Expensive-Looking Pen That Can Take A Beating

[LionRoar]

What's a good choice for a pen that looks expensive, but is rugged and can safely be tossed into a pocket with keys or other rough environments and you don't have to worry about it getting ruined?

 

Doesn't actually have to cost a lot of money.

[PabloAU]

Pretty much anything shiny and expensive-looking will start looking tired quickly if thrown in with keys. If you're looking for something pocket-sized, check out the Kaweco Al Sport. The stonewashed finish is pre-worn like an old pair of jeans. Alternatively the raw aluminium finish leaves the factory shiny, but from what I understand will scuff up quick and wear its scratches with pride.

Edited December 14, 2014 by PabloAU

[NinthSphere]

That Schrade fountain pen maybe? I don't have that one, but I have a Smith & Wesson ballpoint tac pen. They wear their wear well.

 

http://images.knifecenter.com/thumb/1500x1500/knifecenter/schrade/images/SCHPEN3BKc.jpg

 

Or, on the pricier side, a Karas Kustoms Ink.

http://karaskustoms.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/740x556/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/n/ink_rainbow_logo_1.jpg

Edited December 14, 2014 by NinthSphere

[Icywolfe]

Kaweco AL

Pilot Metro

Lamy Safari

Noodler's Ahab

[erpe]

JinHao 159, they also come in packs of 10. Just refit the section with converter in a new barrel & cap when the scratching gets too bad.

[ac12]

A flighter finish pen.

Brushed stainless steel.

The other parts of the pen will show wear before the stainless steel does.

 

I have a $7 Baoer 388 that looks like a $100 Parker Sonnet, and that SS finish is goina last.

[sandy101]

Faber Castell Loom - £25

 

Parker 45

 

Tombow Object 101

[LeonW]

Lamy 2000 Stainless Steel - it does not have to be cheap either. Will complement your Porsche Cayenne GPS keys perfectly.

[WetNoodle]

Lamy Al-Star

[Buzz_130]

I wouldn't recommend throwing your pens and keys together in the same pocket any more than you would throw your cell phone and your keys in the same pocket. At some point, you are going to cause damage to your pens.

 

People have already given you good recommendations for rugged pens. The Lamy Safari, Al-Star, and 2k are good candidates for very rugged and durable pens. The Pilot Prera also makes my list as my kids use those as well, and they just keep working.

 

in the vintage category, the Esterbrook J is a durable and easy-to-repair candidate. I always have a Parker "51" with me as this design and durability still stands the test of time. I have no problems bringing these 70-year-old pens to work and put in my pocket. Just not with loose change or keys!

 

Buzz

[______Zaphod_Beeblebrox]

I love my MB Boheme pen because it is small and I can carry it in my front pocket. I have used it like this for years and it has suffered no damage.

 

Of course just like mentioned above I do not toss keys in the same pocket as my phone or pen, anything sharp will damage any pen regardless.

[ISW_Kaputnik]

First recommendation, wear shirts with pockets and put your pen in there. Even my T-Shirts have pockets.

 

But if you must use a pants pocket with other things in it, then get some sort of pen slip or case to protect your pen.

[LionRoar]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not saying that one SHOULD keep a pen in a pocket with keys, but there's still value in a pen being rugged, isn't there?

 

I haven't had good luck with stainless-steel pens. My stainless steel Waterman Hemisphere doesn't write very well. I recently picked up a stainless steel LAMY Studio, but the steel is brushed only vertically, which gives the pen a very interesting look and feel but also suggests it's very delicate for a steel finish and will scratch easily; in fact, there's already a scratch where the clip contacts the cap. (Although I suppose that otherwise the LAMY isn't unlucky, seems like a decent pen with a very interesting design, feels nice, but the clip is not really usable as clip.)

Edited December 14, 2014 by LionRoar

[Parse Error]

If it's going in your pocket for random writing, get a keychain ballpoint pen like the Lamy Pico, especially considering that you're probably not going to be writing on good paper anyways.

 

That being said, if you're going to be using a fountain pen in this context, you're going to ensure that the paper could take fountain pen ink (most paper these days that you write randomly -- namely receipts) actually accept fountain pen ink. So if you're going to be using it on the go, you're going to be carrying your own paper, and thus would have a bag to go along with it, and something like a Lamy 2000 or a Pilot VP could be dropped into a quick access pouch in your bag.

[Bo Bo Olson]

1895 having just invented the slip on clip for fountain pens, the shirt pocket was invented to carry it.

 

In lean back and peddle washing machines were also just invented, shirt collars and cuffs were sewn to the shirt, instead of having take offs.....why they even invented button all the way down the front shirts; in stead of long armed sort of polo shirts.

 

Yep, a shirt pocket is what you want.

 

There are dinky 'cheap' looking Kaweco Sport pens, invited about 1935, just for folks doing sports so wouldn't have shirt pockets...and pens do flay out of shirt pockets when someone does does sports.

There are steel 'flighters' that you can scrap up with keys and pocket change.

 

You do want a short pen....so you don't poke yourself somewhere important.

[LionRoar]

1895 having just invented the slip on clip for fountain pens, the shirt pocket was invented to carry it.

 

In lean back and peddle washing machines were also just invented, shirt collars and cuffs were sewn to the shirt, instead of having take offs.....why they even invented button all the way down the front shirts; in stead of long armed sort of polo shirts.

 

Yep, a shirt pocket is what you want.

 

There are dinky 'cheap' looking Kaweco Sport pens, invited about 1935, just for folks doing sports so wouldn't have shirt pockets...and pens do flay out of shirt pockets when someone does does sports.

There are steel 'flighters' that you can scrap up with keys and pocket change.

 

You do want a short pen....so you don't poke yourself somewhere important.

 

 

Isn't it traditionally considered sort of nerdy to have a pen in your shirt pocket?

Edited December 15, 2014 by LionRoar

[NinthSphere]

 

Isn't it traditionally considered sort of nerdy to have a pen in your shirt pocket?

 

Do you really care if someone thinks you're nerdy? You don't need a pen for that.

[J85909266]

Get a Schrade Tactical Fountain Pen. They come in copper, silver and black. They fit the awesome Jowo nibs from Goulet Pens perfectly, so buy one of those, too. Assembled, you now have a solid aluminum, ruggedly constructed fountain pen with a premium German nib and a great pocket clip that can be clipped to any pair of jeans or backpack without fear. I couldn't be happier with mine.

 

http://www.4gp.tw/b043/1418398813277.jpg

[casualmerlinconstant]

Unfortunately, your keys will probably destroy any/most pens. Keys are usually made of relatively high hardness steel, or maybe some chrome/nickel alloy. Pens are usually made of some variant of plastic, aluminum or stainless steel. All of which would not stand up very well to your keys.

What you could do however is invest in a nice leather pen slip. They are slim enough to fit into your pocket, look classy and will protect your pen from your keys. That would then Free up your choices considerably.

 

I still recommend against putting pens in your pants pockets however as many people have snapped their pens in doing so. (Plenty of horror stories on fpn unfortunately).

 

Edit: your keys probably won't destroy that weapon/pen people keep linking above

Edited December 15, 2014 by superglueshoe

[sirgilbert357]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not saying that one SHOULD keep a pen in a pocket with keys, but there's still value in a pen being rugged, isn't there?

 

I haven't had good luck with stainless-steel pens. My stainless steel Waterman Hemisphere doesn't write very well. I recently picked up a stainless steel LAMY Studio, but the steel is brushed only vertically, which gives the pen a very interesting look and feel but also suggests it's very delicate for a steel finish and will scratch easily; in fact, there's already a scratch where the clip contacts the cap. (Although I suppose that otherwise the LAMY isn't unlucky, seems like a decent pen with a very interesting design, feels nice, but the clip is not really usable as clip.)

 

Any brushed stainless steel finish can very easily be refinished with a green Scotchbrite sponge. The green "scrubber" side will re-brush the SS finish with minimal effort. This is a common trick for re-surfacing watch bracelets that I learned from a watch forum I frequent. I've used it myself on a 450 dollar watch and it's magic. Technique plays a role though, because the "lines" it lays into the surface will only be as straight as the hand motion you use to direct the sponge...lol.