By the end of this guide, you'll know what the best pen is for you. If you're looking for a pen that'll make your writing neater, easier or just more enjoyable, look no further. This updated guide for 2024 is here to help you choose the perfect pen. We really have you covered. We are going to be asking and answering common questions at the top of your mind when shopping for the perfect pen type, so you'll find the best one for you.
Whether you're into ballpoint pens, luxury fountain pens, retractable and refillable pens or pen sets - we've got them here. Explore beautiful and luxurious pens that will take pride of place on the desk of any stationery lover. Who can resist an acrylic cast pen from the famous Kaweco collection? If you want to know now, take a peek below and find the pen of your dreams.
So, which type of pen is the 'best'?
Everyone has a preference, and each pen has qualities that make them unique. Do you need to write quickly on any surface, or do you want a handwriting pen for daily journaling where you need your notes to look immaculate? For quick notes at work, you want it to look nice in hand and feel comfortable, right? We will break down these questions to help you find the best pen for you. Put your creative mind and eager hands at ease. We have you covered.
What’s the most luxurious pen?
When most people think of luxury, they often think of a smooth-flowing fountain pen. Add some fancy casing and silver and gold finishes, and tada. It doesn't get better than that.
Fountain pens use a feeder system to create the perfect ink flow. They use a water-based ink that flows smoothly from a metal or plastic nib, making them ideal for calligraphy and artistic writing. This system utilises a combination of gravity and capillary action to create a smooth and luxurious writing experience. When this is a high-quality pen, not only will the ink run perfectly out of the pen, but it won't leak and will have longevity.
These three fountain pen styles always provide the look and feel of luxury that lasts:
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Two fountain pen brands that ooze luxury
1. Caran D'ache
A modern writing classic. Caran d'Ache is a Swiss luxury pen brand known for its high-quality writing instruments. They have a long and rich history that dates all the way back to 1915. Its pens are highly sought after by pen enthusiasts and collectors alike.The Caran d'Ache 849 Plume is created from durable, lightweight aluminium and powder coated in a choice of seven hues.
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2. Kaweco
Kaweco dates back to 1883. Their pens are known for their compact design and attention to detail. Kaweco uses materials such as brass, aluminum, and resin in their pens, and they are finished with a variety of finishes, including high-gloss, matte, and textured. The pens feature well-balanced weight, and their design is often simple yet classic, which makes them a timeless writing instrument.
Featuring the Kaweco Sport fountain pen. A timeless classic, the Sport pen was originally designed in 1911 and is available in plastic casing or a metal finish in a wide range of colours. It features a plated stainless steel nib made by Bock of Heidelberg, 75-year makers of precision fountain pen parts
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There are more luxury pens exclusive in our Chelsea store. Pop in and test them out. You’ll be impressed.
What pen is affordable and makes a great gift?
The ballpoint pen is perhaps the most common pen type. It is used for writing on nearly every surface, from paper to the back of your hand. A popular pen type with a fancy print for only £4 makes a gift anyone would love. The Completist has nailed the perfect pen gift with the below options. Match the print to a notebook in their favourite colour and you’re on to a winner.
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Which is the smoothest pen to write with?
A smooth pen is a dream to write with. Fountain pens are always incredibly smooth, but The Primo Pen with the gel ink cartridge is next on our list. The gel pen is incredibly smooth on paper and doesn't require as much pressure as a ballpoint. Another benefit of the Primo pen is that you can pick and choose the cartridge. You can switch the cartridge whenever you fancy changing back to the ballpoint.
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What are the differences between ballpoint and gel pens?
Ballpoint pens use a thick oil-based ink that flows slowly, making them ideal for everyday use. Gel pens use water-based gel ink that dries quickly, making them ideal for smooth, sharp writing.
Which pen gives the best handwriting?
The Everyday Pen has smooth flowing ink that makes you write like a dream, It has qualities similar to a gel pen, making it smoother on paper and doesn't require as much pressure. As it has Black ink and its retractable it’s ideal for all writing occasions and super easy to pop in your bag, take anywhere with you and you don’t have to worry about it leaking too.
What makes a good pen for everyday use?
A good pen for everyday use should have a comfortable grip, smooth ink flow, quick-drying ink, and be refillable. The Everyday Pen ticks all of these boxes. Its name says it all.
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Which pen is best for remembering tasks?
Coloured pens mean that you can colour-code your notes. It helps to highlight the important information you need to return to. You can then easily see everything relating to a particular topic in a glance.
The 200 Fine 0.4 Artline Pens and Le Pen Art Pens are great for this. Simply underline critical points with different colours so you can go back to each colour-coded section when you skim through the essential details.
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Which pens are the best for signatures and receipts?
Avoid coloured pens and gel pens for signing documents. Stick to Black ballpoint. If you want your signature to appear smooth, we recommend the Classic Line 849 Ballpoint. We have multiple colours available to choose, from a classic black or white to a fluorescent green or yellow. There's even a premium version if you're looking for something a bit fancier.
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What pen should I buy for calligraphy?
There are three main calligraphy pen categories to consider. Besides fountain pens, The Sign Pen makes a great calligraphy and art pen for beginners. Some of our team are calligraphy experts and always use their sign pens to create amazing calligraphy work that we are always impressed by. The brush sign pen comes in a set of 10 which means if someone's getting into calligraphy, it’ll make a great gift for them to play with all the different colours. We recommend you draw your font designs with a pencil first. We recommend the mechanical pocket pencil for this.
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What's the best pen gift set?
If you like the idea of a gift set of pens but you're not looking for an art pen, The Everyday Pen sets make a perfect choice. You could pop them into a pencil case for yourself or dish them out, one for each giftee at a party. Refills are included and easy to replace once the ink runs out. A gift that will last the test of time.
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We hope this guide helps you choose the type of pen you need.
You can shop our complete range of writing pens and art pens here.
