<p>I second the bic lighters. Very good. Bic pens are the best cheap pens, but G-2s are better, but more expensive.</p>
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the Bic PhD pen is great
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Bic doesn't make the PhD. That would be Sanford.</p>
<p>If you want a REALLY nice pen and pencil, try Waterman ($$$) or Cross($$). Waterman Executive is a fat, well balanced instrument, although there are many thinner Watermans that are great. Their ball point, rollerball and fountain pens simply can't be beat.</p>
<p>Does anyone use a fountain pen on a regular basis?</p>
<p>On a related note, I think it would be very cool to use a quill. :)</p>
<p>It's incredibly difficult to get used to writing with nibs (well, it was for me), but the handwriting that comes from a practiced writer is just gorgeous. Can't beat them for calligraphy (well, DUH), but there are better options for day to day writing. ;)</p>
<p>Oh common, think about all the waste eliminated by using refillable fountain pens with bottled ink versus disposable bics? Plus they are just fun! Heh.</p>
<p>A fountain pen is a different writing experience and you must have a quality pen nib to enjoy smooth writing. Granted, it is the predecessor to rollerballs, but my son uses a fountain pen fairly often, especially for correspondence. It gives your writing an elegant look. The ink is waterproof and comes in little refillable cartridges that are as easy to install as refillable lead. Even my 13 year old daughter occasionally uses one, so it can't be too difficult. (Hint: try Waterman!)</p>
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On a related note, I think it would be very cool to use a quill.
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I think someone's been reading too much Harry Potter lately :D</p>
I buy my G2 pens at BJ’s Wholesale Club. 13 dollars for 18 of them!
You can find a fair amount of surprisingly good pens sitting on the ground when people have dropped and either not noticed or forgotten them. That’s how I get the majority of my writing implements, lol.