Ok I admit, I have been oogling at pens for the past 3days now and after walking into a REAL pen shop just hours ago, i'm now convinced! Im so new at this I don't even know WHAT to look out for; Heritage(like watches)? Weight(heavier is better?)?? Material (resin?) Or a cosmetically-pleasing shell since its the ink inside that matters?

Anyways, made a decision that i will be buying my first rollerball (i know, i know it's not a fountain...) over the weekend. A little about myself first. I'm a financial consultant with a bank and would require a versatile (not-too-mention, fuss-free that doesn't spill on my front pocket) and somewhat impressive (not with dragons) pen that lends gravity to the crucial moment. Hence, i came upon the rollerball; love the smooth wet ink too, hate the ballpoint...

The question is WHICH one:
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Let me first begin to share what i have learned this evening at the shops. Perhaps you all could share with me what you think. I would be most appreciative of all comments. My most humble ears await.

-The shop owners seemed to have an opinion on such a pen for such an occasion. "Black and silver/platinum for the sober occasion," they all tell. What do YOU think?



I AM THORN BETWEEN these rollerballs three:
(Recommendatons for others are most welcomed of course.)
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1. VISCONTI - VAN GOGH
Black, check. Silver, check. Wish there were a little bit more decorative elements. But I can't fault this one.

2. MONT BLANC - Starwalker
I like the weight, i like the floating star cap thing. It's elegant without being flashy. Yet succintly modern... I have no idea why the snobs turn their noses at MONT BLANC but I would like to find out now.

3. DELTA - DOLCE VITA.
I simply cannot resist the orange. I know black/silver is what i SHOULD but my heart says this.... Feels a little light though. And plastic?


****AND WHAT I SHOULD BE CHECKING WHEN PURCHASING A BRAND NEW PEN?*****

Ok there i have spoken enough. Please let me know what you all think.

Fred

With your screen name, you should go right for the Montblanc Kafka. You have to see it in person to appreciate it.

First, toss out the notion that "heavier is better" - simply isn't true. The only time a heavier pen is better is if you personally prefer one that is heavy. But weight has nothing to do with quality. If anything, more effort and better design often goes into pens made of celluloid or resin ("plastic") than into brass barreled pens. One very telling thing - most cheap pens that are rip-offs of the pricey brands, are brass barreld with laquer coatings.

There are, of course, very good pens that are heavy. Some of the Rotring models come to mind. But don't let that be a big part of your decision unless you just like a heavy pen. Most people find a heavy pen to cause fatigue if used for more than a few minutes at a time.

Size is a similar issue - if you like a large pen - buy one. But don't consider it an indicator of quality.

Fortunately, large pens can be heavy or light depending on the manufacturer and materials used.

Actually - I don't think objections to MB are "snobbery" for the most part. I'd suggest doing a search here on the forum for discussions about MB pens and you'll see the pros and cons of these pens. The crux of the matter is - many people feel the cost for the pens is far greater than the quality and that cost is based on exclusivity and marketing, not materials/cost of production. But many of us appreciate MBs on some level. I don't own one and have no desire to - but there are many of the writers' models that I like. The Kafka is, IMO, one of their better recent designs but some consider it ugly.

Black/silver is understated and I suppose for a funeral (sober occasion) it's appropriate. But I personally see nothing wrong with the striking looks of the Dolce Vita, the Kafka, or any other pen that isn't black with "silver" furniture. could be because I'm a guuurl though.

All three pens you listed are good pens. Though you could get some color and still be have understated looks in a Pelikan. (625 I think - blue with silver furniture)

pics from Cajun Pens (no affiliation, just one of many sellers)
http://www.cajunpen.com/html/pelikan_m600.html

KCat - who needs to alter her signature to read KCat the Pelikan Pusher.

Fred,

There is only one criteria on which you should decide to buy a pen, and that is if you feel comfortable writing with it.

I am as happy writing with a beat up user grade pen that I gained from eBay for a song as I am with and expensive remanufactured Parker "51" Vacumatic.

Pens I don't like writing with I either don't buy, adjust to my liking or sell on, simple as that. You should by the pen you like the feel of when writing with it. Writing first, looks second in my book.

With a rollerball, the quality of the writing experience will be only as good as the refill. So first check that out, try before you buy! The pen bit is then only the container, so does that feel comfortable, weight and size is all about comfort, does it come to hand well, does it give you control.

Hope this helps,

Jim

JimStrutton wrote:

There is only one criteria on which you should decide to buy a pen, and that is if you feel comfortable writing with it.

I could not agree more! And you are also reflecting your personal taste. Why does a pen for business have to be somber? Do you work in an environment where dress and accesory standards hopelessly rigid? Is the signing of a business contract not a time to celebrate? I also LOVE the Dolce Vita colors, and I think the pen conveys a special statement about the owner. Besides, I like Delta writing instruments. For business, one of my main concerns would be reliability. I hve found MB refills to be highly UNreliable, especially the RB refills which tend to dry out super fast. Delta refills do not dry out quickly.

Just my two cents. Good luck.

If it ain't comfortable, you ain't gonna use it...
Have you ever gotten a nice pair of shoes that you really likes the looks of... then over the coarse of a couple of weeks, they just did not feel right.... where are they now... probably at the back of the closet..
The same thing will happen to a pen that looks great, but does not feel right or comfortable when you write with it for an extended period of time.
Next comes looks... forget about the somber banker look garbage. Buy a pen that is comfortable to write with and looks like what you want... if it is an orange celluloid or plastic and it feels good in your hand... GO FOR IT...
As KCat said, heavier does not make better. I prefer a lighter pen. I have a couple of heavy pens, but I don't find myself using them as much. My favorite extended period writing pens are all vintage..
They include Sheaffer Balance and Vacs and Parker 51 and 21 (YES JIM, I SAID PARKER !!!!!). Of course these are not rollerball pens.

Maybe I misunderstood, but aren't you looking for a pen that your customer will be using to sign documents?

What are your customers like? What is your institution like?

If your institution is in the suburbs, in a neighborhood, where people come in wearing bluejeans or shorts and tee shirts, a black Mont Blanc just might be seen as over the top, off-putting, maybe even a little scary. In that case, maybe a lighter weight pen in color would help them feel more comfortable. Pick one with a grip size that an average or smaller person will find comfortable -- smaller Pelikan, for example. A pen like this communicates friendliness, interest in the customer, and defuses the more threatening aspects of dealing with a Financial Planner down at The Bank.

If your institution is in a "financial district" somewhere, and the customers are well-heeled, come in dressed for business, and are serious folks, maybe they will prefer to use their own pens. If you are wanting to have one on hand "just in case,"
maybe it should be one that will not risk upstaging the customer or subtly putting him or her down by making it look like you are inflating your own importance. A good choice might be a Parker Duofold International rollerball, in basic black or in a plain blue or green color. Even a pinstripe would be ok. Just don't pick one of the more flamboyant patterned styles. These pens have a nice size for the average hand, and a substantial feel to them. They communicate that you are a serious person too, and will not make you look like a Philistine.

Just pick something that does not draw attention to itself, given the customers and the surroundings. This is about the customer, it isn't about the pen and it isn't about you.

O.K. here is my input. I also love rollerballs as much as FP's.

Montblanc:
People like me do not turn our noses up at them; it's more like we
totally turn away from them. They are nice classic pens and like the Starwalker
I admit it's nice to look at but for the money there are much better pens.



Van Gogh:
I am a big fan of Visconti's. I also own a Maxi FP. Out of your three choices it's the
one I would pick. For me it's also the limit of weight I want for a pen. I use to
be a fan of weighty pens but I have come to appreciate a lighter pen. I do not
like the feeling of a pen hanging in my shirt pocket reminding me every minute
that it's there with it's weight.

Also, if you are a 2 page plus writer, weighty pens are generally fatiguing. Omas
Ogiva, Aurora Optima, Aurora 88 and Pelikan 800 series pens are a few made on
the light side for their size just for that reason.

Delta:
Nothing bad to say just that it's a tad heavy and a tad too expensive for a rollerball
Fahrney's Pens however has it on sale for $200.



My picks, not from hear say just my experience:

Refills is what makes a rollerball and the best and smoothest rollerball refills
are Pelikans. The Chrome trim M605 and M805 pens are very classy and good
looking.

Aurora Talentum is tie for looks compared to the Pelikan. Aurora also makes
outstanding refills and a 5 year warranty.

Conklin on looks alone make awesome pens. The resin colors a build quality is
tops especially for the money. Also, excellent rollerball refills.


What to look for:

When you wrote Montblanc this came to mind immediately! WARRANTY. After
only a year on most of their pens they sit in peoples drawers at home including
me with a #146. Any kind of repair is expensive and not that they break easily
but if you are buying for the long haul to use everyday you will need them some
time, maybe.
This is where and why people turn away from them. You break your Montblanc
you will pay dearly to get it fixed with no sympathy from them and after you
already paid the buying price in the first place!!!

Conklin and Pelikan:

Lifetime Warranty !!!! You break your pen and everyone, some admittedly
and some not, drops their pen, screws the cap on to tight etc. and dang you
got a crack in it.

This pen was dropped and the body had a 1" crack in it. Pelikan replaced the body
of the pen with a turn around time of 1 day, sent back to me Fed-Ex at their expense, no questions asked!!
See here. Pelikan M605 Rollerball

Hops this helps. I would like to know what you end up getting!!!!

Scott.

The Kafka is really beautiful, but the point about the warranty is an excellent one.

I was in your position not too long ago. I am a branch manager for a bank and was looking for a rollerball to use at the office. I chose a MontBlanc Starwalker rollerball and a Waterman Carene - black. Although I have purchases several fountain pens since then, I still love these pens and use them often.

I am a big fan of silver and black for business pens. I agree that you need to go and write with all of the pens on your list and choose the one that feels right to you.

As a follow-up note, I have had no problems with the MB roller refills.