What's the best pen you've ever used?

Get Your Med School Admissions Questions Answered!
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
PriamTRH

PriamTRH

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2015
Messages
45
Reaction score
64
The best pen I've used so far is the Velocity 1.0 by Bic
Members don't see this ad.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
I also like the pilot precise v5. Only time they failed me was for step one studying, they didn't work well with the first aid pages at all
 
This. No lie.

51gHC%2BUpdeL._SL1010_.jpg



They write super fine and are incredibly smooth. Little to no ink smearing as well.

I used to love uniballs but they're a pain.
 
Psai said:
I also like the pilot precise v5. Only time they failed me was for step one studying, they didn't work well with the first aid pages at all
Click to expand...

Ah, yes, the smearing problem. I use fine-point Sharpie pens to write on glossy paper. I also can't use rollerball pens on carbon paper, because I don't press nearly hard enough.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
"They write super fine and are incredibly smooth. Little to no ink smearing as well."

I like these pens. Not to many stores carry them now.
 
But, no, for real. Multi-color click pens. 'Nuff said.
 
Expo low-odor dry erase ultra-fine tip. Practicing organic mechanisms has never been easier.
 
cidem2065 said:
Pens that are free.
Click to expand...

Free pens are good for when you just have to take notes. When it comes to cramming too much information into too little space, your lack of belief in good pens will change.
 
Uni-Ball Signo RT UM-138, 0.38, in Blue Black.
 
Lami Safari, but they dry up really fast. Really good quality though, fountain pen.

I use Stabilo 68 fine-tip markers though most of the time because they are as close to frictionless as you can get and help with my carpal tunnel.
I take my exams with them.
 
I spent an entire year meticulously testing and abusing various pens to find the best for me, and the results were:

No single pen is the best for all situations. The pen I use to take notes during cell bio is not the pen I use to collect data during ochem lab, and these are different from the pen I use to write cheat sheet note cards. Pens are all about personal preference, and what I will recommend is completely based on my preference, but hopefully you can grab some useful information.

I tend to go for capped pens, retractable pens seem to have loose tips which can become a small annoyance (again preference here) and mess with consistency. I also prefer finer pens (.5-.7) for better legibility and ability to write smaller.

BEST ALL AROUND PEN: Uni-ball Vision Micro Elite (.5mm) - I am literally using this pen as I write this. Although this is a rollerball, it writes more like an gel or ink pen - so I really dont consider it a rollerball. This pen has amazing and consistent ink delivery (no blotches or breaks) and the ink dries very quickly to decrease smudges and smears (great for left-handers!) Pen itself is quite light with great weight distribution and the micro fine tip gives the ability to write smaller for notes. For most the .5 is too fine so .7mm seems to be the casual and common size.

BEST PEN FOR LEGIBILITY: Pilot Precise V5 - as mentioned by multiple users above. I have written my most beautiful notes with this pen, this is my go-to pen when I know someone will be copying my notes or turning in assignments I can take a little more time for. This pen has a fantastic and QUICK ink delivery system but can get blotchy if writing too slow. Definitely my ochem pen, great for structure drawing. One downside with this pen is the heavy and dark ink seems to BLEED through papers quite easily and can smear. Don't expect to write front to back if your using cheap recycled paper.

BEST ROLLERBALL PEN: Uni-ball Jetstream .7mm - A lot of people tend to like rollerball pens (I personally dislike most of them) and many have raved about this pen. Rollerball pens are great for SPEED writing and smoothness. This pen can be a bit blotchy but is extremely slick to write with. I also used the .5 and it seems to be too fine for a rollerball and tended to scrape against the paper. Ink doesn't dry too quickly and can be smeared. Once capped and re-opened, can take a few seconds to disperse ink, but thats a small issue.

BEST BUDGET PEN: Pentel RSVP Fine - A lot of people borrowing your pen and you're too nice to say "get your own", then let them use these! Great heavy pens that last a long time. Excellent for note taking and ink rarely breaks when writing. These bad boys sometimes go on sale 10-pack for $2, so its hard to say no. I also love spinning my pens over my thumb and this pen is great for tricks like that.

Note: many people have mentioned the Pilot G2 - and these are excellent pens! However, they take forever to dry (you fold a paper and half your notes get copied to the other side) and get blotchy and inconsistent.

But ultimately, try all the pens you can get your nerdy little hands on. Its impossible to know what you like until you have something else to compare to. And unless you KNOW something special about a pen, I would never spend more than $10 on a single one. So for now... keep writing!
 
Last edited:
Sanger Sequence said:
I spent an entire year meticulously testing and abusing various pens to find the best for me, and the results were:

No single pen is the best for all situations. The pen I use to take notes during cell bio is not the pen I use to collect data during ochem lab, and these are different from the pen I use to write cheat sheet note cards. Pens are all about personal preference, and what I will recommend is completely based on my preference, but hopefully you can grab some useful information.

I tend to go for capped pens, retractable pens seem to have loose tips which can become a small annoyance (again preference here) and mess with consistency. I also prefer finer pens (.5-.7) for better legibility and ability to write smaller.

BEST ALL AROUND PEN: Uni-ball Vision Micro Elite (.5mm) - I am literally using this pen as I write this. Although this is a rollerball, it writes more like an gel or ink pen - so I really dont consider it a rollerball. This pen has amazing and consistent ink delivery (no blotches or breaks) and the ink dries very quickly to decrease smudges and smears (great for left-handers!) Pen itself is quite light with great weight distribution and the micro fine tip gives the ability to write smaller for notes. For most the .5 is too fine so .7mm seems to be the casual and common size.

BEST PEN FOR LEGIBILITY: Pilot Precise V5 - as mentioned by multiple users above. I have written my most beautiful notes with this pen, this is my go-to pen when I know someone will be copying my notes or turning in assignments I can take a little more time for. This pen has a fantastic and QUICK ink delivery system but can get blotchy if writing too slow. Definitely my ochem pen, great for structure drawing. One downside with this pen is the heavy and dark ink seems to BLEED through papers quite easily and can smear. Don't expect to write front to back if your using cheap recycled paper.

BEST ROLLERBALL PEN: Uni-ball Jetstream .7mm - A lot of people tend to like rollerball pens (I personally dislike most of them) and many have raved about this pen. Rollerball pens are great for SPEED writing and smoothness. This pen can be a bit blotchy but is extremely slick to write with. I also used the .5 and it seems to be too fine for a rollerball and tended to scrape against the paper. Ink doesn't dry too quickly and can be smeared. Once capped and re-opened, can take a few seconds to disperse ink, but thats a small issue.

BEST BUDGET PEN: Pentel RSVP Fine - A lot of people borrowing your pen and you're too nice to say "get your own", then let them use these! Great heavy pens that last a long time. Excellent for note taking and ink rarely breaks when writing. These bad boys sometimes go on sale 10-pack for $2, so its hard to say no. I also love spinning my pens over my thumb and this pen is great for tricks like that.

Note: many people have mentioned the Pilot G2 - and these are excellent pens! However, they take forever to dry (you fold a paper and half your notes get copied to the other side) and get blotchy and inconsistent.

But ultimately, try all the pens you can get your nerdy little hands on. Its impossible to know what you like until you have something else to compare to. And unless you KNOW something special about a pen, I would never spend more than $10 on a single one. So for now... keep writing!
Click to expand...

nice review man, i just bought a box of uniballs vision micro elites on amazon
forgot to mention that i had a pilot precise v5 in my white coat pocket with the cap on the back. it left a huge black stain; i had to get a new coat
 
Psai said:
nice review man, i just bought a box of uniballs vision micro elites on amazon
forgot to mention that i had a pilot precise v5 in my white coat pocket with the cap on the back. it left a huge black stain; i had to get a new coat
Click to expand...

Great choice! Hopefully you got the different colored ones, they come in handy.

And that's horrible! That strong ink is a double-edged sword, I would have been bummed out but personally, I would have a greater chance leaving a pen un-retracted rather than uncapped, so Ill definitely be more cautious after reading that.
 
Tul GL1. Keep 2 on me at all times and a crappy loaner pen.
 
Does anyone remember those pens that were really small when lidded, and then the lid attached to bottom when you needed to write with it so it became normal lenghth? I LOVED THOSE! They had the most perfectly fine point and were minimalistic and attractive. I haven't seen one in ages. Anybody else?
 
...[B said:
BEST BUDGET PEN: Pentel RSVP Fine - A lot of people borrowing your pen and you're too nice to say "get your own", then let them use these! Great heavy pens that last a long time. Excellent for note taking and ink rarely breaks when writing. These bad boys sometimes go on sale 10-pack for $2, so its hard to say no. I also love spinning my pens over my thumb and this pen is great for tricks like that...[/B]
Click to expand...

I love these pens, too. The fine point is perfect other than the occasional smudge when too much ink comes out. However, I wish the pen itself didn't look like it belonged in my fifth grade pencil case (I had them back then, too, in every color).
 
I don't know the names/models of any pens. I didn't even know pens were this kinda thing amongst students. I don't think I've purchased a pen in years. No wonder the bitches haven't been flocking.
 
Sanger Sequence said:
BEST ROLLERBALL PEN: Uni-ball Jetstream .7mm - A lot of people tend to like rollerball pens (I personally dislike most of them) and many have raved about this pen. Rollerball pens are great for SPEED writing and smoothness. This pen can be a bit blotchy but is extremely slick to write with. I also used the .5 and it seems to be too fine for a rollerball and tended to scrape against the paper. Ink doesn't dry too quickly and can be smeared. Once capped and re-opened, can take a few seconds to disperse ink, but thats a small issue.
Click to expand...

I've never had blotching with this pen. I did have a problem with a tip once, though (had to toss it).

It dries super fast, in my opinion. I'd have to deliberately smear it to smear it. 😛

All-in-all: can't go wrong with that one.
 
NontradCA said:
I don't know the names/models of any pens. I didn't even know pens were this kinda thing amongst students. I don't think I've purchased a pen in years. No wonder the bitches haven't been flocking.
Click to expand...

Fountain pens. Fountain pens bring us running. $1100 fountain pens.

shopping



Though I do quite like this $60 one.
..
shopping
 
johnamo said:
I have to admit that's a pretty sweet pen. But if I have to choose between rent and a StarWars pen... yeah. I need a place to live.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I received that one as well as a different Mont Blanc pen as gifts. I agree that the cost is pretty insane. As writing tools, though, they are hands down the best I've ever used.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Which state residency gives me the best shot at acceptance?
Replies
22
Views
2K
soapapple
S
R
  • Locked
Disregard. USNWR rankings appear to be useless now (if they ever were useful).
Replies
5
Views
1K
chilly_md
chilly_md
kiwisun
Best Residency Prep
Replies
4
Views
592
FlowRate
FlowRate
F
Toughest feedback you've received secondary essay
Replies
4
Views
2K
futureMD2321
F
2026PreMed
Is mass emailing faculty at school the best way to gain a research position ?
Replies
6
Views
689
eigen
eigen
Top