On my Arc wallet I always carry a Lamy Pico, gifted by my girlfriend some years ago
That’s what I use the most when I’m outside home/work. It is compact, writes well and, well, it was a gift that I really appreciated and needed
I carry an old Fisher space pen I’ve had for 20 years or longer. Doesn’t actually write very nicely but it would write on work orders no matter what. When I could be in a clean environment I used a Pilot gel pen. I think this is a great thread
Haven’t carried a fountain pen in 40 years. Don’t EDC a pen currently but considering changing that. Probably will be my Fisher Space Pen. Have a recent one and one that was my grandfathers in the 1970s. Any pen that still writes fine after a half century qualifies for EDC in my book! (Don’t actually carry the antique but the modern one does not appear to have lost any quality.) Like the fact that it always works regardless of temp, moisture, position. Much nicer than a fountain pen. Granted the fountain pen can make nicer appearing script. However, I can barely write any more after so many years at the keyboard so I am just happy if anything I write is legible.
I love fountain pens.
The problem with them is now days you often have a forms that require pressure from the pen tip to make the duplicate on the second copy.
No can do with a fountain pen.
I have a Montblanc clone ballpoint that I put a fisher refill that I carried for years. Still have it. Take it when I think I need something nicer than a throw away.
Also, I actually write so infrequently that a fountain pen might sit in my pocket for a week(s?) unused.
So it’s whatever disposable pen I have at the moment is what I carry.
I have a cigar box full of pens collected across the years. From the schoolboy Shaffer on the bottom to Montblanc at the top.
I find vintage pens often write more smoothly than new ones.
I really like pens with a flexible tip that can be used to create a letter type that mimics the character style of old.
Light pressure = thin line. Heavy pressure = thick line.
I also like italic nibs. Easier to control but require holding the pen at an unnatural angle (for me) to get a nice letter style.
Most name brand pens have inflexible nibs and can’t do this. Some of the Japanese pens can to a greater or lessor degree.
The Noodler’s brand specializes in this type of tip. The tips are interchangeable (and cheap) and are meant to be modified to your likes. The pens are inexpensive too.
And if you think flashlight collecting is a deep rabbit hole - Ain’t nutt’en compared to fountain pens…
All the Best,
Jeff