Graphic by Isabelle Wang

My personal pencil case is filled with the highest quality of tools.

For whatever reason, I have long been an avid stationery buff, with my collection growing each year. I have always taken pride in having the best writing materials for school. 

To me, receiving a compliment over a specific pen you lent to a friend is extremely special. The warm feeling you get is so similar to when your crush looks at you and gives you that little laugh. Now, if you want the same warm feeling of accomplishment, look no further as I bestow upon you a list of the best stationery in accordance with my own usage.

The rarified writing of elite mechanical pencils

For the best mechanical pencil, there are multiple options (and NO, Oxi-Gels are nothing compared to my choices). Afterwards, I’ll discuss the best pens for your pencil case and their specific purposes.

Pencil: Kuru Toga Advance ($9)

The Kuru Toga branch of pencils is produced by the Japanese stationery brand, Uni Mitsubishi. Uni is known for its relatively cheap yet high-quality products. 

The pencil itself is unusual as it has a “Kuru Toga engine,” which rotates the lead each time the tip is pressed and then released, allowing for an optimally sharp writing experience. The Kuru Toga Advance is the newest release of the Kuru Toga pencils and rotates twice as fast as Uni’s regular line.

Pencil: Lamy Logo Mechanical ($25)

Trust me: Any product from the German brand, Lamy, is assured to be high-quality. In particular, the Lamy logo pencil is incredibly sleek as it consists of a firm and thin metal body. The metallic body, along with the beautiful mechanics of the German pencil, makes it an everlasting tool. The pen has a comfortable grip and a cold, immaculate feel in your hand, and it could simply last you forever. 

Although the color I have, black (indisputably the best color), is no longer available, the pencil can still be purchased in stainless steel with various color accents. This pen, unlike the Kuru Toga Advance, is on the higher end of the price range, but you get what you pay for: a high caliber tool, an amazing writing experience and paranoia about losing it.

Picking the best pen to win 

Zebra Sarasa R or Clip ($2)

The pen is simply superior to any other writing tool, which is why we have the most important tool in the lineup.

Both Zebra Sarasa ballpoint pens — R and Clip — are a simply flawless experience, with trademark Sarasa ink. This ink creates a butter-like writing style and — as it’s water resistant — dries incredibly fast, which is also excellent for left-handed writers or people prone to ink smearing. 

The Zebra Sarasa R also has a beautiful white barrel, which will fit in with any color scheme you have in place, besides black. They both have the same ink and style, with the only difference being the color. Both are excellent choices and you can get singular pens for about $2 at a local stationery store — such as Mai Do in Santana Row — or in packs on Amazon.

Photo: link // Photo by William Norwood

Pen: Uni Jetstream Edge 0.28mm ($8.20)

This pencil is the newest to my collection, but since purchasing it two months ago, I now strongly believe it is a must-have in any pencil case. The Uni Jetstream Edge is unique for one reason: the 0.28mm tip, which is unheard of in the realm of commercially available pens. The tip allows you to easily write in small places like margins. This pen also simply looks beautiful with a firm, textured, metal body. 

Fountain Pen: Pilot Kakuno ($14)

This is the only fountain pen on this list. A fountain pen is not necessary for a well-rounded pencil case, but it’s inherently important to me, other pen fans and calligraphers. The fountain pen lifestyle is like no other, and it fills you with a sense of fulfillment. The Pilot Kakuno is often marketed as the best “beginner” fountain pen to put your foot in the door, which is true. 

The Pilot Kakuno is around the $10 mark, so it’s not majorly expensive, as far as fountain pens go. They also come in so many different colors and you are sure to find a pen within the collection that looks best to you.

Honorable mentions

Mildliners ($8)

I am ashamed to say it, as they have been robbed by the aesthetic stationary community, who only worry about how the pastels fit with their “vibe.” However, mildliners remain the best highlighter pick. With their recent rise in popularity due to their signature pastel color palette, the mildliner has become a must-have for most high school students. The highlighters are simply beautiful, and they come in the widest range of colors, which are all truly visually stunning. 

Muji Gel Pens ($7.83)

  A couple of pens to mention are, of course, the Muji Gel Pens. They are great value for money, write decently well and look good. They write smoothly, comfortably and are relatively cheap, but there is nothing special about them. They’re great for what they are, but are by no means an extraordinary tool.

LePen ($11.22)

If you are in search of a set of colored pens, take a look at LePen. LePen makes beautiful colored pens, perfect for those few and far between times when you actually need one. 

Note that I am by no means a professional stationery reviewer. But these are all tools I use daily and recommend for anybody wanting to broaden their stationery horizons.