Pens I can't live without

I have a couple of favourite pens. Some I carry with me everywhere I go, and some that almost make it everywhere I go.

Rotring 600 3-in-1

This is my go-to pen — it goes everywhere with me. I like having the choice of two inks and a pencil all in one, and it writes super smooth on almost any paper. The brass finish ages really well too. My one gripe is that you can’t easily glance down and tell which colour you’re on.

Pilot V Ball 0.5, Black

A stalwart in my collection. It writes well on anything, and despite being a 0.5, it leaves a surprisingly thick line — one that makes my handwriting stand out and look better than it actually is. Pure liquid ink, through and through.

Pilot Frixion Clicker, Red + Blue

Slightly thinner than the original Frixion, but I think it looks better for it. I love using erasable pens for reusable lists: once you’re done, you just rub the checkmarks out. My usual method is to write a checklist in permanent ink, then use the clickers to cross things off before erasing.

Uni Ball Eye, Blue + Pink

Love, love, love the colour of these inks. I use them for highlights and bullet lists in my journals — they write super smooth and leave a nice chunky line behind. They’re also great for underlining text so it really stands out on the page.

Uni Ball Eye Fine, Blue + Red

I keep a blue and a red version of these on hand. I love the messy-journal aesthetic they give, and I like going back in after the fact to leave myself extra notes. The fine line means I can still squeeze them in between lines on the paper.

Wrapping Up

That’s the current lineup — a mix of everyday carries and pens that mostly stay put, but each one earns its place. Half the fun of journaling for me is picking the right tool for the moment, whether that’s the reliability of the Rotring, the boldness of the V Ball, or the playfulness of a coloured Uni Ball Eye. I’ll keep adding to this list as new favourites earn their spot.