Does your child have the right pen for school?

School is hard. Writing is hard. And all of this hard work is even more challenging if you are battling with a scratchy, leaky, narrow-barrelled biro or, worse still, one of a set of cheap pens your teacher has bought on Amazon to lend to students who don’t bring a working pen to school.

Of course, no parent wants to spend good money on equipment which might be taken to pieces and broken by the end of the first week but a pen which is a little more special than your average biro might encourage our young people to take a little more care.

There are so many great options out there which will ease the strain on young hands and make writing a little more pleasurable.  We have completed some research and think that these pens might be worth the investment.

(Please note that we have tried to provide links to pages with information, rather than online shops, wherever possible. Please do shop around to find out where you can purchase each pen for the lowest price.)

The all-rounder: Ballpoint pen STABILO Exam Grade
We like the fact that this pen tells you how many pages of ink you have left. Reviews suggest this pen is particularly durable and will continue to write smoothly for up to 80 pages of writing.
The all-rounder: Ballpoint pen STABILO Exam Grade

The ergonomic: Dr Grip Ballpoint
A pen targeted at those with arthritis must surely be a winner for reducing hand fatigue. Pilot pens also have the option of refill cartridges so this could be the gift that keeps on giving.
The ergonomic: Dr Grip Ballpoint

The left-handed: uni Jetstream
When you’re left-handed, your hand is constantly rubbing over the words you have just written. To avoid smudging, we recommend a fast-drying ink pen such as the Uni-ball Jetstream RT. A great option for right-handed people too.
The left-handed: uni Jetstream

The eco-conscious: LAMY safari Fountain Pen
Although a fountain pen might seem a little too retro for some and an expensive investment at the outset, they do write beautifully with the least pressure on hands. For the most environmentally-friendly option, invest in a converter cartridge and buy yourself a bottle of ink. Not only will you save money in the long run, but you’ll also have lots of fun refilling the pen.  We like the Lamy Safari which has a window to see how much ink is left and has been helping Mrs Hayball mark books for years.
The eco-conscious: LAMY safari Fountain Pen
LAMY Z 28 Converter
LAMY T 51 Ink black