Why a pen makes the perfect practical and lasting Father’s Day gift

June 2, 2025

I don’t know about you, but choosing a Father’s Day gift is always a challenge. It can be hard to find something that is both meaningful and useful, often within a set budget. But, have you ever considered a pen?

I still own many pens that have been gifted to me over the years.

The Parker Jotter fountain pen I used throughout my time at school.
A Fisher Bullet space pen that was given to me by my parents one birthday, years before I ever worked with pens. (still on its original refill, no less!)
The Lamy 2000 ballpoint pen my partner gave me as a gift one Christmas.

And the list goes on.

The point is, I still own these pens many years after receiving them as gifts. And I remember receiving them. They act as fond reminders of times past and of the people who gave them to me. I cannot say that about any socks or mugs I may have received over the years! And while novelty gifts may have their moment, it's the quality, lasting gifts that I cherish. I’d rather have something I can use regularly than something that’s just funny for a moment and then forgotten.

Now, everyone loves a joke gift now and then, and I’m not discouraging them! But there is something special about receiving an item that will get lots of use during your lifetime. Unlike some gifts that get stashed away in a drawer, a pen finds a place on your desk or in your pocket, and that's great!. A good pen is a daily companion. Whether jotting down to-do lists, taking notes during meetings, or signing important documents, a quality pen offers a satisfying experience that a cheap throwaway (I’m looking at you, Bic!) cannot match.

So I say that a pen could be the perfect, practical Father's Day gift you have been looking for!

However, in reality, you will probably be gifting your dad a pen once in his lifetime (unless he is a collector or someone who is into the hobby), so it's important to get it right!

So here is a list of some of my favourites. My top picks:

Fisher Bullet—Great for geek dads (like myself) with an interest in space, NASA, etc. Also great for outdoor dads and those who need a reliable, write-anywhere kind of pen. Available in a range of colours, with and without clips. And most can be engraved.
Fisher Bullet Space Pen - .375 Bullet Casing. Same as above, but the case is an actual bullet casing!
Parker Jotter - A great timeless and practical option. Around since the late 1950s, you know this pen; you have probably seen or even owned one of these. Available in a range of styles, many of which can be engraved. Most fall into the sub-£20 range, and almost all of the ballpoints fall into the sub-£25 range, so they are a great budget option from a well-known brand without sacrificing quality. Also available in an XL version, same design just scaled up a bit. (Psssst, little tip: you can purchase a Fisher Space Pen refill to fit these. All the benefits of the Parker click action with the Fisher refill reliability!)
Kaweco Al Sport Fountain Pen - This is a pocketable raw aluminium fountain pen. Great for everyday carry and for those dads who prefer the feel of a fountain pen. Also available in plastic and brass. I just think the raw aluminum finish on this one is nice and should age well. (Read Patina!)

Hope you found this helpful. If you have any questions or want some help choosing a make or model of pen to gift this Father's Day, please contact our friendly customer service team, who will be happy to help you find that perfect pen!

*All prices are correct at the time of writing.