Rollerballs write finer than a ball point but are they really that different when you get down to it? They both have ink in a tube that has a rolling ball on the end to lay down an inky line. I know most manufacturers make the Rollerballs with a removable cap and most ballpoints with a retractible tip but other the the design of the open and closing of the pen what sepparates them? I also think some are made both ways but I could be wrong.

I guess what I want to know is if you came across a brand of pen that you didn't know how they make thier BPs and RBs, how would you know which it is? Say at a garage sale. You find a pen and it has a twist mechanism but writes very fine and smooth. I guess you could pull it apart and check the insert but what is the true difference?

Random thoughts while truding through a slow day at work.

Charlie

A ballpoint uses a paste ink. Rollerballs use liquid ink (just like Fountain pen ink, with added paraffin as a lubricant). Rollerballs use a ceramic sphere, ballpoints a steel sphere. Rollerball refills will dry if left exposed to the air (uncapped). Ballpoints won't.

Nice. Leave it to the pros to explain quickly, easily and clearly.

Well, I'm impressed.

t!

I always wondered the same, guess it's a solved doubt

Now I've discovered why I prefer bp over rb

Wow! no wonder I don't like BP.