Much as ball points get slagged on this board, sometimes we have to use them. My standard carry at work is a FP/BP/MP combo, but its hard to justify spending big money on a BP/MP set to go with some of my better FPs. At the same time, it's hard to find a cheaper set that looks OK with the FPs.

And then there is the central gripe of Sheaffer BP users. No gel refills. Why should Parker owners have all the fun. The Parker gel BPs are great writers, as smooth as a roller ball and as smearproof as a ballpoint.

After the quiz a couple of weeks ago, I decided to buy an EVT set from Jim at PenHero.com (usual disclaimer applies). The idea of being able to use a Parker gel refill in a Sheaffer pen was hard to resist.

The pens are 5 1/4 inches long and about the same diameter as a Bic Stic. The rubberized padded model I got is comfortable to hold and the Swedish design is sharp looking.

These are pens that can sit in my pocket next to my Legacy 2 or my stainless Triumph Imperial and not look out of place.

If this is the new low-end Sheaffer strategy — adapting other folks' designs and putting the Sheaffer name on them — this isn't a bad start.