Fisher Space Pen?

[79spitfire]

I used the refill in a Parker Jotter, it was OK. I found it to be kinda bloby and skipy. I went back to the Parker gel type refills. It did last and last, I never did use it up, just got tired of the bloby line!

 

 

I still have three of them, two bullets & a twist type one, and agree with spitfire that it has got bloby tendancies and is nothing to rave about. Whether or not it writes at extreme temps & underwater etc does not matter that much to me but being used at the roadside by emergency workers I dare say it has it uses. Please dont say you could use a penscil as I believe the Russians pointed this out at some point in the space race.

I'm not sure where that came from. Fisher invented the pen and NASA did use some, but it wasn't developed specifically for space use, I think he was just trying to make a better ballpoint. It happened to work in outer space as well!

 

According to this link The Russians used them too!

[Tweel]

I believe Fisher also makes refills compatible with Cross pens and some older Papermate pens.

Thanks for that -- it might be something else to try in my Wearever BP sometime (I really don't like the Papermate Lubriglide refill that's in it now).

 

Whether or not it writes at extreme temps & underwater etc does not matter that much to me but being used at the roadside by emergency workers I dare say it has it uses.

I'm not sure where that came from. Fisher invented the pen and NASA did use some, but it wasn't developed specifically for space use, I think he was just trying to make a better ballpoint. It happened to work in outer space as well!

:hmm1: Well, if NASA really does maintain roadside emergency workers in space, then I hope they'll stop by the Phobos-Grunt probe before it's too late!

[Pen Nut]

I believe Fisher also makes refills compatible with Cross pens and some older Papermate pens.

Thanks for that -- it might be something else to try in my Wearever BP sometime (I really don't like the Papermate Lubriglide refill that's in it now).

 

Whether or not it writes at extreme temps & underwater etc does not matter that much to me but being used at the roadside by emergency workers I dare say it has it uses.

I'm not sure where that came from. Fisher invented the pen and NASA did use some, but it wasn't developed specifically for space use, I think he was just trying to make a better ballpoint. It happened to work in outer space as well!

:hmm1: Well, if NASA really does maintain roadside emergency workers in space, then I hope they'll stop by the Phobos-Grunt probe before it's too late!

 

? NASA ? I was thinking more of a police officer writing out a ticket on a windswept/rainy highway and needing a pen that could cope with the odd raindrop on ballisic paper

[ofpwriter]

So now I've had it for few days: It met my expectations and then some. Hooray for impulse buys! I had seen reviews about the pen, but still I was a bit surprised how compact it really is. I'm constantly checking that it stays put wherever I carry it - and you can carry it pretty much everywhere because of the small size.

 

I would say it's really well made and the refill seems reliable and writes good for a ballpoint. Naturally, as others have said, you will be disappointed if you expect to behave as good as a good roller or a fountain pen. It's clearly a ballpoint. It does write on glass and (some) plastic, but the ink comes off easily. I haven't tried it in vacuum or zero gravity just yet, or even had the need to write anything under water. Mayby sometime next week...

 

About the NASA thing: They were looking replacement for pencils used in missions. Fisher developed a pen on it's own (and didn't use million dollars to do it) which then passed NASA's testing and became the pen used in space. I think starting from Apollo 7. Russians started to use it too at some poin.

 

Thanks for the replies!

 

- O

[mhphoto]

I believe Fisher also makes refills compatible with Cross pens and some older Papermate pens.

 

Edit: see here http://www.spacepen.com/refills.aspx

 

The Fine tip Cross compatible Fisher refills are smooth writers. I keep a blue one in my Century. It's much better than the stock Cross refill.

[Shinwah]

Since we are one the topic of ballpoint pens, I would like to know which is the most reliable and smooth refillable ballpoint pen I could use? Would it be a Parker, a Caran D'Ache Goliath a Cross or something else? My occupation sometimes requires me to write very quickly at speeds I fear damaging my fountain pen. I normally use a Mitsubishi Jetstream if it helps but I would like to switch to one I could refill.

Edited January 11, 2012 by Shinwah

[kaissa]

Since we are one the topic of ballpoint pens, I would like to know which is the most reliable and smooth refillable ballpoint pen I could use? Would it be a Parker, a Caran D'Ache Goliath a Cross or something else? My occupation sometimes requires me to write very quickly at speeds I fear damaging my fountain pen. I normally use a Mitsubishi Jetstream if it helps but I would like to switch to one I could refill.

 

Parker compatible refills will offer you the most variety. Caran D'Ache is also Parker compatible, simply known as G2 (not to be confused with Pilot G2 refills; a refill type for rollerballs based on gel) format. Cross compatible refills are also easy to find but not as easy as a Parker compatible. I would stay away from Sheaffer, Montblanc or Waterman as they offer proprietary refills.

 

There are also gel refills (water based instead of oil based ink) in ballpoint refill bodies. I love Visconti B blue refill for example. It is a very smooth writer, as much as a FP. I do not know a gel refill for Cross ballpoints other than a Monteverde refill.

 

Regards,

[Shinwah]

Since we are one the topic of ballpoint pens, I would like to know which is the most reliable and smooth refillable ballpoint pen I could use? Would it be a Parker, a Caran D'Ache Goliath a Cross or something else? My occupation sometimes requires me to write very quickly at speeds I fear damaging my fountain pen. I normally use a Mitsubishi Jetstream if it helps but I would like to switch to one I could refill.

 

Parker compatible refills will offer you the most variety. Caran D'Ache is also Parker compatible, simply known as G2 (not to be confused with Pilot G2 refills; a refill type for rollerballs based on gel) format. Cross compatible refills are also easy to find but not as easy as a Parker compatible. I would stay away from Sheaffer, Montblanc or Waterman as they offer proprietary refills.

 

There are also gel refills (water based instead of oil based ink) in ballpoint refill bodies. I love Visconti B blue refill for example. It is a very smooth writer, as much as a FP. I do not know a gel refill for Cross ballpoints other than a Monteverde refill.

 

Regards,

 

Thanks for the information ^_^

[stuartk]

I read old topics about the subject and someone mentioned that the refills don't last long. How long do those last? Longer than for example a Pilot G2 one? Have you managed to break one, and how much abuse did it take? Did I just spent too much money for yet another crummy ballpoint??

 

The Fisher Space Pen refills last far longer than I care to write with one. I've always found them to require a lot of effort to write with, plus the ink smears horribly since it takes longer than a normal ballpoint to dry. In addition, the refills always leak from one end or the other, or both.

 

Don't try to break one open. They're pressurized and make a big mess if you break the tip off or anything like that.

 

I have about a dozen different models of Space Pen, and I keep trying to like them for writing, but I always quickly put them down and reach for another pen instead.

 

I'd say they're a good choice if you spend a lot of time outdoors and need to write in inclement weather, or if you spend a lot of time in low or zero-gravity environments.

[rminj]

Since we are one the topic of ballpoint pens, I would like to know which is the most reliable and smooth refillable ballpoint pen I could use? Would it be a Parker, a Caran D'Ache Goliath a Cross or something else? My occupation sometimes requires me to write very quickly at speeds I fear damaging my fountain pen. I normally use a Mitsubishi Jetstream if it helps but I would like to switch to one I could refill.

 

Not sure if you can get close to the smoothness of the JetStream; isn't that a Gel pen?

 

I've tried almost every blue refill out there for my various pens; I like the Parker blue gels the most but

they are not water resistant..I used to write with the Parker regular medium blues but switched to a

Parker broad regular as they put more regular ink on the paper. Comparing the Parker broad blue and Fisher medium blue I preferred the Parker. That said the Fisher refill ink and line was quite good...the actual angle of the ballpoint was a bit different..it felt a bit scratching depending which

pen I used it in. I think it worked best (of course) in the Fisher space pen; it seemed ideal for the pen width.

 

My latest super refill that I am writing with; The Schmidt Easyflow 9000. It seems to combine some of the properties of the Fisher ink with a smooth even writing experience. Like a Cross between the Parker Ink and Fisher Ink. About as close to a gel as one can get with a regular ink refill..and it is waterproof. I can recommend them (parker compatible only I believe).

[Shinwah]

Since we are one the topic of ballpoint pens, I would like to know which is the most reliable and smooth refillable ballpoint pen I could use? Would it be a Parker, a Caran D'Ache Goliath a Cross or something else? My occupation sometimes requires me to write very quickly at speeds I fear damaging my fountain pen. I normally use a Mitsubishi Jetstream if it helps but I would like to switch to one I could refill.

 

Not sure if you can get close to the smoothness of the JetStream; isn't that a Gel pen?

 

I've tried almost every blue refill out there for my various pens; I like the Parker blue gels the most but

they are not water resistant..I used to write with the Parker regular medium blues but switched to a

Parker broad regular as they put more regular ink on the paper. Comparing the Parker broad blue and Fisher medium blue I preferred the Parker. That said the Fisher refill ink and line was quite good...the actual angle of the ballpoint was a bit different..it felt a bit scratching depending which

pen I used it in. I think it worked best (of course) in the Fisher space pen; it seemed ideal for the pen width.

 

My latest super refill that I am writing with; The Schmidt Easyflow 9000. It seems to combine some of the properties of the Fisher ink with a smooth even writing experience. Like a Cross between the Parker Ink and Fisher Ink. About as close to a gel as one can get with a regular ink refill..and it is waterproof. I can recommend them (parker compatible only I believe).

 

Thanks for your reply! It was very helpful to me. I think I will go with a Parker pen that uses the Schmidt refill. According to Kaissa, most pens are Parker compatible. For the Jetstream, I think it is special ink made to be smooth like gel but dry fast like a ballpoint.

[XiaoMG]

 

Thanks for your reply! It was very helpful to me. I think I will go with a Parker pen that uses the Schmidt refill. According to Kaissa, most pens are Parker compatible. For the Jetstream, I think it is special ink made to be smooth like gel but dry fast like a ballpoint.

 

The Jetstream is often called a 'hybrid' ink that is pretty waterproof and extremely lubricious without being liquid enough to cause problems where gel and liquid ink pens suffer. It also dries incredibly quick compared to most other inks. Great stuff. Only downside is that the larger pens are a little skippy and blobby (though far far far less than most ballpoints and vastly less than the Fishers). I use the 0.5mm version and can get effortless ultra-fine lines, finer than my 0.28mm Signo DXs can get. The big 1.0mm version is wonderfully smooth on paper, but I don't like the line consistency, especially when writing loops.

[rminj]

Yes..without getting too far off topic (sorry for hijacking the thread). I found my Parker refill compatible pens open me up to a wide variety of refills; including the Fisher pen refills (use the plastic cap/converter that comes with all Fisher refills). For example the Retro 51 pens now use Retro refills that are really the repackaged Easyflow 9000 refills...if you don't like that you can put a Fisher refill in it or a refill of regular ink or gel type... the format becomes very versatile. Or if you find a Parker style refill you like (even the Fisher) you can simply search for a pen brand that takes Parker compatible refills; the list in long -

Parker, Visconti, Retro 51, Aurora, etc etc..

 

They say chase the nib, not the pen on this site..but one can also say chase the refill not the pen.

Edited January 12, 2012 by rminj

[ofpwriter]

Yes..without getting too far off topic (sorry for hijacking the thread). I found my Parker refill compatible pens open me up to a ....

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If this was addressed to OP (me), then by all means. I like to see usefull information, not necessary what the topic title says.

[Chrontius]

I used a beat-up camouflage Fisher bullet space pen on Rite in the Rain paper while doing a biology survey. Never skipped a beat, but I was afraid of losing it in the swamp.

 

I have used it underwater to label PVC for cutting while it was in place.

 

I have even occasionally written a whole page with 'em.

 

They tend to be blobby, require more pressure to write than I like, and smear frequently. In spite of this, an AG-7 lives with my laptop for when a fountain pen is inappropriate for reasons including either the user or the substrate (lousy paper, waterproof, etc.) The feel of it in the hand is glorious. There's something magical about the brass monster, how it feels smooth in the hand - but not so smooth that you can activate the controls silently, or accidentally. They seem to be left a little rough deliberately to provide tactile and auditory feedback. The old refill that came with it a few years ago leaked out entirely past the ball, but the warranty department sent me a new one that leaks much slower - if I used it even weekly, I'd say it doesn't leak at all.

 

Bob Cabana, the retired astronaut and director of Kennedy Space Center, used mine to sign a Yuri's Night can cooler at an official NASA function for the celebration. I don't think he's handled one before, as he couldn't find the side-mounted retract button - I'm sure they prefer a lighter space pen on the Shuttle, since when traveling up the gravity every gram costs ($1.39 per gram on a space shuttle, according to original estimates; the smaller number of missions flown pushed that number up significantly!) and a titanium or aluminum bullet makes much more sense from that perspective, but I found it a mildly startling experience. (However, especially for a rocket scientist, the guy was awful down to earth and very nice!)

Edited January 12, 2012 by Chrontius

[kaissa]

Since we are one the topic of ballpoint pens, I would like to know which is the most reliable and smooth refillable ballpoint pen I could use? Would it be a Parker, a Caran D'Ache Goliath a Cross or something else? My occupation sometimes requires me to write very quickly at speeds I fear damaging my fountain pen. I normally use a Mitsubishi Jetstream if it helps but I would like to switch to one I could refill.

 

Not sure if you can get close to the smoothness of the JetStream; isn't that a Gel pen?

 

I've tried almost every blue refill out there for my various pens; I like the Parker blue gels the most but

they are not water resistant..I used to write with the Parker regular medium blues but switched to a

Parker broad regular as they put more regular ink on the paper. Comparing the Parker broad blue and Fisher medium blue I preferred the Parker. That said the Fisher refill ink and line was quite good...the actual angle of the ballpoint was a bit different..it felt a bit scratching depending which

pen I used it in. I think it worked best (of course) in the Fisher space pen; it seemed ideal for the pen width.

 

My latest super refill that I am writing with; The Schmidt Easyflow 9000. It seems to combine some of the properties of the Fisher ink with a smooth even writing experience. Like a Cross between the Parker Ink and Fisher Ink. About as close to a gel as one can get with a regular ink refill..and it is waterproof. I can recommend them (parker compatible only I believe).

 

Thanks for your reply! It was very helpful to me. I think I will go with a Parker pen that uses the Schmidt refill. According to Kaissa, most pens are Parker compatible. For the Jetstream, I think it is special ink made to be smooth like gel but dry fast like a ballpoint.

 

You are not limited to only Parker to use the Schmidt refill. I know that Pelikan ballpoints also use Parker compatible refills. I am not sure but somebody had mentioned that Yard-O-Led, Caran d'Ache, Graf von Faber-Castell, Aurora, Visconti and Rotring also uses Parker compatible refills in another post. Be sure to ask the seller and/or FPN before purchasing.

 

I had forgotten about the Schmidt. It felt like a gel when I used it but dried pretty fast and looked like a ballpoint line. It is a unique refill and may be similiar to your Jetstream which I never had a chance to use before. I almost made a mistake when purchasing the Schmidt. It is the Easyflow 9000 that we want , not P900 which is a regular ballpoint refill.

 

Regards,

[Shinwah]

Since we are one the topic of ballpoint pens, I would like to know which is the most reliable and smooth refillable ballpoint pen I could use? Would it be a Parker, a Caran D'Ache Goliath a Cross or something else? My occupation sometimes requires me to write very quickly at speeds I fear damaging my fountain pen. I normally use a Mitsubishi Jetstream if it helps but I would like to switch to one I could refill.

 

Not sure if you can get close to the smoothness of the JetStream; isn't that a Gel pen?

 

I've tried almost every blue refill out there for my various pens; I like the Parker blue gels the most but

they are not water resistant..I used to write with the Parker regular medium blues but switched to a

Parker broad regular as they put more regular ink on the paper. Comparing the Parker broad blue and Fisher medium blue I preferred the Parker. That said the Fisher refill ink and line was quite good...the actual angle of the ballpoint was a bit different..it felt a bit scratching depending which

pen I used it in. I think it worked best (of course) in the Fisher space pen; it seemed ideal for the pen width.

 

My latest super refill that I am writing with; The Schmidt Easyflow 9000. It seems to combine some of the properties of the Fisher ink with a smooth even writing experience. Like a Cross between the Parker Ink and Fisher Ink. About as close to a gel as one can get with a regular ink refill..and it is waterproof. I can recommend them (parker compatible only I believe).

 

Thanks for your reply! It was very helpful to me. I think I will go with a Parker pen that uses the Schmidt refill. According to Kaissa, most pens are Parker compatible. For the Jetstream, I think it is special ink made to be smooth like gel but dry fast like a ballpoint.

 

You are not limited to only Parker to use the Schmidt refill. I know that Pelikan ballpoints also use Parker compatible refills. I am not sure but somebody had mentioned that Yard-O-Led, Caran d'Ache, Graf von Faber-Castell, Aurora, Visconti and Rotring also uses Parker compatible refills in another post. Be sure to ask the seller and/or FPN before purchasing.

 

I had forgotten about the Schmidt. It felt like a gel when I used it but dried pretty fast and looked like a ballpoint line. It is a unique refill and may be similiar to your Jetstream which I never had a chance to use before. I almost made a mistake when purchasing the Schmidt. It is the Easyflow 9000 that we want , not P900 which is a regular ballpoint refill.

 

Regards,

 

Thank you, I will make sure I get the Easyflow 9000.

[ahmadaamer6]

I take the Fisher Space Pen Bullet in Chrome to school everday! I use it everyday too! The pen writes very well and it fits well in the coin pocket of my jeans. I have been using the pen for at least 1 year or more and the chrome has not worn out. Best pen for the money! I use the medium blue refill inside of the pen.

 

 

Edited February 21, 2014 by ahmadaamer6

[chomann]

I love the utility and no-fail stance of the fisher space pen. Here's my issue though. Its not ISO 12757-2 rated.

 

I don't expect my notes to come under acetone or chemical attack, I only want to resist plain water for storage and long term "journal" usage. Even after a year or so in regular, dry, dark storage the Fisher Space Pen (FSP) ink seems to be "blurry/ blue", and with a little water it goes blurry, sure its still legible, but compared to my Parker Jotter with Quinkflow ISO12757-2 rated cartridge, the water has only effected the Fisher ink.

 

Was the Fisher space pen just not made archival safe? I'm worried that going forward the "change" in the FSP ink will start to harm the paper in closed and stored notebooks. (moleskins dominantly)

 

As mentioned I'm torn between 2 pens.

 

1) the parker jotter with quinkflow iso archiver ink

 

2) an Ian Schon Design styled pen (that I made on a CNC machine myself) that only takes Fisher Space Pen refills

 

*PS; On a side note which would you carry, a replaceable pen like the jotter or the hand made one of a kind?

[RMN]

I love the utility and no-fail stance of the fisher space pen. Here's my issue though. Its not ISO 12757-2 rated.

 

I don't expect my notes to come under acetone or chemical attack, I only want to resist plain water for storage and long term "journal" usage. Even after a year or so in regular, dry, dark storage the Fisher Space Pen (FSP) ink seems to be "blurry/ blue", and with a little water it goes blurry, sure its still legible, but compared to my Parker Jotter with Quinkflow ISO12757-2 rated cartridge, the water has only effected the Fisher ink.

 

Was the Fisher space pen just not made archival safe? I'm worried that going forward the "change" in the FSP ink will start to harm the paper in closed and stored notebooks. (moleskins dominantly)

 

As mentioned I'm torn between 2 pens.

 

1) the parker jotter with quinkflow iso archiver ink

 

2) an Ian Schon Design styled pen (that I made on a CNC machine myself) that only takes Fisher Space Pen refills

 

*PS; On a side note which would you carry, a replaceable pen like the jotter or the hand made one of a kind?

 

I don't know about the various BP inks.

 

On the latter (carrying) question:

It depends where you would be taking it. If it is to an office with your own workroom, I would take the more interesting pen.

But in a classroom environment with pens disappearing the second you turn your head I would take the Parker. The Jotter is an ugly pen, but it is a stable workhorse.

 

 

D.ick