Bullet Journal Pens

A pen that feels comfortable and works with your paper can make everyday journaling more enjoyable. These are the types I've tried and the ones I like to use.

Paper, line width, drying time, and the feel of the tip all affect the choice. Try a pen on a spare page when you can.

These are some details to consider:

• have a consistent flow (don't dry up or clump when writing)
• have colors that are pleasing, according to your personal taste
• don't bleed through the page
• dry quickly so they don't smudge
• feel comfortable in your hand, depending on the weight, diameter, and whether or not it has a grip

There are several pen types to compare.

The examples below include:

1. Gel Pens
2. Brush Pens
3. Multipens
4. Dual Pens

Gel Pens

Gel pens offer a smooth-writing option in a range of colors.

Felt Tip Pens

Staedtler

Stabilo

Pentel

Monami

Brush Pens

Brush pens make varied-width strokes for lettering. Some use felt tips and others use bristles.

Tombow

Multipens

Multipens let you switch colors within one pen.

Dual Pens

Dual-tip pens combine two writing tips, often a fine point and a wider or brush tip.

Gel Pens

I like gel pens for their smooth ink. Drying time varies, so check for smudging on your own paper, especially if your hand passes over fresh writing.

For black gel ink, these pens are among my favorites. The example below uses a 0.4 mm tip.

If you'd like colored ink, compare this twelve-color set.

These gel pens are another option from the original list.

Erasable Pens

Erasable pens are useful when plans change or you want to correct a note.

I liked the Pilot FriXion pens' writing feel and how easily I could erase them in my journal.

After testing several in a local shop, I chose this one for its smooth feel and the way it erased.

See the listing and price.

The ink in the one I tried looked dark gray rather than black. That suited the layouts I wanted to use it for.

Felt-tip Pens

Felt-tip pens bled through some of the papers I tried, so I use them less often in my journal. A paper test is useful before beginning a full page.

I tried a Daiso twin-tip set with red, blue, and black pens.

Here's an example of the two tip sizes:

Here's some decoration I made with the red pen:

I enjoyed using the Daiso pens. These pens and this color set are other options to compare.

Here's what they look like:

See the listing.

Brush Pens

Brush pens are useful for lettering with thick and thin strokes.

After trying several, I preferred this brush pen for my practice pages.

Its tip kept a fine point through the drills I did, and the ink worked well on the journals I tested. Your paper may respond differently.

See my preferred brush pen.

Fountain Pens

A fountain pen offers a different writing feel and a choice of nibs and inks. I like the weight in my hand. Whether that suits you will depend on how you write and the paper you use.

I use a fine nib on this fountain pen because I write small in my journal. If considering an engraved version as a gift, check the options and ordering details.

These fountain pens offer other designs to compare. See the available options.

Pens I return to

1. Pilot Hi-Tec-C Maica 0.3 mm - check price
2. Pilot Hi-Tec-C Maica 0.4 mm colors - check price
3. Pilot Frixion Point 05 - check price
4. Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens (I prefer the hard one) - check price
5. Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen (fine) - check price
6. Uniball Signo Broad Point Pen - check price
7. Copic Multiliner Pen - check price
8. Sharpie Pen - check price
9. Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.3 mm - check price
10. Daiso twin-type pens (available at Daiso)