Bic is a brand I always opt for when buying pens because I just find cheaper brands don't offer the dependable quality that Bic does.

Bix isn't exactly going to break the bank but they do often come up more expensive with fewer pens in a pack. For this reason I've tried Tesco/Sainsbury/Wilkinson own pens and always been deeply disappointed. You always end up throwing the majority of them out and it is just a big waste of time for everyone involved. As a result I have decided to stick exclusively to Bic, but that doesn't mean I won't shop around for the cheapest deal.

Like most biros this is a standard clear plastic tube with many edges. It has a black/blue stopper in the end depending on which colour you go for and matching lid which sits on top. Underneath there is a copper coloured metal nib and inside a clear plastic tube which holds the ink. I find these pens are very sturdy and definitely stand the test of time being battered around in my back and being chewed.

I also find them really great for writing. They work very smoothly, rarely leak or produce splodges and are pretty much smudge free. The only thing I think they are less suited to is drawing which I do a fair bit off. If you do draw there are other pens from bic which are better suited to this kind of activity.

You can usually get a multi-pack of 4 for around £1, though I have found them in poundland now which guarantees you get them at that low price. That makes it roughly 25p a pen but for the quality and the longevity that these pens offer it really is worth the extra money. They last me ages, hardly ever have issues with them and rarely need replacing.

Overall, these are my biro of choice.