Red pens are, by their nature, statement pens. It’s hard to not take notice when one is on your desk or in a gentleman’s pocket. While a red pen can feel a bit ostentatious, it’s a great introduction to colored pens and branching out from the traditional blacks and blues, and other neutrals.
A red pen pen is also a great pen for special occasions, like the holidays. With the upcoming Yuletide approaching, a red pen has a certain level of festivity that’s still elegant enough to break out the eleven months that aren’t Christmas.
Here are our top picks.
Montegrappa Extra 1930 Red
What Montegrappa provides in the pen industry is consistency. For over a century, the Italian brand has created pens which harken back to their heritage and never feel too retro or too modern. The Extra 1930 is one such pen. With its red celluloid body and sterling silver trim with a Greek key adornment, this pen is a handsome entree for anyone looking for a red pen that will stand out but never be out of style. (€1,295 via Montegrappa)
Caran d’Ache Leman Rouge Carmin
A stand-out pen, the Caran d’Ache Leman has a unique beauty that is anything but subtle. With the guilloche design and the thin coat of red lacquer over its brass body, one gets the feeling of a fiery snake when holding this pen. And with its Swiss heritage, you know that the engineering and writing capabilities of this pen are unmatched for the price range. ($1,000 via Caran d’Ache)
Pilot Custom 845 Vermilion Urushi
Pilot’s Custom 845 in Vermilion Urushi is an extremely classic and handsome design that could fit anywhere from 2022 to the Mad Men era. We’re huge fans of Urushi around here and finding having this pen at less than $1,000 makes it a no-brainer for anyone who is looking for a quality pen that will last for years and feel timeless. And if you like a Japanese nib, Pilot’s have an unparalleled smoothness on their finer nibs. ($850 via Goulet Pens)
Otto Hutt design06 Red
As Otto Hutt continues to branch out in terms of design and color options, the design06 was a perfect stepping-stone for what the German brand is capable of achieving. While still sticking to their understated design philosophy, the Red 06 gives the impression of modernity while still being an extremely handsome metal pen that is impressive as it is well-designed. And at its price, it’s one of the best deals you’ll find in the luxury market today. (€148.76 via Otto Hutt)
Graf von Faber-Castell Guilloche India Red
A more subtle cousin to the red guilloche Leman, the Graf von Faber-Castell model is the perfect option for someone who enjoys a thinner pen for storing and handling.GvFC makes truly exceptional quality pens at a price point that’s achievable for many, while still putting out eye-catching colorways. The India Red is a vibrant red which embodies the mystique and beauty of the subcontinent, while the silver trim only adds to the glamour of owning this pen. ($415 via Graf von Faber-Castell)
