Pens & pencils to suit your every need
Photo by Sage Blackwell.
Bottom of the bag pen – Bic Cristal Xtra Smooth ballpoint pen 0.7 mm
Everyone needs a pen that lives in the bottom of their bag. Often, these are found on the floor of the library or picked up for free at an info table. If those methods have fallen short, you can find a Bic Cristal Xtra Smooth ballpoint pen at any office supply store. It’s the classic clear plastic blue pen with cap — the kind you’ll see in a jar at a dental office or in the drawer of a highschool teacher’s desk. Often sold by the dozen, these have a classy yet simple look that makes you seem effortless when you pull them out to sign attendance.
Quick jotting pencil – Bic Xtra Smooth mechanical pencil 0.7 mm
Sometimes you need a simple pencil to jot down ideas or attempt a crossword. My favourite for taking notes is the Bic Xtra Smooth pencil in 0.7 mm. These are the slim, quintessential mechanical pencils with a lovely eraser on the top and a colourful side clip, made perfectly for the spine of a spiral-bound notebook. They’re also great for multiple-choice exams; just make sure you’ve loaded a couple extra pieces of graphite. I’ve bought at least ten from Zap Copy in my years at UVic, and they’ve never let me down.
Diary writing pencil – Pentel Energize mechanical pencil 0.5 mm
I’m a big advocate for journal writing, which I do every night. For this type of writing, I use a Pentel Energize mechanical pencil with 0.5 mm graphite. This is made in the same body as the Pentel Energel pen, so it’s much more substantial than your average pencil. As an aesthetic bonus, it bears resemblance to its inky counterpart with its silver eraser cap and rubbery grip. This pencil fits well in the hand for extended periods of time, and the thinness of the graphite is perfect for capturing precise thoughts and ideas.
To do list pen – Pentel Energel 0.7 mm, blue
Sometimes a simple ballpoint isn’t enough to get the job done. A juicy gel pen can offset the overwhelming nature of your to-do list — especially the Pentel Energel in 0.7 mm in blue. The sophisticated deep colour makes you feel a touch more in charge, and the ink flows remarkably well. A 0.7 mm thickness adds just enough boldness that crossing of each task brings the user a distinct feeling of vindication.
Letter writing pen – Pentel Energel Needle Tip 0.5 mm, black
Handwritten letters are no to-do list — they’re thoughtful, personal, and often contain a joke or two. They still deserve a high quality pen, though, which is why I recommend a Pentel Energel Needle Tip in 0.5mm with black ink. The needle tip allows for a classier, thin look, and lets you cram more words into a confined space. What’s more, black ink makes the message extra meaningful because a blue ballpoint pen comes across as too last minute.
Birthday card pen – Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic Colour Pack
If you’re looking for a fun, artistic pen to jazz up a festive birthday card, I recommend the Metallic Sakura Gelly Roll. They come with a 0.8 mm tip, which lets you create bold art and doodle to your heart’s content. The ball tip of these pens create a velvety trail of ink that shimmers on any colour of paper, even black. Just make sure that you give the ink a bit of time to dry, or your masterpiece might smudge.
