Image	Product	Features	Price
	Pilot Vanishing Point Shiny White & Black Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Lamy Safari Blue Fountain Pen		Check Price
	LAMY Tipo Rollerball Pen		Check Price
	Caran D'Ache 849 Original Ballpoint Pen		Check Price
	Pilot Custom 823 Amber Fountain Pen		Check Price

While the pen is mightier than the sword, not just any pen will do if you want to slay your journaling goals. 

When journaling, you need a pen that helps inspire your writing and is customized to your writing style. The last thing you want is a pen that distracts you from your writing because it’s uncomfortable or difficult to use.

Today we will review the best pens you can get for journaling. If you’ve been a writer for quite some time, or if you’re planning to start your journaling experience today, we hope to have done the hardest work for you - finding the perfect pen for your needs.

This guide will help jump-start your journey to the perfect pen that will help make your journaling a breeze! 

Best Journaling Pens

Best Overall - Pilot Vanishing Point Shiny White & Black Fountain Pen

Specifications

Manufacturer	Pilot
Filling Mechanism	Converter, Cartridge
Materials	Body- Lacquered brass; Nib- rhodium-plated 18k gold nib
Nib Sizes	Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, 1.0mm Stub
Length	5.5 inches
Weight	32 g

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Convenient click-to-open mechanism
• Responsive 18k gold nib
• Stylish design

Cons

• Clip placement can be uncomfortable for some writers
• The converter doesn’t hold a ton of ink (approx. 0.6ml)
• The lacquered varnish can chip if dropped or deeply scratched, leaving brass visible 

The pilot vanishing point combines the best of both worlds- the convenience of a click-to-open mechanism and the tension-reliving writing and customization of a fountain pen.

Gold nibs require almost no pressure when writing to produce a line and feel smooth and comfortable. But like all gold nibs, the vanishing point nib can bend, so care should always be taken to retract the pen when not in use. 

The lacquer on the pen can be prone to scratching over time and should be kept in a case to keep it looking pristine. The vanishing point performs equally well for journalers making a quick note in their travel journal before leaving an airport or for an extended journaling session at home recounting their day.

Best Value - Lamy Safari Blue Fountain Pen

Specifications

Filling Mechanism	Converter, Cartridge
Material	Body- Resin; Nib- Stainless Steel
Nib Sizes	Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, 1.1mm Calligraphy, 1.5mm Calligraphy, 1.9mm Calligraphy, Left Handed
Length	5.5 inches capped, 6.5 inches posted
Weight	30g

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Triangular grip to help with proper grip ergonomics
• Window to check how much ink is left in your pen
• Extremely durable workhorse pen

Cons

• Triangle grip doesn’t work for all writers
• Ink can build up around nib ring and nib 
• Pen can dry if left unused for extended periods

The Lamy Safari is known for being a workhorse tool available in many colors, even limited edition colors. You will have no issues finding a pen to match your journal. It has a sleek, modern design with thoughtful features writers love. The grip is triangular, designed to prevent hand fatigue, and very comfortable for most writers.

The body is made from durable resin plastic that withstands normal damage. It features a window in the body to show how much ink is left in the cartridge or converter.

The nib is made from durable steel but is still smooth to write with. There are also many nib options to try and can accommodate anybody's writing style- a calligrapher with big writing and an architect with tiny writing can both use this pen!

Best for Art Journals- LAMY Tipo Rollerball Pen 

Specifications

Filling Mechanism	Rollerball Refills to fit Lamy Pens (M66)
Material	Body- Anodized Aluminum or Resin Plastic
Length	5.2 inches
Weight	14 g

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Rollerball allows for clean, crisp even lines while writing and drawing
• Ridged grip for comfortable writing and drawing
• Convenient click-to-open mechanism 

Cons

• Refill colors are limited
• Rollerball ink is slower to dry and can feather on cheap paper
• The click mechanism can fail if opened too quickly 

If you draw in your journal as often as you write, rollerballs can lay down reliable thick, expressive lines- much like fineliners! 

The Lamy Tipo is a unique rollerball with a retractable tip- so you can quickly start writing or drawing with the press of a button. When you are done and clip the pen back into a journal or pocket, it automatically retracts, preventing accidental ink leaks. 

It has a comfortable plastic grip with ridges. The pen comes with a black waterproof refill. Blue, red, or green refills are also available from Lamy. You can even get third-party refills in other colors. 

With its fun and stylish design and slick, smooth writing and drawing, and the expressive and fluid rollerball refill, the Tipo is a solid choice for artistic journalers.

If you like the rollerball style, check out our favorite rollerball pens!

Best Every Day Carry for Journaling- Caran D'Ache 849 Original Ballpoint Pen

Specifications

Filling Mechanism	Caran D'Ache Goliath ballpoint refill
Material	Stonewashed Aluminum
Length	8in
Weight	88 g

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comfortable hexagonal shape for long writing sessions 
• Durable Stonewash finish resists normal wear and tear
• Modern and fashionable design

 Cons

• Unscrewing mechanism to replace refills can be cumbersome for some writers
• Only uses one type of refill without modification 
• Ballpoint refill can skip if not used for extended periods or if writing at odd angles

If you prefer a pen that can write on anything, a ballpoint journaling pen may be your best bet! 

Ballpoints like the Caran D'Ache 849 use an oil-based ink that will work consistently on almost any paper without smearing or bleeding. The drawback is that oil-based inks can require more writing pressure, which can contribute to hand fatigue.  This pen is designed with a hexagonal shape to help mitigate this problem. 

This pen comes with a high-capacity black refill that can write over 600 pages. Refills come in black, blue, green, purple, and turquoise. The finish is a durable stonewash that resists normal damage and looks just as incredible as it writes. 

Best Long-Haul Writing Journaling pen - Pilot Custom 823 Amber Fountain Pen 

Specifications

Filling Mechanism	Vacuum filling
Material	Body- Resin; Nib- 14k gold nib
Nib Sizes	Fine, Medium, Broad
Length	5.9 inches capped, 6.4 inches posted
Weight	29g
Filling Mechanism	Converter, Cartridge

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Extremely high ink capacity
• Beautiful classic styling with a highly responsive gold nib
• Blind cap construction prevents accidental leaks 

Cons

• Vacuum fill system may not be suited to people who change inks frequently 
• Vacuum system can be difficult to completely clean
• Barrel can crack if the cap is regularly screwed on too tightly

If you have found your favorite go-to ink, there are few pens better than the Pilot 823 for long-haul writing. It’s even favored by Neil Gaiman! 

It comes with one of the smoothest and most reliable gold nibs on the market. It writes like a dream. It’s hard to put down once you start writing! To keep it writing beautifully, always replace the cap if not actively writing. 

It features a timeless cigar shape but a unique, modern transparent amber finish that lets you monitor ink capacity. It holds an impressive 2ml of ink- double the average cartridge capacity! The filling mechanism features a blind cap that makes the pen virtually leakproof. 

However, some find it difficult to clean completely, and it takes time to dry completely- so if you like to change your ink all the time, the vacuum filler may not be a good fit.

How To Choose The Perfect Pen Journaling Pen

There are many ways to journal. But all types benefit from knowing what pens compliment your handwriting, how to keep writing comfortable, and what accessories help make pens even better.

Tiny and Tight or Large and Flowing handwriting

Knowing how you write can help you choose the appropriate-sized pen

• Small writing looks best when written with extra fine and fine nibs that make letters look clean and crisp.
• Some one-size-only ballpoints and rollerballs might be too big for writers with small handwriting
• Large handwriting written with a smaller nib can look weird and messy.
• Using Medium or Bold fountain pen nibs, larger ballpoints, and rollerballs helps make larger handwriting proportional and easy to read. 
• If your handwriting falls in the middle, experiment to see what you like the best. You might even find the variability of a stub or calligraphy nib on a fountain pen especially enjoyable! 

Make it Comfy

Nobody likes sore and strained arms from journaling. The right pen can prevent this! 

• Loosen up your grip!
• Painful writing can be caused by gripping a pen too tightly. Using a pen with an ergonomic grip like the Lamy LX, Al-Star, or Safari helps re-train a tight grip. 
• A water-based ink used by fountain pens and rollerballs flows with almost no pressure from the writer to lay down lines, lowering strain.
• For water-based inks to shine, special paper is a must. If you don’t want to commit to special paper, ballpoints work beautifully on almost any paper- even napkins! 
• Know what pen weight works best for you. Some people find that writing with a heavier made of metal helps them stay comfortable, and others wouldn’t dream of using anything other than a lightweight mini pen. Consider visiting a brick-and-mortar store to see what feels best for you!  

Does it Spark Joy?

We are more likely to do something if it makes us happy. Taking some time to research the best pen helps you get a pen you will actually enjoy when it’s time to write.

• Read and research fountain pen inks to avoid buying a bottle and being disappointed. You can even get a sample size of ink to have fun trying many options! 
• Get the right notebook and paper. Keeping up with journaling is easier if you like the paper you are using and if it suits your writing tool.
• Know your maintenance requirements before you buy. Fountain pens must be cleaned to ensure they are writing at their best.
• If this isn’t something you’d enjoy, pens with disposable ballpoint or rollerball refills might suit you better! 
• When you find the perfect pen, get a case to keep it safe. It’s easier to prevent damage than fix it, and the cases are often almost as pretty as the pen itself!

Conclusion 

Every journaling style is unique, so the perfect pen varies for everybody. 

For many, having the convenience of a retractable pen is best when it comes to journaling. But the strain-preventing and customization properties of a fountain pen can’t be ignored when it comes to the best journaling pen. 

This is why the Pilot Vanishing Point takes the top prize for journaling pens. But- it might not be the one that works best for you! Please comment below with your favorite journaling pen and what makes it the best for you!