in recent years - Pilot’s version remains the most reliable. 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 also enjoy the slimmer Pilot Decimo as I find the design to be more portable and conducive to short notes. (Purchase Vanishing Point and Decimo here)

  5. 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. The Platinum 3776 also offers a range of nib options, including “soft” nibs and a music nib. (Purchase here)

Honorable Mention: Unfortunately, as I noted above pens with gold nibs at the sub-$200 price points are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Pilot recently raised the price on the Custom Heritage 92, which knocked it off the list. If you are set on a gold nib and find yourself constrained by budget, but want to look outside the options listed above, dare I say go vintage? Vintage Parker pens such as the Parker 51, Parker 75, Sheaffer Targa, have reliable filling systems and can be found at well-under $200 in working order, though they may not be mint specimens. For your first vintage pen, I would recommend buying in-person at a pen show, where you can inspect the pen before paying, peruse multiple vendors, and ask any questions you may have about maintaining the pen.

My Favorite Fountain Pens

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

  1. Lamy 2000. You can't go wrong with a classic, which is why I own multiples of this pen in nibs ranging from extra-fine to various custom grinds. The Lamy 2000 remains, and probably always will remain, my favorite workhorse. (Purchase here)

  2. Schon DSGN Engineered Plastics and Full-Sized Fountain Pens. I am close to accumulating a full set of the Schon DSGN “Engineered Plastics” series in materials such as Peek and Ultem. These pens are nearly indestructible rock solid workhorses with eyedropper capability and, of course, the ability to accept Flexible Nib Factory housings. If these thermoplastics aren’t your thing, check out the full-size metal pens that feature the same shape. Schon DSGN full-sized pens have displaced Opus 88 on this list as my “JoWo Nib Pens” of choice, and recently broke into my list of steel-nib recommendations above. (Purchase here)

  3. Leonardo Momento Zero (Standard Size). While I’ve dabbled with the Momento Zero Grande, I’ve sold off most of the larger versions of the LMZ that were in my collection. The standard Momento Zero is just about a perfect size for me, and over the years I’ve accumulated a variety of pens in different materials, including some vintage OMAS celluloids that aren’t available anymore. (Purchase here)

  4. 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)

  5. Pilot Custom 823. Both of my Custom 823s remain in regular 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: I have many Montblanc 146 models, which I still enjoy immensely even though they don’t hit the Top Five. I also still enjoy my Sailor Professional Gear Imperial Black Edition and my Sailor 1911 Black Luster, though I remain a bit bored with Sailor. It’s not that I dislike the brand, or that the quality control on the pens has dipped, it’s just that I continue to feel that the brand lacks creativity, relying on 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

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.

  1. 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)

  2. 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." (Purchase here)

  3. 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)

  4. Kaweco Sport. The grandaddy of pocket fountain pens, available in fountain pen, rollerball, ballpoint and clutch pencil. (Purchase here)

  5. 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. (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.

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 can typically find at a big box store, and that you can use to stock your office supply closet or desk.

  1. Anterique “Mach Ball” Ballpoints. I hate to place these in the “disposable” category, because they are very nice pens and easily refillable, but I guess some people might consider them inexpensive enough so as not to be overly concerned about losing the pen. Anterique is a Japanese brand that has taken the “Clic” pen format and added an exceptionally good .5mm low-viscosity ballpoint refill.

  2. Pilot Frixion. I rediscovered Pilot’s “erasable” gel pens as the finer tip versions became more widely available and the ink formulation changed, which made them more reliable writers. In Japan, these pens have developed a cult following and are used heavily in analog planners. The .4mm needle tips are favorites. Personally the Frixion is replacing my old standby, the Pilot G2, in my own rotation. (Purchase here)

  3. Pilot Hi-Tec C / Uni Signo DX. Firmly a tie. Both are my ultra-fine-tip gel pens of choice, especially when you want a wide array of available colors. If you find the needle tip on the Hi-Tec-C too temperamental, the conical Signo DX is an excellent alternative. While stock disposable housings are fine, and I always keep them on hand, I tend to use both of these pens in “aftermarket” machined pen bodies, such as the Pen Type-B and Pen Type-C for the various Pilot Hi-Tec-C refills, and the Spoke Pen or Ti Arto (see below) for the Signo DX.

  4. Pilot Razor Point II Ultra Fine. While I use them less often these days, I sometimes enjoy porous point / felt-tipped pens, and the old-school Pilot Razor Point II is my favorite. It works great in pocket notebooks, even Field Notes and Moleskines. (Purchase here)

  5. Uniball Jetstream. Some my consider it “boring”, but the Jetstream is my workhorse just given how well it works. For an inexpensive pen that can be found in big box retailers and even some grocery stores, it’s the best “off the shelf” all-purpose pen on the market, in my opinion. You can even find refillable versions (discussed below), including specialty version that have line widths as narrow as .28mm! (You can purchase the standard disposable version pretty much anywhere these days, so no specific link is necessary.)

Honorable Mention: Uniball Vision Elite, which is 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.

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. 

  1. 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. (Purchase Ballpoint here / Multi pen here)

  2. Uniball Jetstream Prime. I love the Jetstream Prime Ballpoint, which comes loaded with the Parker-style Jetstream SXR-600 refill in either .38mm, .5mm, or .7mm tip sizes. This classic twist ballpoint has a comfortable shape, and is both well-balanced and professional looking. A great pen to keep in a portfolio or planner. (Purchase here)

  3. Caran d’Ache 849 and 849 Rollerball. 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. While labeled a “Rollerball,” the 849 Rollerball version accepts Parker-style refills, so it can easily be converted to ballpoint use even though the Caran d’Ache Parker-style rollerball refill is excellent. (Purchase here)

  4. Caran d’Ache Infinite 888. This extremely inexpensive ballpoint features a metal section which gives the pen excellent balance, and incorporates the smooth Caran d’Ache “Swissride” refill. If you’re looking for an extremely inexpensive ballpoint option that will still last you a long time, the Infinite 888 is an easy recommendation. (Purchase here)

  5. Anterique Stationers Brass Ballpoint. Anterique released a higher-end version of their “Clic” pen featuring a brass component on the front part of the barrel. Featuring the same excellent “Mach Ball” refill as the plastic Anterique ballpoint, the upper portion of the pen is also interchangeable with the components from the less expensive “disposable” version of the pen, so you can customize further and create your own unique look. (Purchase here)

Honorable Mention: There is no shortage of quality refillable ballpoints and rollerballs on the market, so this “Honorable Mention” category will be long. For those who enjoy the classic Bic Cristal refill, the quirky Baux Pen remains a favorite, and the Retro 51 Tornado and Baron Fig Squire are both great rollerball options 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. The Sunderland MK1 Machined Pen has basically been out of production for a couple of years, but is coming back from what I understand. I don’t have many machined pens with staying power in my rotation, but ever since discovering the Sunderland MK1, it’s not left my briefcase, and I even released my own version with Sunderland (which hopefully will make a return soon).

Mechanical Pencils

In addition to ink-based writing instruments, I'm a huge fan of mechanical pencils, especially when I'm reading books or working with documents printed on thin or very inexpensive paper that can't handle ink at all. My preferred lead size has always been .5mm, but most of the pencils on this list have .3mm and .7mm options as well.

  1. Any type of Uni Kuru Toga. The Uni Kuru Toga is my mechanical pencil "system" of choice, regardless of which of the numerous pencil bodies you ultimately choose. Uni's Kuru Toga mechanism rotates the lead as you write, keeping the point and avoiding flat areas that many people dislike. My two personal favorites are the Alpha Gel Switch (which allows you to turn the mechanism on and off), and the Elite/Roulette model, which features a knurled grip. The Kuru Toga "Dive" mechanical pencil is the highest-end version of the Kuru Toga, and will automatically advance the lead in addition to rotating. It's a cool pencil but you will have to decide for yourself whether the price upgrade is worth the investment. (Purchase here.)

  2. Rotring 600/800. These two classic drafting pencils are on most "best mechanical pencil" lists, though the knurled metal grips simply don't work for some people. I love both of them, but lean towards the Rotring 800 over the 600 due to it's slightly larger size and retractable pipe. (Purchase here.)

  3. Tombow "Shaker" Mechanical Pencils. I hadn't used a "shaker" mechanical pencil - which allows you to advance the lead with a flick of the wrist - until earlier this year, and it instantly caught on. Tombow and Pilot both make shaker pencils, with the Tombows being the most widely available (in addition to being quite inexpensive.) (Purchase here.)

  4. Spoke Pencil. If you're a fan of the various Pentel mechanical models out there, the entire Spoke lineup offers a set of customized aluminum and titanium mechanical pencils built around Pentel mechanisms. I own the Spoke Pencil version 4, but as the company has grown, they've released additional models in different shapes and with a variety of grip sections. (Purchase here.)

  5. Pentel Sharp Kerry. Those looking for a capped mechanical pencil that won't break the bank like the Kuru-Toga Dive should consider the Pentel Sharp Kerry. Sure, you don't get the lead rotation of the Kuru Toga, but this is an insanely comfortable mechanical pencil that is portable enough to carry and the cap allows you to do so without damaging the point. (Purchase here.)

Honorable Mention: There are so many good mechanical pencils out there that it's hard to do a full honorable mention list. I'll add something different here instead and mention some offbeat options and alternatives: If you're a fan of writing with a woodcase pencil, and want a mechanical pencil option with a thicker lead, consider the Retro 51 mechanical pencil (featuring a 1.15mm lead), or a leadholder/clutch pencil like the Caran d'Ache Fixpencil or the Penco Prime Timber, which have 2mm cores that can be sharpened with a lead pointer. I may get some slack for this one, but I also enjoy the triangular grip on the Lamy Safari and AL-Star mechanical pencil. If you're looking for a more substantial writing instrument with a larger diameter, consider the Lamy. The pencils remain lightweight despite the increased size.

Woodcase Pencils

This might actually have been the most difficult of all the recommendation lists to write, as I find modern woodcase pencils to be either really good or atrociously bad, with very little in-between. Here are five wooden pencils that should work well for most standard writing. Keep in mind that this isn't a "my favorite pencils list" - it's intended as a starting point for those interested in diving into the world of high-quality graphite. Most of these brands have more pencils available in their respective lines, and most of the pencils listed here even come in different grades. Should you find that a pencil listed here is too soft or too hard, you can try one with different graphite.

  1. Tombow 2558. This Tombow office pencil has long topped my list of most recommended standard "No. 2s". While the HB is dark enough for most people (and probably a touch darker than most No. 2 pencils available in the U.S.), the B grade is even darker, extremely smooth and smear-resistant. (Purchase here)

  2. Caran d'Ache Edelweiss. My "budget" pencil recommendation, coming in at less than $1 per pencil, is this line of school pencils from Caran d'Ache. These run a bit darker than your typical Swiss/German graphite, so they work well for writing. Pencils are available in both standard HB and a much darker 3B hardness. (Purchase here)

  3. Musgrave Tennessee Red/Round. Call me a biased local, but Musgrave Pencil Company has a long and storied history of making pencils in Shelbyville, TN, just down the road from where we are located. The Tennessee Red pencils are made from Eastern Red Cedar in either a hex or round format. This aromatic wood reminds me of what I remember pencils smelling like a long time ago. Musgrave graphite can have some tooth to it, which people either like or they don't, but it's a unique pencil that offers a good writing experience at good value. (Purchase here)

  4. Blackwing 602 or Blackwing Natural. For a unique looking pencil with excellent graphite and a historically inspired design, I don't mind shelling out a bit more money for Blackwings. Yes, the marketing is part of the package, but they're excellent pencils all the same, and while my personal favorite is the original Blackwing Matte, the 602 (standard graphite) or Natural ("extra-firm" graphite) pencils will work best for most people. Blackwing cores run darker than most other brands, but in a somewhat counterintuitive twist, the pencils have pretty good point retention so a dozen lasts a while. If you're really unsure which one you prefer, you can always try the "Pencil Essentials" sampler. (Purchase here)

  5. Uni Hi-Uni 2B. Yes, this is technically an art/drawing pencil, available in the full range of hardnesses from 9B to 9H, but anything 2B through F is also excellent for writing. In my personal opinion, the Hi-Uni is the best of the high-end Japanese woodcase pencils, with the 2B my personal favorite. Everything about these pencils screams quality, from the wood and graphite to the lacquer finish. (Purchase here)

Further Reading: Pencil Accessories. Rather than try to do "Honorable Mentions" for woodcase pencils, I thought it might be better to recommend a handful of accessories that generally make the graphite life easier. First, get yourself a high-quality sharpener. While there is no shortage of fancy ones, you don't need to spend north of $100. For a hand-crank sharpener the Classroom Friendly and Uni KH-20 are both excellent. For a handheld long-point sharpener, it's hard to beat the NJK Long-Point for value ($6.50?), and if you're looking for a canister sharpener that can hold a lot of shavings when you're not near a trash can, try the Blackwing One-Step Long Point Sharpener. As far as erasers go, Tombow makes the best handheld eraser on the market, in any format.