Head-to-head · Pens
Signo 207 Retractable Gel (12-pack) vs Safari Fountain Pen
Two picks from our home office catalog, compared side-by-side by price tier, features, and suggested uses.
Uni-ball
Signo 207 Retractable Gel (12-pack)
Typically under $25
The best sub-$2 pen. Fraud-resistant pigment ink, smooth without being gushy, and the grip actually helps on a long writing session. Buy the 12-pack; you'll lose most of them anyway.
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Lamy
Safari Fountain Pen
Typically under $50
The gateway fountain pen. Bulletproof German-made steel nib, ergonomic grip, and it uses standard ink cartridges. Check nib options and replacement parts before buying. If you journal by hand, this is the buy.
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At a glance
| Brand | Uni-ball | Lamy |
| Category | Pens | Pens |
| Price tier | budget | mid |
| Current price | Typically under $25 | Typically under $50 |
| Best for | accountant, developer, therapist, doctor, suit, teacher | creative, therapist |
Signo 207 Retractable Gel (12-pack)
Pros
- +Archival, fraud-resistant ink
- +Smooth 0.7mm gel
- +Comfortable grip
- +Under $1.50/pen
Cons
- −Not refillable practically
- −Ink takes ~5 sec to dry
Safari Fountain Pen
Pros
- +Lifetime-durable nib
- +Refillable + converter-compatible
- +Comfortable grip section
- +Iconic design
Cons
- −Grip shape divides opinions
- −Cartridges are proprietary size