Best Pens & Inks of 2020
As 2020 draws to an end, it is time to round up my favorite pens and inks for the year! I started this year with around 20 pens, which have all been rehomed. I’ve found that I’m happiest when the collection hovers around 7-10 pens.
Best Daily Writer: Pilot 823 <M>
#15 size nib? Yes please.
If I had to shout my favorite pen from the rooftops..it would be my 823. The M nib is buttery smooth and the ink capacity lasts through my notes and exams. I became incredibly picky about pen weight and balance after my wrist pain, and found that the 823 was the perfect writer. The balance and section allow me to write forever without tiring out my wrist.
Best Ink Review Pen: Pilot Justus 95 <H-M>
Running along with the Pilot theme, I LOVE my Justus!
This was an impulse buy on Black Friday from Vanness Pens. I love the adjustable nib and use the hard setting for notes, and the soft setting for journaling. This is not meant for flexing; instead, the nib allows you to adjust ink flow to however you like. When adjusted to the soft setting, the nib is soft and cushiony. The pen is well-balanced; not too heavy, but weighty enough for long writing sessions. I’ve designated this as my ink review pen for 2021.
Most Aesthetic Pen: Walltown Craftworks Watts Slim in McKenzie Diamondcast Moissanite
Seriously, can you say no to this?
Whew, what a title. There is no comparison to how glittery, sparkly, and all-around gorgeous this pen is. It literally lights up my day every time I use it. I’m convinced that I was a magpie in my past life..because this pen is just so sparkly!
“Must -Try Inks”
Sailor Sou Boku/Sei Boku
This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. If I had to pick two inks to take to an island, I would choose Sailor Sou Boku and Sailor Sei Boku. These are both pigmented, waterproof inks with shading, sheen, and impeccably smooth flows. Sou Boku is a very lovely blue-black and Sei Boku is a bright cerulean blue.
Pilot Iroshizuku Yu-Yake
I enjoy reviewing Pilot Iroshizuku inks as they are well-behaved inks. Yu-Yake is a gorgeous, warm-toned orange. The color reminds me of papaya.
Tono & Lims Breakthrough
I HAD to finish off this list by including T&L. They’ve been releasing inks like mad, and rumor has it they are hitting the ground running for 2021. Breakthrough is a beautiful, medium dusty purple (I’m a sucker for dust).
Happy holidays everyone, and I am excited to see y’all in 2021!