Consider the gel pen, which offers a pleasurable and user-friendly writing experience ... of 12 comes with six medium-point pens (0.7 millimeters) in black and six in blue.

More than 100 years later, the writing essential is slimmer, made of black precious lacquer and resin, and features a striking serpent clip.

Not for someone who prefers a traditional-looking pen For our money, TWSBI makes the two best pens under $100. First there’s the Eco, which is just a superlative writing experience for the price.

Fortunately, the range of pens available for trying out all sorts of writing projects, including calligraphy, has exploded. Take felt tip pens and markers, for example. This is a pen that’s ...