In the upper half of the image above, you see my MontBlanc Mechanical Pencil. I’ve had it for about ten years, and I use it every day. It’s my go-to morning journaling pencil. Although this particular model is out of production, the replacement cost for the new MontBlanc Mechanical Pencil is now $575.
In the lower half of the image above, you can see my Paper Mate little red felt-tip pen. I use this instrument to edit what I write, and its something I also use daily. Its cost, when bought in a set of four, is $2.24.
The Mont Blanc pencil feels great in my hand, and it does motivate me to write every day. But the felt-tip pen? Well, it’s what makes me a better writer.
And therefore—although the Mont Blanc pencil is much more expensive—the little red felt-tip pen is my valuable writing instrument.