Brian's Top Every Day Fountain Pen Carries (2025)
Today I’m excited to share something a little more personal—my updated everyday carry (EDC) items for 2025. After more than 16 years in the pen business, I’ve handled an unbelievable number of pens, and while I rotate plenty of them on my desk, there are a few that have earned a permanent place with me day in and day out. I’ve shared my EDC before, in 2013 and again in 2023, and it has definitely evolved over the years.
So here it is: my updated 2025 list, featuring the pens and other essentials I always keep on me!
LAMY 2000
This pen is a true staple—it’s appeared in both of my previous EDC lists, and for good reason. My black polycarbonate LAMY 2000 with a fine nib lives clipped into my Traveler’s Notebook, and I almost always have it filled with Robert Oster Blue Water Ice. It’s low-fuss, durable, and incredibly reliable, writing perfectly every single time. It’s clean, professional, and just an all-around great pen.
And speaking of the LAMY 2000, I also carry the rollerball version. We don't carry many rollerballs at Goulet Pens, but this is the one I keep in my backpack for those rare occasions when a rollerball is just more convenient than a fountain pen.
TWSBI 580 ALR Prussian Blue/Caribbean with Onyx
While I don't write with it as much as some others, my TWSBI 580 ALR Prussian Blue is a daily companion. I've swapped it with a broad nib and primarily keep it loaded with Jacques Herbin 1670 Emerald of Chivor. It's less about practicality and more about fun, especially watching the shimmering ink swirl in the barrel!
I also sometimes swap it out with a fine TWSBI 580 ALR Caribbean with Onyx trim. These 580s are affordable, reliable, look great, and hold a ton of ink. They're also fantastic for showing people what fountain pens are all about since you can see all the internal workings. I keep this pen, along with my next pick, in my Visconti 3 Pen Case. It's an older version, but it keeps my pens individually protected and fits perfectly in my crowded backpack.
TWSBI ECO Indigo w/ Bronze
Another pen that lives in my three-pen case is a TWSBI ECO. Right now it is the Indigo w/ Bronze with a broad nib. I rotate this one in and out pretty often because TWSBI keeps releasing incredible colors, and I am always looking for an excuse to try our newer inks across different brands. It is the perfect pen for experimenting with anything fresh.
Pilot Custom Urushi Vermillion
Next is the pen that may be the least practical but easily my most used: the Pilot Custom Urushi in Vermillion with a fine-medium nib. It suits me especially well because I have large hands. The pen measures over 6 inches when closed and more than 7 inches when posted, which gives it an excellent balance in my grip. The number 30 nib offers a wonderfully smooth experience with a slightly wet, consistent, and springy feel. At around $1,600, it is a significant investment, but the Vermillion finish is so striking and iconic that I am truly glad to own it.
Traveler's Company Brass Pen
This tiny brass pen is the epitome of an everyday carry. I keep it clipped in my pants pocket next to my knife, and it goes everywhere with me, even when I am not carrying my backpack. It is not the pen I would use to write a novel, but when I need a fountain pen, it is always ready. I do not baby it either. I have even run it through the washer and dryer. It is my ultimate bang-around pen: incredibly durable and willing to write no matter how much I neglect it. I even took it hiking at Yellowstone.
Beyond the Pens: My Other Essentials
It's not just about pens! Here are a few other items I never leave home without:
- Traveler's Notebook: I have carried this for years and keep three Goulet Notebooks inside: one lined and two dot grid. I use them for both personal and work notes, which helps me keep everything organized. The whole setup is compact enough to fit in my back pocket.
- Endless Explorer A5 Refillable Leather Journal: This is our Goulet-exclusive notebook with Endless that features a unique 7 mm dot grid. It is an A5 size, which makes it more comfortable for longer writing sessions at a desk or during a meeting. The generous spacing is great for showing off shimmery, sheening, and high-shading inks.
- Visconti 3 Pen Case: As I mentioned earlier, this Italian leather case has been with me for a long time. It has individual slots that keep each pen separated, it fits even my larger pens, and it stays compact and secure thanks to its firm front and back.
- Plastic Pen Tube for Tums: Okay, this one is a little funny. At 41, acid reflux happens. I realized the plastic tubes we get from suppliers for sample pens are the perfect size for holding my chewable Tums. It is a very on-brand, pen-business way to carry medication.
- Benchmade S30V Knife: I have had this knife for about ten years, and it was a gift from my in-laws. It is a Benchmade S30V in a nice Goulet blue. It is incredibly light and works great for opening packages and bottles of ink.
- Robert Oster Blue Water Ice Ink Bottle: I always carry a 30 ml plastic bottle of Robert Oster Blue Water Ice ink. It seals tightly, so I never have to worry about leaks, and since it is under the TSA liquid limit, I can bring it in my carry-on when I fly. It is incredibly convenient to have my favorite ink with me at all times.
- GAN 356i Carry 2 Smart Cube: Call me a cuber. I love puzzles like Rubik's cubes. This one is a smart cube that connects to an app on my phone, which tracks my solve times and helps me improve. It gives me a great mental break from work and the stresses of everyday life.
So there you have it! These are the pens and other items that have naturally found their way into my daily rotation over the last couple of years. They work well for me, but remember that everyone’s EDC is unique.
You can check out all the pens I talked about today and all your fountain pen, ink, and paper needs on our site. Write on!
