#3, but really it doesn't matter which one it is. I'll lose it within a minute of receiving it, then accidentally find it a few years later, then lose it again shortly after.
I used to do that all the time when I was in school. And try to use parts from different pens to create a Frankenstein pen. See which bits were compatible.
They used to fucking dominate but if they leaked in your pocket you were fucked. Then 3 and 5 showed up, and people apparently lost their fucking minds
I had one pen through 3 years of college. It was this style pen. Never ran out of ink, never leaked, didn't break. In the years since, I still haven't had one run out of ink before I either lost it or had it stolen.
I used these from gr6 forward and I gotta tell you, I ran out of ink plenty. You need to take better care of your pens if you are losing them that much. Maybe get some cheap bics to hand out when someone wants to borrow a pen.
Used to be 5. But, just fell out of love with gel ink. #7...she may not be sexy, but goddamn, she's a workhorse and will only let you down if you put her through the washing machine. I'll take 7 all day any day.
#3 is the best damn writing utensil I've ever used. The Sharpie S-Gel is perfect. If writes evenly, no over or under flow, glides across the paper like butter across a hot skillet. It dries incredibly fast so it's perfect for right and left handed authors. It has a solid make, with a soft grip. The materials used reminds you that you have a solid pen in your hands. It's the most luxurious pen you can own for a very fair price.
Seriously, go pick up a double pack and try them out.
I'm still a huge fan of G2, but I swear they changed their ink recipe somewhere in the mid 10's. Sharpie S gel is fucking amazing and my go to since G2 fails me now
This. I buy the Inkjoy by the box and am obsessively possessive over them at work. Only one out at a time, eyes on it at all moments when it's away from its storage spot.
Nah. I break (abuse while fidgeting) or lose pens frequently enough that if anyone ever gave me a fancy pen it'd end up stashed away in the back of a desk drawer somewhere to die of neglect as the only way I wouldn't find myself feeling bad in a year because it was lost or destroyed. At around a buck each I Pilots are cheap enough that I'm fine with attriting 1 or 2 a year.
I keep an Ohto Tasche in my purse. It just gets so small! And writes so nicely! It isn't even that great a pen in that realm of fountains, but WHATEVER!
Look. One of my friends is kind of a pen fan girl. I did NOT know that the pen fan base ran as crazy as it did. I thought it was BIC straight to 500$ CEO bullshit. Nah. People casually make and use 100$ pens as edc
I honestly like Uniballs, but I use fisher space pens because they don't bleed and work in rough conditions (work). At home I use uni-ball Signo RT-1 .28mm. I can write a novel on a sticky note.
I had a box of green ones on my Christmas list and my mom called to ask if I meant to put a box of green pens on my Christmas list and I was like "um...yes. Have you ever used them?"
I had a version of 1 with a shorter cap, slightly different name maybe ‘elite’ or something like that. Only ever had the 1, and could never find more of them when it gave up. Only standard pen I ever had where I finished the ink before it got lost or stolen, still think about it sometimes hahaha
I just discovered 3 and bought a box of them. I don't normally go for the clicky type because I know I'll be annoying, but I keep one in my bag to cross things off on my delightfully retro shopping list and, so far, they don't fail me the way other pens have.
Sgel is my favorite. I keep my old ones in case I never find a new one. I'm lefthanded and it's so smooth and it dries quick before my hand gets a chance to smear it.
I use the metal version of 3 for hours and hours 5 days a week, but if I had to pick one forever pen I’d go with ol reliable 5. 3 is beautiful to start but I find that they never finish. I’ve gone through boxes and boxes, no joke 75 pens at lease. They break in my pocket, the leak on my pants, they stop working with 40% of the ink still in there, the plastic clipy snaps off... and I keep going back. The metal one has held up pretty well, and I’ve refilled it with the ink from a #3 several times.
I want to like them but I have such terrible luck with 3. I burn through the ink really fast, and I find that at least half of them will develop a 'stutter ' in the ink no matter what I do. Only half of what I write would end up with ink. It doesn't matter the writing surface or the paper
#2 at .7mm has been my pen of choice since 05. The job I started then had a half dozen different types of pen in the supply closet, and I preferred them enough to keep buying them when someone decided to pinch pennies by only buying #7 and cheap opaque bic pens. Since then I've bought 2x 12 packs in black, and 1x 4 color multipack (black, blue, red, green); mostly because my first few years at that job we reviewed a lot of documents in paper, so I needed red ink to bleed all over them.
Weird, I had one that lasted me through three years of college. Haven't bought any other style since, and I always lose them before they run out of ink.
I've got both .5mm and .7mm. The .5 is for everything except for graph paper with thicker dark lines. The .7 makes it easier to see my lines in that situation.
I think that's a characteristic of being a kid. If you're not applying far too much pressure, the tips of those don't get damaged. Mechanical pencils can help break that habit, retraining your brain that you don't need to engrave it into the paper.
The only issue I have with the V5 is the cap. I like to keep my pen on my lanyard at work and the cap tends to pop off when you attempt to clip those types of pens onto your person. Then you either lose it or draw a line across your shirt. But those Pilot pens are very nice for writing, better than their G2, I'd say.
I use my v5 for my desk dedicated work and my personal notebooks and bookkeeping. My travel pen is a g2, but that's kinda just sitting in the truck for when I need it
Glad to see Zebra getting some positive rep here. I rock a 5-clour custom that's got 4 Zebra inserts and they're fan-freaking-tastic whenever I need to draw up flowcharts.
G-701 for life. I like my pens like i like my coffee. Bold, black, and really annoying when you accidentally swipe it with your hand and it gets everywhere
F-301 compact lasted through middle school, high school, college, and most of my adult life. Would still have and use it if it weren't in my car that got stolen.
I work in an industrial design studio and we only use these. But we mostly care about drawing, but writing. They offer great control over the line strength. They last super long. Yes, they are scratchy when new. But not for long.
Just pragmatically speaking, I feel like that's the most common pen in existence. If I can only write with one, I'm not going with my favorite, I'm going with the one I can find anywhere.
Back in the 80s #7 was affordable and easy to find. I literally grew up using Bic pens mainly because its about all that was availble. Anything else was a "fancy" pen you might accidentally pocket at the doctor's office.
Whats wrong with 7? Its chraper than all the others and functions just as good. It just doesnt have all the bells and whistles. I see it no different than the basic pen mates used in offices.
So before you pass judgement on the 7s....you should look into how many professionals draw and or do engineering or design work with those as their ball point pen.
As an illustrator these stick pens are gold, as it's a pen type that can draw hard lines like a pen and shade like a pencil, no, my friend, these pens are golden I remember nights working with them on pieces long gone… but I do like #2 for the purpose of this survey but nothing thicker than 0.5 mm.
7's reliability is it's only feafure. Every other metric sucks ... doesn't feel nice across paper, leaves an inconsistent line, an awkward hand-feel ... but if I find a twenty year old one in a drawer, I know it will work, maybe with a bit of coaxing.
7s are surprisingly good on a writing pad specifically for how simple they are. But a bare sheet on a desk, not so great. I had a friend though, he drew amazing pictures on napkins with those basic Bics. He said it sucked up the ink the perfect amount.
I don't like all the stuff sticking out on the sides of my pen. I'm not good a posting pictures - but I use Bic Round Stic almost exclusively. Always writes, very rarely breaks inside and outside. And cheap.
You know who they're great for? Kids with ADHD who lose shit all the time. I was always scrounging for writing implements as a kid, a nice pen would have been totally wasted on me.
7 - it doesn’t smudge like the rest of those (except the sharpie), but still feels like a pen! But frankly, all these options are shit for “forever use”. And yes, I own all of them. The felt tip is my favorite, tho rarely used :(
7's have worked pretty well for me. I haven't used the other ones enough to form strong opinions. Except 2, which clumps and bleeds, and 6, since I've never found one that hasn't dried out from just existing. So 5 might be better, but I can't speak to that.
Damn, I came down here thinking I'd be one of the only ones who had an answer and/or cared that much and I come to find all of my #5 peeps! I feel so validated!!! Also, those are the only kinds of pens I buy and have been for a very long time. So comfy and so silky smooth to write with.
I only buy red 0.70. I haven't used a non-red pen for anything at work in over a decade. Makes it easier to read my own notes against black and whote printed materials. And easier to spot my pen too, so I never lose them.
I like 7. Less to go wrong, you always know how much ink is left, doesn’t smear, and if the ink stops flowing you can heat the tip with a match or lighter briefly and even after 10 years of not being used it will work immediately. Plus I lose pens a lot and they are very inexpensive.
And actually writes, unlike the G2 that cuts out mid-word and won't start again until you do some circles, but then it won't go over the same spot where you already tried to write. Jetstream is one of my favorites.
I think I signed my name 10 times in the last few years everything else is typed. I have note app and voice record app if I need to keep info fast this post just reminded me how something i used everyday is now insanely rare
I was a diehard G2 fan until I discovered the inkjoy. As someone who writes in a lot of lab notebooks, G2 bleeds and smears way too much. Inkjoy still has that smooth feel, but not nearly as messy. 100% my choice now.
Only #7 is GMP or GLP. The others aren't suitable lab notebooks, batch records, or log books. Gel ink feels nice, bit it's trash for longevity or durability. Sorry but I hated reading smudged records. Big pet peeve.
My lab notebooks, my sample labels and my inventory cards can all lick my balls. G2 for life baby. 0.38mm to be specific. That being said I am open to trying this alternative, especially if they also have very fine tipped options
I also use them on the plant floor because I can write on me and several labels on the floor. But I write too fast for the ink when writing notes and whatnot - I streak too easy. Maybe I should brush up on my cursive....
MarkSoupial
5
ILikeFood2000
Pen 15
81licks
I never realized I had such strong feelings about such a thing
DorkNaSa
#5 forever
esparadrapo
Also fan of the similarly shaped Pilot mechanical pencil. Those things are indestructible.
Newitt
5, Pilot pens rule!
75townecoupe
#5
njkckbxr
I hate all of them.
GryphonTattoo
I’ve been using 2 for writing and illustration work for close to 20 years.
LarkSachrosis
6, I like what felt tip pens do to my handwriting.
GingerbreadHousesAreDangerous
I thought I was gonna be the only one!!
dalaiyoda
#3 for lyfe.
frypei
Aaaeyyyee
partyofmemyselfandI
#7 because its reliable. And if I lose it, who cares?
mythsnlore
who hurt you?
BurnieCinders
Also the most environmentally friendly choice, and probably the cheapest if I'm still having to pay for them.
PastureofMuppets
Why enviro friendly? Some of the others like G-2 have replaceable ink tubes, so less plastic waste
BurnieCinders
Metal springs, clips, rubber grips, more plastic? How many people are actually replacing those ink tubes? I bet it's less than 2% of sales.
NATA5
They’re great for drawing too.
mythosmaker
#2
Acrage
I use those as well!
billstranger
Classy individual with taste.
themadprofessor
I see... a fellow human of taste and refinement. Engineer?
goodbyeitwasfunwhileitlasted
#3, but really it doesn't matter which one it is. I'll lose it within a minute of receiving it, then accidentally find it a few years later, then lose it again shortly after.
SabineRaven
Sounds like it's the gift that keeps on giving!
SpartaWolf117
5. when i'm bored i like to take it apart and put it back together
appleporpoise
https://youtu.be/iADUFJSYynU?si=5Tu0etoE36TUb_Mj
IMTHEONEWHOSTOLEALLOFTHECOOKIESFROMTHECOOKIEJAR
If you keep it in your pocket, it comes apart on its own too.
SpanishLisp
I thought I was the only one! 😂
discitus
I used to do that all the time when I was in school. And try to use parts from different pens to create a Frankenstein pen. See which bits were compatible.
ImperialForever
I hide little notes in the hollow button
am3x1cant0k32
I used to pretend the pen would, gain its armor, in a megazord sort of fashion.
SpartaWolf117
...get out of my head
am3x1cant0k32
Brot…brother?!?
brianglass10
Of these… #1
RedTailedHawk
#2
IrrelevantHandle
It makes my garbage handwriting look nice!
afambelafonte
SickboySuperfly
Perfect for nice neat line work or writing very small
salikarn
I feel like I never run into anyone else that likes #2, but I also never run into #2s in the wild
keystotheairlock
They used to fucking dominate but if they leaked in your pocket you were fucked. Then 3 and 5 showed up, and people apparently lost their fucking minds
CaptainTinyTongue
I've ruined so many bedsheets by accidentally leaving an uncapped #2 pen down.. I should really work at a desk 🙄
whyforetho
It's so crisp
DrugInducedDuck
Thank you, all these votes for 5 had me wondering where all the art majors were at.
HotSauceOnMyButthole
I like the *^’Scratch’^*
TheScutFarkus
Love the #2 boys!
ThaneofGlamis
mitula23
Yesssss and it's not even close
TuckerTheGuy
Ah, a fellow writer.
Grey406
I love those! I'd go through one per semester
kravlin
ah. a person of culture.
though. v7 beats v5
Whatdoyousaytoanicecupoftea
Found the architect
CaldariBob
+1.
BiggRanger
These are the best pens.
cheungs7
Yaaaass!!!
astharoth
Yes.
V5 and V7
RekyTheNeko
I love that style of pen. But I have to write on logbooks. Need to use a lot of pressure. And the fragile ends would always break. :(
IrrelevantHandle
Yeah, my main reason for loving these is not having to use any pressure when writing, prevents fatigue.
BigJT
I had one pen through 3 years of college. It was this style pen. Never ran out of ink, never leaked, didn't break. In the years since, I still haven't had one run out of ink before I either lost it or had it stolen.
IrrelevantHandle
I used these from gr6 forward and I gotta tell you, I ran out of ink plenty. You need to take better care of your pens if you are losing them that much. Maybe get some cheap bics to hand out when someone wants to borrow a pen.
The22ndDoctor
Parker Jotter or a Fisher Space Pen
nullundefined
Yep. Where is here the Parker Jotter?!
FormerGloriousGuyWhoCameBack
Used to be 5. But, just fell out of love with gel ink. #7...she may not be sexy, but goddamn, she's a workhorse and will only let you down if you put her through the washing machine. I'll take 7 all day any day.
Putitinyomama
Love the soft tip, it doesn’t bleed ink all over or rip the paper
controlsthepresent
Do you even put milk on your cereal or do you eat it dry between swigs of black coffee?
hllb
I love your cereal idea. Hit me up for moar recipes <3
ImAnActionBirb
dusty410
and 7 is the only one of these that will stay reliably tucked behind your ear.
SleeperXib
4. No question. I love that thicc thicc ink, rolling so so smooth...
Fuck I'm an old man! I got way too excited about this.
Digdug83
I go with 4, but only if it's fine point and not medium as my handwriting is.... questionable at best.
FlavorIntensifies
Uni-ball vision elite for life
helljack
#3 is the best damn writing utensil I've ever used. The Sharpie S-Gel is perfect. If writes evenly, no over or under flow, glides across the paper like butter across a hot skillet. It dries incredibly fast so it's perfect for right and left handed authors. It has a solid make, with a soft grip. The materials used reminds you that you have a solid pen in your hands. It's the most luxurious pen you can own for a very fair price.
Seriously, go pick up a double pack and try them out.
NATA5
I wish I enjoyed them as much as you. I think they’re garbage and are super inconsistent. I do enjoy a sharpie pen though.
NotStephanie
I can’t believe I haven’t had my hands on one of these
ImAnActionBirb
Cheese and rice you’re convincing. I’m going to buy one now.
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
imma do that actually
SatanicSpirals
I'm still a huge fan of G2, but I swear they changed their ink recipe somewhere in the mid 10's. Sharpie S gel is fucking amazing and my go to since G2 fails me now
NATA5
Try the .38 of the g2. Much more reliable and consistent with its ink delivery than the 05 or 07
CleverlyReferencedThing
Damn that sucks, I kinda transitioned out of g2s to Japanese pens and fountain pens in the 2010s so i must have stopped before they changed
SatanicSpirals
I've actually recently started doing the same. I was actually very surprised by the feel of Zebra's brush pens for their price.
pandemicpolemic
Come back here for the pens doot
keystotheairlock
Did an adbot write this???
ThePunishersVengefulBrother
No, just a Golden Retriever.
helljack
Nope. Just a maniac who really digs the S-Gel.

donkeymoney
.
FlakMunky
#5 .38 mm or .5 mm only though
omnipotentpasta
You go ahead and keep those .5 mm
NotStephanie
Yes! Fine or ultra fine only, whatever the pen
OliverKlozoff1269
Nope, #5 in 1mm. Black.
FlakMunky
I typically write very small. Any larger tips make it hard for me to write or they just end up being a smudgey mess.
OliverKlozoff1269
My penmanship is like that of a dyslexic chimp. I write huge swoopy letters and the bold lines work wl with it
ImgeneralBennet
I would have killed for the Pilot G2.... until I found the Papermate Inkjoy Gel, writes just as smooth and dries 7x faster.
Imalwaysready
Amazon says it only dries 3x faster. Who am I to believe?
ImgeneralBennet
Time for some first hand research! Try it on a glossy birthday card lol
fuzzballgirl
This. I buy the Inkjoy by the box and am obsessively possessive over them at work. Only one out at a time, eyes on it at all moments when it's away from its storage spot.
Casswa
I put washi tape on my writing utensils so I know when someone took one. (Usually absent mindedly)
Zahnradfee
Are those not refillable? Why buy them by the box?
fuzzballgirl
I don't believe they're refillable. I can't even get them apart. But they're such good pens
UberleJoe
This isn't funny. These are gateway pens. Sooner or later you'll be on that Japanese stuff. And that will hook you for life...
SumOneElse
Nah. I break (abuse while fidgeting) or lose pens frequently enough that if anyone ever gave me a fancy pen it'd end up stashed away in the back of a desk drawer somewhere to die of neglect as the only way I wouldn't find myself feeling bad in a year because it was lost or destroyed. At around a buck each I Pilots are cheap enough that I'm fine with attriting 1 or 2 a year.
athena0219
I keep an Ohto Tasche in my purse. It just gets so small! And writes so nicely! It isn't even that great a pen in that realm of fountains, but WHATEVER!
FabergeBurrito
Sakura Micron...those babies are beautiful
sockmonster
Muji for life.
Stoneagedudeman
Look. One of my friends is kind of a pen fan girl. I did NOT know that the pen fan base ran as crazy as it did. I thought it was BIC straight to 500$ CEO bullshit. Nah. People casually make and use 100$ pens as edc
TotallyNotVillain
But... Uni-ball and Pilot are already Japanese
UberleJoe
*sniffs and adjusts glasses* Yeah but they're too mainstream /s
TetraNordeh
Uni Jetstream 5-multi with 0.5 mechanical pencil, & 0.38 Pilot Frixion 4-multi (clear body for custom colors)... Oh yeah.
Daraanel
:P
WhyCantIStopArguingWithInternetTrolls
Frixion for the win! Writes nicely and is eraseable, how can you not love it!
NoRose
I would like recommendations, please. I gravitate to gels so if you have ideas, they'd be be appreciated!
UberleJoe
I honestly like Uniballs, but I use fisher space pens because they don't bleed and work in rough conditions (work). At home I use uni-ball Signo RT-1 .28mm. I can write a novel on a sticky note.
iwanttoeatpie
.
mixiekins
Drug dealers could learn a thing or two from Jet Pens.
NoFuxToGive
By the box
Imalwaysready
I had a box of green ones on my Christmas list and my mom called to ask if I meant to put a box of green pens on my Christmas list and I was like "um...yes. Have you ever used them?"
TrippyTurtle69
My wife bought these and I was skeptical. I promptly stole 3 of them before she loses them
vonKaiser
If I'm giv8ng up my fountain pen, I'm only giving it up for #1
lordofthegoats
fair.
Imalwaysready
Of those here, I prefer 3 or 5, but overall I vastly prefer my collection of Lamy Safari nib pens. Writing with a nib is so fulfilling and tactile.
Pupastis
Lamy gang ftw!
HungryHungryLawStudent
I was starting to think I was the odd man out liking 1, I love those pens
thehappyrunner
Pilot fountain pen all the way. And if that isn't available, #2.
ThatLoserTheFourth
Got the Custom 743 with the Falcon nib as a gift recently. I'm so happy with it, but god I could not part with the money it costs on my own
wolfman1975
Fuck yes. 1 all the way
CatEyebrows
Same. I have several fountain pens, and 1 is my pen if I don’t have those
malooooone
I had a version of 1 with a shorter cap, slightly different name maybe ‘elite’ or something like that. Only ever had the 1, and could never find more of them when it gave up. Only standard pen I ever had where I finished the ink before it got lost or stolen, still think about it sometimes hahaha
HelpfulCorn
#1 represent. The company used to stock these in all different colors for us. #4 would be my second choice.
colfish
pinheadbrigade
I wrote through my entire highschool career with #1 in green.
NorthRex
I'm a sucker for the 3. It makes great lines, good writing, it's sensual even.
evilcoffeechick
I just discovered 3 and bought a box of them. I don't normally go for the clicky type because I know I'll be annoying, but I keep one in my bag to cross things off on my delightfully retro shopping list and, so far, they don't fail me the way other pens have.
teardropivyyearofthetiger
I’m #team3 for life! And I wrote for a living with pens.
Totallyscrewedinaustin
They're awesome! I jealously guard mine at work, and actually recently finished off a whole pen! That's never happened to me before!
ATerribleArtist
Sgel is my favorite. I keep my old ones in case I never find a new one. I'm lefthanded and it's so smooth and it dries quick before my hand gets a chance to smear it.
thetonestarr
I would have gone #5 if I hadn't discovered #3. It's worlds above and beyond 5 though.
TheLordFoxington
Those are my go to if I forget my G2s
Sensiblyinteresting
G2 fine 0.7mm is a superior pen to all in the picture. My hand writing is noticeably better with one.
StarSaber317
This is the correct answer!
Flashezz
I only use #3 full metal version. The weight a feel is awesome and much better than the plastic version.
hungriesthippo
I use the metal version of 3 for hours and hours 5 days a week, but if I had to pick one forever pen I’d go with ol reliable 5. 3 is beautiful to start but I find that they never finish. I’ve gone through boxes and boxes, no joke 75 pens at lease. They break in my pocket, the leak on my pants, they stop working with 40% of the ink still in there, the plastic clipy snaps off... and I keep going back. The metal one has held up pretty well, and I’ve refilled it with the ink from a #3 several times.
AngelMace
I want to like them but I have such terrible luck with 3. I burn through the ink really fast, and I find that at least half of them will develop a 'stutter ' in the ink no matter what I do. Only half of what I write would end up with ink. It doesn't matter the writing surface or the paper
Thesonshade
I have 3 of these on my desk, I use #3 always. I've replaced 3 inks in my #3.
MrSlater
Until the rubber stuff gets weird and sticky
Carlo1973Munich
Ueah that sucks. I found out letting women with weird makeup on their fingers use them ruins them faster.
Sensiblyinteresting
I love 3, I just found out I can just be refills for the pen instead of new ones and it's way cheaper.
mysticarchives
As a lefty, #team3 all the way.
UltraHellboy
I love sharpie gel pens, but the cap has popped off on every one I’ve used from clicking it.
theMayanStallion
I also choose this dead guy's pen
ExTechOp
You folks use pens? I think it must be weeks since the last time I wrote something by hand.
donkeymoney
What is it called?
moistsox
Sharpie Sgels
ButtonsAreForPushing
As a lefty, the ink on the Sharpie is smooth and, most importantly, quick drying. I used to rock number five, but number three is my ride or die.
theraininspainfallsmainlyontheplain
Damnit now I gotta try a new pen.
Oldschoolcsplayer016049879
Worth it, get the 1.0 bold mother fucker too it's a sensual of transfer of ink to paper.
ayeseaturtles
You won't regret it!
Aluc4rd14
Came here to say this. Faithfully used #5 for years until I discovered #3
micotyro
Same.
Gaelwyn
There are dozens of us, dozens!
broadwaynut9
Man, someone just told me about 3 as I am an avid 5 fan. This post is the universe telling me to try them out already!
andrathor
Do it, I am very particular about my pens and love the S Gels.
SuicidalBallsack
This must be a thing. I was 5 till i die but now I it's 3 till infinity.
Stoneagedudeman
#2 and I'm willing to duel anyone who wants to make a derisive remark about it.
afterdarkart
#2 at the 5mm was my jam. It still is, but it was, too.
isthatyouranswer
Forever #2 @ .5, until I found #5 @ .38. Blue only.
cmfletcher
I'm ride or die with #2 as well, but ink will be on every surface under the cap if it isn't stored perfectly still.
figmentPez
Out of the ones in the pic, I'm with you, though I've recently switched to a P-500, which feels to me like a V5 with faster drying ink.
SumOneElse
#2 at .7mm has been my pen of choice since 05. The job I started then had a half dozen different types of pen in the supply closet, and I preferred them enough to keep buying them when someone decided to pinch pennies by only buying #7 and cheap opaque bic pens. Since then I've bought 2x 12 packs in black, and 1x 4 color multipack (black, blue, red, green); mostly because my first few years at that job we reviewed a lot of documents in paper, so I needed red ink to bleed all over them.
hyperchondriac
I guess after the tip breaks off you can squirt your ink at the enemy and escape.
stevebz5
I like this one but it leaks when I flew my plane.
walnutbreath
Yeah, you can't fly with them at all. They will explode, every time.
thetonestarr
Hmmm I think I do remember these suckers exploding super easily. Maybe that's why I went through them so quickly.
Howlingowl
Do you like ink stained hands and ruined manuscripts? Every color of #2 I’ve owned had the worst ink flow consistency and leaked like a rusty faucet.
Stoneagedudeman
Don't press so hard, friend. It's a gentle tool
Howlingowl
That’s another way of saying it’s a poor design and cheaply made.
ProfessorDumbass
That's what she said
danrrpalade
Let's duel my good friend, choose a weapon of choice.
thetonestarr
Those are nice pens but my problem is they run out of ink way too fast. I went through so, so many packs of those back in 8th grade.
BigJT
Weird, I had one that lasted me through three years of college. Haven't bought any other style since, and I always lose them before they run out of ink.
thetonestarr
Maybe I did more writing in 8th grade than I remember. I dunno, it was 25 years ago. I swear by the Sharpie S-Gel pens these days.
Kehy
It was fun watching them slowly drain over the course of years of note taking. Only ever drained 2, but I bought a ton anyways (and different colors)
shamus1991
A fellow person of culture
BradmusMaximus
#2 with the .5mm tip
LachrymoseEngineer
I've got both .5mm and .7mm. The .5 is for everything except for graph paper with thicker dark lines. The .7 makes it easier to see my lines in that situation.
Stoneagedudeman
Any other measurement is heresy.
redditambassador
0.4 is my go to every day carry.
NickRivieraMD
my mom loves those and I did too, as a kid, but they're no good for writing lots. I bent so many of those nibs.
Akurei00
I think that's a characteristic of being a kid. If you're not applying far too much pressure, the tips of those don't get damaged. Mechanical pencils can help break that habit, retraining your brain that you don't need to engrave it into the paper.
NickRivieraMD
I think it mostly happened after losing the cap
LaszloCravensworth
The only issue I have with the V5 is the cap. I like to keep my pen on my lanyard at work and the cap tends to pop off when you attempt to clip those types of pens onto your person. Then you either lose it or draw a line across your shirt. But those Pilot pens are very nice for writing, better than their G2, I'd say.
Stoneagedudeman
I use my v5 for my desk dedicated work and my personal notebooks and bookkeeping. My travel pen is a g2, but that's kinda just sitting in the truck for when I need it
mtreis86
They do make a clicky version
LaszloCravensworth
...of the V5? I assumed that WAS the G2.
mtreis86
The g pens are gel, the ink is thicker. They make the v pens in clicky tho, both v5 and v7.
Kehy
Yup, click for the V5. I like the V7 better, but I'm never disappointed with V5
LaszloCravensworth
I am very intrigued!! Have to find and try.
gradeD
That's fairly primitive of you
Imalwaysready
Yeah, because that's how 2-users think.
Kehy
I like it for art stuff/ doodles/ note taking. Basic ballpoints like 7 are interestingly ok for art- i find shading and hashing easy with those
pseudoersatz
Agreed, but there is a drawback: you can’t take it apart and back together during mind-numbing presentations.
Shibbidibdub
get me a Zebra instead
DaDefenestrator
And a platypus!
lurkmoarjono
the f301, f701, and m301 got me through college
thatdudeyousawthatoneday
F301 ! I have been using these for 20+ years. The fine point makes my bad handwriting legible.
OneWhoGeneralises
Glad to see Zebra getting some positive rep here. I rock a 5-clour custom that's got 4 Zebra inserts and they're fan-freaking-tastic whenever I need to draw up flowcharts.
Sparrowcide
Oh actually...7 has been the only one to write reliably on patient labels for me but a zebra might damn well work. Gotta try it
FabergeBurrito
Zebra Gels. The first time i wrote with one, i legit got chills.
CornCobMcGee
G-701 for life. I like my pens like i like my coffee. Bold, black, and really annoying when you accidentally swipe it with your hand and it gets everywhere
cronostrike
My personal favorite as well, was disappointed it wasn't in the picture.
VosperOfAntarctica
301 4 life
mixiekins
F-301 compact lasted through middle school, high school, college, and most of my adult life. Would still have and use it if it weren't in my car that got stolen.
orangemarmaladesky
402 for me.
Roqinn
Amen! I love the 402! Fine point and writes so smoothly!
renegade9
my man! 301 and Sarasa Dry both rock.
BBRed
5. Anyone who says 7 can get out right now
Sparrowcide
:{
darkhalfbreed
7 are for people who don't buy their own pens
gardenias
Okay but hear me out: You can get 7s practically anywhere and they're super cheap. Plus, they're adequate as a pen.
meatsquatch011
Present
thetallestninja
5 is right but 7 is better than 6.
TZO2k15
6 is a marker, so it shouldn't even be there!
kunackay
I work in an industrial design studio and we only use these. But we mostly care about drawing, but writing. They offer great control over the line strength. They last super long. Yes, they are scratchy when new. But not for long.
kunackay
7, I mean
MissSmoo
I too have arrived
LordTrapper
7, but it has to be the clear-medium one, not the orange/yellow fine point jobbies.
Whatwhatsomethingbutt
Just pragmatically speaking, I feel like that's the most common pen in existence. If I can only write with one, I'm not going with my favorite, I'm going with the one I can find anywhere.
smellsmiketeenspirit
Wait, I somehow thought it was implied the pen is magical and can't be lost and last forever. I have to handle logistics as well ?
Whatwhatsomethingbutt
In that case, I'd be happy with #3 or #5.
jessemillertech
They are like a nickel though ? Only upside.
Eatingoatmealandcryingwhiletouchingmyself101
7 is the third best selection
Ubernaut1
Back in the 80s #7 was affordable and easy to find. I literally grew up using Bic pens mainly because its about all that was availble. Anything else was a "fancy" pen you might accidentally pocket at the doctor's office.
Californiajackson
I'm a 5 or a 7 because you can get refills. Environment.
NotasbigasmediumsizedJock
If 7 is the ink joy brand then they're actually really good. If not, then I agree with you
JonathanMidwatch
A significant majority of the products we all use were initially designed with these pens (#7).
irishscorpio8888
7 was my high school go to.
Momzy120178
Ha 7
GloriousPirateBeard
Left hander here, it's the only one that doesn't smear and color my hand
NoFuxToGive
You should try #3.
Jtaime
I had the exact same thought! It's why I chose 7
natebitatibetan
We're the only ones in our right minds....
GabrielRRL
What minds?
ParanoidCarrot
7
jameslogan1947
7
tarantulavangelist
But that delicious cap....
Misteree8
Whats wrong with 7? Its chraper than all the others and functions just as good. It just doesnt have all the bells and whistles. I see it no different than the basic pen mates used in offices.
BORGALOOGIE
7 probably bend or chew on the cap until they lose it
CannabalisticSpaceRapArtist
Flick the dangly but off.. cause it's a thing to do
BoxWrangler
So before you pass judgement on the 7s....you should look into how many professionals draw and or do engineering or design work with those as their ball point pen.
FancyAmsterdammerrrr
Lucky number 7!
TacoPoweredHelicopter
7 best
TZO2k15
As an illustrator these stick pens are gold, as it's a pen type that can draw hard lines like a pen and shade like a pencil, no, my friend, these pens are golden I remember nights working with them on pieces long gone… but I do like #2 for the purpose of this survey but nothing thicker than 0.5 mm.
Natzsays
THIS. I actually like to draw with them! I love writing with gel pens, but shading is everything
TZO2k15
It's a good thing they're cheap, as I used to stock up on them pretty frequently, I just might do that very thing again!
heytherey0u
Nah nah 7 are reliable.
BitRoyal
7's reliability is it's only feafure. Every other metric sucks ... doesn't feel nice across paper, leaves an inconsistent line, an awkward hand-feel ... but if I find a twenty year old one in a drawer, I know it will work, maybe with a bit of coaxing.
HeProtecAndAttac
It has a grip which is great for drawings tho. Super nice to control pressure and easy to get very thin lines
DidItForScience
7s are surprisingly good on a writing pad specifically for how simple they are. But a bare sheet on a desk, not so great. I had a friend though, he drew amazing pictures on napkins with those basic Bics. He said it sucked up the ink the perfect amount.
airwoman
Seven!
psych0bunneh
7s unite. It's all I ever buy.
HeProtecAndAttac
7 all the way baby
reallynotalex
When I was in college, I managed to not lose one and actually have it run out of ink. Felt like a game achievement/trophy.
NotSomoneElse68
I don't like all the stuff sticking out on the sides of my pen. I'm not good a posting pictures - but I use Bic Round Stic almost exclusively. Always writes, very rarely breaks inside and outside. And cheap.
betterave
And the matte finish of the barrel feels nice. They’re my runner-up to the yellow-barreled bic, whatever they’re called.
Mydogatemycomments
Until someone "borrows" it
MadamPuddifoot
I work in an office... I *never* need to buy pens! Muhahhaha long live #7!
heytherey0u
I always think about Pam in the office saying she’s “never stolen so much as a paper clip”. Yes you have Pam, yes you have.
MadamPuddifoot
Hey uh, do you always think of Pam in the office and how she's stolen paper clips? Lol
heytherey0u
Lol well shiz…. I dunno why it posted three times.
heytherey0u
I always think about Pam in the office saying she’s “never stolen so much as a paper clip”. Yes you have Pam, yes you have.
heytherey0u
I always think about Pam in the office saying she’s “never stolen so much as a paper clip”. Yes you have Pam, yes you have.
yamamasyamaha
Ew you buy those? Those are great pens when you want to get 25 pens that will do the work of 5 good pens
drucifer0
You know who they're great for? Kids with ADHD who lose shit all the time. I was always scrounging for writing implements as a kid, a nice pen would have been totally wasted on me.
Akurei00
Except they write like shit and I always lose the cap and get marks on everything, including myself.
MichelGoussu
They don't write like shit, you need to get the medium ones, not the thins.
yamamasyamaha
Yeah I have that too - but I also don’t oooe wasting plastic and ink when the pen stops working with 75% if it’s ink left
bound4doom
mccccall
It's rest of the life - so 7 - all those graspy things fall apart within a decade or two
MeanWinchester
It's all I ever steal from the office supply cupboard you mean?
10001110101periodictablewithasantapieceofmind
Basic ass
purplespaghetty
7 - it doesn’t smudge like the rest of those (except the sharpie), but still feels like a pen! But frankly, all these options are shit for “forever use”. And yes, I own all of them. The felt tip is my favorite, tho rarely used :(
TeaOverdose
7 is the best when you forgot your drawing pencils but still want to doodle
TZO2k15
Yep, it's one of the few pen types that can shade like a pencil!
SpectralSpider
7's have worked pretty well for me. I haven't used the other ones enough to form strong opinions. Except 2, which clumps and bleeds, and 6, since I've never found one that hasn't dried out from just existing. So 5 might be better, but I can't speak to that.
Equinox13
Everything else smears. And everything else gets stolen.
PhloydPhan
5, and it isn't close.
Szj2
Agreed no gel, none of those extra inky smeary bois. Good ball point will do. I do like a good parker pen, but a 5 will do.
PlanckEraWasMyBestEra
Damn, I came down here thinking I'd be one of the only ones who had an answer and/or cared that much and I come to find all of my #5 peeps! I feel so validated!!! Also, those are the only kinds of pens I buy and have been for a very long time. So comfy and so silky smooth to write with.
cardinal29
G2 4LYFE!

metalrulercid
This is the correct answer
imasneakypineapplehead
So long as it’s the .37 fine tip
DwightLikesManMeat
Pilot G2 is bae
Carl99
5 for comfort but my nostalgic high school brian is saying 7, the cap was so chewy.
bfreeze01
Alright, 0.38, who's with me?
16bitStarbuck
Yeah, this has to be a joke. Anybody who's ever had to a use a pen daily knows those are by far the best.
Zulljin4
I need to click my pen all the time for no reason.
spinballwizardmtg
Not close at all.
gypsyspot
but only 0.7 and in black
PeteyVonWho
I have a rainbow of different colors because I got them all for 25 cents each. Still only use my black pen tho
YouHadMyCuriosityNowYouHaveMyAttention
ThatShiftyMonkey
I only buy red 0.70. I haven't used a non-red pen for anything at work in over a decade. Makes it easier to read my own notes against black and whote printed materials. And easier to spot my pen too, so I never lose them.
bfreeze01
0.7?!? May as well be writing with a sharpie! 0.38 all the way!
NeoAcario
They make a 1.0mm... and I rather like it.
YouHadMyCuriosityNowYouHaveMyAttention
1.0s smear for me (I’m a lefty)…. And .5s punch through the paper. .7s are the sweet spot for me
NeoAcario
Even as a righty I have to be careful not to write directly next to fresh ink for about 15 seconds. Heh. Still tho, I like it.
JamesAHarrod
SpaceForGold
Same. Those Atlantis (non bold) pens are top notch.
SpaceForGold
Oh. I thought it was an Atlantis. Lol
DaveSamsonite
I like 7. Less to go wrong, you always know how much ink is left, doesn’t smear, and if the ink stops flowing you can heat the tip with a match or lighter briefly and even after 10 years of not being used it will work immediately. Plus I lose pens a lot and they are very inexpensive.
WellIfIHaveTo
Also 5, but that Sharpie gel pen at #3 is a close second for me.
DeadyBearr
The pilot is the best for sure
B99Reactions
I hate that its this obvious
LanceCorporalBadger
It’s close, but the similar Bic Atlantis is superior
totaleclipseofdescartes
Thank you! My fave. Smooth, cheap, available in different colors, utterly reliable, and not as drippy as the G2.
solrev
This ^^
BORGALOOGIE
Absolutely. Maybe once in awhile I go for #3, it’s relaxing.
InTheDistanceAPlaintiveEnglishHorn
FIVE
Safsome
Preach
DrMatchSticks
Absolutely not. That shit smudges so bad :(
DaveSamsonite
Sorry, you don’t have the thick tip Sharpie, do you?
10001110101periodictablewithasantapieceofmind
The correct answer
HotSauceNCereal
Definitely the only pen needed by the world. Unless you're an artist maybe.
LikeAwkwardlySocial
Can you make it a G2 though?! Then no doubt
chappy321
Try the UniBall Jetstream. It’s like a G2 that doesn’t smear as easily, my favorite pen!
TetraNordeh
And actually writes, unlike the G2 that cuts out mid-word and won't start again until you do some circles, but then it won't go over the same spot where you already tried to write. Jetstream is one of my favorites.
rozwell51
Thanks for saying this. I will check them out.
ProfessorDumbass
I think I signed my name 10 times in the last few years everything else is typed. I have note app and voice record app if I need to keep info fast this post just reminded me how something i used everyday is now insanely rare
ILDL
Gotta go Japanese when choosing stationery. Great choice.
OddlyPacific
3! Fuck your bad opinion! Maybe I should try 5.
Gaelwyn
Nah. I used to love 5 but since I found 3 I'll never go back.
Merlance
I used to get the multi-colored packs and move switch the tops and inks around.
Have a green grip, orange clicker, with blue ink and such. No one stole my pens
soonertoad
We keep boxes of them at work. They are the only pen for signatures.
somnif
Until you get that one random bit of paper it refuses to write on. Those bits are maddening. Why, why won't you write G2?!?!
PersonalityPrototype
G5? Hell no
anothergingerbeardman
They don't write on laser printed stuff though. I mark lots of drawings and printed photos
jadanks
Until you try writing on a hard surface then they become terrible.
brownribbon
3 and it isn’t close.
MrLundimmi
Absolutely, now what size? I am 0.5 all the way
ghostofGracchusBabeuf
Wow, too comment. My fav also.
billyrayvirus
Takes too long to dry and ends up smearing.
alecmrcraig
Only the 1.0s I would pick others if there was no 1.0 of the #5 pen
ICampOntheFirstDate
I was a diehard G2 fan until I discovered the inkjoy. As someone who writes in a lot of lab notebooks, G2 bleeds and smears way too much. Inkjoy still has that smooth feel, but not nearly as messy. 100% my choice now.
Lonecoon
Inkjoy .5. Less ink to smear, drys faster, finer lines.
MrStealUrMeme
As someone who writes left handed, I detest pens that smear!
scritch13
As a lefty I agree 3 smears less than 5 in my experience.
freezingpilot
The inkjoy is amazing
BREED09
I love g2s and im left handed. Poor penmanship and smears are my signature.
BmoreBrewer
Only #7 is GMP or GLP. The others aren't suitable lab notebooks, batch records, or log books. Gel ink feels nice, bit it's trash for longevity or durability. Sorry but I hated reading smudged records. Big pet peeve.
iwenttousersubandalligotwasthislousyusername
My lab notebooks, my sample labels and my inventory cards can all lick my balls. G2 for life baby. 0.38mm to be specific. That being said I am open to trying this alternative, especially if they also have very fine tipped options
LaszloCravensworth
It smears too. You got to try the uniball signo.
BonafideHomicide
UNIBALL, UNIBALL, UNIBALL!!!
BurningVeryImportantThings
As a leftie I've found that the best solution to smudges when writing in pen is to not be left handed.
PickleRiiiiiiiiiiiiick
**cries in paper dragging smudges**
DidYouTryTurningItOffAndOnAgain
ChaoticGoodTransGirl
or just do a da Vinci and learn to write backwards
ChaoticGoodTransGirl
no one will be able to read it though
PlanckEraWasMyBestEra
As a Righty, can confirm that this has worked very well for me so far.
TechnicolorCheeseWedge
As a former die hard G2 fan, number 3 pictured above is my new favorite
tempsinexistence
This is the way.
MediocreExtremist
From the looks this comes closest. I use Uniball Powertank Black 0,7mm sn220; I don't use anything else anymore
JamesofBerkeley
But a #10 size.
pinkhoneybee
Those who know, know.
ChaoticGoodTransGirl
i have one on me at all times at work these days
BonafideHomicide
I hate #5, when I use them for ink drawing the ink always spits and skips
TetraNordeh
I can't even write with #5, couldn't imagine trying to draw with it
BesticlesTesticles
Ew, gel
graceinsheepsclothing
5 and I don't like any of them.
NullNameAvailable
4 is my go, as it doesn't bleed in the pocket, and when I give it to someone without a cap they're guaranteed to return it.
criticalmassdriver
It also glides across the paper with the right amount of haptic feedback. The ink soaks into the page nicely as well.
NullNameAvailable
I also use them on the plant floor because I can write on me and several labels on the floor. But I write too fast for the ink when writing notes and whatnot - I streak too easy. Maybe I should brush up on my cursive....
drziod
Click click click click click click click click click click.........clicking clicking clicky clicking.......STOP CLICKING THAT F@#$%%^ PEN.................................click
rfleming1080
They somehow always tell you stop when you need to write something and the tip isn't out.
SquirrelHaven
I can always find the boss by following the clicking.