As pen enthusiasts, we often have a collection of pens—one for poetry, one for signatures, one for traveling, and one for home. However, we understand this isn’t the case for everybody. The majority of individuals just want a single pen, one that reigns supreme—the only one they’ll ever need. Those are big shoes to fill, but there are a number of pens on the market today that can truly fit this role, and quite well at that. So, in this guide, we’ll talk about what to look for in a pen before declaring it the perfect one.
Materials Matter
The very first thing to keep in mind when searching for the perfect pen is durability. When you’ve got just a single pen, you don’t want to find yourself pulling it out of your backpack only to discover it’s broken.
So, the materials used in the construction of your chosen pen should be durable. Bastion Pens, for example, creates bolt action pens built from stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber. All four materials provide a different feel and have their own advantages, but they’re all extremely durable.
EDC, also known as Everyday Carry, is a movement where individuals carry certain items daily (as the name suggests) to solve life’s small challenges. Folks in this community absolutely love bolt-action pens because of their ruggedness and reliability.
Going with the Ink Flow
Materials impact how a pen feels in hand. Stainless steel is cool to the touch—literally and figuratively—and has significant heft. Carbon fiber with a rubber cover, on the other hand, is much lighter. Which one is better is largely subjective.
However, what is less subjective is the simple fact that smooth ink flow is essential for a great writing experience. Once a pen feels good to hold, the next important factor is how well the ink flows. Does it skip? Is it consistent? Does it leave smudges? All these questions matter because the best pen in the world is useless if it doesn’t write well.
Repairability Is Good for Everybody
We’re so used to using 99-cent plastic pens from the gas station that we assume pens are disposable.
Number one, that’s false. Number two, it’s bad for the environment. Nobody wins when cheaply built, mass-produced pens make up the bulk of sales. We’re no longer living in a time of ignorance—awareness has made us more conscious of the damage we do to the environment. Owning a single pen (or just a couple) is a great step, but if that pen isn’t reliable and breaks easily, its purpose is defeated.
That’s why the perfect pen should be repairable. It should have compatible refills available on the market as well as replacement parts for its critical components, such as the body and cap. That way, in case of an accident, instead of throwing the entire pen away, one can simply repair it and keep using it. This potentially means a single pen could last a lifetime. And that’s no exaggeration—many writers have done just that. They may not have used the same pen every time, forever, but the pen itself remained functional and became an heirloom.
Mechanism of the Writing Machine
If this is going to be your one pen, the opening mechanism matters more than you’d think. Some pens misfire and leave the tip exposed. The tip can poke around, break things, or even leak. And if you’ve ever dealt with a leaking pen, you know there are few things in this world as frustrating and messy.
A bolt action pen is a solid choice because it won’t accidentally click open in your pocket. Twist pens are another good option, but if you’re looking for long-term reliability, it’s best to avoid flimsy click mechanisms.
Style Counts
If you’re truly going for the perfect pen, there’s no compromising on style. It may not matter much if you have a collection, but if you’re relying on a single pen-friend (excuse the wordplay), it should be easy on the eyes. Sure, it should be durable. Yes, it should write well. Absolutely, repairability is a must. But if all of that comes at the cost of style? That’s a hard sell.
A bolt action pen made of, say, titanium is quite a classy-looking pen. It’s durable, fitting the EDC pen theme. It’s elegant and fits right in with a suit, which explains why so many working professionals use it. Bastion Pens offers a variety of designs, from minimalist styles to bold, attention-grabbing options.
Conclusion
The perfect pen doesn’t exist—that’s the hard truth. Perfection is an illusion, but through the lens of subjectivity, you can find one that’s perfect for you. Choose a pen that feels good in your hand, is comfortable, and has a smooth ink flow. We want you to write more, and the right pen makes that easier. Make sure it’s durable because you don’t want it falling apart in the middle of—oh, we don’t know—a meeting or when you’re deep in the zone. And last but not least, pick one that looks cool. That makes all the difference.
