Image	Product	Features	Price
	Caran D'Ache 849 Black Code Ballpoint Pen		Check Price
	Pilot Custom 74		Check Price
	Pineider Avatar Twin Tank Touchdown		Check Price
	Esterbrook Estie Sea Glass Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Visconti Van Gogh Starry Night Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Lamy LX Gift Set (Pen + Notebook)		Check Price

Choosing a pen for ourselves is hard, however, buying a pen as a gift can be twice as hard since we need to consider various factors, including hand size, preferences in terms of pen types, design, color, and much more. To find that perfect pen that will make a lasting impression, it’s crucial to consider the personality, writing style, and taste of the gift recipient. Other things to consider are the occasion for buying the gift, how the pen will be used, and whether the giftee is a righty or lefty.

If this sounds overwhelming, fear not because you’ve got us to navigate you through these tricky waters. In this article, we’ll share our insights into the world of gift pens and review some of the best pens out there so you can find the best gift pens for anyone and for any occasion. 

Without further ado, let’s dive into our top contenders.

Best Gift Pens

From ballpoints to fountain pens, here are our top recommendations for the best gift pens for your special someone.

Best Gift Pens for Students - Lamy LX Gift Set (Pen + Notebook)

Specifications

Manufacturer	Lamy
Color	Marron, Rose Gold
Weight	22 gr
Length	139 mm
Material	Aluminum
Series	LX (read Luxe)

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Sleek and stylish design, common for professional pens
• Premium bundle that includes the pen and the notebook
• Interchangeable steel nib
• Lightweight 
• Affordable 

Cons

• Not very suitable for sketching and drawing
• Smooth grip section, which might not be suitable for everyone

If you’re searching for a pen that offers a smooth writing style while looking professional and stylish, the Lamy LX gift set is the perfect gift option. An epitome of luxury, this pen is meticulously crafted with utmost precision and goes beyond its primary function.

A key design feature is the interchangeable steel nib that pen enthusiasts can use to explore various writing styles, given that it comes in multiple sizes, including extra fine, fine, medium, and broad. This nib glides smoothly across the pages without bleeding through or skipping.

Inspired by the popular Al-Star pen, the LX features a lightweight and stylish aluminum barrel made of anodized aluminum that looks premium, but comes at an affordable cost. The barrel has an interesting design that includes two straight and two rounded edges that prevent the pen from rolling off of your desk.

This exceptional pen comes accompanied by a notebook with a tasteful design, all beautifully packaged in a sleek and sturdy box. It’s the perfect budget-friendly gift idea for people who appreciate a professional-looking pen.

Best Gift Pens for Him - Caran d’Ache 849

Specifications

Manufacturer	Caran d’Ache
Color	Black, other colors
Weight	15 g
Length	128 mm
Material	Aluminum
Series	849

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Unique aluminum hexagonal barrel
• Both visually appealing and durable
• Large cartridge ideal for extended writing sessions
• Comfortable ergonomic grip section

Cons

• More suitable for individuals with smaller hands

A true masterpiece in the hands of pen enthusiasts, the Caran D’Ache 849 holds a legendary status in the realm of writing instruments. 

Known for its aluminum hexagonal barrel, this pen is extremely comfortable to write with while looking sleek and stylish. Despite its light weight, the wonderfully crafted barrel fits a large-sized cartridge, which makes it ideal for extended writing sessions. 

The smooth tip of the pen paired with the fast-drying ink offers a smooth writing experience, making it a great gift option for professionals who need to jot down a lot of notes. Don’t expect any smudges with this highly professional pen, but only reliability and efficiency.

As Caran D’Ache’s most sought after pen, the 849 comes in a palette of colors that can captivate any pen enthusiast and compliment their unique personality, so you’ll likely find one that your giftee will like.

Best Luxury Gift Pen - Pilot Custom 74 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Pilot
Color	Blue, Grenadine, Clear
Weight	22 g
Length	143 mm
Material	Resin
Series	Custom 74

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Rhodium-plated 14k gold nib that comes in various sizes
• Three colors available
• Minimalistic design 
• Meticulously crafted

Cons

• Cartridge converter not included

Effortlessly blending minimalism, sophistication, and efficiency, the Pilot Custom 74 is primarily known for its captivating transparent barrel that houses the Pilot mechanism. 

Perhaps the most appealing features are the three color varieties of the barrel. The clear one is great for professionals and those who prefer a more classic pen, while the red-orange grenadine and the vibrant blue are two other colors that are conduits for playful yet professional energy.

It’s a meticulously crafted pen with great attention to detail and an exceptionally functional nib that comes in four sizes – extra fine, fine, medium, and broad. The nib’s quality is unparalleled as it’s made of gold and plated with rhodium, therefore it delivers a precise and smooth writing experience.

Another great feature is the innovative converter that combines the features of vacuum-filling and push-button converters. It ensures a long and uninterrupted writing experience, however, you need to buy it additionally.

Best Premium Pen for Gifting - Pineider Avatar Twin Tank Touchdown

Specifications

Manufacturer	Pineider
Color	Clear, Neptune Blue, Graphene Black, Devil Red, Forest Green
Weight	24 g
Length	124.8 mm
Material	Resin
Series	Avatar Twin Tank Touchdown

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Exceptionally well made
• Elegant and minimal design
• Travel-friendly pen with a unique filling system
• Large ink capacity
• Wide range of ink sizes

Cons

• A few color options to choose from
• High price for a steel nib

Feast your eyes on the Pineider Avatar Twin Tank Touchdown fountain pen that’s made by one of the top pen manufacturers in Italy, Pineider. 

This exceptional pen is one of the best fountain pens in its price range mostly because of its unique Twin Tank Touchdown filling system. Eliminating the need to empty your fountain pen while flying, this system prevents the ink from leaking during air travel by ensuring a secure seal. The system also enables you to store your pen in different positions without leaking for however long you want.

The twin tank boasts two ink chambers, one ink reservoir that’s used as a reserve for long writing sessions, and a smaller ink reservoir. This latter is always connected to the steel nib, which ensures the premium writing experience this pen offers. 

Its visual appeal is equally impressive as a result of the high-quality materials that this company uses for all of their pens. Crafted from a unique type of mother-of-pearl resin that’s developed in Florence, this celluloid material contributes to the pen’s durability and aesthetics.

The sophisticated N6 Demi Flex futuristic steel nibs, available in extra fine, fine, and medium sizes, fit a wide variety of handwriting styles, ranging from smaller to larger.

The series is also available in 5 different colors that give you the opportunity to tailor the pen to the individual color preferences of the recipient.

Best Pens as Gifts for Her - Esterbrook Estie Sea Glass

Specifications

Manufacturer	Esterbrook
Color	Turquoise
Weight	35 g
Length	155 mm
Material	Resin, metal accents, and polished chrome
Series	Sea Glass

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Available in two sizes, regular and oversize
• Two types of trim available - chrome and gold 
• Stunning design
• Smooth writing experience
• Well balanced pen

Cons

• Heavier than other pens
• Cartridge-only pen

The Eastbrook Eastie Sea Glass is probably the most visually appealing pen on our list. The sea-inspired one-of-a-kind design looks similar to how the rays of light hit the surface of the sea, creating intricate shapes.  

Even though it’s a one-color series, this pen offers a huge opportunity for customization. On the one hand, you’re able to choose between a regular and oversized pen, depending on whether the gift recipient has smaller or larger hands. On the other hand, you can select either a gold or a chrome trim, depending on which color will match the giftee’s stationary and taste.

However, the area where this pen offers the most versatility is the nib that comes in multiple sizes, all of which provide a consistent and smooth writing experience. Available in extra fine, fine, medium, broad, 1.1 mm stub, journaler, scribe, and 18k medium, this pen can satisfy the preferences of all pen aficionados.

The only downsides are the pen’s heavy weight and its use of cartridges only, making it an unsuitable option for fountain pen enthusiasts who prefer bottled ink. However, for giftees who prefer pens that are more on the heavier side and lay perfectly in their hand, this is the ideal pen. 

Best Pens for the “Impossible to Buy For” - Visconti Van Gogh Starry Night

Specifications

Manufacturer	Visconti
Color	Variations of blue, brown, and gold
Weight	35 g
Length	140 mm
Material	Resin and metal accents from palladium
Series	Van Gogh Starry Night

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High-quality materials, such as resin and palladium accents
• Superior design inspired by Van Gogh’s painting Starry Night
• Well-made grip section that provides comfort

Cons

• Substantial weight

This Visconti pen is a tribute to one of Van Gogh’s most notable paintings — Starry Night. The pen is part of the brand’s expressionist collection of pens that manages to display the mesmerizing technique Van Gogh used in his painting.

You’ll immediately notice the various shades of blues, browns, and gold throughout the barrel, as well as the shiny palladium trim accents. Even more impressive is that each pen has a one-of-a-kind pattern that all Van Gogh and pen aficionados will appreciate.

The nib comes in fine, medium, and broad sizes, suitable for writers with smaller and larger handwriting. It’s secured with a magnetic cap so you’re unlikely to experience unwanted leaks or spills.

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While most of the pens on our list will make the perfect gift idea for any occasion, we’d like to invite you to look at the Truphae blog where we cover best pens for graduation gifts, best father’s day gifts, and a lot of great gift sets, such as the Diplomat Aero, Kaweco Calligraphy set, TWSBI Ecot T set, and others.

What is the Fanciest Type of Pen?

Even though everyone has a personal preference when it comes to which type of pen they consider fancy, fountain pens take the cake in this regard. They’re superior in several key aspects, like smooth and effortless writing experience, unmatched control and precision, replaceable nibs of different sizes, timeless craftsmanship, classic and elegant designs, and so on. This is why they’re often purchased as status symbols and are much pricier than other types of pens, like ballpoints or rollerballs. 

How to Recognize Different Pens

To choose the best pen to buy as a gift, you need to be able to discern between different pens. Here’s how you can do that:

• The tip of the pen - this will tell you whether you’re dealing with a fountain pen, a ballpoint, a rollerball, a multi pen, etc. Fountain pens have a characteristic nib and use either bottled ink or cartridges (or both). Ballpoint and rollerball pens use the same ink delivery mechanism, which is a ball at the tip of the pen which disperses the ink on the page. Multi pens are a combination of a few different types of pens all in one barrel.
• The material - this will help you distinguish between affordable and luxurious pens. Those made from ABS plastic, resin, and acrylic are considered more affordable, while the ones made from metals, precious stones, and precious metals are considered more high end.
• The manufacturing quality - a seamlessly constructed pen gives you an indication of quality, durability, and reliability.
• The price - in most cases, the higher the price, the better the quality of the pen. 

What are the Three Types of Pens?

While there are a lot of different pen types, the most commonly used pens are ballpoints, rollerballs, and fountain pens.

Fountain Pen

Powered by water-based ink, fountain pens are the be-all and end-all of writing tools. The reason for this is simple – they have not only a timeless aesthetic, but also the ability to elevate your handwriting. 

Most pen aficionados enjoy using them because they elevate the writing experience to new heights. How effortlessly the nib and ink glide on the page and the flexibility of the nib that allows you to express your individual character in your handwriting are just some examples.

That being said, they might not be the first choice for some because they require a bit more upkeep and are sometimes prone to leaking, especially if you leave them filled for a longer time in a vertical position with the tip downwards or when flying on a plane.

Ballpoint Pen

Operating on oil-based ink, ballpoint pens are the most revolutionary pens ever invented. They use a mechanism that has a small ball at the tip of the pen that disperses the ink across the page.  

Pen aficionados love them because they’re reliable, affordable, and very low maintenance, and on top of that, they’re less likely to smudge compared to other types of pens.

However, ballpoint pens have some limitations, like being prone to clumping and not allowing the same versatility when writing as fountain pens do.

Rollerball Pen

Rollerball pens use the same mechanism to dispense the ink across the pages as ballpoints, only a different type of ink. The ink they use is water-based and much more similar to fountain pen ink.

Pen enthusiasts love them because they provide a good ink flow with a saturated color, without the additional maintenance that fountain pens require.

Disadvantages of using ballpoint pens include them being more prone to smudging as opposed to rollerballs as well as the ink running out more quickly.

Are You Buying for a Man or Woman?

By understanding the unique preferences of your giftee, you’ll be able to make the perfect choice and tailor the gift more specifically.

For Him

A pen with a substantial barrel is a common preference among men since it offers a comfortable grip that’s perfectly suitable for larger hands. Men also prefer a pen that weighs more and is made of more solid and durable materials that indicate power and luxury. If you don’t know the person who you’re gifting the pen to very well, opt for a classically designed pen made of stainless steel, black lacquer, and aluminum.

For Her

Females generally lean towards pens with a more refined and elegant design. They tend to go for pens that are slimmer, lighter, and suitable for smaller hands as well as smaller bags. For this reason, the best gift pens for women tend to be ballpoint pens, since they minimize the risk of leaks. However, if your gift recipient is a fan of fountain pens, there are some beautiful and one-of-a-kind designs you can find that will match her style and preferences. 

How Old Is the Person You Are Buying For?

Even though age is but a number, when selecting the best gift pen, you’ll also need to look at what era of life a person is into. 

• Young adults and students tend to write a lot on a daily basis since they have a lot of homework and often take notes during class, so they require a pen with a proper ergonomic grip that reduces hand strain while also ensuring a good grip position. They often use budget-friendly pens made from materials such as ABS plastic, resin, and other affordable materials.
• Adults prefer statement-making pens that are ergonomic, but also showcase their status. You’ll often find them using pens made of premium materials, such as precious stones and metals, that work smoothly while looking stylish.
• Seniors generally use lighter pens that provide a lot of comfort during their writing sessions. Ergonomics is key since most senior citizens experience hand strain when writing with an uncomfortable pen for long periods. Personal preference is also important to consider since some prefer affordable pens, while others enjoy premium ones.

What Does the Recipient Do for a Living?

Another key factor for purchasing the ideal pen as a gift is the profession of the recipient. This is important because the choice of the pen will vary greatly based on the working environment, the type of writing assignments the recipient has on a daily basis, and their habits.

Certain professions, such as teaching, require you to be engaged in lengthy writing sessions and use different colors, therefore comfort and customization are paramount. On the other hand, artists primarily value a variety of nibs and inks, in addition to a unique design and contemporary aesthetics. Professionals on the go will mostly benefit from a pocket-sized pen that’s less prone to leaking, such as a ballpoint pen.

What Is Their Sense of Style?

Since our daily essentials often reflect our style, matching the pen to the recipient’s personal style is a given. Look at whether the person has a minimal, flamboyant, bohemian, classic, artistic, or fashion-conscious style and consider the colors and patterns they prefer.

Do You Want to Engrave the Pen?

To add a personal touch and make the gift truly unique, you may want to consider engraving the pen. But for this to happen, you must choose a pen that’s made of a material that can be engraved, so opt for chrome pens or metal-made pens. A lot of luxury brands also offer engraving as an option, so you may want to consider those as well.

What Is the Occasion for the Gift?

A pen is a versatile gift that suits many occasions. It’s great to gift it for a graduation, a wedding, an anniversary, a birthday, or even a work anniversary. Silver or gold fountain pens are ideal as gifts for anniversaries, while classic pens are a great gift for a promotion or a graduation.

What is Your Budget?

Lastly, you’ll need to consider how much you’ve set aside for this gift. This can depend on the occasion for the gift, as well as how close you are with the giftee. Feel free to use the price filters on the Truphae site to navigate toward pens that fit your chosen budget.

Conclusion

You’ve probably realized that selecting the perfect pen requires you to consider various factors, like the profession, personal style, preferences, gender, and age of the recipient. Throughout the article, we’ve explored a plethora of pens that cater to different needs and tastes.

However, our top choice is the LAMY LX due to its combination of luxury and functionality that caters to the needs of different pen aficionados. It can be an ideal pen for business people as well as writers and artists, and comes at an affordable price considering its quality.

We value your input and would love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to leave a comment and share your opinions on what pens you consider to be great gifts.