What's Your Favourite Ballpoint Pen - And Why

[mercurius]

Heresy I know to ask this on FPN, but I'm doing it anyway!

 

For day to day use, I usually have a couple of Parker Jotters in my pocket, one blue and one black ink. I have a couple of cheapish Cross ballpoints, but don't use them that often because they don't quite feel right in my hand.

 

I like using ballpoints for taking notes, eg if I'm interviewing someone for my journalism, because I can't normally write fast enough with a FP without my hand seizing up.

 

Would be interested in what you use: which pens are nice smooth writers and are good to hold?

[Ytland]

Not heresy at all! I'm on a similar search myself at the moment. I tried out a Lamy Dialog 1 (because the design is just amazing...) but the triangular cross-section is just doesn't suit my grip. My next stop is either a Dialog 2 (rollerball) or a Lamy 2000 ballpoint Taxus or hardwood.

 

Would be interesting to see the suggestions that eventuate.

[JulesSilvan]

Parker Jotter is my EDC, although with a Schneider refill. I prefer the ink in my Jetstream Premier but that's not as comfortable as the Jotter in my pocket.

[bernardo]

I haven't found anything that beats my MB 161 Le Grand BP; it's quite smooth, feels great and looks gorgeous!

[Christi0469]

My favorite ballpoint pen is the Parker Jotter, but for our general office use I stock Papermate Inkjoy stick pens.

[VanRocket]

The newer ballpoint refills for Parker Jotters are very nice. I'm not sure if or when it was reformulated but it is much better than I remember it being in the past. This is the ballpoint I have been using the most.

 

I also like vintage Papermate Profiles and have accumulated a couple backups since they are no longer made.

 

Caran d'Ache ballpoints are also very nice.

 

 

Jeff

[Keyless Works]

I have a Lamy Dialog 1 that I like to travel with.

[CAG_1787]

If your hand is cramping up more with a fountain pen than a ballpoint, you're doing something wrong.

Edited October 15, 2013 by CAG_1787

[usk15]

Parker IM, here's why: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/241512-parker-im/

[Vendome]

I've always loved Parker flighter Jotters with the matching pencil set.

For me, the only model that can beat it is my Parker 25. I had one in college in the mid 80s. I can't remember what happened to it but last year I bought a replacement one. I still think the design of it makes it a classy, Space Age pen.

Edited October 15, 2013 by Vendome

[converter59]

_{My favorite ball point pen is the Loclen Spica, I love the weight and the way it writes and fits in my hand , it also has a different and very cool look.}

[lahlahlaw]

Mexican Bic Crystal in Fine. The ink is very smooth, almost no skipping. The yellow color makes them stand out. I bought a box of each last time I went down there.

 

 

 

 

[pajaro]

Montblanc 164 in red. It has a nice size and I like the broad refills. Bought it in 1983 for $44 from Fahrney's. I like the color also.

[FPFan]

I have found that for pure flow function and performance the Pilot Ageless and Timeline ballpoint have the finest, smoothest, and least drag of any ball point ever used.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

I know a lot of people who like the Japanese ones, but I happen to like Schneider ballpoints a lot as well. They make refills of all kinds. They have this Plug and Play system, and a number of their ballpoint pens can take several different refills without any modification to the pen.

 

Dillon

[rochester21]

Parker jotter all metal version, because.....i don`t see any way a normal person could ever brake it. Put a refill inside, press the button, and it will write. It doesn`t get any simpler(or better) than that.

Edited October 15, 2013 by rochester21

[warblerick]

I use a Lamy 2000 Taxus, which I like very much (I'm a furniture restorer/refinisher so i like wood). After a couple of years the clip has started to wobble a bit back and forth, and the wood has gotten some "character" marks, but the aluminum (or perhaps it is brushed steel) parts are like new. I use a Broad refill in it mostly, in blue. It is my pen for signing receipts etc. at Drs. offices, as FP's are usually not inkjet paper friendly.

 

I really love the long smooth torpedo shape of this pen and the fact there is no visible joint where it separates to refill. Well-balanced too.

[PrintersDevil]

Hmmm, my all time favorite would be the Parker T-Ball Jotter which was introduced to me by a friend in college many years ago. I was using a Bic Clic which cost 49 cents each, but the ink was blotchy and didn't last as long. So I was induced to spend $1.98 on the Parker and let me say that it worked great. The ink supply seemed to last forever and produced a smooth blotch free line.

 

I haven't used one in many years having Mont Blanc ball point, but then I hardly use ball points any more except to sign documents at work.

 

I did get to try a Pilot Retro 51 ball point a few months back and it was very nice to write with and look at with a great price.

Joe

[Centopar]

A Jade Cross ATX with the Maltese gold trim. I always wear a jade bangle (one of the ones that doesn't come off) and a gold bangle, and a very dear friend bought it for my birthday years ago because she thought it matched. I've refilled it a few times (and I don't use ballpoints much): I always carry it in case something crops up that one of my fountain pens isn't suitable for. It's the only ballpoint I carry. Using it makes me think of my friend.

 

It's lovely and smooth. They're very nice pens, if you're a ballpoint person.

[pajaro]

The Jade Cross is lovely. Somebody had a jade ATX fountain pen for sale a while back.