JOT DOWN: THE BEST PENS FOR NOTE TAKING

“Enough with the chit-chatting. Let’s dive into the new Dispatch from Gallantry and start thinking about how many of them fresh everyday carry note-taking pens and notebook wallets we’re going to get, partner. You following me? It’s time for a jot down.”

- Frank Hamer (Kevin Costner), probably, The Highwaymen

Since the dawn of man, humans have craved the tactile experience and meaning offered by the “jot down”, the process of taking notes by hand with a pen. The market demand for the physicality offered by everyday carry exists and continues to explode in popularity across the culture for this very reason. No matter how much technology comes along, the human need to interact with real, tangible materials as we live, work, and play will always be there. For Gallantry Men, those of us that desire the awesome action mechanism provided by everyday carry, this rings even more true.

“You see this photo right here? It’s not even important. I’m just showing it to you to make a point and that point is just like my favorite everyday carry note-taking pens and notebook wallets from Gallantry, this here photo doesn’t require batteries. I’ll never have to replace this photo, you know what I’m saying? Think about it.”

In his brilliant book The Revenge of Analog : Real Things and Why They Matter , author David Sax writes about the tremendous harm inflicted on us by ‘information overload’ and ‘multitasking’, both of which cognitive psychologist and neuroscientist Daniel Levitin, in his book The Organized Mind , claims are even worse for your brain than exhaustion. Meanwhile, as Sax reminds us, “Numerous studies have shown that handwriting notes is simply better for engagement, information retention, and mental health than is writing on digital devices.” In the immortal words of Senator Cleary (Christopher Walken) in Wedding Crashers, “Nature versus nurture, Lodge. Nature always wins.”

The way we see it, the existence of an act such as jotting down notes is as necessary for the Gallantry Man to strive and excel as oxygen itself. As technology gets even more advanced, the importance of everyday carry items like the note-taking pen (and the notebook wallet) will not diminish. In fact, it will only continue to grow. The oversaturation of technology and digital everything has made physical experiences as sought-after and desirable as ever. When you have to get the job done the way nature intended, well, that’s when the magic happens.

For many of us, it seems as nearly everything is noisy and disruptive these days. However, even if this isn’t your experience, the truth of the matter is that you could absolutely benefit from having that go-to everyday carry note-taking pen. If it’s been a while since you just let a rip with a good pen and a notebook, we can virtually guarantee you that you’ll be pleasantly surprised should you decide to revisit the purpose-instilling exercise. Letting your mind wonder as you savor the solace can be exhilarating, especially if it’s been a hot minute. As David Sax puts it, “[since] analog experiences can provide us with the kind of real-world pleasures and rewards digital ones cannot, sometimes analog simply outperforms digital as the best solution. When it comes to the free flow of ideas, the pen remains mightier than both the keyboard and touchscreen.”

With a quality everyday carry note-taking pen, you bring something significant, quite literally, to the table. There’s just something about holding pen and paper in your hand, you know? The look of it. The feel of it. Plus, as David Allen, author of Getting Things Done , says, pen and paper is “the easiest and most ubiquitous way to get stuff out of your head” without getting bogged down by the opportunities to waste time that the digital world constantly attempts to entice us with.

We’ll cheers to that.

“Our fingers have not evolved over the millennia to type on these little baby virtual keyboards they’ve got everybody futzing with. That’s why I knew you had to be my man, my Gallantry Man, the moment I saw you ordering those everyday carry note-taking pens and notebook wallets from Gallantry. This time is yours for the taking, baby.”

So find a nice, quiet place to park it and turn off your electronics (besides whichever one you’re using to peruse this week’s Dispatch ) and get ready to take a look at a wide range of our best EDC pens for note taking (each of which can be utilized to the max when working and/or studying), as well as a couple of our top-notch notebook wallets (that include pens). However, before we get into our most durable, reliable, versatile, convenient, well-constructed, sleekly designed, and pocket-friendly everyday carry staples in this space, let’s briefly review how you can find the right note-taking pen for you so that you’re the most prepared, not to mention stylish, Gallantry Man in the room no matter what you’re taste or budget is.

Let’s get into it.

“It’s not just about having a pen. It’s about having the right pen. For you. One that’s cool. One that’s timeless. One that allows you to comfortably and effectively takes notes. One that really allows you to be productive. When you finally find that perfect everyday carry pen for yourself, you’re going to have that much-needed edge you need to win in this day and age.”

FINDING THE RIGHT NOTE-TAKING PEN FOR YOU

We may live in the digital era, but as you well know by now, taking notes by hand is still the preferred move of Gallantry Man legends like yourself. Not only is taking notes by hand still worthwhile, but it also happens to be deeply personal. As always, your preference matters when you consider which note-taking pen makes sense for you.

Maybe your current note-taking pen bleeds. Heck, maybe it just sits in your hand funny. Whatever your situation is, when you’ve got the wrong pen in your hand while you’re taking notes, something feels, well, off. On the contrary, when you’ve got the right pen in your hand, the sky is the limit. In this case, long note-taking sessions at once become anything but a slog, exhilarating, exciting, rejuvenating, and imagination-filled adventures for the ages.

“Don’t you frickin’ lie to me, Woody. What’s your poison these days? Gel? Rollerball? Ballpoint? Come on, buddy. Talk to me.”

At Gallantry Headquarters, we happen to think gel pens (despite being easy to write with, these pens are better for those not always on the move, as though they tend to take longer to dry), rollerball pens (ideal for those who are prone to having their hand fall asleep while writing due to their easy flow, though they can bleed through the thinnest of paper types), and ballpoint pens (though these require more pressure to write, they have thick ink that allows for faster, more waterproof drying) are the top of the heap when it comes to pen type. Though each one utilizes a different ink type (gel pens use gel ink, ballpoint pens use oil-based ink, and rollerball pens use water-based ink), each one distributes said ink evenly (in stark contrast to, say, felt-tip and fountain pens) as a result of its efficient utilization of that tiny ball at its respective tip. In essence, this makes all three pen types great choices for note-taking.

Once you’ve decided on your preferred pen type, there are a number of other factors to consider. These include (but are not limited to)…

1. THE RIGHT COLOR

There’s no way around it. You’re going to have to look at your everyday carry note-taking pen while you write. As such, this is one occasion when you absolutely should judge a book by its cover. If you don’t like the color of your pen, your whole energy is going to be off. The goal here is to kick that mojo of yours into high gear, and that means really digging the color of your sleek new writing utensil!

2. THE RIGHT FIT

If the pen you’re thinking about has any loose parts, forget about it. It’s not the right one. All of its parts should fit securely and tightly. Period. End of story.

3. THE RIGHT FINISH

Resins. Metals. Wood. Celluloids. Pens come with all these finishes and more nowadays. No matter what finish calls your name, however, what’s important to look out for is the quality of the finish. Your pen should have an even finish without a rough edge in sight.

4. EQUILIBRIUM

Your go-to everyday carry note-taking pen should sit comfortable and light in the crook of your thumb and index finger. From there, its weight should be evenly distributed and balanced, even as you write. In other words, you should be able to feel that grip in your hands while saying “Yeah, that feels right” without flinching.

5. JUST THE TIP

Run that un-inked pen of yours over a sheet of paper. Is there any scratching or dragging occurring? If so, ditch it. If you don’t have that problem, then, once you’ve inserted a rollerball, ballpoint, or gel pen inside of it, make sure the writing point is the right size (if it is, it will stay firmly in place).

If it’s important to you that the tip is retractable, go ahead and check for that, too.

6. JUST THE CLIP

Is whether or not a pen has a clip a dealbreaker for you? It’s your pen, so we’re not judging. Either way, we’re just saying it’s something else for you to keep in mind as you carefully make your selection.

7. BE SAFE, NOT SORRY

There’s nothing wrong with being inquisitive when it comes to whether or not your ideal pen candidate has an insurance policy. This especially hold true if you plan on doling out a healthy amount of cash for one. Again, doing your homework, or, at the very least, outsourcing said task (you know, since we consider it our job to do the heavy lifting in this area for you), is the name of the game.

8. NEVER SETTLE…UNTIL YOU’VE FOUND THE RIGHT ONE

Think of your everyday carry note-taking pen as an extension of you. You want this pen to bring out the best you have to offer (which is a lot), so much so that it activates your brilliant dormant thoughts, even during those moments when you’re not feeling it at first. Your immediate recognition of your favorite pen in your hand should trigger your senses and awaken your true Gallantry Man self. A well-manufactured, skillfully engineered pen should be able to have that effect on you, ink reload after ink reload.

“Enough heavy lifting. Time to hit Gallantry and make it rain.”

Look it. It’s important to us that you’re happy with every single item of everyday carry that you purchase from us. Knowing that you couldn’t possibly be more satisfied with your product(s) as a result of being well-informed (through us) is how sleep at night. It’s how we know we’ve done our job correctly. So, without further adieu, let’s sample the goods, shall we?

First up, we’ve got…

“Man. I wish this toaster had a fresh auto adjusting feature similar to the badass Big Idea Design Titanium Pocket Pro everyday carry note-taking pen that I bought from Gallantry. Oh, well. A Gallantry Man can dream.”

THE TITANIUM POCKET PRO AUTO ADJUSTING PEN FROM BIG IDEA DESIGN

Versatility is one of the most important parts of any everyday carry product that’s, well, easy to carry. This is especially true for pens. That being said, most pens out there only accept a few different types of refills, at best. The good folks at Big Idea Design rightfully found this to be unacceptable and, decided to do something about it. They decided to create the brilliant work of art that is the Titanium Pocket Pro Pen.

This light-as-a-feather twist-operated writing utensil, crafted from all-metal titanium, actually adapts to your preferred refill length with its telescoping auto-adjust mechanism. That’s right. This bad boy can literally accommodate over 80 different refill types, everything from ballpoint, to rollerball, to specialty cartridges, and more. It’s incredible, really. It also means less time spent wandering the aisles of your local office supply shop and more time getting out in the world and documenting your adventures with your favorite refill types.

No matter what kind of note-taking you’re looking to get into, this smooth pen (and its wiggle-free fit at its collet tip) has you covered.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Grade 5 titanium all-metal construction
• Twist-operated
• Grade 4 titanium pocket clip
• Industrial-strength silicone o-rings
• Auto-adjusts to accept ink refills of varying length
• Compatible with 80+ different ink refills, including ballpoint, rollerball, and specialty cartridges
• 4.11" L with short refill
• 4.65" L with long refill
• 0.45" D at widest point
• 0.6 oz weight empty

Available in Stonewashed or Antique Black

Titanium Pocket Pro Auto Adjusting Pen

$75.00

[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Versatility is one of the most important parts of any everyday carry - and that should include pens. Most, however, only accept a few different types of refills, at best. Not the Ti Pocket Pro… read more

Translation missing: en.products.product.sold_out

Titanium Pocket Pro Auto Adjusting Pen

$75.00

[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Versatility is one of the most important parts of any everyday carry - and that should include pens. Most, however, only accept a few different types of refills, at best. Not the Ti Pocket Pro… read more

Translation missing: en.products.product.add_to_cart

“Look, partner. Everyone can see what you’re carrying these days. That’s why I’m telling you this as a friend. You seriously need to get to a computer ASAP so that you can head over to Gallantry and buy the Titanium Stilwell Pen from The James Brand. I don’t mean tomorrow, either. I mean right now, before they’re all gone. You hear me? Get!”

THE TITANIUM STILWELL PEN FROM THE JAMES BRAND

Every proper EDC loadout needs a hardwearing pen, so you can jot down crucial details and capture ideas on-the-fly. The full-size Stilwell is The James Brand’s rendition of the compact pen, and it's a reliable, comfortable go-anywhere writing tool if there ever was one. With a D1 Style Replaceable Ink Cartridge housed in its sleek titanium body, this ball-point pen is built to go the distance. Better yet, it’s small enough to fit in the coin pocket of your jeans, so you can take it everywhere and deploy it (i.e. extend it to its full size) with one hand thanks to the attached lanyard (which allows you to easily attach it to your favorite keychain, zipper, or bag).

This minimalist writing tool will hold up to any adventure on the horizon. You can take that to the bank.

SPECIFICATIONS

• 6Al-4V annealed titanium construction
• D1 Style Replaceable Ink Cartridge
• Twist-off ball-point design
• Brushed aluminum finish
• Attached lanyard
• 3.5” L closed (5.4” L open)
• 0.45” diameter
• 0.71 oz

The Stilwell Pen

$89.00

[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Every proper EDC loadout needs a hardwearing pen, so you can jot down crucial details and capture ideas on-the-fly. The full-size Stilwell is The James Brand’s rendition of the compact pen, and it's a reliable… read more

Translation missing: en.products.product.add_to_cart

“Bullseye. That’s the Zirconium Standard Bolt Action Pen from Tactile Turn that we’ve been looking for. Made in the USA. Texas born and bred. I told you, brother. Gallantry doesn’t miss when it comes to their curation game.”

THE ZIRCONIUM STANDARD BOLT ACTION PEN FROM TACTILE TURN

Since the release of Tactile Turn’s inaugural high-performance, curved bolt-action pen in 2017, the rifle-inspired (yes, its bolt action mechanism works just like the one in your favorite rifle) writing instrument has been the Texas outfit’s best-selling product, praised for its minimalistic yet elegant aesthetic and wildly-rugged construction. In response to the ongoing demand, the fast-growing Garland-based operation has opted to deliver an updated version of the bolt action pen for our current decade.

“Yeah. The bolt action mechanism of my favorite Zirconium Standard Pen from Tactile Turn works just like my favorite here rifle. You got a problem with that, hoss? Yeah. That’s what I thought.”

Like its predecessor, the stunning new Bolt Action Pen can be easily and intentionally (it is accidental activation-proof, after all) deployed or retracted with one hand in a single fluid motion. The pen is made from precision-machined Zirconium, has a fine-tuned interior that consistently delivers smooth action, and it is extremely durable yet lightweight, tipping the scales at a mere 1.7oz (or 0.106lbs).

Protected by a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty, the standard size Bolt Action Pen is 5.6” long, measures 0.43” in diameter, and is sold with a matching Zirconium pocket clip as well as a Pilot G2 0.7mm cartridge. In other words, it’s packing the goods.

This pen right here is the real deal. If you’re looking to make a statement with your everyday carry note-taking pen like the Gallantry Man boss that you are, welcome home.

SPECIFICATIONS

• All Zirconium construction
• Highly-corrosion-resistant
• Made in the USA
• Unique arcing bolt-action deployment and retraction
• Matching Zirconium pocket clip
• Includes Pilot G2 0.7mm Cartridge
• Protected by a lifetime warranty
• 5.6” L x 0.43” D
• 1.7oz weight

Zirconium Bolt Action Short Pen

$249.00

[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Boasting both a beautiful facade that wouldn't look out of place amongst the business elite and the kind of dependable and rugged functionality you'd expect out of a field pen, the USA-made Bolt Action Short… read more

Translation missing: en.products.product.sold_out

“Well I’ll be damned. Those Gallantry boys done did it again. That Field Notes Notebook Wallet from Form Function Form is just about the best-looking everyday carry notebook wallet that I’ve ever seen. Let’s get one in Black and one in Espresso.”

THE FIELD NOTES NOTEBOOK WALLET FROM FORM FUNCTION FORM

This superb American made wallet, crafted from hand-stitched Horween Horsefront leather, is more than just a supremely efficient everyday carry item. It’s a collector’s item. With six credit card slots and a catch-all pocket that you can store folded cash or receipts in, it’s got all the EDC notebook wallet fixins you need to stay organized. Plus, as an added bonus for those who like to jot down ideas on the fly, there's a built-in sleeve for a zero gravity Fisher Space Bullet Pen alongside a dedicated slot for a Field Notes notebook, both of which are included with the wallet.

Yeah. We reckon that’s what you call the total package right there.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Horween Horsefront leather
• Six credit card slots
• Catch-all pocket for cash and receipts
• Hand stitched
• Includes matte black Fisher Space Pen Bullet and Field Notes Notebook
• Made in the USA
• 4-1/4″ W x 5.5″ H

Field Notes Notebook Wallet

$128.00

[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] This superb American made wallet is crafted from hand-stitched Horween Horsefront leather. It features six credit card slots, and a catch-all pocket in which you can store folded cash or receipts. And for those who… read more

Translation missing: en.products.product.add_to_cart

Field Notes Notebook Wallet

$128.00

[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] This superb American made wallet is crafted from hand-stitched Horween Horsefront leather. It features six credit card slots, and a catch-all pocket in which you can store folded cash or receipts. And for those who… read more

Translation missing: en.products.product.sold_out

“You try your best to let folks know about Gallantry EDC. You try your best to let ‘em know how important it is to read The Dispatch every week. Still, you can’t save ‘em all. This right here is what happens when you don’t Gallantry Man up, partner. This is what happens each and every time.”

A FINAL THOUGHT ON EDC NOTE-TAKING PENS

A life that only exists in the digital realm is hardly a life at all. Balance, as always, is the key to a rich and fulfilling existence. To this end, once you’ve had a taste of what it’s like to write with a top-notch everyday carry writing instrument, once you know what it’s like to experience the true joy that comes with possessing unique physical objects in a space where those special, innately human (i.e. cloud-free, battery-free) experiences seem to be disappearing, there’s just no going back.

No matter how “convenient” technology gets, you just can’t duplicate the feeling that accompanies taking a good gander at your hand-written notes. Jotting down your original, genuine thoughts by hand with your favorite everyday carry note-taking pen is a meaningful, one-of-a-kind experience, one that can never be automated or outsourced.

There are no ifs and buts about it!

STREAMING THE EDC PEN

The Highwaymen isn’t just the name of the greatest American outlaw country music supergroup (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson) of all-time. It’s also the name of a straight-up fire 2019 American period crime drama starring Gallantry Man legends Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson as two hard-nosed former Texas Rangers looking to put a definitive end to the violent, deadly robbery spree of notorious criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in the 1930’s.

Gallantry Man Legends The Highwaymen

Photo Credit: CountryRebel.com

Directed by John Lee Hancock with a stellar supporting cast that includes Kathy Bates, John Carroll Lynch, Thomas Mann, Kim Dickens, and William Sadler, The Highwaymen is the quintessential Gallantry Man movie, a flick about relying on your natural gut instincts over fancy technology to get er done.

So? What are you waiting for? Restore that law and order by streaming The Highwaymen on Netflix HERE!

“Should I go back for some more of those sharp EDC note-taking pens and wallet notebooks from Gallantry? Aw shucks. Of course I should! Who am I kiddin’? You can’t ever get enough everyday carry from those Gallantry boys!”