If you write or sign things a lot, get a couple decent pens. Not expensive ones you’d be upset if you lost them, but not sad, free office pens.
I’ve gotten numerous compliments on my Pilot Precise V5. It’s bold, but easy to read, and if anyone borrows it, they’ll notice it’s smooth and feels nice to use.
The Precise is a rollerball. If you need a ballpoint, Uni Jetstream is great. Pentel Energel or Bic Inkjoys for gel. Grab a pair of each and you can write on near anything.
Zebra Sarasa Grand is a nice metal body with binder clip type clip if you want an upgrade. The above pens all use the same size refill, so if you like one body but a different ink, you can swap them.
The Grand is around $10, the rest you can find for around $5 for a pair.
If you’re using a pen all day, it’s an upgrade you’ll notice whenever you grab a freebie pen and it’s scratchy, the ink skips, and it smudges. It’s a nice upgrade that will feel more luxurious than the price would imply.
I like the soft touch body of the Inkjoys more, and I feel Energels don’t last as long, but they’re still one of the top budget pens and I like they come in a number of body styles and colors.
It may sound silly, but don’t be afraid to practice your writing.
I tried fountain pens for a bit (too fussy for me) and to get practice at it and get my cursive skills back up, I would copy the Duolingo I was doing at the time. That way I got to practice writing and language at the same time. You can always just copy articles or books or whatever.
You could practice copying font styles too if you want something special. If your writing stinks, steal someone else’s! 😁
You’re sweet! I would love to try the pens that part while you press harder, but regular pens make my shaky-ass hand look terrible. Maybe I could get better with practice!
The Pilot Precice (V7 because I’m not a heathen) literally got me my first date with my current fiancée. I barely handwrite anymore since I graduated a few years ago but still make a note to grab a pack of those pens whenever I notice my home supply is getting a little thin. They’re really lovely things
That’s awesome! I have fancier pens, but the Precise is always the attention grabber when people write with it.
My gf is a 0.7 user and hates all my 0.5, but I write smaller than she does and the ink lasts longer as a bonus. She writes bigger to enjoy the bold lines.
The Jetstream is the way to go for an all purpose pen.
A lot of the others I mentioned edge it out in smoothness or line quality, but they’re water based ink pens, so anything that might get wet, or anything like a label or tape that isn’t absorbent like paper will need a ballpoint like the Jetstream.
Thankfully the Jetstream is as good as a ballpoint gets while still being inexpensive. Comes in a ton of styles, and refills are available if you want to toss one in your favorite pen body.
If you write or sign things a lot, get a couple decent pens. Not expensive ones you’d be upset if you lost them, but not sad, free office pens.
I’ve gotten numerous compliments on my Pilot Precise V5. It’s bold, but easy to read, and if anyone borrows it, they’ll notice it’s smooth and feels nice to use.
The Precise is a rollerball. If you need a ballpoint, Uni Jetstream is great. Pentel Energel or Bic Inkjoys for gel. Grab a pair of each and you can write on near anything.
Zebra Sarasa Grand is a nice metal body with binder clip type clip if you want an upgrade. The above pens all use the same size refill, so if you like one body but a different ink, you can swap them.
The Grand is around $10, the rest you can find for around $5 for a pair.
If you’re using a pen all day, it’s an upgrade you’ll notice whenever you grab a freebie pen and it’s scratchy, the ink skips, and it smudges. It’s a nice upgrade that will feel more luxurious than the price would imply.
I love the Parker Jotter. It’s a classic and looks so sleek.
Jotter is a classic!
Check out the OHTO Rays for something similar. It’s a plastic body so it cuts down on both weight and price.
Pentex EnerGels are AWESOME for inexpensive pens.
Those were my gateway
drugpen!I like the soft touch body of the Inkjoys more, and I feel Energels don’t last as long, but they’re still one of the top budget pens and I like they come in a number of body styles and colors.
Imma try like EVERYTHING you’ve recommended! My partner got me on the energels.
Careful, it’s addictive!
oh no
My writing is TERRIBLE and I’m scared I will get pens that will make it worse
It may sound silly, but don’t be afraid to practice your writing.
I tried fountain pens for a bit (too fussy for me) and to get practice at it and get my cursive skills back up, I would copy the Duolingo I was doing at the time. That way I got to practice writing and language at the same time. You can always just copy articles or books or whatever.
You could practice copying font styles too if you want something special. If your writing stinks, steal someone else’s! 😁
You’re sweet! I would love to try the pens that part while you press harder, but regular pens make my shaky-ass hand look terrible. Maybe I could get better with practice!
If your issues are pressure related, I found this guide of exercises to relax your writing grip and to avoid pressing too hard.
It’s written for teaching children, but that just makes it super easy to understand. It looks to have some very good ideas.
The Pilot Precice (V7 because I’m not a heathen) literally got me my first date with my current fiancée. I barely handwrite anymore since I graduated a few years ago but still make a note to grab a pack of those pens whenever I notice my home supply is getting a little thin. They’re really lovely things
That’s awesome! I have fancier pens, but the Precise is always the attention grabber when people write with it.
My gf is a 0.7 user and hates all my 0.5, but I write smaller than she does and the ink lasts longer as a bonus. She writes bigger to enjoy the bold lines.
The jet streams feel smoother than any others I’ve tried.
The Jetstream is the way to go for an all purpose pen.
A lot of the others I mentioned edge it out in smoothness or line quality, but they’re water based ink pens, so anything that might get wet, or anything like a label or tape that isn’t absorbent like paper will need a ballpoint like the Jetstream.
Thankfully the Jetstream is as good as a ballpoint gets while still being inexpensive. Comes in a ton of styles, and refills are available if you want to toss one in your favorite pen body.