Classic Rollerball Refills

[swagginman]

I've just received my first Legacy Heritage from my beautiful wife for my birthday. I've been using rollerballs daily with client meetings and lots of notes as they're more suited to the breaks and are overall a bit more convenient. In tune woman she is, she bought me the rollerball. I've noticed, however, that the refills have been problematic - wavering from good flow to poor, skipping out (some quite regularly), and drying out too quickly. I've read of others with this issue, but haven't seen many general comments. I'm trying the Monteverde versions as soon as my latest Amazon order arrives, but wanted to hear from others here if I'm doomed to a gorgeous pen that writes poorly at least irregularly or if I'm the victim of 3 poorly QC'd refills. Thank you!

[m53al]

Hi there,

 

I just happened to spot your post this am looking at similar subject matter. Sheaffer rollerball refills have been one of the least easy to find a compatible refill for. I think there may be Monte Verde refills for it and Schmidt and / or Schneider also. Some additional FPN searches might help.

 

BUT I also will be very interested in other responses you will hopefully get.

 

 

Good luck!

 

Ben M.

[davefoe]

I am not a rollerball fan but I have used a number of Sheaffer rollerball refills. I do think they tend to dry out quickly and aren't the greatest writers. I would say they are "OK", but not great and expensive considering how quickly they run out. I may be prejudiced because I just don't like rollerballs.

 

Dave

[m53al]

http://www.amazon.com/Monteverde-Rollerball-Refill-Sheaffer-S222BK/dp/B002IKK5Z0

 

So there IS a Monteverde refill for Sheaffer RB's - let the rest of us know how it is - if you get some and try it out.

 

 

Ben M.

[swagginman]

Thanks Ben - yes, that is what I ordered yesterday. Also found a Medium refill made by Sheaffer. I've only used fountain pens for the last 2+ years. Tough going to a rollerball!

[m53al]

Hello again,

 

There seem to be some happy AND unhappy campers with Monteverde refills if one looks at Amazon's reviews for various Monteverde refills.

 

Seems to always be a question these days as to who made what for whom and when - and who owns which company!

I'm sure there will be a number of people that will want to hear what you think once you've had the MV for a bit.

 

 

 

Ben M.

[nxn96]

Most of my rollerball refill experience has been with the Parker and Cross varieties, and quite frankly I've had similar complaints. As much as I like the smooth feel of a nice rollerball, skipping and short-life were constant issues. I found the Parkers much better in this regard than the Cross refills, but have pretty much given up on rollerballs in favor of gels.

[Ray-Vigo]

I've yet to find a satisfactory refill for Sheaffer Rollerballs. The modern Sheaffer refills always dried up and skipped. The Monteverde was better, but not a whole lot. I gave up and went to a new Conklin and a Parker Jotter with ballpoint or gel refills. My Sheaffer rollerball sits unused now. It's a shame too, because the pen itself is a nice Balance II in black.

Edited February 6, 2012 by Ray-Vigo

[Koyote]

I have a few Sheaffer RB pens and usually buy blue or black Sheaffer refills in Medium. They are not quite as nice as Parker RB refills, and they cost a bit more, but they have worked fine for me.

 

I'll be interested to learn how the Monteverde refills work out for you. I tried their gel BP refills and they were complete garbage.

[swagginman]

A quick update: the Monteverde refills arrived last week and I've been using one since. Not too dissimilar from the Sheaffer ones I've already tried. Maybe a slightly less, though difficult to quantify, feeling of quality and smoothness. It seems the one I've been using is running dry, which would be much more quickly than the first Sheaffer I ran through. Will post more details with more experience and time. Thank you all for the guidance. I think I might be adapting a gel refill next.

[Ray-Vigo]

A quick update: the Monteverde refills arrived last week and I've been using one since. Not too dissimilar from the Sheaffer ones I've already tried. Maybe a slightly less, though difficult to quantify, feeling of quality and smoothness. It seems the one I've been using is running dry, which would be much more quickly than the first Sheaffer I ran through. Will post more details with more experience and time. Thank you all for the guidance. I think I might be adapting a gel refill next.

 

My experience was that they weren't quite as dry and were slightly smoother than the Sheaffers. However, they still were not great. I have a Balance II roller ball that habitually sits unused in favor of my new Conklin Symetrik and a Parker Jotter. I will say the Conklin ballpoint fill has proven to be outstanding. The size and shape makes it handle a lot like a Balance II, but the difference in cartridges was like night and day.

 

The only exception is that I did have an original USA/Ft. Madison era Sheaffer cartridge around that was quite good. I noticed a distinct decline in quality between the older 1990s Sheaffer fills and the new stuff. I'm a Conklin convert on these now.

Edited February 14, 2012 by Ray-Vigo

[swagginman]

Thank you Ray. The refill is still going strong. Skipped a bit yesterday like it was running out of ink, which is why I mentioned it. I can't just set this down, though - it's now my favorite feeling pen I own and I love writing with it. It's this or one of my 2000s (fountain) each day.

[m53al]

I did a bit of a test on some RB refills I have on hand. ALL blue ink.

 

I tried water, chlorox and acetone on Monteverde, Private Reserve 888, and a Sheaffer RB. (The Monteverde, and Private Reserve are for my Watermans).

 

 

The water, acetone and chlorox all applied to the inks via Q-tips, and all done on a sheet of small Rhodia pad.

They all survived the water- Monteverde the least well, Sheaffer a close 2nd for being affected. All survived the acetone.

 

And they all simply, completely failed the bleach.

 

I also just don't like the way the Monteverde writes AND looks (I've given most of the MV refills I had away). So for a Sheaffer replacement, - I myself will continue keeping my eyes and ears open!

 

As for surviving bleach- I am going to get some black ink refills and see how they do.

 

For important documents and check writing I am using FPs mostly - with Noodler Bad Black Moccassin - which basically laughs off water, and bleach and acetone.

 

So- for what its worth!!

 

Happy hunting, and we'll be glad to learn what you might come up with.

 

Ben M.