Comments on: Ballpoint, Rollerball, or Gel: Which Pen is Best for You? http://www.tigerpens.co.uk/blog/ballpoint-rollerball-or-gel-which-pen-is-best-for-you/ Pen and Pencil news from around the world Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:17:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: TonyB http://www.tigerpens.co.uk/blog/ballpoint-rollerball-or-gel-which-pen-is-best-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-59 TonyB Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:43:40 +0000 http://tigerpens.co.uk/blog/?p=547#comment-59 I've heard quite a bit about Zebras, but haven't used one yet. They're on my list of pens to try. The problem I have with fountain pens is that my pen use is more often done on the fly than sitting at my desk -- probably about 65/35 -- and FPs don't strike me as a "field" kind of pen. I prefer pens that I can mistreat, including occasionally chewing, and stick in a pocket without having to worry that it will leak all over me. So far, the G2 fits that bill pretty well. I just wish it had a wider grip. I think my dream pen would have the firm click-action and smooth flow of the G2, and a barrel the size of the Bic XXL, except with a gel grip instead of foam. And since we're dreaming, it also would have a sleek black lacquer and stainless steel design, like a Parker, for the price of a disposable. I’ve heard quite a bit about Zebras, but haven’t used one yet. They’re on my list of pens to try. The problem I have with fountain pens is that my pen use is more often done on the fly than sitting at my desk — probably about 65/35 — and FPs don’t strike me as a “field” kind of pen. I prefer pens that I can mistreat, including occasionally chewing, and stick in a pocket without having to worry that it will leak all over me. So far, the G2 fits that bill pretty well. I just wish it had a wider grip. I think my dream pen would have the firm click-action and smooth flow of the G2, and a barrel the size of the Bic XXL, except with a gel grip instead of foam. And since we’re dreaming, it also would have a sleek black lacquer and stainless steel design, like a Parker, for the price of a disposable.

]]> By: Tony Belding http://www.tigerpens.co.uk/blog/ballpoint-rollerball-or-gel-which-pen-is-best-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-58 Tony Belding Sun, 20 Dec 2009 14:30:49 +0000 http://tigerpens.co.uk/blog/?p=547#comment-58 If you peer closely at ballpoint writing samples, it's remarkable just how messy and nasty they can be. I haven't experienced the clumping or skipping with good quality gel ink refills, unless they are getting old. Pilot G2s are good and available everywhere; Zebra JFs are better but harder to find. These are generally interchangeable with Schmidt rollerball refills, they can be used in the same pens. In my opinion, gel ink can and should displace liquid rollerballs completely. My top choice is still for a fountain pen, though. The Pelikan 200 and Lamy 2000 are a couple of my favorite mid-price choices. You can move up or down from there, as your budget and preferences dictate. There is also waterproof, archival and tamper-proof security ink now available for fountain pens, thanks to Noodlers. I suggest avoiding cartridges, as your choice of ink would be quite limited. All the really good stuff comes in bottles. If you peer closely at ballpoint writing samples, it’s remarkable just how messy and nasty they can be.

I haven’t experienced the clumping or skipping with good quality gel ink refills, unless they are getting old. Pilot G2s are good and available everywhere; Zebra JFs are better but harder to find. These are generally interchangeable with Schmidt rollerball refills, they can be used in the same pens. In my opinion, gel ink can and should displace liquid rollerballs completely.

My top choice is still for a fountain pen, though. The Pelikan 200 and Lamy 2000 are a couple of my favorite mid-price choices. You can move up or down from there, as your budget and preferences dictate.

There is also waterproof, archival and tamper-proof security ink now available for fountain pens, thanks to Noodlers. I suggest avoiding cartridges, as your choice of ink would be quite limited. All the really good stuff comes in bottles.

]]> By: Alberto http://www.tigerpens.co.uk/blog/ballpoint-rollerball-or-gel-which-pen-is-best-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Alberto Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:58:51 +0000 http://tigerpens.co.uk/blog/?p=547#comment-57 Well written informative post that is sure to clear some misconceptions and faciliate selection decisions. Well written informative post that is sure to clear some misconceptions and faciliate selection decisions.

]]> By: TonyB http://www.tigerpens.co.uk/blog/ballpoint-rollerball-or-gel-which-pen-is-best-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-56 TonyB Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:54:52 +0000 http://tigerpens.co.uk/blog/?p=547#comment-56 What kind of fountain pen do you carry with you for daily use? What kind of fountain pen do you carry with you for daily use?

]]> By: greg http://www.tigerpens.co.uk/blog/ballpoint-rollerball-or-gel-which-pen-is-best-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-55 greg Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:56:57 +0000 http://tigerpens.co.uk/blog/?p=547#comment-55 None of the above- why compromise when you can use a fountain pen? greg None of the above- why compromise when you can use a fountain pen?

greg

]]>