Image	Product	Features	Price
	LAMY Safari 2021 Savannah Green / Terra Cotta Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Pilot Metropolitan Black Crocodile Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Caran D'Ache Ecridor Retro Ballpoint Pen		Check Price
	LAMY ST Multifunction Tri Pen		Check Price

The pen is the ultimate tool in a teacher’s toolbox, so it’s no surprise that functionality and reliability are the most important qualities teachers look for in pens. Since recommending superior writing tools is one of our main goals at Truphae, it’s time to give you our top choices in the best pens for teachers category.

Below, we’ll review the most reliable pens that will assist you in planning lessons, grading papers and tests, writing down notes during meetings, or doing any other task. So, whether you’re looking for a luxury pen that costs a pretty penny or a more affordable option that doesn’t compromise on quality, we’ve got you covered, so read on.

Best Pens for Teachers

For all the teachers looking for a reliable pen for everyday use, we’ve covered our top options, all of which can be found in the Truphae store.

Best Comfortable Pen for Left-Handed Teachers - 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

• Special nib attachment for left-handed people
• Lightweight pen
• Triangular grip section that enables you to hold the pen correctly
• Ink window for checking ink levels

Cons

• Works with proprietary LAMY brand cartridges only

The LAMY Safari is our top choice for left-handed teachers. The triangular grip section is responsible for the comfortable writing experience, while the special left-handed nib attachment enables left-handed teachers to write and grade tests without smudging the text.

Another great feature is the contemporary design of the pen and the ink window that allows you to check how much ink you have left. You can pair this pen with LAMY’s fast-drying ink to get the best of both worlds. Lastly, the LAMY Safari comes in many vibrant colors, so you have a lot of options for color-coordinating the pen with your other stationery.

Best Affordable Pen for Teachers - 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

• Budget-friendly
• Available as a ballpoint pen
• Smooth writing experience

Cons

• The body is prone to scratching

The Pilot Metropolitan is an affordable fountain pen that’s a great writing tool to have in your teacher’s arsenal. Because of the grip section, you’ll be able to comfortably write for hours without your hand getting tired.

The pen has a classic design comparable to more luxurious pens and boasts a durable metal body with a lacquered finish. 

The midsection is where this pen truly shines because it comes in different animal print designs, so you can choose your favorite.

Its stainless steel nib is where the magic happens because it’s available in fine and medium nib sizes, while the plain black is also available as a 1.0 mm stub, which is perfectly suitable for calligraphy. Another feature where this pen shines is the compatibility with various Pilot refills, which doesn’t limit you to just the proprietary refills.

Best Long-Lasting Pen for Teachers - Caran d’Ache Ecridor Ballpoint

Specifications

Manufacturer	Caran d’Ache
Color	Silver
Weight	24.2 g
Length	128 mm
Material	Brass
Series	Ecridor

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Elegant design
• Unique hexagonal shape
• Balanced weight

Cons

• No cons to note

The Caran d’Ache Ecridor is a classic ballpoint pen with an elegant design and a unique hexagonal shape, which is what Caran d’Ache pens are known for. It’s extremely durable and you’ll be able to rely on it for years to come, which makes it a perfect option for teachers.

The pen comes with a shiny clip and a polished push button. The hexagonal barrel made of brass features a guilloche technique popular for Swiss products. Even though it’s a bit of a splurge, you’ll definitely appreciate the smooth writing experience, the comfortable grip, and the compatibility with all Goliath cartridges.

Best Multiple Function Pen for Teachers - LAMY ST Multifunction Tri Pen

Specifications

Manufacturer	LAMY
Color	Black, Stainless steel
Weight	27 g (with ink)
Length	145 mm
Material	Stainless steel
Series	ST

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Two ballpoint refills and one 0.5 mechanical pencil in one pen
• Performs well
• Durable pen 
• The mechanical pencil works flawlessly
• Available in stainless steel and matte black variety

Cons

• A bit long
• Weak clip that moves around a bit
• The included refills aren’t as good as in other LAMY pens

The LAMY ST Multi Function Tri Pen is a 4 in 1 pen that boasts a sleek and stylish design, which makes it the ultimate writing tool for teachers. Using the twist design, you can switch between the various components and align the label for the component you’d like to use to appear, and if you’d like to advance the pencil lead, you just need to press the push button.

The pen contains:

• Medium tip blue ink ballpoint refill
• Medium tip red ink ballpoint refill
• 0.5 mm mechanical pencil
• Eraser under the push button

You can use this versatile pen for note-taking, journaling, grading tests, doing geometry, and much more without worrying that you’ve forgotten an essential writing tool. The only downside is that the pen is a bit longer and heavier than other pens, however, the increased length is due to its multifunctionality, so it’s well worth it.

Buyer’s Guide on the Best Pens for Teachers

If you need some help choosing your go-to pen, the following tips will make the process much easier.

Pen Type

Since each pen has its pros and cons, the first thing you need to figure out is what type of pen you prefer. There are quite a few options out there, but the following are the most popular among teachers.

Ballpoint Pen

A ballpoint is a classic pen that’s versatile and works on any type of surface. These pens use an oil-based ink that disperses on a page with the help of a small ball that rolls at the tip of the pen. They’re affordable, easily accessible, and reliable.

Fountain Pen

Fountain pens are most pen enthusiasts’ favorite writing tool, although they aren’t as practical as ballpoint pens. These pens use water-based ink that’s more liquid compared to ballpoint pen ink and needs a bit more time to dry. Compared to other pens, they need a bit more upkeep and maintenance, however, they’re able to adapt to your handwriting and make the whole writing experience more interesting. And the best of all is that they’re eco-friendly and will last you a lifetime if you purchase a quality fountain pen and maintain it well.

Rollerball Pen

Rollerball pens use the same mechanism as ballpoint pens but use water-based ink instead. This ink has a similar consistency to that in fountain pens, so you’ll get the benefit of using a more liquid pen without the upkeep that fountain pens require.

Gel Pens 

Gel pens have the same writing mechanism as ballpoint pens and rollerballs, but instead of water-based or oil-based ink, they use gel ink. Gel ink sticks much more to any type of writing surface and doesn’t sink as deep into the surface as other pens.

Felt Tip Pen

Felt tip pens have fiber tips that are great for underlining, highlighting, or drawing. Markers, highlighters, and similar pens are examples of felt-tip pens.

Stylus Pen

A stylus pen is a new type of pen that’s used to write, select, and control computer screens, tablets, and other screens. They’ve become much more popular as technology evolves and as more people use them for digital drawing.

Width

The size of the nib or the tip of the pen is another feature you should consider when choosing a pen. The perfect size depends on your handwriting and personal preference. 

Generally, finer nibs, around 0.3 mm in size, are commonly used by people with smaller handwriting or people with messier handwriting. Medium nibs, around 0.6 mm, are suitable for people with medium-sized handwriting, while broad nibs are ideal for those with large handwriting or those who’ll use their pen for signing documents.

Ink Colors

Everyone has their favorite pen color, but when it comes to teachers, there are some colors that are essential to have. Blue and black are the most commonly used, while red is used for grading papers or writing comments and suggestions. A great option for teachers is a multifunction pen that has three or more colors.

Drying Time

Sometimes, the drying time of the ink will be the deciding factor that makes you choose one pen over the other. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the most common ink types.

Water-Based Ink

The formula of water-based ink is comprised of water, a coloring agent, and additional ingredients that improve the quality of the ink.

Pros:

• Reduced chances of the pen skipping
• Writes smooth lines
• Doesn’t clog inside the pen
• Comes in a variety of colors

Cons:

• Will dry out inside the pen if the pen is left capless
• Water soluble
• The ink dries slower once you transfer it onto the paper
• Can freeze in colder climates

Oil-Based Ink

Oil-based ink is the most commonly used ink in the world that’s found in ballpoint pens. 

Pros:

• Thicker than water-based ink
• Dries quickly
• Doesn’t leak in a pressurized environment
• Takes longer to dry if you leave the pen uncapped
• Doesn’t generally freeze since oil has a lower freezing point compared to water

Cons:

• Skips more
• You need to apply more pressure when writing
• The stains are harder to clean
• Limited palette of colors

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do teachers like flair pens?

Flair pens are staples for teachers because they come in a variety of different colors, write smoothly and efficiently, and they don’t dry out as fast as other pens. They make a great gift for teachers, work both for writing and drawing, and are essential in every classroom.

Are teachers allowed to use red pens?

While it’s generally allowed for teachers to use red pens to correct homework assignments, papers, and tests, in some school districts, teachers are asked to refrain from using red ink. This is mainly due to the color red being perceived as aggressive and negative, and the fear that it could cause stressful and intense emotions among students.

Why should I use different colored pens?

Using different colored pens is a great way to keep track of all your notes. You can make certain drawings pop and create visual diagrams that will help you remember important information.

Conclusion

A reliable pen is an essential tool for grading papers, checking homework, reviewing assignments, taking notes, and doing almost any other assignment inside and outside of the classroom. 

We believe that because the LAMY ST Multifuntion Tri Pen can replace three other writing tools, it should be part of your arsenal of essential writing tools.

What are your thoughts on the best pens for teachers? Do you have a favorite pen you’d recommend that didn’t make our list? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.