When To Use And Not To Use Roller Ball Pen?

[TechnicGeek]

Hi! I have diary where I write personal things and journal about general stuff. Wonder if roller ball pen would be suitable for documenting. I know that it has water-based ink and I used that one in the past I remeber. The result was that some water that spilled from glass and got on diary later washed my writings. The pen I used was not exactly with roller ball end but it was something that reminds a blue wick but plastic one. I don't know the correct term.

 

Usually I use oil-based pens but wanted to switch to water-based roller ball pen because I heard that is gives smoother writing experience reminding fountain pen which I like but I don't think it's something I would take with me constantly. I am trying to look at this logically since diary is something I would probably want to look back to in the future and I don't know how will water-based ink hold on. Like I said, the pen I used once with it's water-based ink that washed out writings in my diary did not have that edge like roller ball pens do with rolling ball so I wonder if some of you here write with water inks in their diaries.

 

Since this is general forum, I wonder if there is more appropriate forum here to discuss this sort of thing. I also want to talk about scrapbooks and journals. By the way, can anyone give me case scenarios when to use and not to use roller ball pen?

 

We can have this discussion going here but it will be kind of you to point me to correct forum.

 

Thanks

Edited May 7, 2015 by TechnicGeek

[fiberdrunk]

If you like roller ball pens, I'd recommend using the Noodler's Nib Creeper roller ball. You can fill it with bottled ink that is waterproof and more permanent. Noodler's makes many inks which are archival, waterproof, fadeproof and perfect for a journal you hope to keep for the long-haul (look for their inks that are labelled "bulletproof" or "eternal" for the most permanent ones).

[Bklyn]

If you like roller ball pens, I'd recommend using the Noodler's Nib Creeper roller ball. You can fill it with bottled ink that is waterproof and more permanent. Noodler's makes many inks which are archival, waterproof, fadeproof and perfect for a journal you hope to keep for the long-haul (look for their inks that are labelled "bulletproof" or "eternal" for the most permanent ones).

This is a fascinating pen. I am tempted to pick one up which is interesting because I never thought that I would use anything else but a FP. I must admit that I do , occasionally, use a Pilot Precise in Bold. Lovely wet line.

[shawndp]

OP - my two fav rollerball pens are the Retro 51 Tornado and the Lamy Tipo - both see action at work for invoices that are carbonless duplicate or quick signing parts slips. I don't think either has ink failure due to water exposure but am less certain about the ink formulation in them.

 

Not all water based ink washes away with water - I have an ink that I exposed to water / petrol / diesel / brake fluid / WD-40 and it wouldn't erase - Bad Blue Heron. Maybe get yourself a bottle of that and a couple of $2 Hero pens (with their hooded needle type nibs they are quite robust).

[Runnin_Ute]

I only use rollerball or ballpoint pens on carbonless forms.The rest of the time I use fountain pens.

Edited July 19, 2015 by Runnin_Ute

[maus930]

duplicate forms require a ball point --

[ScienceChick]

If you like roller ball pens, I'd recommend using the Noodler's Nib Creeper roller ball. You can fill it with bottled ink that is waterproof and more permanent. Noodler's makes many inks which are archival, waterproof, fadeproof and perfect for a journal you hope to keep for the long-haul (look for their inks that are labelled "bulletproof" or "eternal" for the most permanent ones).

 

+1 for the Nib Creaper roller ball. It's not a "quality" pen like the Retro 51 but mine has held up for over a year with no problems other than leaking into the cap when it's stashed point down.

[TechnicGeek]

 

+1 for the Nib Creaper roller ball. It's not a "quality" pen like the Retro 51 but mine has held up for over a year with no problems other than leaking into the cap when it's stashed point down.

 

What affects leaking of rollerball pen?

[shawndp]

Air in the reservoir heats up and expands, pushing the ink out I imagine...

[ScienceChick]

And storing it point down

[TechnicGeek]

This does not happen to all rollerball pens, does it? There must be factors like build quality of ink chamber to withstand internal pressure? So far, does not sound like rollerball would be something to give with diary. I don't want someone to get messy with leaking ink.

 

I have found good threads in forum I wanted to reply but they are old, like 3-4 years old. What is policy on "reactivating" old threads? I prefer personally to reply to existing threads and not creating new which clutters forum. Plus I get a chance to get reply from member I wished addressed my question.

[NinthSphere]

I have found good threads in forum I wanted to reply but they are old, like 3-4 years old. What is policy on "reactivating" old threads? I prefer personally to reply to existing threads and not creating new which clutters forum. Plus I get a chance to get reply from member I wished addressed my question.

 

Much more relaxed than the majority of forums I've been on. Go for it. The main issue is that some participants in a thread may have fallen off of the planet.

[fly_us]

If you like roller ball pens, I'd recommend using the Noodler's Nib Creeper roller ball. You can fill it with bottled ink that is waterproof and more permanent. Noodler's makes many inks which are archival, waterproof, fadeproof and perfect for a journal you hope to keep for the long-haul (look for their inks that are labelled "bulletproof" or "eternal" for the most permanent ones).

Just wondering how to flush this pen if i want to change the ink? Really nice concept, i might get some to try.

Edited August 18, 2015 by fly_us

[sandy101]

I find the uni-ball 157 quite adequate as a waterproof rollerball ink. In some cases it seems that the ink is holding the paper together, no matter how wet it gets. Basically, the ink survived long enough to make a copy, even though the paper didn't.

[TechnicGeek]

I find the uni-ball 157 quite adequate as a waterproof rollerball ink. In some cases it seems that the ink is holding the paper together, no matter how wet it gets. Basically, the ink survived long enough to make a copy, even though the paper didn't.

 

This sounds like some kind of coat is created after ink is applied and dried that made paper a little rigid under and around that area.