Best EDC Pens for Journaling

Sometimes, you might find yourself in a strange situation where you declare, “I’m a writer,” yet somehow fail to do what writers are supposed to do—write. No matter the weather, even the nicest leather diary doesn’t seem to spark any interest within you to actually etch down any words. A tried and tested method of building resistance against this bad habit of not writing is, well, unsurprisingly, writing. Not just any writing though, journaling specifically.

However, what to do when even journaling doesn’t come easy either? Well, in that particular situation, with a bit of discipline and the right instrument, the cycle of demotivation can be broken. The value of a pen that just feels right cannot be understated and needs no explanation if you’ve spent any amount of time writing ever.

In this blog, let’s take a look at what kind of EDC pens deserve the title of being called the “best” for journaling.

Why Choose an EDC Pen for Journaling?

Let’s first understand what an EDC pen is, to begin with. Any pen that you start carrying with you every day could be considered an EDC pen, technically speaking. However, by definition, an EDC pen is typically designed with certain features that make it more suitable for everyday use, like being extra durable, portable, and designed to handle daily wear and tear, along with smooth ink flow and a reliable mechanism, making them more practical and enjoyable for regular use.

Journaling is often a practice relegated to the end of the day, as it means jotting down the activities that took place throughout the waking hours. However, there are no rules. Journaling is a rewarding activity that can be performed anywhere and at any time. You don’t want a flimsy pen with leaky ink breaking your chain of thought and stopping you from jotting down your thoughts in your journal.

Criteria for Being the Best

The following are the characteristics to look out for in the ideal EDC pen:

Comfortable Grip

Journaling takes time. Often, it involves simply holding the pen for a long duration and merely thinking. Other times, you find yourself writing until your hand’s fatigued. Comfort is important so you can keep writing and not need a break to rest your hand.

Smooth Ink Flow

Is there anything worse than vigorously shaking your pen just to get the ink flowing again? For journaling, or any sort of writing for that matter, ink flow must be smooth. An EDC pen should offer a consistent, smudge-free writing experience to make journaling an enjoyable experience.

Portability

EDC means everyday carry, so an EDC pen must be portable enough to be carried every day, surprise surprise. It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing cargo pants or a dress, the pen needs to be able to, ideally, fit inside any pocket or purse so you have it with you no matter the occasion or dress code.

Read Also: EDC Pens vs. Regular Pens: What Makes Them Different?

Durability

Undeniably, these pens aren’t really treated nicely. Thrown around in purses and backpacks, shared with people who refuse to carry a pen but come to you because they know you have one; they need to be durable enough to withstand some damage here and there. While most pens are fairly durable, having one with high-grade materials like metal, aluminum, or carbon fiber really takes things up a notch.

Mechanism

Mechanism makes a real difference, believe it or not. An EDC bolt action pen with a retractable mechanism adds a major convenience factor. They’re easier to use with one hand, less likely to extend by accident, and are generally far easier to operate than the classic click or twist-motion pens. Furthermore, if we put aside their coolness factor, which needs to be acknowledged, they are far more suited to be considered as EDC pens, as they’re more durable, thanks to having fewer moving parts involved in them.

The EDC Bolt Action Pen: Our Top Choice for Journaling

In our experience, we’ve found the EDC bolt action pen to be the best option available for several reasons:

• They’re super smooth with a consistent flow of ink, which is ideal when you’re in the zone and need no interruptions. And despite the smooth flow of ink, it isn’t so much that ink blotches are created.
• The coolness factor of a bolt action mechanism may seem subjective, but it has practical application. It has been around for a long time, originating from the military and firearms industries. The mechanism itself is inspired by the action of a bolt on a rifle, which is used to eject spent cartridges and load new ones. Also, as a rule of thumb, the best bolt action pens has the most satisfying click.
• They are quite durable, usually built from high-quality materials like metal, aluminum, titanium, or carbon fiber. The bolt action mechanism also reduces the chances of unintentional activation, which is particularly helpful fhavestopping the ink from drying or the pen from stabbing you in your pocket.

These points mentioned above, their popularity in the EDC community has grown immensely, owing to their reliability, smooth mechanism, and unique tactile experience.

Some Recommendations

Keeping the above factors in mind, here are a couple of recommendations for what we consider to be our best bolt action pens:

1. Carbon Fiber and Stainless Steel - Bolt Action Pen: This pen combines stainless steel and carbon fiber, two materials renowned for their strength and durability. The woven pattern of carbon fiber on the body, paired with the sleek, classy metal finish at the front and back, makes this pen both visually striking and highly functional. It's one of our finest creations yet.
2. Titanium - SLIM Bolt Action Pen: The common misconception surrounding Titanium pens is that they’re unwieldy. However, it’s best to consider the numbers rather than hearsay. The average pen weighs 25 grams or less, and our Slim Titanium bolt-action pen is only 0.8 ounces, which converts to 22.6 grams. Don’t let misconceptions stop you from investing in one of the best EDC bolt-action pens that will remain strong for years to come!
3. JET BLACK - Mini Clipless Bolt Action Pen: The hallmark of an EDC pen is durability and portability, along with essentials like the smooth writing experience you’d expect from any pen. Enter our favorite tiny pen: The Bastion Mini Bolt Action Pen. Compact enough to fit in your pocket—even women’s jean pockets, which are notoriously small—this pen’s tiny size ensures it’s never in your way but always ready when you need to jot down thoughts or make a signature.

Conclusion

For journaling, an EDC pen paired with a nice journal diary is all you need. Remember, no two hands or writing styles are the same, so experiment with different styles of pens. Materials, type of ink flow, and other features make a huge difference in terms of writing. Whilst it can seem a little overwhelming with the sheer amount of options available, remember that the result of finding the pen that just feels right is absolutely worth it.

FAQs

ARE EDC PENS REFILLABLE?

Most EDC pens are refillable, allowing you to replace ink cartridges. This is a great practice as it contributes to sustainability, is cost-effective, and means you don’t have to let go of your favorite pen simply because the ink has run out.

WHAT SIZE PEN TIP IS BEST FOR JOURNALING?

The best pen tip size depends on your writing style and journal layout. Fine tips (0.5mm or smaller) are ideal for detailed writing, while medium tips (0.7mm) work well for bold strokes and larger lettering.

DOES AN EDC PEN IMPROVE HANDWRITING?

Only practice truly improves handwriting. However, with the right kind of pen, one that has a comfortable grip and smooth ink flow, the effort required to write is reduced, allowing you to practice more without being interrupted by mechanical issues.