Best Pens for Architects – The Survey
Welcome to Architect Gadgets and to the post Best pens for Architects. Instead of making a list myself, this time I have reached out to 8 different Architects and Architectural firms and asked them about their favourite pens. The article below is a collection of the answers I received, plus some extra online resources. I have ordered the pens by the number of votes they received from the participants. In case of a draw between two or more pens, I have checked the reviews on Amazon and ordered the pens with the same number of votes by their rating on Amazon.
I would like to thank all the Architects that have helped in creating this list by participating in this survey. The aim of this page is to be the most complete collection of information about best pens for Architects. Therefore, we would like to encourage you to take part of the survey too, by contacting me using the contact page and telling me which are your three favourite pens and what makes them special.
The participants
Here is the list of the Architects and Architectural offices that have participated in the survey (omitting any ones that wanted to remain anonymous):
- Lee Calisti
- Fillat+ Architecture
- These Architects Inc
- Amparo Martínez Vidal
- CWB Architects
- Tait Architects
- Tom Hurt
The list
Here is the list of the best pens for Architects according to the participants:
- PaperMate Flair M
- Pilot Razor Point II
- Pilot Precise V5
- Staedler pigment liner
- Pilot Fineliner
- Pentel Sign Pens
- Sharpie Permanent Markers
- Tul fine point
- Pilot Precise V7
- Uni Pin
- Stabilo Sensor
- Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pens
- Zebra Z-Grip
Best pens for Architects
According to Lee Calisti “they are good for quick, bold moves when fine detail is not desired”. CWB Architects believe that they are great options, specially for “general sketching and notes – it’s a great sized tip and the color options are excellent for noting up drawings and sketches”. The product below is a package of black pens, but if you follow the link you can also pick other option colours or a combination of different colours.
Paper Mate Flair Point-Guard Porous Point Pens, 12 Black Pens.
Add a blast of fun to all your writing with 12 deep black marker pens
Medium Point felt tip (0.7mm) produces bold, expressive lines to match your personality
Smear- and fade-resistant, so smudges are officially history
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Price: $11.91
According to Lee Calisti “they don’t tend to bleed, but keep a uniform consistent line. However, they don’t tolerate much pressure or being held on a shallow angle like a ball point pen. They also have a clean cap that allows me to clip it to my shirt and have it disappear”. Fillat+ Architecture says that ” I love the Pilot Razor II smooth writing and long, continuous lines without the potential of dry-scraping”.
PILOT Razor Point II Fine Line Marker Stick Pens, Point (0.2mm) Black Ink, 12-Pack (11009)
The one and only genuine Razor Point marker pen that introduced America to fine-line writing
Super fine plastic point is supported by a metal collar for long-lasting performance
Effortlessly produces strong, smooth writing
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Price: $11.75
A lot of people in my office use them and other participants from this survey do too. Good for both writing and sketching. Very well rated on Amazon too, with reviewers highlighting how smooth they write. The only worry shown was regarding the fact that they bleed slightly, so you might see the marks on the other side of the paper depending on which paper you are using.
Pilot Precise V5 Stick Rolling Ball Pens, Extra Fine Point
Precise, clean lines.;Patented Precision Point Technology for smooth, skip-free writing.;Unique liquid-ink formula maintains consistent, flowing strokes.;Incredibly smooth, skip-free writing.;Visible ink supply lets you see how much ink is left.
Global Product Type Pens-Roller Ball;Special Ink Type
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CWB Architects believe that these are great pens for drawing because “the fine tip and range of tips are great for sketching”. I have also mentioned in previous posts that these are my go to currently when I need to sketch something out where a bit of detail is required. I find that they do not tend to bleed and they are very smooth. More importantly for me, they dry very fast, so the drawing stays clean and sharp looking.
Staedtler Pigment Liner Bonus Sketch, Set of 6 Liners, (308SB6P)
Pigment liner bonus sketch set of 6 line widths
4+2 free pack in stand up easel case
Lightfast waterproof smear free ink
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These ones I personally use it in the office and were also mentioned from other participants. Great for marking up drawing and for quick sketches where precision is not important. The end result tends to be quite satisfying.
PILOT Fineliner Marker Pens, Fine Point, Red Ink, 12-Pack (11015)
World renowned for the ultimate experience in smooth, expressive writing
Fine point engineered for lasting performance
Fine lines and quick-drying ink
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Price: $15.34
Also quite common in my office and mentioned by other participants too. These are great for sketching and marking up. On Amazon, the reviews are also very positive, highlighting the strength and flow and the fact that the tip shape allows for different line sizes to be draw. These pens have water-based ink, so be very careful with getting them even slightly humid as it would ruin the drawing or note.
Pentel Arts Sign Pen, Black Ink, 2 Pack (S520BP2A) , Assorted
The perfect pen for signing your signature with
The original pen to have the fiber tip that adds character to any writing
Great for coloring, drawing and doodliing
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Price: $3.58
Lee Calisti liked their robustness and flexibility. On Amazon, they have amazing reviews, with people highlighting how easy it flows and in how many different surfaces it produces outstanding results.
Sharpie Permanent Markers Ultimate Collection, Fine and Ultra Fine Points
Proudly permanent ink marks on paper, plastic, metal, and most other surfaces
Intensely brilliant colors create eye-popping, vibrant impressions
Remarkably resilient ink dries quickly and resists fading and water; AP certified
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Great choice for writing that was recommended by one of the participants in the survey. According to the reviewers, what sets the Tul fine point pen apart from its competitors is how clean it writes. They do not bleed through the paper, so you can write on both sides. Although the writing is very fine, the tip will not scratch the paper as other pens do. A very good option, backed up by a 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.com.
TUL Gel Pens, Retractable, Fine Point, 0.5 mm, Gray Barrel, Black Ink, Pack of 12
Altitude safe
Metal tip
Rubberized grip
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Price: $18.80
Fillat+ Architecture says that ” the Pilot Precise V7 in black for making notes or to-do-lists. The line weight is bold and haughty, and accomplishing a task on that to-do-list makes it feel that much more empowering”. On Amazon, the most shared positive comment is how evenly the ink flows and how comfortable it is to write with. On the downside, some people complained that their pens stopped working after a short period of using them, but this does not appear to be a widespread complain as the average 4.3 starts prove.
Pilot Precise V7 Stick Rolling Ball Pen, Fine Point, Single Pen, Black Ink (35340)
Precise? V7 roller ball stick pen.
Delivers a precise, clean line every time.
Unique liquid-ink formula maintains consistent, flowing strokes.
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This set of 6 technical drawings is a great choice for sketching recommended by one of the participants in the survey. Pens are ultra fine markers that provide superior water resistance, so once it dries, the ink will not smear, even if water is spilled on the page. Uni Pin Fineliners are ideal for graphics and technical drawing. According to the reviewers, the flow is smooth and steady with consistent lines and saturation. As they come with different sizes, you can use them all to highlight different widths and the drawing will still look uniform and cohesive.
Uni Pin Drawing Pens/6 Assorted Tip Sizes, Uni Pin Technical Fineliner Pens, Pack of 6 Assorted Tip Sizes, Black Ink
6 black Uni Pin fibre tip pens
This set of 6 Black Uni Pin Fineliners includes a 0.05mm, 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm, 0.5mm and 0.8mm
Water-resistant, lightfast ink
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Price: $9.99
Although not very popular on Amazon, they have been recommended from one of the participants in the survey and the 3 only review on Amazon.com are of 5 stars. According to the reviewers, this pen will run if water is introduced, but it does not bleed or smudge. Provided you store them correctly in the box with the lid on, in a relatively cool, dry, environment, then, they will keep for a very long time. A good option if you are looking to try something a little less known.
According to CWB Architects, these are “excellent for finer renderings and client presentation drawings”. They are also very well rated on Amazon. Using Indian Ink, these pens are a very good option for those more fine drawings that might need to be shown to the clients or that you want to have on your website.
Very good option recommended by one of the participants in the survey. They also have a good rating on Amazon, with 4.4 out of 5. According to the reviewers, this pen is very comfortable to hold and the ink lasts longer and dries faster than other pens such as the Pilot G2. This is a very good choice for to-do lists and notes, and other writing that needs doing.
Conclusion
I hope you found new pens to experiment with after reading this post. These are the favourite pens of the Architects that participated in the survey. If you would like to be part of the survey too, please contact me using the contact page.
Comments
2 comments
tom Hurt
April 9, 2018
NOW that i look at your list, i must say i have used the pilot FINe liner a lot in my career. they are awesome ESPECIALLY when they are fresh. also the pilot precise is popular in our office. just a couple of adds here. thanks Tom Hurt
MiquelM
April 21, 2018
Thanks for the update, Tom. I do agree with you about the Fine liners. I love them at the beginning, but I find that they tend to dry up fairly fast. Do you experience the same thing?