Okay: middle-aged, middle-brow warning.
Here are some stationery opinions. I wanted to start with fountain pens and pencils only, but some ball pens crept in. There are other great writing technologies. This is not that list.
- Good European fountain pen: Lamy 2000.
- Good Japanese fountain pen: Pilot Capless SE.
Generally, Japanese nibs are finer that European nibs.
- Good every day carry (EDC) fountain pen: Kaweco Lilliput. Consider a premium nib.
- Good EDC ball pen: Fisher Bullet Space Pen. The titanium nitride pen is the best.
If you are after mechanical pencils:
- Good European drafting pencil: rOtring 800.
- Good Japanese drafting pencil: OHTO Super ProMecha.
- Essential clutch pencil: Staedtler Mars Technico 780.
PS, don’t leave home without:
- BIC 4 colours multipen. I like the 4C 3 + 1 HB (3 colours and 1 pencil) - but you have choices.