EDC Pen Recommendation

Joined
Jun 4, 2008
Messages
553
Hi

Can anyone recommend a non-tactical, practical but stylish pen for $30 or less? (Ballpoint or Rollerball)
I am looking to upgrade from cheap bic and other office brand pens.

I was looking at the Fisher X-750 - any thoughts on this pen?

Thanks :D
 
A lot of posts are gonna say fisher space pen, for good reason. It's a quality pen for $20. My edc is simply a uni ball Jetstream in blue ink.
 
Yeah, haha. Fisher pen fits my needs for a pen.
I keep one at work in my chefs coat, because it writes on a lot of surfaces.
Keep one in my car, it never dries out, it is always reliable.
And I keep one in my room, again it's reliable and it's writes fairly smoothly.

I have one of the shuttle pens with mesh design, it costed 35 delivered, they're usually cheaper for the regular shuttles.
 
I'm going to step in and say....

I HATE the fisher space pen. I've tried three now and a couple refills. They all write like butt. I now use a Dr Grip for most of my writing but it's big so not easy to carry. For edc, I sometimes do carry a fisher bullet space pen in my pocket. Only because it's small and doesn't get used much. Thankfully. I hate it.
 
I have to share your disdain for the space pen. They sputter and glob, and they offer too much resistance. I have tried them several times over the years and kick myself every time.

I like disposable roller gels or sharpies if I need to mark a difficult surface. In my line of work, disposables rule. It's not the tacticool answer some might like, but I write more than I fight, so it needs to be a pen first. Besides, if I need a means of defense, I'll grab one of the shovels or pipe wrenches on the platform;)
 
Pilot G2 refills plus a nice housing (like how the Kara's Kustoms can house different refills).

I hate the blobby nature of the Fisher refills.

Zebra makes some nice ballpoint refills.

Ink roller... I like Pilot's offerings. Used a V5/V7 whenever I couldn't use a fountain pen.
 
I recommend a Parker Jotter, especially the stainless steel variety. Can be had for right around 10 bucks...they write great and are very stylish imo.
 
+2 on the Parker Jotter ... just great, great pens. I have several. Lost several but on that price point it´s ok.
 
The Zebra F-701 is nice, I just ordered my second one.
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Check out Cantu Bruner designs pens. He make really cool bullet pens and regular pens. He uses cross refills in his pens which write considerably better then space pens. Most of his pens are in the $35-50 range and from the one I got his quality is second to none. Here is a pic of mine with a few other EDC items
C6E2AE58-D4FE-49CD-BD1C-BE74099D3778.jpg
 
I have to agree with the parker jotters and zebra f701. I used to use a parker till I ran it over with my car. It still writes but won't click back in. Beast of a pen. Lately I've been switching off between the zebra and a pilot precise clicky.
 
I have to share your disdain for the space pen. They sputter and glob, and they offer too much resistance. I have tried them several times over the years and kick myself every time.

I like disposable roller gels or sharpies if I need to mark a difficult surface. In my line of work, disposables rule. It's not the tacticool answer some might like, but I write more than I fight, so it needs to be a pen first. Besides, if I need a means of defense, I'll grab one of the shovels or pipe wrenches on the platform;)

With the stock ink cartridge, I completely agree with you. That said, I now have three pens with Fisher inserts, and all write very smoothly with light pressure. The key I've found it to pick up the fine refills. I do admit, it is unfortunate to add another cartridge immediately onto the price of a new pen, but I've enjoyed the Fisher Bullet form factor enough to justify it for myself. The higher-end finishes are extremely nice, too, with the titanium nitride and zirconium nitride. On a note that doesn't necessarily fit the criteria, those are both struggling for pocket time against my new Hinderer Extreme Duty :)

Best of luck in your search, jetsrb32! I look forward to seeing what you select.
 
Another vote for the Parker jotter or a zebra. Both have good refills that write smooth and last a good long time.
 
Zebra f701 is great, fisher space pen, maratac embassy pen.

I carry all three frequently. The fisher space pen is the easiest to carry in the pocket. The embassy pen feels the best in the hand. But I will agree with others, the fisher ink writes like crap. It always gets gummed up at the tip. I always have to wipe it off before I write.
 
Toronado, Retro 551 in stainless steel or other finishes, with ballpoint or rollerball insert. About $22-$25 in SS finish. Really handsome, solid, & indestructible.
 
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