The 11 Best EDC Pens (2024 Guide)

Mankind has put pigment to paper for thousands of years. From the iconic works of humanities great authors, to the sketches of artists like Davinci and Raphael, even the codification of great civilizations themselves have all been made possible by something as simple as ink. In this buyers guide, we’ve rounded up the best EDC pens so you too can pocket the immense power of the written word.
Purchase Links:
Zebra F-701 ($8) - amzn.to/3MNdL3h
Parker Jotter Ballpoint ($14) - amzn.to/3G14JMc
Lamy Safari Fountain Pen ($22) - amzn.to/3FZEdTr
Fisher Space Bullet Pen ($30) - amzn.to/3G29jtP
The James Brand The Burwell Pen ($69) - fave.co/3QYq27y
Big Idea Design Ti Pocket Pro Pen ($75) - amzn.to/3QYVAdq
Machine Era Field Pen ($110) - bit.ly/FieldPen01
The Grovemade Pen (Brass) ($100) - fave.co/3G5FA2V
Tactile Turn Bolt Action Pen ($99) - bit.ly/TTbolt
Hinderer Knives Investigator Pen Stainless Steel ($60) - bit.ly/RHpen
Refyne EP1 / PS1 Bundle ($79) - bit.ly/refyne01
Video Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:51 Zebra F-701
02:06 Parker Jotter Ballpoint
03:51 Lamy Safari Fountain Pen
05:41 Fisher Space Bullet Pen
07:37 The James Brand The Burwell Pen
09:21 Big Idea Design Ti Pocket Pro Pen
11:26 Machine Era Field Pen
13:01 The Grovemade Pen
15:23 Tactile Turn Bolt Action Pen
17:56 Hinderer Knives Investigator Pen
20:03 Refyne EP1 / PS1
21:46 Conclusion
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#everydaycarry #edc #pens

[@azrael7718]

I've only owned two Zebra F 701s over the years- the reason i had to buy it again was because SLASH (yes, THE Slash) asked if he could steal it from me when he played a concert at my casino. I was the security manager there and in charge of his on-site security and at the end of the night i (unprofessionally) slipped him a piece of paper and my pen for an autograph. He was like "hey man, cool pen! can i steal this?" And the rest is history. Id like to think my pen is still flying around the world living the rock star life i never got to live.

[@gskyflakes]

or he got wasted and lost it in the same venue

[@jacobmanalang8162]

this story makes me shame my 701 but also have hope it has a bright future ahead so i too can live vicariously through it...hopefully it doesnt lead to a life of crime and drug usage so i dont have to say i never owned it

[@monotech20.14]

I was thinking about the Zebra or the Lamy. Although the Lamy is 70 dollars more.

[@Lughnerson]

Zebra F701 can be cleaned with alcohol for hygiene. It can be filled with Fisher Space Pen ink refill, so it will write anywhere. Finally, it is tough and can be used for self defense. It is my EDC pen.

[@monotech20.14]

@@Lughnerson Thats good to know. I'm not that much of a fan of the looks of the Fisher pen.

[@stormtrooper684]

The soothing voice, the camera quality, the subtle humor, the detailed information... thank you for this helpful video!

[@hex802]

Loved the video, super complete and why nnot learn more about some pens for EDC. Thank you

[@jmr5707]

The more expensive the pen, the greater the loss. Very hard to keep a pen within the yard gate. They eventually jump the gate. Zebra F-701 (with a space pen refill) for the win.

[@tyarnold4088]

I have 2 Montblanc that I don't take out of the house because they are too expensive. The Zebra would be a good EDC for sure.

[@zillsburyy1]

pens, watches, guns, flashlights. EDC guy stuff

[@JYMBO]

Since seeing this video i have bought the first 4 pens on this list due to their relatively cheap price in my search for a new "main" pen, but what i didn't foresee is them all being SO good in their own little ways it's impossible to pick, The Zebra F-701 feels the most comfortable to me for long periods, i got the Parker Jotter XL version in all metal and it felt a bit too "mushy" at first until i put in a Gel refill & now it has the best looking ink/ writing, the lamy safari is straight up the most "fun" to write with & then i bought fisher bullet space pen in full Brass and i love how small yet "trusty" it feels, especially with it's ability to write in almost any conditions! ...SO i'm putting the Zebra in my work bag, i'm putting the Jotter XL on my desk at home, i'm putting the Lamy safari on my journal notebook & i'm putting the spacepen in my survival kit i keep in the car :) Thank You

[@ToolwatchBoutique]

I went with the Burwell from The James Brand because the design appealed the most to me amongst them all. The haptics of the click could be a bit nicer for the price, but besides that I simply love it.

[@monotech20.14]

I was thinking about the Zebra or the Lamy. Although the Lamy is 70 dollars more. I like the Lamy because it is refillable.

[@HelplessTeno]

I've been writing a ton more at work and decided to stop running through Pilot G2s. Watched this video, dozens of others, searched over reddit threads, and finally decided that I couldn't pick just one pen and ended up ordering a Space Pen Bullet, a rOtring 600 Ballpoint and a Parker Jotter. Got a couple different refills to try in each. Still want a Zebra F-701, but I opted for the rOtring as my EDC work pen. Gonna throw a Space Pen cartridge in it since I write on multiple surfaces at work. Pens are cool.

[@polaith7053]

hey, what made u pick rotring over any other pen? like uniball jeatstream?

[@darrenlowry7477]

I've been using my red Parker Jotter for over 20 years.

[@Diplomat440]

Been using a big I slim click for about a year now. Using a Fisher refill. Pretty happy with it!

[@nathanpinnock9541]

Great video! Love the quality!

[@Banks1769]

I've been using Parker Jotters for years. Classic look and they just work.

[@tomt5745]

Never leave home without one :)

[@monotech20.14]

For the price of the Jotter I think there are better options. Although I too like the Jotter. I just think there are cooler pens out there for the same price point.

[@maitrekebabier5260]

@@monotech20.14which ones ? I’m hesitating to buy the refyne

[@monotech20.14]

@@maitrekebabier5260 Zebra M-701. It takes the Fisher Space Pen refill. So you don't have to pay the price of the Space Pen and don't have to worry about the cap. Also the Jotter pen used to be inexpensive. For the price of the Jotter you can get a Rotring ballpoint pen.

[@TheGunDude]

Tactile turn is my all time favorite. I have 2, one titanium, one copper. Also got one for my dad. They’re amazing.

[@ei..]

My current favorite pen is the stilform ballpoint titanium! It feels amazing and is great to fidget with when not writing! Also takes parker g2 refills, and personally using jetstream sxr-600 in mine!

[@72twist]

Been using a Zebra F-701 with Fisher Space Pen refills for about 3 years. Great combo but alas it is lost. I just replaced it with a rOtring 600 using Schmidt Easyflow 9000 M refills and really like it. Its like an upgraded F-701.

[@seraph1783]

My EDC is the Kaweco Classic Sport rollerball. Amazing compact pen, comes in a lot of colours and materials and uses the Parker G2 refills.

[@gitgudchannel]

Rotring 600 is still the goat

[@jimclip2012]

Made well but too long and only accepts Parker-style refills. Kinda limiting.

[@deykno87]

And finish scratches easily off

[@bobblade2681]

I had the pencil and it broke which was kindve disappointing. Also I’m not a huge fans of the grip. But it’s def solid.

[@tomt5745]

Rotring 600 and Parker Jotter. Nothing else.

[@tomt5745]

@@MrFukolta the 600 is the 600 :)

[@jmbwashi]

Zebra F-701 with Fisher Space refill. $12 per pen and works great. Feels solid. This is my favorite.

[@gordontyree4308]

I also use the Zebra F-701 with the Fisher space pen refill. Simply can’t beat the combo! Very Solid pen and awesome for EDC!

[@ParkerBinion]

Me too! Also, the F301 Compact can fit a Fisher if you want a smaller capped pen. At 4" closed it's barely longer than Space Pen at 3.8" closed. Zebra is not all metal though. Also you need to remove the plastic spacer in the tip to fit the Fisher.

[@EclecticOmnivore]

Re: Fisher Space Pen refill... I have Fisher's Bullet pen, though I now use only the refill and not the pen body. The refill slips into my wallet, and basically disappears till I need it. The cartridge I tend to buy is the slim "universal" type; less ink, though it can be shortened by breaking off part of the end if needed. If you have more room or don't mind the length or bulk, the other cartridges are also worthy of consideration.

[@gvoluto2816]

Fisher space Mine ist Schrott!!!

[@Carl-Camera]

"If uncle leo hasn't already gifted you this next pick" ... I am dying on the floor laughing.

[@muhdihsan93]

recently picked up zebra F-701 and been daily it since, i'm really impressed that it can compete with all the pen in this lineup and doesnt look too shabby either. The stock ink left much to be desired but you can easily pick the kind of ink that you like and for the price it hell of a bargain

[@luiscastro1362]

If you're in the market for a pen, I'd personnally recommend the Rotring 600. You could buy the Rotring 500, looks the same, but has some plastics parts, however, for just a bit more, the Rotring 600 is full metal, and it's just amazing... Just bought one, and I'm really happy with it

[@Rose_Butterfly98]

My favourite will always be the Jetstream Premier. There are 2 of them with different grips but the part I really like is the dampened clicker. Plus of course the fact that my favourite cartridge is the Jetstream 0.38 and the Jetstream premier while it comes in 1.0 will fit any other Jetstream cartridge.

[@alexsika7160]

I use a parker. I love the old school look and its simple. I just ordered a Lamy the other day. I am pretty stoked about that. I have never used a fountain pen before and wanted to try.

[@rv.inciong4810]

I love my Big Idea Design Pocket Pro pen. Tried it with different refills like Pilot G2, Pentel Energel, Uniball Signo, and Zebra Sarasa. They all fit.

[@bobleroe3859]

My every day pen is a Parker IM ballpoint, a step above their Jotter--thicker, more attractive, yet still very affordable.

[@greekveteran2715]

I like how the IM looks, I also love the thickness, however, the tip looks ver far from the tip. I haven't tried it so I don't know how it writes. I always like the tip to be close to the grip for my writing pens. For drawing, it's nice to be far, but for writing, I like a short distance,between tip and grip. I could be wroing with the IM thoigh, Parker knows what their doing

[@Planet-of-the-Gibbons]

Parker Jotter ballpoint pen, for me. a great classic writing tool

[@zillsburyy1]

in SS

[@hervelebaba7142]

Sympa la découverte de certains stylo Au bureau de mon travail j’ai le Parker noir avec des cartouches de rechange bille et gel en noire et aussi en bleu pour varier Et pour l’Edc dans mon sling bag aer j’ai la marque zérohour en noir non cité dans cette vidéo Voilà merci ☺️

[@Darkstar0504]

I’ve been using the Kaweco Sport fountain pen and I believe it’s the most slept on edc pen in the game!

[@theronwolf3296]

One unmentioned plus about titanium pens. Some people (myself for instance) find stainless steel a bit slippery which means I need to hold it tight--which can be tiring. Titanium, even though physically just as smooth, seems to have a different friction feel and slips much less.

[@Tom_Samad]

Superb selection of EDC pens!

[@gofr36]

Wouldnt it be better to just get cheap 50 cents pen

[@zero_tolerance245]

The Hinderer Tactile Pen is my favourite of these.

[@DavidPeirce]

I've tried most of these. My favorite is Sunderland Machine Works MK1, which uses the excellent Pilot G2 ink refill.

[@choppedandscrewedcustoms]

I carry a parker jotter and it has been great for years

[@tomt5745]

Indeed. In my shirt pocket sits a Jotter since the late 70s (many replacements due to mishaps). No fancypants or something, but they just are so darn good in that skinny hand of mine. ;)

[@hugomota3696]

My daily is a Parker Jotter ballpoint "Goldeneye"..Ive tried pens from the basic BIC to "ST Dupont and competitors"...and nothing beats it in terms of price x quality x style

[@marvinmurakami8828]

My favorite daily is the Paper Mate Profile 1.4 mm ballpoint pen. Smooth writing.

[@lokisgr]

My favorite bolt action pen is the Bastion Ti pen. Super tough and smooth edc tactical pen.

[@HonoluluBlue81]

Tactile Turn bolt action is the best pen I’ve ever owned, and it’s not even close.

[@dork742]

I own 2 Tactile Turn Bolts, one for my desk and one to carry. I have 2 other Tactile Turn pens but the bolts are the ones I use constantly.

[@bautista28gonzalez9]

La lapicera nombrada Lamy Safari Fountain Pen seria una total obra de arte si su pigmento en vez de ser de tono azul marino sea de un tono negro profundo.

[@bautista28gonzalez9]

Auto like para no desaparecer en este inmenso mundo de los comentarios de la plataforma youtube.

[@jukkaenqvist2328]

I've lately been carrying the machine era classic. I have a fisher space pen bullet in a small edc pouch that i have in what ever bag i have that day. I used to carry a jotter but after it punctured two pairs of pockets on my jeans i had to switch it up :/ I still use jotters for work though!

[@EclecticOmnivore]

Re: Fisher Space Pen... I have Fisher's Bullet pen, though I now use only the refill and not the pen body. The refill slips into my wallet, and basically disappears till I need it. The cartridge I tend to buy is the slim "universal" type; less ink, though it can be shortened by breaking off part of the end if needed. If you have more room or don't mind the length or bulk, the other cartridges are also worthy of consideration.

[@portwill]

NASA didn’t need that pen because it’s better than a pencil, they needed it because pencil was a safety issue (due to graphite being conductive). Amazing list of pens btw, love the production quality too!!

[@LeeGreenldgphotos]

Got the Fisher Bullet special edition with the space shuttle on it. Love this pen!

[@EclecticOmnivore]

Re: Fisher Space Pen bullet vs. refill only... I have Fisher's Bullet pen too, though I now use only the refill and not the pen body. The refill slips into my wallet, and basically disappears till I need it. The cartridge I tend to buy is the slim "universal" type; less ink, though it can be shortened by breaking off part of the end if needed. If you have more room or don't mind the length or bulk, the other cartridges are also worthy of consideration.

[@wmbchristie]

I have been using Parker pens for 70 years and love them❣️

[@MarkFaldborg]

I have several Parker Jotters, they tend to run away, clicking them is something else. The regular refills are a bit dry so I have switched to their gel refils which are very nice. Generally I write with a Lamy safari or a Kaweco Sport AL, I just like how fountainpens feel. Shouts out to TWSBY as well, amazing pens.

[@subaruford3344]

To all my dudes out there debating I would just like to say the zebra f-701 is amazing and also I switched out the cartridge with a fisher space pen cartridge if you go to office max and get the sp cartridge and a zebra f-701 you will not be sorry I promise you this and in total it’s only $14.50 I say it’s well worth the price but if not at Office Depot the F701 is only 7.49 so i really recommend this pen!!!

[@greekveteran2715]

That's true! Great combination. For edc, I also love the simple yet unbeatable in terms of control/precision Pilot V5 (they don't make them like they used to, they now might leak ink, but still a neat writer,that can also be used for drawing, since it comes in many colours and it''s ink, is watersoluble!!!

[@vincedea]

I just checked Amazon and I’m curious to know which model comes with that fisher space pen?

[@subaruford3344]

@@vincedea What do you mean?

[@ParkerBinion]

@@vincedeaThe Zebra comes with a Zebra refill. So you buy a Fisher refill and replace the OEM ink.

[@EclecticOmnivore]

Re: Fisher Space Pen cartridge... I have Fisher's Bullet pen, though I now use only the refill and not the pen body. The refill slips into my wallet, and basically disappears till I need it. The cartridge I tend to buy is the slim "universal" type; less ink, though it can be shortened by breaking off part of the end if needed. If you have more room or don't mind the length or bulk, the other cartridges are also worthy of consideration.

[@AlexCruz-mv1gj]

Love the Seinfeld reference on the space pen 😂

[@Ratnanjaysarvate]

I have been using Perrie Cardin pens for a long time now they only problem I have felt with steel pens is that they slip a lot, when we sweat it becomes more difficult to write essays.

[@DragonsinGenesisPodcast]

Been using a Lamy Safari for years. It’s completely filled several large notebooks that I use when studying. Love that pen.

[@BRAHMA_VISHNU_MAHESH_]

which nib is good in lamy safari and is medium or fine better in smoothness

[@notAspera]

I got gifted a full stainless steel Parker jotter ball point pen, very impressive. But, I prefer to use the Parker jotter fountain pen that came with it with the lid on it has a sleek full stainless steel look but sill very light and I've always just preferred fountain.

[@IvoryOut]

It kills me that you didn’t put the cap on the back end of fisher space pen.. it makes it a full size pen 😩

[@BASEmonkey]

... but he did, see 6:25

[@zachary1493]

You should have mentioned the Mark Two from StudioNeat, it's supposed to be shipping out anytime in the near future

[@EclecticOmnivore]

Re: Fisher Space Pen bullet... I have one, though I now use only the refill itself. The refill slips into my wallet, and basically disappears till I need it. The cartridge I tend to buy is the slim "universal" type; less ink, though it can be shortened by breaking off part of the end if needed. If you have more room or don't mind the length or bulk, the other cartridges are also worthy of consideration.

[@LocoDirewolf]

Big Idea Design has my favorites. I have the Pocket Pro in Ti, Cu, and Brass, Click in Cu and Brass, and the Slim Bolt Action in Cu (which is my all-time favorite (I like it far more than the Tactile Turn Bolt Action)). Other favorites of mine are the Roady and Roady XL from Spoke Design. Great pens and great prices!

[@warrenrhinerson6373]

The Parker jotter is also the pen used as a grenade in the movie goldeneye

[@johnhelms8226]

The Zebra is outstanding and an excellent value. The Big Idea is preposterously expensive for a tiny pen.

[@mercksomething1]

Love the Parker Jotter

[@tm502010]

You forgot the simple, thin, elegant Cross pen. Otherwise, your picks are extraordinarily right on. Elegant indeed!

[@IbrahimisPlaying]

Thanks ! What do you think about Ridge Bolt action pen ? (the one at 65$)

[@davidjames7430]

I have found the Zebra F301 compact to be the perfect pen for my needs.

[@ParkerBinion]

Great pen. Accepts the Fisher Space refill if you take out the plastic piece in the tip.

[@twulff7060]

Fun fact: the LAMY Safari is used in elementary schools across Germany to teach kids cursive writing.

[@PremSingh-ho5rk]

My man slipped in the Lorier Hyperion GMT ever so smoothly 😊

[@stephanetzicuris3376]

hello i need an advice , i have a simple need, i love to write with "the original bic pen"i love the slide, do you have an equivalent for a nice roller pen. thx

[@greekveteran2715]

Pilot V5 = Best pen ever, way better than any Bic. 2nd choice, Pilot V5 Grip, 3d Choice: Pilot G2 0.7mm

[@tomt5745]

@@greekveteran2715Was just on the keyboard to write Pilot :) Cost/Benifit is brilliant. Would use it all the time if I was not a boring snob with an fragile self esteem ;)

[@impendio]

I’ve gotten hard into stationery lately, and ironically my edc pen right now is the most basic pentel gel point out there, the bl417. It is so surprisingly good it is scary. It will outlive its cartridge which is kinda sad, more so because the other refillable energel bodies are ugly as sin. It is what it is.

[@vminator]

The Kaweco Sport is also a good EDC fountain pen.

[@erikramaekers63]

I use a Lamy Safari pen.Never let's me down and at 13 euros it's great value for money

[@ARRI]

hell yeah

[@citrusandseasalt]

You should add the century cross

[@touluevang3471]

that brass pen ink comes out really nice. looks really slippery tho.

[@miscelanea8546]

I choose that, which has the best pen refill!

[@grahamdavidson639]

I use an Oxford Helix fountain pen, it has a stainless steel contruction and a good weight and is about £5 right now

[@mcnos3820]

are there are ball point pens that I can refill with a convertible/piston?

[@3xodus]

Anyone that knows any pen spinning have a preference? I like the viscosity but found it likes to leak after one too many drops.

[@donaldcarr8766]

The Zebra F701 has an upgrade. The latest version is the Zebra FxMD, which has all metal components.

[@eviljeanyis]

ZEBRA, PLEASE MAKE THE 701 IN ALL BLACK!

[@jmbwashi]

Oo I like that.

[@Adventurer-Rikth]

I use my Silver pen gifted to me by my father a long time ago. it is the one I EDC for the past 7 years.

[@r.l.9993]

Zebra pen with the fisher space pen cartridge works fine for me. Dont need a pen that cost $20 & up. Esp no $100 dollar one lol

[@ParkerBinion]

Me too! F301 Compact also accepts a Fisher if you want a smaller capped pen. Not metal tho. About the same length closed as a Space pen (Zebra is 0.2" longer.) You need to remove the pastic spacer in the tip to fit the Fisher refill.

[@jinoh7418]

Love my Tactile turn pen. Got my wife one too.

[@turnbasedtoddy7664]

To this day, the parker is the best looking pen out there. No one else really comes close in looks to it except for the tactile turn slim slide click pen IMO. Also for the machine era pen to get the best click pen award when it doesn’t even actually have an audible click doesn’t make sense to me. The best thing about a click pin is that nice clicky sound you get.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Uncle Leo had nothing to do with the space pen. It was Jack Klompus.

[@user-wo1wt8rx8c]

Love the pen idea the plastic chewp one does work for me and the nicer one work for yol.... identity crises living in the paat

[@InkEeper]

Only one Fountain pen? man there is a huge selection of EDC fountain pens made of steel, titanium, Ultem and a long list of other crazy resilient materials. I carry one Copper Kaweco Lilliput and an Epoxy resin PenBBS 471 in my wallet, I love choice :)

[@jstn1of1]

Trying to decide which on is best for grad school 🤔

[@pandapo7211]

The best one - Kaweco Brass Sport (fountain pen, rollerball G2 refill pen or 0.7 pencil). Because they are metal, tough and can be closed hermetically. Proven by my own experience in Ukraine war. They are compact and immotal. The only thing you need to them - refills.

[@ayim01]

How do you not include the Ti2 Boltliner into this list? Edc perfection.

[@vixercrouchrichter]

I have an issue with sweat. I bought a zebra f-301. It decolorized because of my sweat.

[@basicdose.9872]

Parker jotter most popular.

[@GehWegX]

Surefire Pen III

[@ivankoh-mn2rs]

Is your pen the Fisher brand pen?

[@blairseaman461]

Fisher AG7 pen went along with Apollo, not the Bullet pen.

[@GeorgeAdams]

The praise for the Tactile Turn bolt action pen tells me they were paid to say that. I own the copper variant. The thumb stud doesn’t stay screwed in, the clip wobbled until I bent it to put pressure against the body, and the top cap needed an o-ring to stay on. It’s such a disappointment.

[@ryanhansen3350]

That James brand pen just looks like a F701

[@othername1000]

Of all the EDC-able pens in the entire world only one (low end) fountain pen is featured; with 10 ballpointed pen-simulators rounding out a list that apparently only considers writing as a low priority in a pen.

[@Lughnerson]

Which pen would James Bond use? It should look elegant.

[@GuagoFruit]

The Fisher space pen is my favourite compact form factor, but by god the ink writes so poorly compared to others from Zebra, Pilot, etc. You can get adaptors now for D1 refills but there's significant wobble because it's typically smaller than the original size.

[@omegapete1987]

Video was missing the Grimsmo Saga pen.

[@Roach011]

Truth

[@tyarnold4088]

They are in a whole different class. GRIMSMO are amazing.,

[@ulvesparker]

For EDC, Fisher Bullet every time.

[@Persepolis8564]

What does edc stand for?

[@eriknash8783]

Machine Era Field Click pen isn't even available or looks to be a standard product in their line up. I have and love their classic pen but would really like to have a clicker. Hopefully they are made available again at some point. Really annoying to find lists like this that include unobtanium products

[@Hiconsumption]

I hear ya! Machine Era is a tiny shop, and while we love their products, they can be difficult to get your hands on because of this.

[@brian_over60_downUnder]

Good info. Both interesting (too pen nerds like myself) and extensive. I'll have trouble finding some of these in my local stationary store. That won't stop searching online. One question: why didn't you get someone who could write legibly to do your sample list?

[@occasionalshredder]

Imagine getting uncharged on a pen because it’s “EDC” every non disposable pen can be carried daily

[@glongshot]

Is there a fountain pen with a logo made in USA?