The 20 Best Pens For Everyday Carry

No matter how digital our world becomes, there will always be room for the written word — especially when technology fails us. That’s not to say we’re going to regress into post-apocalyptic tribal warfare, but rather that knowing how to write is a valuable art and can sometimes be more convenient and reliable than, say, trying to jot down notes on your phone. As such, we’re huge proponents of carrying a pen along with the rest of your everyday carry.

However, like all pieces of EDC gear, the pen you choose is going to be very personal to your own style, preferences, and even how much space you have to spare. As such, there’s not a single pen that works perfectly for everyone. That being said, there are definitely a few options available on the market that stand out from the crowd. And it’s our opinion that this list of the 20 best everyday carry pens has one that can fit just about anyone’s needs perfectly — regardless of budget, tastes, etc.

Zebra F-701 Pen

You don’t have to opt for a plastic disposable writing utensil if you don’t have a ton of money to spend. In fact, there are some folks who would suggest, despite its low price, the Zebra F-701 is one of the best pens ever manufactured. It’s crafted from stainless steel (both inside and out), has a handy and convenient clicker mechanism and pocket clip, and won’t even come close to breaking the bank if it needs to be replaced.

Purchase: $13

Lamy Safari Fountain Pen

Calligraphy is undoubtedly verging on the edge of becoming a lost art, but there are those who still partake in this remarkable skill. If you fall into that category and you’re looking for a budget-friendly fountain pen to get the job done on the daily, the Lamy Safari pen you see here is the perfect option. It’s built from durable and lightweight ABS plastic, has a click-on cap with a handly wire pocket clip, and comes with a black-finished steel nib.

Purchase: $19

TEC Accessories Picopen

For anyone with a severely limited amount of space, the TEC Accessories Picopen might just be the ultimate EDC writing utensil. That’s because this magnificent tool measures up at just 3.25″ in length and weighs 14.5 grams in total. Yet it still houses a Fisher pressurized cartridge, has a handy magnetic cap that can attach to your keychain, and is constructed from stainless steel. And if you can swing a pricy upgrade, they also make it out of titanium — which saves on weight without sacrificing toughness.

Purchase: $20

Fisher Space Pen Bullet

Although it’s not the original Fisher offering, it could be said that the Bullet is the best all-around EDC pen this legendary company has ever produced. Not only does it contain the pressurized ink cartridge that was made famous for its treks into space — not to mention it can write upside-down, in outer space, or underwater — but it’s also made from sturdy solid brass, comes in a variety of colorways, measures just 3.75″ when closed but opens into a perfectly-balanced full-sized pen, and it comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. This USA-made modern marvel is even on permanent display at NYC’s MoMA.

Purchase: $25

Rite-In-The-Rain Trekker Pen

It’s a tough prospect to try and take aim at a company as well-known and -respected as Fisher, but Rite-In-The-Rain has been holding their own for years. And we have to assume a part of that is due to things like their Trekker pen you see here. This pen is small enough to fit on your keychain (and comes with its own ring for that purpose), has a rubberized grip for all-conditions writing, and boasts a pressurized ink cartridge — which can handle writing underwater, upside-down, in space, or in temperatures as low as -30 up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus it pairs perfectly with the brand’s proprietary notebooks.

Purchase: $28

Everyman Grafton Pen

If you’re looking for simplicity, reliability, and good design to go alongside with familiarity, you can’t do much better than the Everyman Grafton Pen. Elegant and uncomplicated, this minimalist clicker pen is built from sturdy anodized aluminum, has a handy pocket clip, is available in a trio of colorways, and even accepts both Fisher and G2 pen refills. As if that’s not enough, it also comes with a lifetime guarantee — lending to its potential as your go-to EDC pen.

Purchase: $35

Machine Era Markup Pen

Made from solid brass — or stainless steel, if gold-colored metals aren’t your thing — the Machine Era Markup Pen is an improved version of the brand’s most popular writing utensil. It’s made entirely in the USA, has no springs or mechanisms that might get jammed up, comes with a screw-on cap with tail threading, has a sturdy pocket clip, and is compatible with all Pilot G2-style refills (and comes with a Schmidt Fineliner). If you’re looking for a reliable writer you can turn to each and every day, you could do a lot worse than this option.

Purchase: $42

Fisher Space Pen x Shinola Clutch

Fisher is already responsible for making some of the best writing utensils out there, but their team-up with Shinola on this special edition Clutch clicker pen helps elevate it even further thanks to a touch of Americana. Lasting, on average, three times longer than standard ballpoint pens, this one comes with a pressurized cartridge good for writing in just about any conditions, it boasts a hexagonal grip that’s more ergonomic and less likely to go rolling off the desktop, and it’s built from sturdy anodized aluminum for a long and fruitful life of service.

Purchase: $55

Ensso XS Mini Fountain Pen

For those with an appreciation for the written word, a fountain pen is the pinnacle instrument in regard to writing utensils. However, not many of them are EDC-friendly. Conversely, however, the Ensso XS Mini was made specifically with travel in mind. It features a click-on cap, an angular 12-sided body to prevent rolling off surfaces, a durable aluminum construction. Best of all, while it comes with a durable stainless steel fountain nib, it can also be swapped out for universal ink cartridges for those times when you just want a regular writer.

Purchase: $59

Grovemade Pen

It took three years for Grovemade to perfect their Pen, but it’s finally here. And it’s here in abundance, with a trio of different material options including raw brass, black-finished stainless steel, and — the cream of the crop — titanium. These beautiful writing utensils also come with and are compatible with high-quality Schmidt P8126 rollerball inserts, they boast a twist-operated tail deployment mechanism, and they can be paired with the brand’s specially-made pen stand for desk usage. Manufactured entirely in the USA, Grovemade hasn’t revolutionized the classic pen, but they’ve definitely improved upon it in many ways.

Purchase: $60+

Fisher Space Pen AG7 Astronaut

For lovers of history, especially where NASA and the space race are concerned, Fisher’s AG7 Astronaut Space Pen is undoubtedly one of the altogether best options for a writing utensil. That’s because it’s the exact same model that’s gone up on every manned space mission since the launch of Apollo 7 back in 1968. This chrome-plated brass everyday carry pen is also made in the USA, comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee, and is capable of writing in just about any conditions — including upside-down, underwater, and in zero-g. And if you really want an upgrade, it’s also available with a black titanium nitride finish.

Purchase: $60

Big Idea Design Titanium Pocket Pro Pen

For some folks, versatility is the name of the game when it comes to everyday carry. And if you fall into that category, especially in regards to money-saving measures, then you might be interested in the Big Idea Design Titanium Pocket Pro Pen. Crafted from solid titanium, this twist-operated writing utensil is perfectly suited to pocket carry, but also boasts one major leg-up on the competition: it’s compatible with over 80 different ink refills and can automatically adjust to suit whichever one you’re keen on using. So if you’ve got a bunch of refills sitting around or you want to toy around with which ink cartridges work best for your purposes, don’t pass this pen up.

Purchase: $75

Machine Era Field Pen Twist

Another take on the firm’s best-selling writing utensil, this version of the Machine Era Field Pen boasts a few noteworthy differences that help set it apart from its comrades. For starters, this one comes with a black DLC-coated precision-machined stainless steel body. It also boasts an anodized aluminum twist-operated deployment mechanism (finished in orange), a stainless steel pocket clip, and it’s compatible with Parker style refills. Just to add to its excellence, it was also assembled in the USA, it’s superbly balanced, and it measures up at under 5″ — making it perfect for everyday carry.

Purchase: $75

Tanner Goods Memori Mechanico Pen

Like every piece of everyday carry gear, the pen you choose to carry can say a lot about you. And if you carry the Tanner Goods Memori Mechanico, it suggests preparedness, stylishness, and an appreciation for the value of the written word. However (and perhaps most importantly), it conveys a sense of knowing one’s self, as the choice to carry this cleanly-designed Parker-compatible stainless steel pen is most definitely not an accident. And while this twist-operated writing utensil is a marvel unto itself, it comes with the added bonus of a Tanner Goods sketchbook, as well.

Purchase: $79

Best Made Embassy Tactical Pen

Sometimes, the best everyday carry gear is that which comes with a unique or interesting story. And that’s exactly the case with the Best Made Embassy Tactical Pen. You see, this brass (or stainless steel) writing utensil was actually made specifically for governmental and military use. It’s also made in the USA, utilizes Fisher’s legendary pressurized ink refills, has a screw-on cap, boasts textured knurling for plenty of grip, and more. We’re not sure what Jack Ryan’s pen of choice is, but it may very well be this one.

Purchase: $98

Karas Kustoms Bolt Pen V2

In stark contrast to the gaudiness of overpriced Mont Blanc pens, all of Karas Kustoms’ offerings tend to be a good deal more interesting in their appearance and construction — and they’re most definitely a good deal more durable, as well. This particular one, which comes with both a clicker mechanism and a bolt-action deployment, is available in copper, brass, or stainless steel. It was also made in the USA, works with all Parker style refills, and will age beautifully with use over time.

Purchase: $120

Inventery Modular Pocket Fountain Pen

Of all the everyday carry pens on this list, Inventery’s Modular Pocket Fountain Pen is most definitely the most versatile from a “what it can do” standpoint. That’s because this pen was designed to transform from a standard ballpoint, into a bonafide fountain pen, into a touchscreen stylus, and back again. And, yes, it comes with all of the accessories to make that happen and then some. On top of that, it boasts an interchangeable cap system, includes nine refillable ink cartridges, and has a sturdy and reliable screw-top closure. If you want a pocket-friendly writing utensil that can serve a staggering number of purposes, this is the pen for you.

Purchase: $135

Benchmade 1100 Series Tactical Pen

For some folks, durability and toughness of gear are paramount to whether they are worth carrying. For those folks, the Benchmade 1100 Series Tactical Pen is pretty unbeatable. Crafted by one of the best knife-making brands around, this extremely tough writing utensil is built from your choice of anodized aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, or Damascus steel — aluminum in the case of the pen you see here. It also boasts ergonomic knurling, a click-on cap, compatibility with Fisher Space Pen pressurized cartridges, and has a self-defense kubaton tip on the tail end for personal protection in a pinch. Best of all, it’s guaranteed for life.

Purchase: $141

Tactile Turn Zirconium Bolt Action Short Pen

Tactile Turn’s Bolt Action Pen is most certainly one of the best offerings in the brand’s catalog. But the shorter edition is all the more carry-friendly, boasting a length of just 5.1″ in total — making it perfect for stashing in your pocket. This particular one also boasts an ultra-elite zirconium construction, it was made in the USA, and it’s compatible with all Parker-style refills. Buy this EDC pen and you’ll never need another one again.

Purchase: $249

Fellhoelter Zirconium TiBolt Pen

Ask those in the know what company makes the absolute best, bar none, everyday carry writing utensils and there’s a near-guarantee that you’ll hear the name Fellhoelter uttered more than once. And the TiBolt pen, the brand’s flagship gives a bit of insight as to why they’re so lauded and sought-after. Boasting clean lines, this USA-made precision-machined bolt-action pen is built from ultra-tough zirconium-finished titanium, has a buttery-smooth deployment mechanism, is compatible with Schmidt Easy Flow ink cartridges, and will likely outlast you and keep right on trucking.

Purchase: $500

The 15 Best Tactical Pens

For those who need something that can stand up to the punishment of the battlefield, these EDC pens might not make the cut. But all of our picks for the best tactical pens can take an insane amount of punishment.