The 10 Best EDC Pens in 2021

It’s hard to write a list of the best EDC pens without including the Fisher Space Pen. Not much has changed on the bullet pen over the years, but that’s more of a testament to Fisher getting it right the first time than a lack of innovation. The Bullet Pen is slim, sturdy, and writes anywhere. The pressurized cartridge inside allows you to write in the worst of conditions - underwater, upside down, through grease, and yes — in space.

The Zebra F-701 is one of the most popular EDC pens out there. They have a cult following and are widely cherished for their affordable price and solid construction. Many EDCers go as far as modifying the F-701 with the click mechanism from the lesser F-402 model. Thankfully, this is no longer a necessary mod. Zebra seems to have noticed that the plastic mechanism was a shortcoming amongst fans of the pen and now includes an all-metal clicky on the F-701s. At around 10 bucks for a stainless steel pen with a knurled grip, it’s hard to argue against it.

While Parker’s Jotter ballpoint pen has been around for ages, people still carry it to this day and for good reason. It’s a quintessential click pen that just simply works. There are tons of variants available in metal, plastic, and a mix of the two. You’ll appreciate the classic looks, especially the iconic arrow-shaped clip. As far as affordable pens go, the Jotter is one of the best options out there with plenty of variants available around 15 bucks.

CRKT often collaborates with high-end custom knife makers to bring premium designs to a more affordable price point. The CRKT Techliner is their production version of Mike Bond’s Ti2 Techliner, with the same great magnetic magic that makes it convenient and satisfying to use. With a handle made out of 6061 T6 Aluminum, this pen is not only highly durable, but also quite light at 1 oz. A unique trait about this pen is that it features magnets on the cap and both ends of the pen. This way, you can attach the pen to metallic surfaces and the cap is firmly secured when you post it. It comes with a Fisher Space Pen refill right out the box, allowing you to write under any condition, making it a true all-conditions pen. An included pocket clip makes it easy to carry and retrieve.

Everyman's Grafton pen is touted as their “buy it for life pen that won’t break the bank,” and at under $50 for an all-metal pen, they’re not wrong. The body is made from anodized 6061 aluminum, complete with a bolted-on heavy duty clip. There are several ridges machined into the front of the pen that provide a solid grip. Weighing in at 1 oz., the Grafton is right in the sweet spot between too heavy and too light. You can snag a pen in one of seven eyecatching anodized finishes to suit your style.

If you’re a pen enthusiast and have one or more favorite ink refills, chances are the BigIDesign Ti Pocket Pro can accommodate them all. This titanium pen is compatible with over 100+ refills for convenience and versatility to adapt to whatever writing experience you need. The way this works is with a unique “telescoping” mechanism that extends or retracts depending on the refills. An auto-adjusting collet grip ensures a wiggle-free fit at the writing tip for a solid feel all around. The pen can even adapt its length to the refill it’s holding—either 4.11“ or 4.65”—both relatively compact lengths for an easy carry. An included, grade 4 titanium pocket clip stays strong and springy. Thanks to its titanium construction, the pen manages to weigh in at a featherweight 0.6 oz while still being tough enough to handle the everyday carry and wear.

If what you’re writing with still feels like an afterthought, it might be time for an upgrade. These made in the USA pens will not only give you performance, but also customization. These can be precision machined out of four different materials: Titanium, brass, copper and zirconium. They’re also available in two different sizes, Standard at 5.6“ with a 0.7mm Pilot G2 ink refill, Short at 5.1” with a Schmidt Easy Flow 9000 refill, and Mini at 4.4“ with a Pilot G2 Mini 0.7mm refill. The Short model tends to fit better inside shirt pockets, with its included clip. Secondly, but just as important for many people, it deploys via a bolt-action mechanism. This will not only prevent accidental activation, but will also provide you with hours of fidgeting fun.

It can be hard to find the pocket space to carry around a full-sized pen in your EDC. All too often you’ll have to sacrifice a comfortable, balanced writing experience for a more compact design. The James Brand Stilwell is an exception, with a compact, travel-sized design that extends to full length when it’s time to use it. Machined out of brass, aluminum or titanium this pen measures 3.5“ when closed, for a more convenient carry, but extends to a 5.4” when you post its cap on its back. While this pen might not have a pocket clip, a lanyard hole is machined into the back of the pen to easily attach it to a keychain, bag, or zipper. Finally, a D1 Style Replaceable Ink Cartridge will lay down a smooth line down on the paper.

Schon DSGN’s classic machined pens are made completely in the USA. Designed by Ian Schon, these EDC-able pens are built for the long haul. You can pick one up in one of many different metals and finishes, each with their own unique characteristics. New for this year is the crystal titanium offering. The price is on the higher side, but the material is all new. Schon DSGN actually played a part in the making of this new material that looks unlike any other.

This metal pen not only looks good, but it also features a utilitarian design and a smooth writing experience. It’s their first offering to be compatible with Parker-sized refills, equipped with an Itoya Aqua Roller refill out of the box. The metal body measures 4.95" and is fully machined from stainless steel. The pen weighs in at 1.4 oz with a balanced center of mass to make even longer writing sessions feel more comfortable. Once you twist the rear cap to deploy the pen tip to its full length, the tip locks in place until you twist the rear cap back in the other direction. Rounding out this American-made pen is a spring steel pocket clip for easy carry.