I can’t believe that next year (2024), The Gentleman Stationer will be ten years old! Each year, to celebrate our “blogiversary,” I update the “Best Pens” list. While this list hasn’t changed much over the past couple of years, I always find one or two things to add, and this year mainly features some surprise additions to both the “Disposable Pen” section and the “Refillable Ballpoints” section. Be sure to check them out, and as always, past lists remain available so that you can see how my preferences and recommendations have changed over time.

So why do I think the lists have remained the same? Probably because as far as mainstream pens are concerned, there really hasn’t been much in the way of true innovation, but rather a focus on fine-tuning existing designs. In my opinion, much of the creativity these days comes from independent makers, who I’ll never include on a “ranked” list like this simply due to the highly individualized, bespoke nature of their work. I plan to write more on this in the future. Happy reading!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. To the extent third parties are linked to in the Best Pens list or elsewhere, it is being done on a non-affiliate basis.