11 Best (Personalized) Everyday Carry Pens: #1 Is James Bond's Pen

By Samantha Di Nardo

Three engraved parker jotter edc pens on a table

11 Best (Personalized) Everyday Carry Pens: #1 Is James Bond's Pen

By Samantha Di Nardo

In this article, I list my 11 favorite EDC pens.

Everyday Carry Pens are pens you'd have on you throughout the day, perhaps in your bag, that are capable of accomplishing daily writing tasks consistently and easily. As opposed to luxury pens, the point is not fashion, but function.

I list pens in every writing styles (ballpoint, rollerball, fountain pen, and felt tip), and all pens are scaled from 1-5 for three categories:

  1. Functionality
  2. Durability
  3. Ease of Use

11 Best EDC Pens Countdown

Here's the shortlist of our top-ranked Everyday Carry Pens:

11. Pentel Fude Touch Felt Pen
10. Fisher Space Pen
9. Richmond Matte Black Rollerball
8. Kaweco Classic Sport
7. PILOT Precise V5
6. Monroe Ballpoint and Mechanical Pencil Set
5. Abingdon Blue Ballpoint
4. Waterman Hemisphere Rollerball
3. PILOT Metropolitan Fountain Pen
2. Cross Tech3+ Pen
1. Parker Jotter Gel Pen

Starting at number 11, I have my one felt pen offering to this list.

Why only one? Well, felt pens are incredible at getting their specific job done (like bullet journaling and drawing), but I don't find them to be the most versatile pens, and they really give in to wear and tear.

That being said the Pentel Fude is a classic Japanese felt pen, perfect for hand lettering and doodles alike. Water based ink sinks in to the page and dries fast. The flexible fabric tip adapts to movement and add character to every stroke.

At around $6.99 for three its hard to beat the Fude's price for an EDC pen.

What I don't like about this pen, its plastic body is not particularly durable and neither is the tip which will wear down with heavy use.

So ultimately, the Pentel Fude is easy to write with, but some overall flaws in daily use.

Functionality: 3.5/5

Durability: 3/5

Ease of Use: 4/5 

TRY THE PENTEL FUDE 

 

10.) Fisher Space Pen

The Fisher AG7 Space pen is a tank; its pressurized ink cartridge can write upside down, under water, in super cold weather, and, yes, in space.

Because it can write on any surface which is a big pro for anyone on a work site.

And if durability is your biggest necessity, this would be a solid choice

It's steel body can survive almost anything you could throw at it (or throw it at). It also has a tight pocket clip so it will be very secure in your shirt.

Ultimately, the Fisher Space Pen is a solid pen. My major con is that I find it requires a good amount of pressure and does not create a particularly dark writing line so I rate it lower on the ease of use.

Functionality: 3.5/5

Durability: 5/5

Ease of Use: 2.5/5

 TRY THE SPACE PEN

 

9.) Richmond Matte Black Rollerball

Dayspring Pens Richmond Matte Black Rollerball

The Richmond rollerball is a nice, weighted metal pen that leaves a fine, black writing line.

It's a pen with simple, functional lines that looks nice enough to be a business pen.

The newest offering from Dayspring Pens, the Richmond's matte black finish is by far a must since the lacquer hides smudges and finger prints. 

Functionality: 3.5/5

Durability: 3.5/5

Ease of Use: 4/5

 TRY THE RICHMOND

 

8.) Kaweco Classic Sport

The first of our fountain pen entries, the Kaweco Classic Sport is an uber portable, reactive pen, and it's one of the most reliable fountain pens I've ever used.

A fine point nib and compact body, the Kaweco Classic Sport has a variable length depending on whether or not the abnormally long cap is posted or not. When it's posted, the pen is a standard size, but when it's off, the pen feels pretty compact.

The clip is also unique: it's removable and adjustable, making it a pocket pro.

The ink cartridge refills hold a sizeable amount of ink, able to last through long writing sessions.

The plastic build is light weight, which is great for mobility, but it probably wouldn't hold up against too much abuse.

Functionality: 3.5/5

Durability: 3.5/5

Ease of Use: 4/5

TRY THE SPORT 

 

7.) PILOT Precise V5

An excellent writing pen, the PILOT Precise V5 is a great EDC pen for crosswords and daily note taking. 

Available both as a capped rollerball and click pen with an ergonomic grip, you can take your pick whichever style you find most compatible with your needs.

The Pilot Precise V5 is a reliable, handy pen. When it comes to its writing experience, I could wax poetic.

The downfall of the PILOT Precise V5 as an EDC pen is its durability. It is not a particularly strong plastic barrel and has the same pitfalls of the Pentel Fude. It would be great safely tucked in a pocket or purse pouch, but avoid tactical pen situations.

Functionality: 4/5

Durability: 3/5

Ease of Use: 4/5

TRY THE PRECISE V5 

6.) Monroe Ballpoint and Mechanical Pencil Set

Monroe Pen Collections

The Monroe Ballpoint and Mechanical Pencil Set is a click mechanism pen set with a nice presentation and solid writing at an affordable price.

The newly redesigned Monroe set is much more durable and functional than its predecessors. It has a good weight that feels sturdy in the hand.

The ballpoint has a consistent, smooth ink quality.

The mechanical pencil is just fine. High end pencils can be hard to come by so it's a unique option. It writes as comfortably as the ballpoint.

The major drawback is the light writing line of the pencil lead and the lack of an eraser. Lead can be replaced though.

Functionality: 3.5/5

Durability: 4/5

Ease of Use: 3.5/5

TRY A MONROE SET 

 

5.) Abingdon Blue Ballpoint

Abingdon Blue Ballpoint

The Abingdon Blue Ballpoint is the largest of the EDC pens to grace this list.

If slimmer barrel gives you hand cramps or discomfort, the Abingdon is sized to be super accessible to any hand size.

The blue lacquer softens the chrome finishes and adds a nice notability.

As for the writing, it's smooth and steady. 

Functionality: 3.5/5

Durability: 4.5/5

Ease of Use: 3.5/5

TRY AN ABINGDON BLUE BALLPOINT 

 

4.) Waterman Hemisphere Rollerball

NOTE: We are starting to get into the "chef's kiss" area of the list for me. It starts out with the Waterman Hemisphere Rollerball.

Waterman Hemisphere Rollerball

The highest end luxury pen on my list, the Hemisphere is an EDC despite the price point.

Why? Because it writes so incredibly well. It's reliable as all get-out, and it's so classy-looking: understated chic in an upscale environment and a statement pen in the everyday.

Drawbacks to this pen? It's a rollerball so it will not write on any glossy surfaces.

Functionality: 3.5/5

Durability: 4/5

Ease of Use: 4/5

TRY A WATERMAN HEMISPHERE ROLLERBALL 

 

3.) Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen

The Pilot Metropolitan is a shockingly good fountain pen for under $20.

An aluminum body makes it light weight and easy to carry. It fits comfortably in the hand and is a pretty no-fuss fountain pen with very little maintenance required.

What makes this an EDC pen for me, aside from its great flexible nib and fine point, is how easily the pen started writing again after sitting in my bag for two months.

All the drawbacks with this pen are due to it being a fountain pen, so if you are averse to the upkeep of a fountain pen, then move on down the list.

Functionality: 3.5/5

Durability: 4/5

Ease of Use: 4/5

TRY A PILOT METROPOLITAN FOUNTAIN PEN 

 

2.) Cross Tech3+ Pen

Cross Tech3+ Translucent Red Pen

The Cross Tech3+ is my personal favorite ballpoint pen.

It's durable with all metal material, it's portable with a slimmer body, and it's ridiculously functional since it is actually three writing instruments in one.

Twist this pen to move from a black ballpoint pen to a red ballpoint pen to a 0.5mm mechanical pencil instantly.

The Tech3+ also has an eraser under the cap and a stylus on the cap for tablets.

I personally prefer the matte black finish or one of the translucent lacquer since the chrome can be slippery and shows my grubby fingerprints in a single touch.

Functionality: 5/5

Durability: 4/5

Ease of Use: 4.5/5

TRY A CROSS TECH3+ 

 

1.) Parker Jotter Gel Pen

Jotter Blue Gel Pen

And finally we come to the ultimate EDC pen since 1954: the Parker Jotter.

It's slim and portable, durable as heck, and the click is next-level satisfying. I prefer the fine tip gel version for its rich black ink line and the metal material construction that last quite a bit of abuse.

You can easily find this pen as a ballpoint and in plastic material online, engraved, or even at an office goods store.

This has been one of the best EDC pens because it was the first to solve the skipping problem of the original ballpoints, making it a staple throughout history. You can even see it in a ton of films and tv shows from the '60s on.

You can even see it in GoldenEye as the epic grenade pen. If that isn't functionality, I don't know what is.

Functionality: 4.5/5

Durability: 5/5

Ease of Use: 4.5/5

TRY A PARKER JOTTER 

 

Before we say goodbye, here's some frequently asked questions about everyday carry pens.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What makes good EDC pens?

We all know pens come in any shape or style you could dream of from the classic Stic Bic to the carved wooden animal pens you get from the museum gift show to the thousand dollar jewel encrusted pens.

As good as each of these pens can be for their specific reasons, they don't all make good everyday carry pens.

But what really makes a good everyday carry pen? Here's our answer:

  1. Functionality
  2. Durability
  3. Ease of Use

 Let's take a look at each of these three points.

1.) Functionality

An EDC pen needs to be functional to get you through all of the different tasks you need a pen to accomplish throughout the day.

The important distinction is figuring out just what you are constantly doing. Are you jotting quick things down on a worksite, making notes on wood and blueprints at all angles? Are you sitting down at a desk writing for long periods of time like grading papers?

What you are doing with your pen matters for your every day writing needs. Something like that jewel encrusted luxury pen might be perfect to make a statement in a board room meeting, but probably isn't the best to pull out to fill out your intake form at the doctor's office.

2.) Durability

Next an EDC needs to be durable enough to last through all your tasks.

A Stic Bic is a great writer, but if someone nibbles the end a lil' too much or the pen gets buried underneath your books on the way to class, then it's ruined.

3.) Ease of Use

Lastly, an Everyday Carry pen needs to be a good writing pen. I'm talking about minimal to no skipping, fast ready ink flow, and a comfortable fit in the hand.

Many thanks to my parents for my carved wooden tiger pen from the Smithsonian, but that bad boy dried out fast, cramped my hand with its top heavy design, and gave me splinters.

Conclusion

So that's it for my list of the 11 best everyday carry pens.

What's your go-to for EDC? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below, and I'll be happy to try out a new pen and add it to the list.

Sam Di Nardo

Sam Di Nardo is an author for Dayspring Pens, where she has honed her expertise in ballpoint, rollerball, gel and fountain pens since joining the team in 2018.

From her initial role as an Engraver to becoming the Production Manager, Sam's journey has been marked by her passion for the history, manufacturing, and the unique value of gifted writing instruments.

A graduate of Regent University with a degree in English Literature and a special interest in Old Norse literature, dive deeper into Sam's world and discover why she's your trusted guide in the realm of gift pens.

Follow Sam on LinkedIn.

2 Comments

I am looking for a gift fir my son-in-law
He does not use fountain pens, i was told ballpoint, difference between gel and ballpoint. Would like a beautiful pen, luxury, he would not buy for himself????

Naomi

Fantastic list. You outlined it well. I used fountain pens until a purse disaster 25 years ago. I keep looking for a good replacement. I’ll click one of the above!

Smitha

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