Thoughts On The Twsbi Ballpoint Or Other Pen?

[tomgartin]

Hi all,

 

My sister is graduating law school soon. She's smart as a whip but tends to live within a "clutter zone." I'd get her a fountain pen, but I don't think she has any interest and nib dryout would ruin the gift for her. That's why I think a rollerball or ballpoint would be best. Additionally, it would be convenient if her pen didn't have a cap--you know how those things walk away.

 

My budget is about $40 for this, and due to the nature of the gift, it needs to be new.

 

The first pen I considered was a TWSBI Precision Ballpoint because of their reputation (plus my experience with the Mini) and its modern style. I have also considered the Cross Century ballpoint, but have read some poor reviews of current production and customer service issues. The Waterman Hemisphere ballpoint would be fantastic, but so far I've only found them within my price range on eBay and I'm leery of fakes. Any experience you have had with the TWSBI ballpoint or other graduation-worthy pens in the $40 range would be helpful.

 

Thanks,

Tom

[alvinlum]

Does your sister like slim or fat pens? because the twsbi ball point seemed pretty slim. I would like to suggest Lamy 2000 ballpoint but I'm not sure if it will fit your budget.

[usk15]

Also you should consider refill type as well. Check what is most popular and easy to find. If a pen is nice looking but the refills are not that good...

[watch_art]

Some of the kit pens out there are REALLY nice, and I reckon somebody could make you one in that price range. They usually come with Parker refills.

I'd go for one that is a twist to open, rather than with a cap, as they often have a huge step and very skinny funky uncomfortable section.

 

http://www.pennstate...t%20Twist%20Pen

 

and...

http://www.pennstate...t%20Click%20Pen

 

So yeah, some of them are pretty awful looking, but just pick through...

[hot cocoa]

Tom, I like my Monteverde Artista FP a lot, the size is great and it just looks pretty, neat, and pretty neat! It feels like a high quality pen for the money. I would guess that the BP version of it is not much different except for the, uh, nib.

 

Prices I've seen are between $11 and $35 new, depending on what her favorite color to have is. Not all of them are the pastels, you can get darker solid red, blue, and green too, as well as the clear.

[watch_art]

I think Monteverde has the most amazing refill I've ever used. I was at Vanness and somebody said something about ballpoints, and Van opened a pack of Monteverde, and we just played with the refills for like, 15 minutes, saying WOW! That's great!

 

[djpyle]

You can get a Lamy Swift for $50. I'm not big into rollerballs myself, but my brother has a Swift and it's a nice pen. Especially if she likes that modern look.

[NedC]

The TWSBI Precision ballpoint is excellent, it comes with a smooth writing Parker style cartridge and a spare, it also accepts, without modification, the excellent ballpoint refills from Ballograf and Caran d'Ache. The matching pencil is also excellent, they are both very similar to the Rotring 600 but I'd say they're better built and more comfortable in use than the Rotring. Also consider the Ballograf Opus and Opus 2 and the Caran d'Ache metal series which are available in some fun patterns like edelweiss, leopard spot, chocolate bar, etc;)

[MC_in_Houston]

Parker Sonnet Stainless Steel (one Amazon seller has it for $ 40.00 with the gold trim) or a Parker Classic set. They are less common than the Cross and the old classics are bullet proof.

[tomgartin]

Thanks for all the input, everyone. The point about refill availability is well noted. I think the office stores in San Francisco typically carry everything but Lamy refills (though there are occasional exceptions). I pulled the trigger when I found a good deal on a Waterman Hemisphere ballpoint. There are also a couple refills with it, so this should be perfect (seeing as the Waterman refills are purported to last a long time). I wish I would have thought about a Sonnet beforehand, but maybe I'll consider that the next time I give a pen to someone as a graduation gift.

Thanks

Tom

[vannesspen]

The Cross Edge is great- and I am not usually the biggest Cross fan- but it is a roller/ pull. no cap. Vanness offers 20% retail of 42.00 - and its engraveable- if you are still looking for a pen. Its always nice to have a pen personalized!

Hi all,

 

My sister is graduating law school soon. She's smart as a whip but tends to live within a "clutter zone." I'd get her a fountain pen, but I don't think she has any interest and nib dryout would ruin the gift for her. That's why I think a rollerball or ballpoint would be best. Additionally, it would be convenient if her pen didn't have a cap--you know how those things walk away.

 

My budget is about $40 for this, and due to the nature of the gift, it needs to be new.

 

The first pen I considered was a TWSBI Precision Ballpoint because of their reputation (plus my experience with the Mini) and its modern style. I have also considered the Cross Century ballpoint, but have read some poor reviews of current production and customer service issues. The Waterman Hemisphere ballpoint would be fantastic, but so far I've only found them within my price range on eBay and I'm leery of fakes. Any experience you have had with the TWSBI ballpoint or other graduation-worthy pens in the $40 range would be helpful.

 

Thanks,

Tom

[amberleadavis]

I think Monteverde has the most amazing refill I've ever used. I was at Vanness and somebody said something about ballpoints, and Van opened a pack of Monteverde, and we just played with the refills for like, 15 minutes, saying WOW! That's great!

 

 

Too bad you didn't come to the LA Pen show -- we received a couple of MonteVerde refills for free. Very pretty colors.

[Harlequin]

The Cross Edge is great- and I am not usually the biggest Cross fan- but it is a roller/ pull. no cap. Vanness offers 20% retail of 42.00 - and its engraveable- if you are still looking for a pen. Its always nice to have a pen personalized!

Vannesspen, I have to agree on the Edge. I have one and it is mt EDC as far as a rollerball/BP pen goes. And of course, the Cross refills are ubiquitous.

[Poseidon]

Honestly speaking and having no intention to offend anyone, a TWSBI pen isn't iconic enough for a graduation gift especially for someone out of law school. A Parker Sonnet would make a very fine graduation gift for your budget.

[Harlequin]

I find it odd that you think a TWSBI isn't "iconic" enough (forget whether it works or not, it seems), but then you recommend something as pedestrian as a Sonnet- especially since the OP wanted a RB and not a FP.

[Poseidon]

I find it odd that you think a TWSBI isn't "iconic" enough (forget whether it works or not, it seems), but then you recommend something as pedestrian as a Sonnet- especially since the OP wanted a RB and not a FP.

 

Oh I meant the Sonnet ballpoint that is recommended above. The fountain pen costs more than $40-50 I believe. The Hemisphere is a great choice, Tom!

[rminj]

I think Monteverde has the most amazing refill I've ever used. I was at Vanness and somebody said something about ballpoints, and Van opened a pack of Monteverde, and we just played with the refills for like, 15 minutes, saying WOW! That's great!

 

 

Ohhh... did you happen to know exactly which Monteverde refill this was? Was it the soft roll broad point P15 ??