Written by

Chris Gonzales

Photography

Art Lasovsky

There are people who go through packages of cheap-y plastic pens almost like it’s a smoking habit. Others of us prefer a pen that will last a lifetime and beyond.

Here are eight pens constructed from various types of metals, any of which you’ll be able to pass down to the next generation.

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Tactile Turn’s “Slider” or “Glider” »

Material: Brass — ($59 or $79, depending on if you opt for the Damascus steel bolt for either size)

The major selling point of this pen is the crescent-shaped bolt-action retraction mechanism that can easily be operated single-handed. It’s actually kind of addictive to play with, and you’ll often find yourself with the pen in your hand, click-click-clicking like a fidget toy. Extremely satisfying.

  + Read our post here.



baron-fig-mysterium-squire-pen

Baron Fig “Mysterium” Squire »

Material: Aluminum — ($60)

A limited-edition, science fiction-inspired version of Baron Fig’s aluminum Squire pen. It’s machined from a solid block of high-grade aluminum, with a gorgeous warm orange color — meant to evoke hazy sunsets on distant planets — and etched with an icosahedron (basically a 20-sided die) emblem.

  + Read our post here.



studio-neat-mark-one-aluminum-pen

Studio Neat “Mark One” »

Material: Aluminum with ceramic-polymer coating — ($50 pre-order; ships fall 2018)

The Mark One sports a custom-machined aluminum body coated in a matte ceramic-polymer coating called Cerakote, which is often otherwise used to make firearms resistant to abrasion, corrosion, chemicals, and impacts. They even designed their own all-metal (and still clicky) retraction mechanism rather than settling for any old plastic one on the market.

  + Read our post here.



mininch-xcissor-pen

The Xcissor Pen »

Material: Stainless steel — ($66)

The Xcissor pen by Taiwanese company mininch (pronounced mini-inch) is a sleek stainless steel executive pen with a small pair of scissors hidden in the barrel opposite the writing end. You may find surprising uses for this in your daily life.

Comes in your choice of silver (nickel-plated) or black (teflon-coated) finishes.

  + Read our post here.



hodinkee-embassy-pen-brass

Hodinkee “Embassy” »

Material: Brass (the stainless steel and black aluminum options are currently on a waitlist) — ($98)

This tactical-style pen is perfect for:

  1. Writing on anything, under any circumstances.
  2. Knocking out an assailant with a precision blow to a pressure point.
  3. Rebuilding a literate civilization after the Big One.

…you get the idea.

  + Read our post here.



stilform-kosmos-titan-titanium-pen

KOSMOS Titan »

Material: Grade-5 titanium — (€100,80 / ~$116 USD for either the mirror-polished or matte versions, or €175,63 / ~$203 USD for the 2-pack)

The minimalist KOSMOS Titan by Stilform is machined from solid titanium and features a unique retraction mechanism that has you simply shift the cap up or down to reveal or hide the writing tip. Whichever position it’s in, it will remain there thanks to a built-in Neodymium magnet.

  + We’ve not posted about this one before, but we did once write about the company’s upcoming KOSMOS Ink magnetic fountain pen.



ystudio-brassing-ballpoint-pen

Ystudio “Brassing” Ballpoint »

Material: Brass — ($85)

The Taiwan-based ystudio offers a gorgeous series of brass writing utensils with black finishes that slowly wear off with time, revealing a sort of character unique to you. The ballpoint pen is the most affordable of the bunch, though they do also offer a desk fountain pen ($180) and a portable fountain pen ($160).

  + Read our post here.



zebra-f-701-stainless-steel-pen

The Zebra F-701 »

Material: Stainless steel — ($6)

Maybe you don’t want something all fancy-pants like everything else above. That’s okay, you can always go with the tried-and-true Zebra F-701 ballpoint. The barrel is made from stainless steel, so it can put up with a good deal of abuse (including laser engraving and beyond), plus the knurled grip makes it a pleasure to write with. Not much else to say. This pen’s been around for years and it’s a solid everyday carry choice.

  + Read our post here.