If you hand-write your notes, then use a pen that makes a statement.

As many people know, I’m a fan of handwriting. I wrote an article about the many benefits of handwriting titled: Use the Warren Buffett Method and Take Written Notes, and if it worked for Warren Buffett… well you get the idea. I followed that up with Recommended Pocket Notebooks for Business Owners, where I listed many of the notebooks that I had tried over the years.

Then I received a note from someone asking me what I write with. I hadn’t thought about mentioning it before, but picking the right pen is important. Not just because it ought to be efficient and convenient, but like the notebooks you choose to use, it has to make the right statement. When you pull out that pen, you don’t want to send the wrong message.

That said, I’m also practical. I know there are pens that cost in the thousands of dollars. For me, that’s just extravagant and sends the wrong message. Just as I don’t wear an extravagant watch, I also don’t want to intimidate people with a pointlessly expensive pen. So, what do I write with?

It Should be Something Basic

There are thousands of options when it comes to pens, and I’ve tried many. Not all have been good experiences. To make things simple, I’ve narrowed this list down to ones I still use regularly and that are readily available on Amazon. YMMV.

I’ve always used a good quality pen. It doesn’t have to be a Mont Blanc, but it has to be slick and clean looking. Since I worked in IT so many years, I tended to gravitate towards techy-looking pens. That is how I stumbled on the Zebra F-301 pen:

They are compact, write well, have a fine point, and look techy-modern. Since I often go back and edit my notes, I also use colored pens to do that, and Zebra F-301s come in a 4-color pack as well:

What About Pencils?

One thing that often comes up is whether you should use a pencil instead so that you can erase things. Yes, I know some pens are erasable, but pencils also have the advantage that they don’t need to be held downwards to work (a common issue with pens). This comes in handy when you are writing standing up or in a tight space – something IT people deal with often enough.

So for that, I always used mechanical pencils. Like with pens, there are many options out there. However, you don’t want to show up to a meeting with a cheap plastic pencil with a Hello Kitty image on it (no offense to Hello Kitty). Even though you’re using a pencil, you still want to look professional.

I’ve tried others, but Zebra also makes great mechanical pencils and so I stuck with the brand over the years. They have an excellent mechanical pencil as well: the Zebra M-701:

It’s a well-made, inexpensive, and good-looking mechanical pencil. If you’re going to use a pencil (as I still do), then it’s a great option.

There is one thing with the message that you send when using a pencil that should be pointed out. If you are writing down important notes in a meeting with a client, then why would you use a pencil? It suggests uncertainty. I know it may seem trivial, but when you are working on a large or expensive project, you should use a pen to demonstrate certainty and purpose.

If you do need to undo something, then just cross it out. This also looks more assertive than reaching for an eraser, and interrupting the flow of the conversation by feverishly erasing what you wrote. That doesn’t lend itself well to most situations, so let’s turn back to pens.

So, what do I use now?

I still use the F-301s and when needed, M-701s. However, if I need to make an impression – sometimes even a talking point – I always have my trusty Fisher Space Pen:

At just three and a half inches long with the cap on, it’s always in my pocket next to my notebook. I have two: a well-worn silver one and the matte black 400B one above. This pen is great because it writes sideways and upside down. Heck, it even writes in the rain and is completely waterproof. It is also very compact with a cap on, which comes in handy when it is next to my notepad.

Yes, I’ve been told it’s a bit gimmicky, but that is outweighed by the positive features, IMO. I actually think it looks professional and sophisticated, especially in the mat black color. It has a flair of patriotism, with the whole astronauts-use-it story, but not in an overt way.

Yes, the Fishers are a bit pricey. If you are used to plastic pens and the free ones you pick up at conferences, then $30 for a pen is a bit steep. On the other hand, they last. I’ve used the silver one for years and I just buy refills when I run out of ink. They are very well-built, so this may be the last pen you ever buy.

Conclusion

So there you have it, my favorite pens. Period.

Yes, I also have a bin full of other pens at home. They just seem to accumulate in our house. There’s even a box with orphan caps in that bin. They are right by the front door for folks that need one to go. If a sales rep needs a pen and happens to walk off with one of those, I certainly won’t mind.

For my own pens, I guard them better. If I don’t have my Fisher handy, then I reach for a Zebra. I have had many of those over the years. I even have a small box with Zebra parts in my drawer, you know, for repairs. I guess that sums it up pretty much: I would rather repair a Zebra than slum it with a cheap plastic pen.

Consequently, I don’t have a box of Fisher parts because, well, they don’t need to be repaired. I have some refills, but that’s it. This sums up why Fisher is so good. If I need to grab a pen that I know will always work and won’t let me down, a pen that also looks sharp and sends the right message, then I use my Fisher. It’s just a great pen all around.