In this video I run through my 2025 Pen of the Year Awards—about 19 pens I either picked up or reviewed this year—across a bunch of fun categories, finishing with the single pen that stood above everything else for me. I start with a few non-fountain pens that genuinely made an impact: the Uniball Zento Signature refill that became impossible to find, Tom’s Studio Wren as a pocketable fibre tip that takes fountain pen ink, and a pair of Wingback everyday-carry tanks (their mechanical pencil and mechanical pen). Then it’s fountain pens: my “wooden spoon” disappointment (the Jinhao 10 that dried out on me), my budget winner (Majohn B25), and my surprise hit (Hongdian M2). I also call out my best EDC (Wingback stainless steel fountain pen), my workhorse (Pilot Custom Heritage 912 medium), and the pen that “sparks joy” (Platypus Pens Model 2 with that twist pump system). From there it’s the fun stuff—Gravitas Monster for pure ridiculous enjoyment, form-and-function winners (Diplomat Viper and Fifty4T Titan), plus my Chinese Pen of the Year (Asvine J16) and Australian Pen of the Year (Pens by Casey Kimono). And yes: my Pen of the Year was an unfair fight—the Pelikan M1000. It’s expensive, but it’s a journaling joy machine that makes me want to write.