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Home / Blog / Everyday Carry

10 Best EDC Pens to Carry in 2023

Published on September 20, 2021 by Ryan Hallstrom · Everyday Carry May contain affiliate links (what's this?)

Have you been looking for a new pen for your everyday carry? Read on to see our top picks.

Table of Contents

  • Quick Take
  • Types of EDC Pens
  • How to Choose a EDC Pen
  • 10 Small EDC Pens to Carry in 2023
  • Final Thoughts
Best EDC pens to carry

“Phone, wallet, keys…” How many times a day do you pat your packets to make sure you’re carrying “the essentials?” Consider adding a small pen to your everyday carry. 

While you may not use it as frequently as these other three common EDC essentials, carrying a pen helps you to be self-sufficient– never again will you have to ask for something to write with. 

Quick Take

Short on time? Here are our top picks for the best small pens for your everyday carry: 

Our Pick
Uni-Ball 69000 Vision Elite Rollerball Pens
Uni-Ball 69000 Vision Elite Rollerball Pens
$21.69

While not very flashy, this rollerball pen is a fantastic writer.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart
02/15/2023 02:09 am GMT
ssic-sport-fountain-pen-black-m-0-9mm-link” id=”529102″ link_id=”41139″]

Budget Pick
Parker 1953170 Jotter Ballpoint Pen
Parker 1953170 Jotter Ballpoint Pen
$15.84

For such a low price, this classically designed metal-bodied pen offers great value.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart
02/15/2023 05:30 am GMT
Upgrade Pick
Kaweco Classic Sport Fountain Pen
Kaweco Classic Sport Fountain Pen
$18.95

Compact and light, the Kaweco Classic Sport is an EDC favorite.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart
02/15/2023 07:10 am GMT

Keep reading for our other recommended options…

Types of EDC Pens

When you’re choosing a pen for your everyday carry, first you have to decide what type of pen you want. 

The three broad categories are ballpoints, rollerballs, and fountain pens. 

Ballpoints are by far the most ubiquitous. That’s because they are reliable, durable, and cheap. If you’re looking for an EDC pen and you don’t want to have to think about ink bleeding, ink staining your clothes, or pen maintenance– ballpoints are your best bet.  

Rollerballs are pens that use ball points but use water-based or gelled ink. These pens are almost as reliable as ballpoints. Some people prefer rollerballs for their smooth writing and vivid colors. 

Unlike ballpoints and rollerballs, fountain pens have a learning curve. They are more prone to leak, are more expensive, and are generally more fragile. 

You’re probably asking, “If that’s true, why would anyone want to carry a fountain pen?” 

Fountain pens have their own personality, can last for more than a century (if you don’t lose them), and can enhance the appearance of the user’s handwriting. If you’re someone who likes to tinker, or is passionate about penmanship, try a fountain pen– you’ll probably love it. 

Once you choose the perfect EDC pen for you, think about getting a pocket notebook so you always have paper to write on. 

How to Choose a EDC Pen

When you’re in the market for an EDC pen, look for something small that will easily fit in your pockets. You want a pen that doesn’t leak, looks professional, and is relatively inexpensive. 

10 Small EDC Pens to Carry in 2023

Here they are, organized by type (ballpoint, rollerball, fountain pen).

Zebra F-301 Compact Ballpoint Retractable Pen

Among the thousands of choices for cheap ballpoints, the Zebra F-301 Compact stands above the crowd. 

Zebra F 301 Compact Ballpoint Stainless Steel Retractable Pen Fine Point 0.7mm Black Ink 2 Count
Check current price

For well under 10 dollars, the F-301 is of surprisingly high quality. Made with steel and heavy-duty plastic components, this pen is collapsible to allow for easy carry. It also has a fine, smooth, ballpoint tip.

Choosing the Zebra F-301 is a no-brainer for people who want a cheap and reliable compact pen.

Parker Jotter Ballpoint Pen

A classic case of “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” the Parker Jotter hasn’t changed much since it was initially released in 1954. Today, the stainless steel model is the most popular, however Jotters come in a variety of finishes and colors.

Parker 1953170 Jotter Ballpoint Pen Stainless Steel with Chrome Trim Medium Point Blue Ink Gift Box
Check current price

While the Parker Jotter looks professional, is inexpensive, and is extremely durable, it’s not the best writing pen on the market. The ink feels cheap and sometimes lays out unevenly on the page. That said, the Jotter gets the job done.

If you are looking for a cheap, refillable, classically designed ballpoint pen for your EDC, the Parker Jotter may be for you. 

Cross Classic Century Lustrous Chrome Ballpoint Pen

Another metal-bodied ballpoint pen, the Cross Classic Century, is a step up from the Parker Jotter. This smooth writer comes with a lifetime mechanical warranty.

Cross Classic Century Lustrous Chrome Ballpoint Pen Model Number 3502
Check current price

With its mid-century modern design, this chrome Cross pen will definitely help you stand out from the crowd. This isn’t a pen you’ll want to lend to your coworkers…

Sharpie Fine Point Pen

The Sharpie Fine Point Pen has a felt tip. If you’ve never written with a felt-tipped pen you should try it out. If you’re used to writing with a ballpoint or rollerball, using this Sharpie pen will seem unusual at first. As you might imagine, writing with this pen kind of feels like writing with a marker. 

Sharpie Fine Point Pens Black Ink 2 ea
Check current price

If you tend to press down hard when you write, you might want to pass on this pen. The delicate tip can easily be damaged.

If you’re looking to switch up your writing experience but don’t want to spend a lot of money, try the Sharpie Fine Point Pen. 

Pilot G2 Rolling Ball Gel Pen

The quintessential roller ball pen, the Pilot G2 comes in 4 tip sizes and 27 color options. G2’s are widely available “workhorse pens.” They write a consistent line and, although disposable, last a long time. 

PILOT G2 Premium Refillable Retractable Rolling Ball Gel Pens Fine Point Blue Ink 12 Count 31021
Check current price

Be aware that this pen, like most other “click” pens, may stain your clothes more easily than other types of pens. Since the springs of “click” pens are engaged so easily, the pen tip can come out when you don’t expect it. This can be a problem, especially if you carry click pens in your front pants pocket. 

Unless you’re worried about stains, if you’re looking for a reliable, no frills EDC rollerball pen the Pilot G2 might be for you.     

Uni-Ball Vision Elite Rollerball Pen

The Uni-Ball Vision Elite is another fantastic, inexpensive rollerball pen. Unlike the Pilot G-2, this pen snaps shut, making it a “safer” choice for your EDC. This pen has a crosshatch patterned grip that helps you write comfortably for extended periods of time. 

Uni Ball 69000 Vision Elite Rollerball Pens Micro Point 0.5mm Black 12 Count
Check current price

While many rollerballs and fountain pens are prone to leak on flights due to changes in cabin pressure, Uni-Ball states that this pen contains “airplane-safe ink.” While I enjoy writing with this pen, I haven’t personally tested this claim.  

Very durable and long-lasting, the Uni-Ball Vision Elite is perhaps the best disposable rollerball there is. 

J. Herbin Refillable Rollerball Pen

The J. Herbin Refillable Rollerball Pen is a great choice for those who think that they would like to experiment with different kinds of inks. 

J. Herbin Refillable Rollerball Pen
Check current price

Like many modern fountain pens, this rollerball takes ink cartridges that you can easily pop in. J. Herbin has a large selection of ink cartridges to choose from, as do many fountain pen manufacturers. 

Buying cartridges can get expensive fast. You might consider buying an ink converter and using bottled ink as a more economical, and environmentally friendly option. 

Kaweco Classic Sport Fountain Pen

The Kaweco Classic Sport is a great choice for an EDC fountain pen. Its small size makes it easy to fit in your pocket and its robust construction helps it be able to withstand a beating. 

Kaweco Classic Sport Fountain Pen Black M 0 9mm
Check current price

Like the J. Herbin rollerball, this pen takes cartridges or can be outfitted with an ink converter. 

With a black barrel and brass accents, this is one snazzy-looking pen.

Lamy Al Star Fountain Pen

The Lamy Al Star Fountain Pen is another good choice for people new to fountain pens. Lamy pens have a very distinct look and are available in vivid colors. 

Lamy Al Star Fountain Pen Ocean Blue Fine
Check current price

Lamy nibs (tips) are very forgiving to people unfamiliar with writing with fountain pens. 

The Al Star has a heavy-duty clip and lightweight, yet tough construction. With a steel nib and ergonomically shaped grip, it’s comfortable to use. Lamy even offers left-handed Al Stars specially designed for all you southpaws out there.

 TWSBI Diamond Mini Fountain Pen

With its transparent body, the TWSBI Diamond Mini Fountain Pen definitely looks unusual.

TWSBI Diamond Mini Clear Fountain Pen M nib
Check current price

Not only can you see the inner workings of this “demonstrator” pen, you can also see what color of ink you’re packing (and this pen holds a lot of ink!).

Coming in under 5 ½ inches, this pen is compact. The TWSBI Diamond Mini is for people looking for a high quality fountain pen that can go with them almost anywhere.

Final Thoughts

From signing an important contract to jotting down new ideas, even in today’s digital world, the pen remains an important tool. 

Consider adding a pen to your everyday carry. You never know when it might come in handy!

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About Ryan Hallstrom

TMM's Senior Editor, Ryan Hallstrom is from Horseheads, NY, the only town in America named in honor of military packhorses. When he’s not writing about menswear, Ryan enjoys reading, whittling, running, and perfecting his penmanship.

Background: In 2021, Ryan graduated from Brigham Young University where he majored in American Studies and Russian. Before completing his schooling, he had a wide range of job titles including finish carpenter, usher, elevator operator (yes, that’s a real job), landscaper, tour guide, and more.

In January 2022, Ryan began working full-time as The Modest Man’s Senior Editor. In this role, he not only edits all articles prior to publication but also is a frequent contributor to the blog. He enjoys crafting in-depth product reviews (often testing items in extreme environments), helpful self-improvement articles, and detailed clothing guides.

His interest in men’s style stems from the examples of men in his family:

“Growing up, a lot of the men I looked up to dressed well. My dad is always clean-shaven and makes sure that he looks presentable before heading out the door, and my grandfather, who owned and operated a dairy farm, usually wore work pants with a sharp crease and a button-up work shirt.”

However, it wasn’t until the end of high school that Ryan began to care about how he looked. Gradually, over the next few years, he started to dress better and learn about style. “Finding clothes that fit helped me to become more confident. I find that when I try to dress well, I feel better.”

Expertise: Ryan has loved writing since an early age, and in college began contributing to and editing for university publications. After college, he began freelance writing and editing. He’s written from blogs and magazines such as Real Men Real Style, Life in the Finger Lakes, and Gentleman Within.

An avid traveler who spends plenty of time outdoors, Ryan appreciates clothes, footwear and accessories that can take a beating. His reviews often include long-term, thorough testing in extreme weather conditions.

Ryan has also spent more time in a suit and tie than most guys, so he's well qualified to write about classic menswear, business casual and formalwear.

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    Got questions? Want to share your opinion? Comment below!

  1. Bob Pleis says

    September 28, 2021 at 10:51 am

    I have several Faber-Castell pens that I Iike as well as a Japanese Pilot pen. I like good old Cross pens too.

    Reply
  2. Randy says

    September 21, 2021 at 2:12 pm

    I always liked a good fat Parker. My Japanese Pilot Pens are a favorite ballpoints. Daily carry is a Zebra 301 or 701 stainless ballpoint.

    Reply
    • Ryan Hallstrom says

      September 22, 2021 at 8:34 am

      Those are all great choices! I like Parker’s too. I want to get a vintage Duofold one of these days…

      Reply

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