Doctors help keep us healthy. As a “thank you” for the care and dedication they provide, sometimes patients like to give some form of a gift. 

Thinking of a gift to show your appreciation isn’t an easy task, but have you ever thought about a pen? Even though it might seem like a simple gift, the reality is that doctors love a good pen. They use pens constantly to make notes, write reports, and write scripts.  

If you’ve ever lost your pen and had to write with a random substitute, then you know how important a high-quality pen is. Even if most of the data and records are digital, doctors still need to sign a lot of documents. In this guide, we’ll help you find the best pens for doctors.

Top 5 Best Pens for Doctors

After hours of research and comparing different models available on the market, we created a list of the best pens for doctors.

1. Wordsworth & Black Fountain Pen Set

Even though Wordsworth & Black are relatively new to the industry, they have managed to make a name for themselves in a short period of time. This pen is made out of dense and heavy metal that makes it both sturdy and durable. The gold accents give the pen a luxurious look, while the elegant and smooth enamel catches the light quite nicely.

When you pick up the pen in your hands, you can feel the quality that it has. It feels well-balanced and allows for a comfortable grip. The nib is very smooth and allows you to write without any interruptions. It also performs great on many different types of paper. Alongside its performance, the pen comes in an ideal weight that is perfect for both right-handed and left-handed writers.

The pen’s gift box makes you want to open it immediately. The black block looks amazing and has a leatherette cover. Even more, the WYB embossment on the lid of the box adds class. The insides of the box are lined with smooth and soft material that also has the W&B logo.

Inside of the case you get an instruction guide to help beginners get started, as well as a 6-pack of ink cartridges. In the instructions guide, you will find a labeled diagram that names the parts of the pen, cleaning instructions, information on how to use the converter, and how to properly insert the cartridges. 

Another thing that left quite an impression on us was the customer service. Their products come with a warranty and the customer support team is extremely helpful.

Pros:

• Elegant design
• Perfect weight
• A consistent flow of ink
• Includes luxurious gift box
• Has a complete instructions manual
• Comes with six ink cartridges

Cons:

• Cannot change the nib

2. Waterman Graduate Allure Fountain Pen

This pen makes sure that you approach your daily activities with a sense of style thanks to its chrome-finished trimmings and its glossy lacquered barrel. The finish and the simple design give it a polished look, and the sturdy metal pocket clip subtly features the Waterman logo.

The pen is lightweight and can easily be clipped onto a shoulder bag or a shirt pocket. The nib is smooth, firm, and produces a good flow that is neither too dry nor too wet. It also performs well on various types of paper. The chromed steel that coats the body of the pen offers complete protection against falls and shocks. This pen comes with vivid erasable blue ink and is refillable with long or short Waterman ink cartridges.

Overall, this is a very practical and robust pen for a great price. The only disadvantage of this pen is the material used to make the grip section. It can be a bit slippery to the touch and the pen can feel unstable in your hand.

Pros:

• Has a 2-year warranty
• Strong nib for all types of paper
• Comes in a Waterman gift box, making it perfect as a gift
• Has a pocket clip so you can easily attach it to your shirt

Cons:

• The material it’s made out from can be slippery

3. BEILUNER Luxury Fountain Pen Set

The Beiluner Luxury Fountain Pen is made out of stainless steel and has polished accents. It is handcrafted to provide exceptional writing experience and high precision. This pen is perfect for both right and left-handed writers and its light weight allows for a comfortable grip.

The nib is gold-plated and has a great design that allows a consistent and smooth flow of the ink. When you’re writing with this pen, you won’t get any blotches or scratches. Another amazing feature of this pen that impressed us is that it has a larger ink capacity in comparison to other pens. What this means is that the ink will last for a longer period of time when you’re writing.

Pros:

• Free ink cartridges
• Lightweight
• Larger ink capacity
• Longer writing period

Cons:

• Grip can get slippery

4. Amazon Basics Refillable Fountain Pen

The design of the Amazon Basics Refillable Fountain Pen is clean and simple, and it has the Amazon Basics logo stamped on the clip of the pen. While the body is only available in black, there are two different nib options – medium and fine.

The quality of the build is solid since it’s made out of metal. While some find the metal grip a bit slippery, the overall weight of the pen is appropriate for most. It’s a great pen to use on a daily basis. While cheaper pens often have loose-friction fit caps that rattle or spin, the cap of the Amazon Basics pen is tight. The quality of the pen fees is far above the price you’re paying for it.

The nibs perform well with coated and standard paper stock, and there aren’t any hard starts, skipping, or scratching during regular use. The pen comes with one ink cartridge and two refills. It also includes a nice gift box. So if you’re looking for an inexpensive “thank you” gift for your doctor, this is a great pick.

Pros:

• Comes in an elegant case making it ideal for gift-giving
• Comes with one ink cartridge and two refills
• Easily accessible due to low price
• Classic style

Cons:

• An ink converter is not included

5. PILOT MR Retro Pop Collection Fountain Pen

With its colorful design, the Pilot MR Retro Pop Collection Fountain pen is a real joy. The pen delivers an amazingly smooth writing experience and refined style. It’s part of a collection called Retro Pop that brings together themes, energy, and vibrant color from the late 60s and 70s with the premium quality and materials of the MR line of pens.

This pen has a metal body, a steel nib, and a silver trim. You can choose between medium and fine nib options. The pen is compatible with Pilot IC-100 ink cartridges, as well as Pilot Con-70 converter which is included with the purchase.

The pen is made by a company that has a lot of experience when it comes to making pens – to be more precise, over 100 years of experience. It also comes in an elegant black box that is perfect for presenting a gift.

Pros:

• Comes in an elegant black box
• A fun and colorful look
• Steel nib provides a smooth writing

Cons:

• It comes with only one cartridge

Features to Look for When Buying Pens for Doctors

In this section, we will talk about the main features you need to take into consideration when you’re buying a fountain pen for a doctor.

Color

When you’re picking out a pen for a doctor, it might be best to skip colorful pens – unless you’re buying a pen for a pediatrician, of course. In that case, your imagination is the only limit when it comes to the color of the pen.

The reason for this is that pediatricians work with children and occasionally they need something like a colorful pen to get the attention of a child or distract them.

Cartridge Unit

As doctors write a lot, it would be inconvenient for them to have to change the cartridge frequently. So when purchasing a fountain pen, consider the size of the cartridge unit and how many additional ink cartridges come with the pack.

Size

If you think that your hands can hold any size pen, you should think twice. Comfort is one of the biggest factors when buying a fountain pen, and this is especially true for doctors who use pens all of the time. If you have small and slender fingers, you should pick a pen that will accommodate that and vice versa.

Nib

Nibs comes in three different sizes, and those are broad, medium, and fine. The size varies with the types of calligraphy ranging from bold to italics fonts. You should choose the nib accordingly to what and how you write. 

You can also pick between a wet nib and a dry nib. A dry nib dries up faster and has a more controlled ink flow, but writers suffer from a lack of elegance and smoothness when they’re writing with a dry nib. On the other hand, a wet nib allows for smooth and flawless calligraphy, but the problem is that the ink often bleeds through the paper or takes too long to dry.

Material

Fountain pens are usually made out of titanium, platinum, ABS plastic, stainless steel, or gold plated. Make sure you pick a non-corrosive material that is also durable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Fountain Pens Leak?

Yes, fountain pens can leak, and some leak more than others. The reason for this is that there isn’t a regulator of how much ink flows out as there is with ballpoint pens. With a fountain pen, the ink is meant to flow freely. The quality of the pen is what determines how much leakage there is.

Are Fountain Pens Hard to Use?

It takes some level of skill to use fountain pens, but all you need is just a bit of practice. You already have an advantage if you’re used to writing with a regular pen.

Cleaning a Fountain Pen

To make sure that your fountain pen has a decent life span, you need to clean it the right way. Below, we’re going to offer you some cleaning tips.

1. Separate the pen into the different parts it’s made out of, including the cap, barrel, outer covering, ink case, and nib.
2. Soak the nib in water that’s warm to the touch. This will help get rid of any dirt that might be trapped in it. Make sure that the water is lukewarm instead of hot because hot water could cause damage to the nib. To get the nib well-cleaned, make sure that you take an hour or more to do it properly. If any dry dirt is still in the nib, use a soft bristle brush or clean cloth to wipe it away.
3. After the soaking period is done, remove the nib from the water, rinse it in warm water, and then dry it off. To absorb any excess water, use a clean cloth, and then leave it out to dry.
4. The last step is to put the pen back together and get back to writing with it.

Final Thoughts

Every doctor loves a good pen. They make great gifts for new medical school grads or even just as a “thank you” to your favorite physician. We hope that we have helped you narrow down your options and that one of these pens will be the best pen for your doctor.