Complete Newbie

[bicfan]

 

You won't see a lot of discussions about roller ball or point ball pens here because they are very boring when it comes to the writing experience.

 

I don't know what type of refills Visconti's use, but for Parker's it doesn't really matter if you buy a 8$ roller ball pen or a 8000 $ roller ball pen. They are basically refill holders. They write only as good as the Parker refills are, and those don't change in quality. I you wanted you could only buy a 5$ refill and write with it directly. And, there are only two colours available : black and blue.

 

http://shop.wfsleath.co.uk/ekmps/shops/wfsleath/images/parker-rollerball-refill.jpg

 

If you want to enjoy the full experience of writing with ink, buy yourself a good fountain pen instead. 1500 inks to chose from, about 50 pens makers, each making at least 5 or 6 models, each declined in about 10 variants, many nibs to chose from, etc.

 

Writing with a ball point is like taking the bus.

Writing with a roller ball is like taking a taxi.

Writing with a fountain is like riding in a Maybach or a Masseratti.

By the same token, a fountain pen is just a holder for the nib. My $3 Pilot nib will go up against any fountain pen you wish to offer.

 

Writing with a modern ballpoint or rollerball is like driving a reliable, comfortable vehicle.

Writing with a fountain pen can be like driving a Model T.

 

To the OP:

 

Buy a Baoer, Kaigelu, or any other rollerball that takes an international standard refill, and pop a Jetstream refill into it.

 

You will have the smoothest pen around . . . as smooth, probably smoother, than any FP.

 

Since you like the Sonnet, try the Kaigelu 356 (Sonnet Clone) on ebay for $7. Buy the Jetstream refill at your local Staples, and you are good to go.

 

No need to worry about drying out, or poor quality paper. The Jetstream is buttery smooth, fast-drying, non-bleeding . . . a marvel of modern engineering.

 

I will say, though, that the rollerball refill that came with my 356 was smoother than any FP I own. Just amazing, writing a dark line by its own weight.

 

There is a lot of prejudice and misinformation concerning rollerballs and ballpoints on the Fountain Pen Network.

Edited May 23, 2012 by bicfan

[Bo Bo Olson]

The main thing about a fountain pen is you do not hold it like a ball/roller/gel pen with the pen before your big knuckle, but after your big knuckle, even down into the web of your thumb.

 

An F or EF (Western) with the proper ink, will write on poor paper and dry quickly.

some folks insist on buying a good pen, good ink and use poor paper; the poorer the better ...They know what to tell you to get.

 

I doubt if your legal pad is as poor a paper as some use by choice.

 

Vanishing Point may be were you want to go. It clicks on and off like a ball point.

 

There are pull off caps, and twist off caps.

 

As a lawyer you should be able to afford a vintage P-51 as a first pen. It is not all that expensive actually. Having one since my first month of being an addict, I've not priced one since...@$75-90??????

Mine cost three years ago, @$30-40. Mine I got in Germany where there is not a huge demand for them.

Most of P-51's mostly has a smooth nail of a nib. It has a pull off cap. An F would be good, the nib is small enough to edit with.

It 'stays' wet for a good bit of time when not capped; one of the better ones.

It writes as fast as you can scribble.

 

You are going to buy a P-51 sooner or later...it's a Law.

Might as well get a nice user as first pen.

 

Well some folks like cartridges...most of them can take a converter.

 

Others like piston, lever or button filling systems.

 

Go to Richard Binder's site....the basics of fountain pens...I go back often to review..hours of good stuff there.

 

Writing is 1/3 nib width and flex, 1/2 paper and 1/3 ink; in that order.

 

Yep, fountain pens is fun ....don't see a roller ball or a ball point com now do you?

Edited May 23, 2012 by Bo Bo Olson

[PeppWaves03]

I would go out to Staples and pick up a Pilot disposable fountain pen. They sell them in 3 packs for 9 bucks. Try it out and you can see what all the "rage" is about. I just finished up law school and fountain pens got me through the last 3 years and hopefully through this summer.

[airborne18th]

 

You won't see a lot of discussions about roller ball or point ball pens here because they are very boring when it comes to the writing experience.

 

I don't know what type of refills Visconti's use, but for Parker's it doesn't really matter if you buy a 8$ roller ball pen or a 8000 $ roller ball pen. They are basically refill holders. They write only as good as the Parker refills are, and those don't change in quality. I you wanted you could only buy a 5$ refill and write with it directly. And, there are only two colours available : black and blue.

 

http://shop.wfsleath.co.uk/ekmps/shops/wfsleath/images/parker-rollerball-refill.jpg

 

If you want to enjoy the full experience of writing with ink, buy yourself a good fountain pen instead. 1500 inks to chose from, about 50 pens makers, each making at least 5 or 6 models, each declined in about 10 variants, many nibs to chose from, etc.

 

Writing with a ball point is like taking the bus.

Writing with a roller ball is like taking a taxi.

Writing with a fountain is like riding in a Maybach or a Masseratti.

By the same token, a fountain pen is just a holder for the nib. My $3 Pilot nib will go up against any fountain pen you wish to offer.

 

Writing with a modern ballpoint or rollerball is like driving a reliable, comfortable vehicle.

Writing with a fountain pen can be like driving a Model T.

 

To the OP:

 

Buy a Baoer, Kaigelu, or any other rollerball that takes an international standard refill, and pop a Jetstream refill into it.

 

You will have the smoothest pen around . . . as smooth, probably smoother, than any FP.

 

Since you like the Sonnet, try the Kaigelu 356 (Sonnet Clone) on ebay for $7. Buy the Jetstream refill at your local Staples, and you are good to go.

 

No need to worry about drying out, or poor quality paper. The Jetstream is buttery smooth, fast-drying, non-bleeding . . . a marvel of modern engineering.

 

I will say, though, that the rollerball refill that came with my 356 was smoother than any FP I own. Just amazing, writing a dark line by its own weight.

 

There is a lot of prejudice and misinformation concerning rollerballs and ballpoints on the Fountain Pen Network.

 

This is Fountain Pen Network, so yes there will be a bias.

 

Just a nib holder,, yep, that is a fountain pen.. and unlike rollerballs you can't simply buy a new refill and change the entire functionality of the pen. With a fountain pen you can buy various inks, and it will impact several aspects of the functionality of the pen. ink flow, and smooothness.

 

Yes with a rollerball the ergonomics of the holder may impact how you write and the effort required, but really once you find a refill you like, it can be interchanged with any holder and the peformance will be the same.

 

And I keep getting free pilots from several vendors.. they are junk. I don't even have to reach for a Dupont to beat it, any Lamy,, from the cheap safari or al star to the 2000 will write circles around that pilot junk.

[kp288908]

I'm a newbie when it comes to pens, so please bear with me. I've only lurked here a few days and have gained some knowledge to the point where I feel I'm able to ask a reasonable question.

 

I am thinking about getting a quality roller ball pen. How do the Visconti Rembrandt and the Parker Sonnet compare in quality? Where are they manufactured? Are there others that you might recommend over those two in the same price range?

 

Thank you all.

 

 

 

 

I think you should give fountain pens a try! Maybe a LAMY Safari just to check it out.

 

As far as rollerballs are concerned, I do not use them much, but I received a Cross ATX as a gift and I do like it very much. Writes pretty well and it's comfortable to hold, too.

[bicfan]

 

You won't see a lot of discussions about roller ball or point ball pens here because they are very boring when it comes to the writing experience.

 

I don't know what type of refills Visconti's use, but for Parker's it doesn't really matter if you buy a 8$ roller ball pen or a 8000 $ roller ball pen. They are basically refill holders. They write only as good as the Parker refills are, and those don't change in quality. I you wanted you could only buy a 5$ refill and write with it directly. And, there are only two colours available : black and blue.

 

http://shop.wfsleath.co.uk/ekmps/shops/wfsleath/images/parker-rollerball-refill.jpg

 

If you want to enjoy the full experience of writing with ink, buy yourself a good fountain pen instead. 1500 inks to chose from, about 50 pens makers, each making at least 5 or 6 models, each declined in about 10 variants, many nibs to chose from, etc.

 

Writing with a ball point is like taking the bus.

Writing with a roller ball is like taking a taxi.

Writing with a fountain is like riding in a Maybach or a Masseratti.

By the same token, a fountain pen is just a holder for the nib. My $3 Pilot nib will go up against any fountain pen you wish to offer.

 

Writing with a modern ballpoint or rollerball is like driving a reliable, comfortable vehicle.

Writing with a fountain pen can be like driving a Model T.

 

To the OP:

 

Buy a Baoer, Kaigelu, or any other rollerball that takes an international standard refill, and pop a Jetstream refill into it.

 

You will have the smoothest pen around . . . as smooth, probably smoother, than any FP.

 

Since you like the Sonnet, try the Kaigelu 356 (Sonnet Clone) on ebay for $7. Buy the Jetstream refill at your local Staples, and you are good to go.

 

No need to worry about drying out, or poor quality paper. The Jetstream is buttery smooth, fast-drying, non-bleeding . . . a marvel of modern engineering.

 

I will say, though, that the rollerball refill that came with my 356 was smoother than any FP I own. Just amazing, writing a dark line by its own weight.

 

There is a lot of prejudice and misinformation concerning rollerballs and ballpoints on the Fountain Pen Network.

 

This is Fountain Pen Network, so yes there will be a bias.

 

Just a nib holder,, yep, that is a fountain pen.. and unlike rollerballs you can't simply buy a new refill and change the entire functionality of the pen. With a fountain pen you can buy various inks, and it will impact several aspects of the functionality of the pen. ink flow, and smooothness.

 

Yes with a rollerball the ergonomics of the holder may impact how you write and the effort required, but really once you find a refill you like, it can be interchanged with any holder and the peformance will be the same.

 

And I keep getting free pilots from several vendors.. they are junk. I don't even have to reach for a Dupont to beat it, any Lamy,, from the cheap safari or al star to the 2000 will write circles around that pilot junk.

Not any holder. Many brands are proprietary. You need to consider both.

[asaha]

I do not own high class roller ball pen. The only high class roller ball pen I have ever tried is my friend's Montblanc roller ball pen. It is surprisingly good and I am impressed. The only property I can feel from the pen is smoothness. Maybe you can visit a local store and try some in your hand, then make your decision. :roflmho:

[aalmcc4]

Well, I certainly appreciate all the advice I received and have taken the fountain pen plunge, so to speak. I am no longer looking for a roller ball pen. You folks convinced me.

 

I just got back form the shop with my newly purchased graphite color Lamy AL-Star. My first fountain pen! I got it for $37.00 plus an additional $5 for a 5 pack of cartridges. After playing with my new toy for a while, Ill get a converter and experiment with different inks.

 

I have to say, at first I was a little leery about the shape, but it fits just fine in my hand. In using this pen, I actually enjoyed writing, just for the heck of it!

 

I can see how someone can become a pen snob. You were all right. I had this pen for a few hours and dont want to use a ballpoint ever!

 

And while this is a little off topic, Im going back to using cursive as opposed to my hybrid cursive/print/chicken scratch horror I have been using for the past 25 years. Yikes!

 

Lastly, again a little off topic, but I actually had to think a little bit when using cursive for the first time in years. Its was very frustrating and embarrassing. But thankfully it all came back after a few hours.

 

As geeky as it may sound, Im going to write in cursive from now on. Kind of my own personal protest since many States no longer mandate cursive as part of their elementary school curriculum. Its optional. (I really wasnt aware of that before researching this whole pen thing. I was SHOCKED!!) Thats another topic for discussion and for another thread.

 

Again, thank you all for your kind recommendations and input.

Edited May 24, 2012 by aalmcc4

[airborne18th]

Well, I certainly appreciate all the advice I received and have taken the fountain pen plunge, so to speak. I am no longer looking for a roller ball pen. You folks convinced me.

 

I just got back form the shop with my newly purchased graphite color Lamy AL-Star. My first fountain pen! I got it for $37.00 plus an additional $5 for a 5 pack of cartridges. After playing with my new toy for a while, I‘ll get a converter and experiment with different inks.

 

I have to say, at first I was a little leery about the shape, but it fits just fine in my hand. In using this pen, I actually enjoyed writing, just for the heck of it!

 

I can see how someone can become a “pen snob”. You were all right. I had this pen for a few hours and don’t want to use a ballpoint ever!

 

And while this is a little off topic, I’m going back to using cursive as opposed to my hybrid cursive/print/chicken scratch horror I have been using for the past 25 years. Yikes!

 

Lastly, again a little off topic, but I actually had to think a little bit when using cursive for the first time in years. It’s was very frustrating and embarrassing. But thankfully it all came back after a few hours.

 

As geeky as it may sound, I’m going to write in cursive from now on. Kind of my own personal protest since many States no longer mandate cursive as part of their elementary school curriculum. It’s “optional”. (I really wasn’t aware of that before researching this whole “pen” thing. I was SHOCKED!!) That’s another topic for discussion and for another thread.

 

Again, thank you all for your kind recommendations and input.

 

Congrats.. you will never go wrong with the Lamy's. You will also find Amazon has Lamy pens on really great deals. like the converter is about 6.00 on amazon.

 

I actually like the ergonomics of the al-star and safari.. and for the price, they are probably one of the best pens made.. I also have the studio and 2000.. Lamy Inks are great too, the blue is a great tone and I use it in several of my pens...

 

The experiment now is getting used to the nib size you got,, and maybe getting another lamy in different nib..

 

Keep this in mind.. Lamy nibs are very consistent across models and sizes.. so Fine nib in the al-star will be the same as the Studio,,,,, However, most companies and pens will not follow Lamy's level of consistency.. And that is the art of buying pens. and where this site has helped me alot.

[wallylynn]

I can see how someone can become a “pen snob”. You were all right. I had this pen for a few hours and don’t want to use a ballpoint ever!

 

And while this is a little off topic, I’m going back to using cursive as opposed to my hybrid cursive/print/chicken scratch horror I have been using for the past 25 years. Yikes!

 

Congratulations on being initiated into our nuthouse! I had mostly the same reaction after using my first FP (Varsity). For years I tried to journal but couldn't keep it up for more than a day or two. After switching to a FP, I enjoyed writing. I used to use very fine ballpoints, but my Lamy (F) was so much easier to read. The enthusiasm has waned, but I still look forward to writing even if its just a few sentences instead of a few pages. Cursive is the new-old way to prevent people from reading your diary.

 

Do check out the penmanship sub-forum. I just got a Noodler's Nib Creaper flex pen and few Spencerian copy books.

[airborne18th]

Well, I certainly appreciate all the advice I received and have taken the fountain pen plunge, so to speak. I am no longer looking for a roller ball pen. You folks convinced me.

 

I just got back form the shop with my newly purchased graphite color Lamy AL-Star. My first fountain pen! I got it for $37.00 plus an additional $5 for a 5 pack of cartridges. After playing with my new toy for a while, I‘ll get a converter and experiment with different inks.

 

I have to say, at first I was a little leery about the shape, but it fits just fine in my hand. In using this pen, I actually enjoyed writing, just for the heck of it!

 

I can see how someone can become a “pen snob”. You were all right. I had this pen for a few hours and don’t want to use a ballpoint ever!

 

And while this is a little off topic, I’m going back to using cursive as opposed to my hybrid cursive/print/chicken scratch horror I have been using for the past 25 years. Yikes!

 

Lastly, again a little off topic, but I actually had to think a little bit when using cursive for the first time in years. It’s was very frustrating and embarrassing. But thankfully it all came back after a few hours.

 

As geeky as it may sound, I’m going to write in cursive from now on. Kind of my own personal protest since many States no longer mandate cursive as part of their elementary school curriculum. It’s “optional”. (I really wasn’t aware of that before researching this whole “pen” thing. I was SHOCKED!!) That’s another topic for discussion and for another thread.

 

Again, thank you all for your kind recommendations and input.

 

and I started with the Lamy Safari just a few months ago.. so I know where you are at with this. have fun.

[aalmcc4]

Cursive is the new-old way to prevent people from reading your diary.

 

WallyLynne,

 

You know, its funny you say that. When I went on a rant with my wife about the fact that cursive is not really taught anymore, I said......"so now the old people can communicate with each other in a secret language (cursive) that the young people won't understand! Its like an old person's code!" (Please, I mean no offense to anyone about "old". I'm 46 and in this situation, apparently I'm prehistoric!!)

[crazystan]

Well, I certainly appreciate all the advice I received and have taken the fountain pen plunge, so to speak. I am no longer looking for a roller ball pen. You folks convinced me.

 

I just got back form the shop with my newly purchased graphite color Lamy AL-Star. My first fountain pen! I got it for $37.00 plus an additional $5 for a 5 pack of cartridges. After playing with my new toy for a while, I‘ll get a converter and experiment with different inks.

 

I have to say, at first I was a little leery about the shape, but it fits just fine in my hand. In using this pen, I actually enjoyed writing, just for the heck of it!

 

I can see how someone can become a “pen snob”. You were all right. I had this pen for a few hours and don’t want to use a ballpoint ever!

 

And while this is a little off topic, I’m going back to using cursive as opposed to my hybrid cursive/print/chicken scratch horror I have been using for the past 25 years. Yikes!

 

Lastly, again a little off topic, but I actually had to think a little bit when using cursive for the first time in years. It’s was very frustrating and embarrassing. But thankfully it all came back after a few hours.

 

As geeky as it may sound, I’m going to write in cursive from now on. Kind of my own personal protest since many States no longer mandate cursive as part of their elementary school curriculum. It’s “optional”. (I really wasn’t aware of that before researching this whole “pen” thing. I was SHOCKED!!) That’s another topic for discussion and for another thread.

 

Again, thank you all for your kind recommendations and input.

 

Congrats! Really glad you're happy with your purchase. Lamy's are great pens, and given proper care, that pen will last a good long time. What size nib did you end up with? Anything over a medium and you'll definitely want a converter. The Lamy Broad I had on my Safari devoured ink.

[Chris S]

If you want to enjoy the full experience of writing with ink, buy yourself a good fountain pen instead. 1500 inks to chose from, about 50 pens makers, each making at least 5 or 6 models, each declined in about 10 variants, many nibs to chose from, etc.

 

Writing with a ball point is like taking the bus.

Writing with a roller ball is like taking a taxi.

Writing with a fountain is like riding in a Maybach or a Masseratti.

 

 

+1

Well said!

[amk]

 

 

And while this is a little off topic, I’m going back to using cursive as opposed to my hybrid cursive/print/chicken scratch horror I have been using for the past 25 years. Yikes!

 

 

 

That's interesting. Part of the way I personally grade my FPs is how good they make my writing look. Some of them make my writing look really calligraphic; others make me write 'chicken-scratch', as you nicely put it. Eventually I will get round to either grinding the nibs of that second class myself, or send them off for someone better than I am to do... But I know that whenever I pick up a ballpoint, my writing will look cramped and ill-disciplined.

 

Good luck with your new addiction :-)