Rollerball or Ball Point?

[JTChlup]

I have so far only bought Waterman fountains and one pencil. I thought a 'normal' pen might be a good idea, but I cannot decide which would be better: rollerball or ball point. Any suggestions? Do they feel different writing?

[KnightofNi13]

They feel very different. Go out and buy a Bic and a cheap roller ball and try them. The rollerball writes fairly freely, like a fountain pen. A ball point requires more pressure, and because it uses an oil-based ink rather than a water-based, it is very resistant. Honestly, a good rollerball should write as well as an expensive fountain pen. Other than that, it is all up to you and how it feels in your hand. Get what you like, but I'd suggest the rollerball.

Edited December 17, 2009 by KnightofNi13

[penspouse]

Rollerball!

[Ernst Bitterman]

I've just done a comparison of FP, RB and BP: Judge for yourself:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/takematsu/PressureTest.jpg

 

"Somewhat more" pressure is "I am going to get my money's worth out of this flex point."

 

"Lots more" pressure is "I want to destroy this point, possibly breaking off a tine."

 

The line under the fountain pen test is from the pen making a mark under only its own weight. I tried that with the other two....

Edited December 17, 2009 by Ernst Bitterman

[bluemagister]

Go with a nice gel pen. Preferably something in a 0.5mm. Signo makes a 0.38mm gel pen (the Signo DX) that is a joy to write with. You can find them at Jetpens. You can also get gel refills for a lot of fine pens out there.

[plateaugal]

Ernst, your comparisons are dramatic. What gel were you using? I wonder if others are much better, such as the Signo DX recommended by bluemagister.

 

-Jenny

[Jeff E]

Waterman uses a proprietary refill for their ballpoint pens. Their rollerballs on the other hand use international refills. This opens quite a few possibilities. The Pilot G-2 refill fits very nicely. I vote for the rollerball.

[View from the Loft]

As far as possible I use my FP. However, for some NCR forms, I can't - and that's when my rollerball comes out. BTW, I find the standard Parker rollerball refill writes much better than the gel one does.

[RayMan]

Go with a nice gel pen. Preferably something in a 0.5mm. Signo makes a 0.38mm gel pen (the Signo DX) that is a joy to write with. You can find them at Jetpens. You can also get gel refills for a lot of fine pens out there.

 

I agree. I much prefer a gel. I've had regular rollerballs bleed through certain papers. Never had any bleeding with a gel.

[biffybeans]

Rollerball/Gel pen inks are typically water based and much smoother to write with than a ballpoint which uses an oil based ink - more pressure is requires to get the ball on a ballpoint to turn which is often why you see indentations on the reverse of the paper. I have 99 cent Uniball Signo pens that write almost as smoothly as a fountain pen.

 

I have so far only bought Waterman fountains and one pencil. I thought a 'normal' pen might be a good idea, but I cannot decide which would be better: rollerball or ball point. Any suggestions? Do they feel different writing?

[KnightofNi13]

Go for a cheap rollerball. Go to instructables.com and find the "How to" make a cheap Montblanc rollerball using a MB refill and a G2. I made a few and I love mine!

[Pen Nut]

I use an Edson fountain pen as my first choice but when it just cant be a FP my second weapon is an Edson rollerball. Refill wise I switch between Schmidt & Rotring but also modify G2 refills and manage to get them in a Montblanc 162 Le Grande pen. My ballpen experience is limited but do like the Parker Gel refill as a good drop in replacement.

[bluemagister]

I have an extensive collection of rollerball and gel pens and I have to say that if you're looking for a "fine" pen that doesn't look like a disposable, a Waterman rollerball is not going to disappoint. However, Office Depot has their Foray line and you can get some nice pens with screw tops for $20 or even less on clearance (I recently picked one up for $4.99). These will use "Waterman" type refills, so go ahead and get a genuine Waterman refill and use it in the Foray to test it. If you like it, you'll be able to just get a pen body. If not, you've saved some money.