Writing Instruments

Browse writing instruments recommendations from people with great taste on Rec League.

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Good Thing Going by Lena Dunham

Le Pen

Does anyone remember Kate’s Paperie in Soho? I miss it so much. My childhood respite from all fears. That’s where I discovered Le Pen, a pen that removes all resistance. Never again will you feel a block between your brain and your hand with this smooth delicious utensil. An issue I have is that I always buy 20 and then enthusiastically give them away until I’m writing with someone’s shitty ballpoint. It’s time to re-up. An investment in myself!

even*cleveland

Pilot sign pen pure liquid ink

Such a satisfying writing experience, thick + inky.

Traci Fleming

Penco Bullet Ballpoint Pen

Japanese pens are the best. Imagine this color spectrum on your desk.

Greer: Kaweco Brass Sport Pen

Greer is best stationary store in Chicago. And the Kaweco brass sport pen is the only pen I own, it’s so beautiful. You can also get Kaweco pens online or at your local stationary store. I know it’s not a ballpoint pen; but as a picky bitch I swear by this fountain pen. You can change the ink colors every time you refill so running out is fun, not burdensome.

The Strategist

Pilot Kakuno Clear Body, Fine Nib, Black Ink

For years, I’ve relied on Sharpie S-Gel pens for drawing and journaling, but after my stationery-passionate friend showed me the Pilot Kakuno, I was sold on fountain pens. It’s lightweight, comes in a bunch of playful colors, and has a soft tip that glides across the page. It’s the pen that convinced me pens don’t have to be expensive to feel classy.

even*cleveland

Kitaboshi editor's pencils + printing out a hard copy for edits

A format change is an underrated editorial tool: seeing something on paper vs. a screen opens up a whole new perspective, which is why I print out hard copies of work I edit. You can use any old pen or highlighter for your notes, but I love using a true editor's pencil, because it makes me think of all the people throughout history reading carefully and quietly behind the scenes to help make something the best it can be. The blue side was for printer instructions and the red for text changes.

Steven Weill

Kaweco Brass Sport Fountain Pen

First debuting in 1911, Kaweco's brass fountain pen means business. This is a heavy duty pen that will outlive us all and when paired with the otherwise delicate fountain nib, is a beautiful and functional contradiction. It is tiny at 4.2 inches when closed but comfortable at 5.2 inches open. Its raw finish develops a patina (sucker for any patina) unique to your own hand over time, giving it an antique, lived in feel — though as that develops, you'll come to miss the metallic scent the brass left on your fingers.

Traci Fleming

Cameron Marks Mach Ballpoint Pen

Say it like it is. Ballpoint Pen. In a slew of excellent color pairings.

shira barlow, ms rd

these perfect pens

giving milky gel pen of the 90s with better glide!!!

even*cleveland

Stabilo woody pencils

Nicely sized, and excellent for doodling on white boards, windows, and mirrors.

Sarah Cooney

Kaweco Classic Sport Fountain Pen

I have been writing with fountain pens for decades; I am committed to the aesthetic, to keeping a dying form of writing alive, and to remaining stubbornly old-fashioned in specific ways. Fountain pens make writing a joy—I love watching the ink soak into thick cardstock. This is a great starter pen. Get a bunch and fill with different ink colors.

Lyla

Japanese Black Pen Sampler Set

The perfect gift for most people. A little curated sample set of all of Tokyo Pen Shop’s favorite black pens. SUCH A HIT with everyone I give it to. The pens rock.

Steven Weill

Kaweko Caramel Brown Ink -

Not a utensil per se but any fountain I’m using is loaded with these little caramels.

Coco Quizon

Mini Sharpie Keychain

Perfect for emergency triage, seeing how big a bite has gotten, writing name tags, and just having it on hand has become my favorite party trick.

Erin Boyle

Stabilo Woody 3 in 1 Pencils

oh, just the most satisfying chubby little colored pencil/marker/water-soluble delight of a thing.

Kristen Pumphrey

Pilot Ballpoint Pens

It's Ballpoint Pens + thin paper for maximum notebook ASMR for me. These are my favorite, discovered at BEAMS and Hightide in Japan, I buy these at hightide stationery in the US.

Geren

Kaweco Classic Sport Ballpoint Pen

Not the cheapest up front but I love mine ballpoint and fountain - they're chic and formidable and refillable so less waste long term.

Peyton Dix

sakura pigma graphic pen brown ink

This is the pen that started it all. (IYKYK and if you don't know just ask and I will tell you lol).

Good Thing Going by Lena Dunham

Sharpie Permanent Markers, Fine Point

Le Pen is for deep thoughts. A fine point navy sharpie is for when I need to make big cuts in a script, rethink a plan for a shooting day or generally fuck shit up. “Have you seen my sharpie?” “It’s in your hair.” That’s the most common refrain of a work day for me. And let’s not pretend they don’t smell amazing.

Steven Weill

A.G. Spalding & Bros. Short Classic Fountain Pen

Platonic ideal fountain pen. Comes in more colors than you could possibly imagine and is nice enough to avoid feeling disposable while being affordable enough to not feel overly precious.

Shin Ko

My favorite pens

I'm picky about the kind of pens I use. It needs to comfortably rest in my hand as well as makes me forget that I'm holding it. These pantone pens feel so smooth and crisp. Plus the ink dries quickly.

Peyton Dix

uni jetstream pen

simple look. writes well and light. great grip.

even*cleveland

Koh-I-Noor | Magic FX® Pencil Set

Love stashing one of these many-colored pencils for vibrant doodling while we wait in airports, restaurants, etc.

Steven Weill

Troika Construction Pen

Whether you're cosplaying or genuinely making use of its suite of tools (level, cm&in ruler, stylus, flat&phillips screwdriver), Troika has made a great object to have at your disposal.

There's so much more to explore

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