The most expensive inks are often rare, handcrafted traditional Japanese Sumi ink sticks (like Kobaien) which can cost over $1,000 for a single stick due to years of aging and labor. For modern inks, high-end fountain pen inks (like some Montblanc editions) and specialized colorants (like deep blue Ultramarine) are very costly by volume, though standard printer cartridges can surprisingly exceed the price of champagne per liter.
After researching 100 ink cartridges across some of the best printer brands, I discovered a shocking fact: the HP 65 Tri-Colour ink cartridge is one of the most expensive inks in the world, costing a staggering $9,995 per litre.
Most Expensive Pens in the World
Japanese calligraphy ink is expensive because the process is so delightful vintage and exclusive in that way that only seems to exist in Japan.
Yes, $100 a day (around ¥15,000 at current rates) is generally enough for a budget to mid-range traveler in Japan for food, local transport, and activities, especially if you stay in hostels/budget hotels, eat at convenience stores/local eateries, and limit expensive tours, but it can be tight for luxury experiences or significant shopping, requiring careful planning.
The "Japan 5-minute rule" refers to extreme punctuality, meaning you should arrive 5 minutes before a scheduled time (e.g., 9:55 AM for a 10:00 AM meeting) to be considered "on time," as being exactly on time is seen as late, showing respect and reliability; it's part of the Japanese concept of go-fun-mae koudou (five-minute prior action). This emphasis on being early is deeply cultural, contrasting with many Western norms, and applies to business, appointments, and even trains, where delays over 5 minutes warrant apologies and certificates.
John F. Kennedy seems to have used a number of different pens: the Parker “45,” an Esterbrook fountain pen, and a Montblanc Meisterstück No. 149.
Albert Einstein used both a Pelikan 100 N and a Waterman Taper-cap Fountain Pen which he used to develop the Theory of Relativity. The Waterman pen is on display at the Boerhaave Museum in Leiden.
"CEO pen" refers to high-quality, executive-style writing instruments favored by business leaders, often luxurious brands like Montblanc, Parker, or Waterman, designed for authority and discernment, or it could be a specific promotional pen (like the "CEO Stylus Pen") or even the name of a person, such as Utpal Das, CEO of Pen India Group, or a company like National Pen Co.. These pens symbolize status and thoughtful communication in the digital age, from classic fountain pens to modern stylus hybrids.
Brand Premium: Like many other products, HP 923 and 923e ink cartridges carry a brand premium. Because HP is a trusted and reputable brand, the price of its ink cartridges is higher due to the perceived value of the brand.
What many don't realize is that scorpion venom is the most expensive liquid in the world. One liter can be sold for around $10 million — and it provides an immediate benefit to humans.
And you're not imagining things. Printer toner/ink is one of the most expensive liquids on the planet. It's worth more per ounce than gold.
The top luxury pen brands consistently recognized for heritage, craftsmanship, and fine materials include Montblanc, Caran d'Ache, Graf von Faber-Castell, Montegrappa, and Japanese brands like Pilot (Namiki), and Sailor, often alongside esteemed names like Pelikan, Waterman, and Aurora, with each offering unique styles from traditional elegance to modern innovation and investment potential.
👉 In short, the high price of HP 68 and 68e ink cartridges is a result of HP's business model, advanced chip technology, and quality control. While the upfront cost may seem steep, the cartridges are designed to provide consistent, reliable printing.
Herbin is widely described as the oldest fountain pen ink brand in the world, with origins dating back to 1670.
Pens matter. People write zillions of articles about what pens successful people use. According to eagle eyes on Reddit, Bill Gates writes with a simple fine point Uni-ball Deluxe.
Queen Elizabeth II famously used the Parker 51 fountain pen for much of her reign, a model she favored for its reliability, leading to Parker receiving a Royal Warrant in 1962 as a supplier to the Royal Household. She was pictured with this iconic pen, known as "the world's most wanted pen," for decades, and it's seen in the Netflix series The Crown.
So why is the Lamy 2000 such a great workhorse? In short, because it ticks all of the boxes: understated design, light weight and good balance, the ability to post, a good nib that's not too wet, and a large ink capacity.
Parker has a tradition of commemorating royal milestones with limited-edition versions of some of its most iconic pens, whether it’s the Parker 105 made to celebrate the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981 or the Golden Jubilee Accession Duofold in 2002.
According to a 2018 article in Popular Science, “Carter boasted he could read 2,000 words a minute with 95 percent comprehension.” An advertisement for a speed-reading class in Australia claims that Carter read three thousand wpm and Kennedy five thousand (the reading equivalent of “Saul hath slain his thousands, and ...
US president Donald Trump has a well-known preference for using Sharpies to sign official government documents, as he did when he gave autographs. According to John Bolton, Trump once likened Taiwan to the tip of a Sharpie.
The Japanese 80% rule, known as "Hara Hachi Bu", is a Confucian principle advising people to stop eating when they feel about 80% full, not completely stuffed, to support health and longevity. This practice encourages mindful eating, helps prevent overeating, and is linked to lower rates of illness and longer lifespans, particularly observed in Okinawan centenarians. It involves slowing down during meals, listening to your body's fullness cues, and appreciating food as fuel rather than indulging to the point of discomfort.
Thanks to a historically weak yen, the U.S. dollar goes quite far in Japan, making food, local transport, and cultural sites surprisingly affordable, though high-end hotels and bullet trains still cost significantly in dollar terms; expect about 155-156 yen per dollar, allowing for cheap convenience store snacks, budget ramen for around $10, and museum entries under $5, making it a great value trip for U.S. travelers.