Image	Product	Features	Price
	LAMY Safari 2021 Savannah Green / Terra Cotta Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Pilot Vanishing Point Gun Metal Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Pilot Metropolitan Black Crocodile Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Caran D'Ache 849 Black Code Ballpoint Pen		Check Price
	Otto Hutt Design 06		Check Price

We all know that left-hand dominant people have it much harder when it comes to choosing the right pen that has a comfortable grip and doesn’t smudge. This is why many lefties often find themselves trying to adapt to the writing equipment that’s been designed for right-handed people.

To help lefties find suitable writing equipment, the Truphae team has created the ultimate guide on the best pens for lefties. We’ll go over top-notch writing tools left-handers can use on a daily basis and have a smooth, smudge-free experience. We’ll also dive into the essential features that a leftie-friendly pen should have, so let’s get to it.

Best Pens for Lefties

All the pens on this list will make your writing experience as a leftie more enjoyable, smudge-free, and extremely comfortable. Let’s start with our best overall recommendation. 

Best Pen for Lefties Overall - LAMY Safari

Specifications

Manufacturer	LAMY
Color	Aquamarine, Mango, Violet, Savannah Green, Terra Cotta, and more
Weight	10 g
Length	140 mm
Material	ABS plastic
Series	Safari

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Left-handed nib attachment
• Perfect beginner fountain pen for lefties
• Great design
• The triangular grip section enables you to hold the pen the right way
• A useful ink window to check for ink level
• Compatible with different nibs

Cons

• Only uses proprietary Lamy brand cartridges

What makes the LAMY Safari a great pen for left-handed people is the interchangeable silver steel nib that can be replaced with a left-handed nib attachment. Not only is the attachment suitable for lefties, but the overall design of the Safari is perfect for left-handed users due to the triangular grip that allows you to hold the pen the right way.

The pen also comes in a variety of different colors, so you can have your pick according to your preference. Another useful feature is the ink window that allows you to check how much ink you have left in the reservoir.

Another reason why the LAMY Safari is a great writing tool for lefties is the ink’s fast drying time, making it a popular choice for everyday use among left-handed people.

Best Retractable Pen for Lefties - Pilot Vanishing Point 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Pilot
Color	Gun metal, matte blue, blue & gold, red & gold, black & gold, red & rhodium, black & rhodium , black carbonesque, blue carbonesque, gun metal & matte black, shiny white & black, black matte, black ice
Weight	31 g
Length	141 mm
Material	Lacquered metal
Series	Vanishing point

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Different nibs and finishes 
• Retractable nib mechanism
• Extra fine nib that’s perfect for lefties

Cons

• Smaller ink chamber compared to other fountain pens

The Pilot Vanishing Point has been one of the best pens on the retractable nib market ever since it first came out back in the 1960s. It’s a function-oriented pen with a minimalistic design that offers a pleasant writing experience. It’s a great deal for the price, especially when you take into consideration the attention to detail that the craftsmen at Pilot have put into creating the pen.

It’s great for left-handed writers because of its medium size nib that accommodates different writing styles. Therefore, lefties can adjust their grip and angle in order to prevent unwanted smudges. It has a more forgiving nature if your writing angle varies.

The only compromise you need to make if you choose this pen is the limited space for a converter and, therefore, its smaller ink capacity because of the retractable mechanism. The series comes in a few different colors, including matte blue, red and gold, matte black, and gun metal, to name a few. 

Best Value Pen for Lefties - Pilot Metropolitan

Specifications

Manufacturer	Pilot
Color	Black Crocodile, Plain Black,  Bronze Lizard, White Tiger
Weight	29 g
Length	138 mm
Material	Brass
Series	Metropolitan

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable price
• Writes really well
• The fine nib is perfectly suitable for lefties
• Doesn’t just use proprietary refills

Cons

• The barrel can scratch over time

The Pilot Metropolitan is another fountain pen that’s great for left-handed users because its Fine nib writes thin and elegant lines that aren’t easily smudged. Lefties will also enjoy the lightness of the pen, which enables you to write for long hours without your hand cramping. 

It features a barrel made of brass, silver trim, and a steel nib, and its price is really affordable when we take into consideration the quality of the materials used for its production.

The midsection with the crocodile, lizard, and tiger print is what differentiates this pen from the plain black version. And on top of all that, it also works with a number of other Pilot refills, which gives you the opportunity to use more affordable or more luxurious inks.

Best Ballpoint Pen for Lefties - 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

• Matte black cover
• Aluminum barrel
• Hexagonal shape that helps you grip the pen efficiently
• Huge cartridge

Cons

• Due to its small size, it may not be suitable for people with larger hands

The Caran D’Ache 849 ballpoint pen is an iconic pen not only because it’s really light, but also because it’s one of the smoothest ballpoint pens on the market that dries really fast, making it a perfect option for left-handed pen aficionados. Another great feature is the extra large cartridge that enables you to write about 600 A4 pages without having to replace it.

This pen has the signature Caran D’Ache hexagonal body that enables you to grip it firmly and comfortably. It’s made of aluminum, which makes it extremely light and durable. 

This ballpoint pen is available in a lot of vibrant and achromatic tones, so you’re bound to find a color that you like. 

Best Luxury Pen for Lefties - Otto Hutt Design 06 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Otto Hutt
Color	Ash Grey, Arctic Blue, Ruby Red, Seashell Pink
Weight	44.91 g
Length	140 mm
Material	Metal
Series	Design 06

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comes either with a stainless steel nib or an 18k gold nib
• Cartridge/converter fill mechanism
• Extra fine nib that doesn’t smudge
• Outstanding finish

Cons

• A little on the heavier side

The last pen on our best pens for lefties list is the Otto Hutt Design 06. It’s an amazing writing tool that’s perfect for left-handed people as a result of its extra fine nib option. 

This pen stands out from the crowd as a result of its organic shape that allows it to fit comfortably in your hand, which is especially useful during long writing sessions. The body is made of metal and the surfaces are milled with special tools that, once color lacquered, give it a unique look and texture. 

 

You can opt for a stainless steel or a high-quality 18k gold nib, depending on your budget. There are various nib sizes available, however, for lefties, we suggest the extra fine nib since it has the least chance of smudging. The 18k gold nib is soft and offers a bit more forgiveness for varying writing angles; however, we believe the stainless steel nib is typically sufficient, and more affordable.

Buyer’s Guide on Buying the Best Pens for Lefties

If you don’t quite know what to look for in a pen for lefties, we’ve got you covered. The four essential factors that you need to consider include:

• Pen type
• Comfort
• Nib type
• The quality of the ink

Pen Type

The most common problem for lefties is the smudging that often happens because most of the writing tools aren’t intended for left-handed use in mind. The best option would be to go with a pen that has faster-drying ink, such as ballpoint pens, rollerballs, and gel pens. Fountain pens aren't generally considered a good idea for left-handed people, however, some companies have made huge advances when it comes to creating pens that are intended for lefties, such as the LAMY Safari and its left-handed nib attachment.

Comfort

The comfort during writing sessions is just as important for left-handed people as it is for those who are right-handed. Lefties often find themselves holding the pens differently to prevent the ink from smudging, so purchasing extra comfortable pens, especially in the midsection, is always a good idea. These include ergonomic pens and those with gel cushions.

Nib Type

The type of nib on your pen can make a huge difference when it comes to the quality of the writing for left-handed people. It’s best to opt for pens with pointed nibs or broad-edged pens, especially if you’re doing calligraphy.

Ink Quality

Regardless of how good your pen is, it won’t make a difference if you don’t pair it with fast-drying or water-resistant ink. These inks prevent smearing and smudging as a result of your hand sweating or just going over what you’ve already written. The Truphae store has a lot of different inks, some of which have fast-drying properties, such as the Monteverde and Private Reserve Ink.

Conclusion

Using a fountain pen as a left-handed person should be a positive experience, which is why some of the brands have taken it upon themselves to create fountain pens of equal quality to those intended for right-handed people. 

This is how the LAMY Safari with its left-handed nib attachment was created. Not only does this pen allow left-handed pen aficionados to own a high-quality fountain pen that doesn’t smudge, but it also provides them with a comfortable writing experience. Due to the triangular grip section of the pen and the specially designed nib, it’s considered the best option on our recommendations list, and we highly advise you to try it out if you haven't already.

Have you already tried some of these pens? Did you like them? Let us know your thoughts about our selection of the best pens for lefties in the comment section below.