Pen With A Good, Strong Pocket Clip?

[afbailey]

Hello everyone,

 

I'm a long-time lurker here but this is my first post. My everyday pen is a Pelikan M200, which I always carry with me in my pants pocket, clipped to the edge. I know that's probably not the best way to carry it, but I don't always wear a shirt with a pocket. Anyway, the clip ocassionally gets caught on something or another and bent a little bit. I can typically remove the clip and bend it back into place, but this morning it got bent almost to its breaking point. In fact the ring that holds the clip onto the pen is now cracked all the way through, but the clip still attaches to the pen.

 

Anyway, my question is this: I'm loooking for a fountain pen with a good, strong pocket clip that won't get caught on things or get bent through normal use. In terms of design, I prefer classic designs as opposed to super-modern ones, but I won't rule out an ultra-modern looking pen. I also prefer to bottle-fill my pens, but again, I wouldn't rule out a cartridge pen. Lastly, I don't have a ton of money, so I'd like to find something around US$50 or less.

 

I bought a 10-pack of Hero 616's a while back and I've been using those here and there, but they're not all that great. Better than a Bic Stic pen, but what isn't? I also had a Waterman Phileas years ago (my first FP, as a matter of fact) but it broke in half. It had a great clip though!

 

Thanks for the feedback.

[mooshi]

My Pilot Prera has a pretty good clip on it. It springs back into place every time. I clip mine to my shirt collar.

 

I know you didn't want the ultra modern pens, but I think the best clip out there is that of the Lamy Safari line. Deep carry and clips nice and tight. I actually carry mine "in waist band" and have never had a problem with it.

Edited September 6, 2012 by mooshisho

[wallylynn]

but I think the best clip out there is that of the Lamy Safari line. Deep carry and clips nice and tight.

I agree. I had a lamy vista in my pants pocket for 4 years. I do have to say that it did get bent loose one day and eventually I did lose it. Now I know how to take the clip out and bend it back into place.

 

Right now I'm using a Noodler's Ahab (bought with the replacement Vista). I figure if this clip breaks, I can get a cheap replacement.

[Lorna Reed]

Italix Parsons Essential FP. Great pen, great price,a classic looking pen, and a very strong pocket clip. In fact, a few people have said it's too strong! I think it's £39.00 and you can even get your initials engraved free.

[JLT]

The Schrade Tactical Pen has a clip that could double as a leaf spring for a half-ton pickup truck. It will NOT come out of your pocket unintentionally. If it ever does, call 911 as you have just been hit by a bus.

 

Other Pros - 1. Inexpensive. You can find them for less than $20 2. Versatilve. They come with a rollerball conversion, they accept cartridges and a standard converter can be modified to fit with a little bit of work. 3. Durable. Go ahead. Try and hurt one. 4. A pen of generous proportions and comfortable to use for extended periods. 5. The steel nibs are quite good.

 

Some Cons - 1. The smooth anodized aluminum finish can result in a vague grip. 2. A standard converter will need to be modified (carefully taper and trim the length of the converter knob) in order to fit.

 

I have one and I enjoy using it. I think it is one of the better deals out there in the market.

Edited September 6, 2012 by JLT

[Bo Bo Olson]

Belt pouch, but one would have to own a belt.

[humsin]

Lamy 2000

[Happy Harry]

Sheaffer Snorkel with a metal cap (stainless steel), being spring loaded these hold well, are relatively tough ( not the plastic caps though), bottle fill and for a high quality pen reasonably priced. The late cartridge Imperials with metal caps are also a good durable option and available very reasonably. BTW I hate those pocketless shirts!! Add reading glasses as well as pens they're a disaster!!

[David R Munson]

My first Lamy Safari has had the absolute (bleep) beaten out of it and has never skipped a beat. The clip has been clipped to all sorts of things, is losing its finish now, revealing the brass underneath, and to me looks all the better for it.

 

Another plus is that a Safari is cheap and, while the nibs are pretty much devoid of character, they're pretty much always smooth and I have yet to have one clog or act up in any other way, no matter how neglected I let them get.

[autopsy]

but I think the best clip out there is that of the Lamy Safari line. Deep carry and clips nice and tight.

I agree. I had a lamy vista in my pants pocket for 4 years. I do have to say that it did get bent loose one day and eventually I did lose it. Now I know how to take the clip out and bend it back into place.

 

Right now I'm using a Noodler's Ahab (bought with the replacement Vista). I figure if this clip breaks, I can get a cheap replacement.

 

I do really love the Safari clip as it easily clips onto clothing and stays put. The problem is pulling the Safari out. The lack of a threaded seal on the pen cap results in unsheathing the pen unintentionally and sometimes getting ink on clothing.

 

Maybe I'm just not careful enough.

[Sasha Royale]

When I don't have a shirt pocket, I clip my Parker 45 to

the button flap of my shirt, or to the collar of my T-shirt.

Safer than in the pocket.

[guilhermejf]

Not good, but strong are the Jinhao clips. I shredded some pockets of mine...

Edited September 8, 2012 by guilhermejf

[ajcoleman]

The strongest clip I have ever seen is the one on my Hero 1000, their high-end Parker 51 style pen with a metal body and cap. That clip is incredible. I actually tried to loosen it a bit by pulling it out from the body about 1/2" or so. It hurt my fingers more than it phased that clip! A solid pen for the money.

[jslallar]

The strongest clip on a pen has to be 'Schneider Base'. It can easily double for a paper clip.

[afbailey]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I did a bit more research on the Lamy Safari and I liked what I saw. I bought one today at my LPS (local pen shop. Not sure if I just made up that acronym). It's in blue, with a fine nib. I have to say it is a pretty impressive pen. I like how easily interchangeable the nibs are, and the way in which the converter snaps into the section. And the clip seems to be rock-solid! And because they're so cheap, I may have to buy a few more in the future...

 

Anyway, I liked the Schrade too. Another potential future buy.

[matt385]

Great choice! I've carried my Safaries in my pocket lots of times. Down the road look at the Rotring Core, it has a similar clip You also might want to look at pocket pens like the Ohto Tasche. They are compact enough you don't need to worry about the clip.

[Wyre]

I have found that the Pilot fountain pens have a very good strong pocket clip. As do the TWSBI series of pens.

[N2theBreach]

I think you'll like the Safari. Mine is always with me, either in the pocket of my dress shirt or my jeans.

[Ernst Bitterman]

I've assayed a LOT of pens, and the bulldoggiest clip I've yet to encounter is in the Baoer 388 (the Parker Sonnet pretender). I've had to use both hands and ask for third party assistance on a couple of thicker pockets. I suspect that it is probably a bit of a pocket chewer as well.