A pen is one of the few gifts that is used every day and kept for decades. A good one marks a moment, a graduation, a wedding, a first job, a retirement, and then carries on being useful long after. Here is how to choose one that fits the person.
Start with the person, not the pen
Ask yourself three questions:
- How do they write? Long letters and journals, quick notes, or mostly signatures?
- How do they carry things? Desk, briefcase, shirt pocket, travel bag?
- What do they love? Craft and heritage, modern design, or something that changes over time?
Matching the metal to the person
- The romantic: pure copper. It darkens with every page they write, so the pen becomes a record of the years since you gave it. Try the 137C in copper.
- The traveller: titanium. Light, tough and never tarnishes. Try the 100C in titanium, short enough for a pocket.
- The classicist: copper and brass together, two warm tones that age at different speeds, as in the 137C CuBr.
- The minimalist: a matte black PVD finish such as the Magneto PVD Black, with a magnetic cap that clicks shut.
- The note-taker: a slim, light pen like the Magnum R roller, or a jotter for lists and margins.
For a fuller comparison, see copper, brass or titanium.
Fountain pen or roller pen?
A fountain pen is the more personal gift and the more beautiful line, but it asks for a little care. If the person has never used one, include our beginner's guide with the gift, or choose a roller pen: the same weight and finish, with a Schmidt refill and no filling.
Choosing a nib for someone else
If you don't know their handwriting, choose medium. It suits most people and most paper. Choose fine for someone with small handwriting or who writes on thin office paper.
Make it complete
- A bottle of ink in a colour they'll enjoy. Brown or sepia tones look wonderful with copper.
- A notebook with fountain-pen-friendly paper of 80 gsm or more.
- A handwritten note, written with the pen itself before you wrap it, so the nib is already flowing when they open it.
Engraving and personalisation
A name, initials or a date turns a fine pen into an heirloom. Personalised pens can't usually be returned unless they have a manufacturing defect, so double-check spelling before you order. Write to us to ask about engraving on a particular STEX model.
For milestones: special editions
For a wedding, a significant birthday or a festive gift, a special edition says something a single pen can't. The STEX Exclusive Editions are single pieces, 01/01 in the world: hand-painted devotional sets for Hanuman (Pawansut), Krishna (Nathji), Venkateshwar and the Arihant, and Ganesha sets in teak with a copper inkwell. The Limited Editions are small numbered runs, such as Astakona, a gold-plated pen with an 18-carat gold nib and an engraved ink pot. Each is made by hand, so enquire early for a date. If you have your own idea for a pen, send it to the workshop.
Corporate gifts
Pens remain one of the most-kept corporate gifts because they're used daily, in view of others. For gifts to a team or clients, choose one model in one or two finishes, consider a logo or name engraving, and allow time for making. Contact us with quantities and dates.
Sending a pen abroad
Every STEX order ships free with tracking, anywhere in the world. Visitors in India see and pay in rupees; everywhere else sees and pays in US dollars. Import duties, if any, are set by the destination country.
Questions people ask
Is a fountain pen a good gift?
Yes. A well-made fountain pen is used every day and can last for decades, which makes it one of the most personal and lasting gifts, especially for milestones like graduations, weddings and new jobs.
What nib should I choose for a gift?
Choose a medium nib if you don't know the person's handwriting. It suits most hands and most paper.
Can I send a STEX pen as a gift outside India?
Yes. STEX ships free with tracking worldwide. Import duties, if any, are set by the destination country.
