8 Damn Good Pens That Deserve A Spot On Your Desk
Yes, this list includes Montblanc. No, it’s not basic.
There’s a certain kind of man who still writes with a pen. Not because he has to. Not because he’s a Luddite with a thing for Moleskines. But because he gets it. He understands that some things—like whisky, watches, and closing lines—are better slow, deliberate, and analog.
Eventually, he realizes that the default pen he grabbed from the bank won’t cut it anymore. And bam. He becomes a Pen Guy.
Not because he’s nostalgic or anything, but because he quietly starts appreciating the elegance of a well-made writing instrument. In a world where most communication is typed, a luxury pen is a statement: the one that seals a deal, ends an era, or starts a new one.
You May Also Like: Writing History With Whimsy and Wes
This isn't about journaling your feelings in a leather-bound notebook with Coldplay playing in the background. This is about pulling out a pen that means something. Weighty. Crafted. Intentional. The kind of thing that gets noticed when you casually unscrew the cap at a corner office or a Kyoto café.
So, whether you’re the kind who appreciates lacquered Japanese precision, German engineering, or French flamboyance, here are the pens that still have a point—in all the right ways.
Montblanc
Yes, the Meisterstück 149 is the G.O.A.T. It’s the Patek Philippe of pens, the kind you buy when you’ve made it—or want to manifest that energy. But Montblanc isn’t just a one-trick luxury pony. Over the last few decades, they've branched out, experimenting with design, material, and even edge.
The StarWalker line, for instance, feels like the cooler younger sibling—sleek, tech-adjacent, with a floating Montblanc logo that looks like it was beamed in from a spaceship, while the Heritage Rouge et Noir brings back Art Deco vibes with a modern twist. Whatever your style, Montblanc has the right level of theatre to match.
Our Picks:
Meisterstück LeGrand
StarWalker UltraBlack
Great Characters Edition – Enzo Ferrari
Namiki
If Montblanc is a well-tailored Italian suit, Namiki is a hand-painted kimono. These aren’t just pens—they’re miniature works of art. Hand-lacquered using centuries-old Maki-e techniques, a Namiki pen doesn’t just write; it whispers history, elegance, and obsession-level craftsmanship. No two are exactly alike, and that’s kind of the point. They’re not pens you throw in your backpack—they’re pens you keep in a velvet-lined case and maybe write haikus with. The nibs? Soft 18k gold that writes smoother than jazz. This is old-school luxury with a soul.
Our Picks:
Yukari Royale
Emperor Collection
Chinkin Dragonfly
You May Also Like: 5 Smart Tools to Boost Productivity
S.T. Dupont
French, flashy, and fabulous. If James Bond ever needed to forge a signature mid-mission, he’d reach for an S.T. Dupont. These are pens that live at the intersection of engineering and elegance. Dupont doesn’t shy away from bling—precious metals, Chinese lacquer, even diamond detailing. But it never feels gaudy. Just confidently French.
And the writing experience is silky, with a bit of flair. Even the sound of their lighters is patented—cling!—so you can imagine the obsessive energy that goes into a pen.
Our Picks:
Line D Large Atelier
Defi Millennium
Liberte Ballpoint
Caran d’Ache
Swiss-made and criminally underrated. Caran d’Ache pens are the quiet power move. You won’t find gold dragons or diamond clips here—just sleek design, razor-sharp lines, and an attention to detail that borders on obsessive.
The Ecridor range is classic, with its engraved geometric bodies that catch the light in all the right ways. The 849 is a design icon—minimalist, playful, and surprisingly addictive to write with. If you like your pens like your watches—clean, crisp, and timeless—this one’s for you.
Our Picks:
Ecridor Retro Palladium
Léman Grand Bleu
849 Original
Pelikan
Pelikan pens are for the purists. For the fountain pen nerds who can spot a nib size from five feet away. German engineering meets classic design in their Souverän series, with those gorgeous striped barrels and piston-fill systems that make ink refilling weirdly fun. They’re not as flashy as a Montblanc, but they’re reliable in that vintage Leica sort of way—built to last, endlessly repairable, and supremely satisfying to use.
Our Picks:
Souverän M800
M600 Green-White: Looks like a peppermint, writes like a dream.
Toledo M900
Lamy
Minimalist, Bauhaus, and built for function. Lamy pens are like the Dieter Rams of the writing world—no fluff, just form and function. The Lamy 2000 is a design legend, with a brushed Makrolon body and a nib that melts into the pen like a secret. And yet, despite the understated aesthetic, these pens write like a hot knife through butter. Whether you're new to fountain pens or just appreciate German efficiency, Lamy’s got you covered.
Our Picks:
Lamy 2000 (probably one of the greatest pens ever made)
Safari
Studio Palladium
Pilot
Pilot is proof that quality doesn’t always have to cost a fortune. Their pens are reliable, beautifully made, and quietly brilliant. The Custom 823 is a favourite among fountain pen geeks for its vacuum fill and smoky transparent body, while the Vanishing Point is a rare beast: a retractable fountain pen that actually works. From accessible daily writers to cult favourites, Pilot is Japan’s open secret.
Our Picks:
Custom 823
Vanishing Point
Metropolitan
Parker
Yes, it’s your dad’s pen. But that’s kind of the point. Parker has been doing this since the 1880s, and their pens are still dependable, democratic, and designed with a nostalgic charm. You probably signed your high school yearbook with one. Now it’s time to graduate to the grown-up versions. The Duofold remains a vintage classic, and the Sonnet is all about business casual energy. There’s a reason Parker pens end up in heirloom drawers. They just last.
Our Picks:
Duofold Centennial
Sonnet Ciselé
Jotter XL Monochrome