Ballpoint Pen Or Rollerball Pen?

[Runnin_Ute]

 

I prefer Parker ballpoints. The ball has more friction against paper, the refill lasts longer, and it skips less. Also, I find Cross pens in general less comfortable to hold.

Agree 100%

[kulindi]

I dislike both....they do not encourage good handwriting...I mostly use a fountain pen but occasionally may use my propelling pencil - 0.7mm 2B

[RebeccaN]

 

 

If I have to use something else it depends on need and mood. Sometimes my Parker 45 Flighter ballpoint and sometimes my Waterman Hemisphere rollerball (with Pilot G2 refill)

i just googled them -- wow, those two are nice pens

[HandLikeAFist]

I don't like either, really, but if I have to choose, rollerball 100% of the time. I just don't like the ink/paper interface with a ballpoint. Sort of laying down a thin line of colored paste rather than the nice stripe of wet ink an fb leaves.

[Mr. Pink]

If I can't use my FP, it's roller ball for me. Smoother to write with and wetter.

[flatline]

I use both for different things.

 

I have a telescoping space pen with fine black fisher refill that lives in my phone holster. If I'm wearing pants, it's with me and, as such, gets a fair amount of use.

 

I have an embassy pen with a fine blue fisher refill that lives in my bag. The pen is, hands down, the most comfortable pen I own for serious paperwork. The balance is perfect, it's heavy enough that I can sign through two or three sheets of paper without having to press hard, and it's just a pleasure to write with.

 

I keep several Pilot Precise v5 retractable pens around (in my desk, in the car, etc). I prefer these pens to gel pens (G2 or energels, for example) because they feel like a pencil on paper but provide the high contrast of an ink pen. Gel pens, on the other hand, feel slippery against the paper, take forever to dry, and run empty in just a week or two of regular writing.

 

If I had to make a binding choice between them, I'd go with my space pens in a heartbeat. The are the Jeep of the pen world. Ugly, but totally utilitarian and will dependably write on anything.

 

--flatline

[mirosc]

For the writing feeling I prefer Rollerballs, for practicality I prefer Ballpoints (other have mentioned their benefits already).

But in my personal ranking right after fountain pens there's the mechanical pencil and only then there are the "balls"

[ShockDub]

I use both for different things.

 

I have a telescoping space pen with fine black fisher refill that lives in my phone holster. If I'm wearing pants, it's with me and, as such, gets a fair amount of use.

 

I have an embassy pen with a fine blue fisher refill that lives in my bag. The pen is, hands down, the most comfortable pen I own for serious paperwork. The balance is perfect, it's heavy enough that I can sign through two or three sheets of paper without having to press hard, and it's just a pleasure to write with.

 

I keep several Pilot Precise v5 retractable pens around (in my desk, in the car, etc). I prefer these pens to gel pens (G2 or energels, for example) because they feel like a pencil on paper but provide the high contrast of an ink pen. Gel pens, on the other hand, feel slippery against the paper, take forever to dry, and run empty in just a week or two of regular writing.

 

If I had to make a binding choice between them, I'd go with my space pens in a heartbeat. The are the Jeep of the pen world. Ugly, but totally utilitarian and will dependably write on anything.

 

--flatline

 

I also have a few of these basically everywhere i go. They are really comfortable to use as the needlepoint doesnt require much pressure and are really good for sketching. These also come in a v7 presentation.

[Penny_P]

Hi,

I am wondering which pen you prefer to use generally; rollerball pen or ball point pen -- and why? [and if you have a specific one you're talking about...please tell me the company]. Thanks!

 

I must confess to be a big fan of ball point pens - however not more so than fountain pens! I usually use Executive Pens Direct for ballpoints as they seem to have the best range and it's a pretty easy website to navigate.

 

In my experience they have very similar writing mechanisms but I'd say I prefer ballpoints as I get a higher sense of control when writing with one. Rollerball pens are good too though, and more closely related to fountain pens due to their fluidity.

 

I'm not the biggest expert but I hope my opinion helps you!

[nanahcub]

I have no time for ballpens - never noticed much difference between a bic stick or a Montblanc ballpen. It is a ballpen (sorry - I'm sure someone will prove me wrong on that, but that is how I feel).

 

I quite like a rollerball that takes fp ink - Kaweco Sport was my favourite until I lost it. Good, solid, reliable. Could have the same colour ink as my fp (though it tended to look a little lighter in colour, and broader in line width). No line variation (I don't with most of my fps either) but with many inks I got some shading. No way of knowing whether it was written with an fp or a rollerball.

 

I like to have a rollerball to use when fp isn't suitable (or to hand to someone else).

 

I currently have a refillable Pilot V5 Hi-Techpoint, loaded with Diamine Teal. Does the job!

[Stephen2020]

Ballpoints, lookout for LV and Low Viscosity for smoooth writing.

The Zebra Sarasa (Pilot G2 lookalike) has amazing vivid bold ink.

I like Cross rollerball refills, I have them in vintage Flair Executives.

[Sasha Royale]

Call me crazy, but I kinda prefer a fountain pen. (Go figure !)

[legume]

Neither? I prefer Japanese gel pens. Right now I have almost two boxes of the Uniball Signo UM -151 to go through. These have a problem with air bubbles though. I want to get one or two of the new Pilot Hi-Tech-C Maica pens to try out.

[RebeccaN]

Thanks so much for all the responses! After reading what you guys had to say and looking into them...today I bought a Space pen x-750 ball point and I really like it

[Steven]

When it comes to ballpoints I like those that use the Parker Refills since the Parker style refills are made by many companies and they come in ink, roller ball and gel. Some of the pens I have that accept Parker refills that have a nice grip (for me anyway) are:

 

Parker T-Ball Jotter - The classic

Parker IM Ballpoint

Parker Urban Ballpoint

Parker Frontier Ballpoint

Sheaffer Sagaris Ballpoint - That's right the newer Sheaffers use Parker refills

Rotring Tikky Ballpen

Stabilo COM4ball Ballpoint

Staedtler Triplus Ballpoint

 

However the best writing ballpoint for me is the Uni-Ball Jetstream. This thing glides effortless.

[theverdictis]

Always can count on a Parker Jotter, will write on pretty much any type of paper and keeps coming back for more. The refills last quite a while as well.

 

Ben

[Nihontochicken]

I carry both a FP (Kaweco Sport) and BP pen (Delta Elite), and while I prefer the writing of the FP, I most often use the BP pen, mainly because of the convenience. With the FP, I must first fish it out of my shirt pocket, and then with both hands remove the cap, then post the cap, and finally go about writing with it. With the BP pen, I can grab it and hit the button and immediately put it to paper, all with just one hand. Similar situation when done writing, it takes about four times longer to put the FP to use and to put it away as the BP. Same goes for most roller ball pens, since they employ a removable cap. It's not the ink difference, but the ease of use that sways me to the BP over the RB. If I have to use two hands to remove a cap, I may as well use a FP. And note that, for those who prefer, many BP pens have gel ink fillers available (my BP takes Parker refills). Twist actuated BP pens are about as slow as FPs and typical RBs to get into action, so it's cap and button actuated BP pens for me. Yes, I know I could get a Pilot Vanishing Point, best of both worlds? But it would cost many times that of a nice, old Parker Flighter, and it's not a heart stopping, mind altering event to drop a BP pen on its point. Speaking of Flighters, a recent acquisition here, was thinking of carrying it, but it looks too nice to risk wear and tear:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/nihontochicken/IMG_0282_zpsbbbecaf3.jpg

 

A bit of a barrel scuff from the actuator cap and that's it, pretty much new. Not quite as classy as a 51 Flighter pen/pencil, but a few steps above the models of years later with the cheapened clips and no gold embellishment. Note that this pen is named International Flighter Jotter on the label on the end of the box (I had thought that the term Flighter, while commonly used to describe many Parker all-stainless models, was really correct only for the 51). Too bad Parker didn't make a 51 Flighter ballpoint pen, though I understand that perhaps a cap actuated pencil may be converted (will the standard Parker BP refill fit the 51 Flighter liquid lead pencils?).

 

BTW, is there any viable method of resurrecting old Parker refills that have stopped writing but are not empty, perhaps by soaking the points in a solvent for a time, or ???

Edited April 6, 2014 by Nihontochicken

[RebeccaN]

Many people seem to suggest Parker pens -- why is that? Is it the refills that write smoothly?

[Stephen2020]

I carry both a FP (Kaweco Sport) and BP pen (Delta Elite), and while I prefer the writing of the FP, I most often use the BP pen, mainly because of the convenience. With the FP, I must first fish it out of my shirt pocket, and then with both hands remove the cap, then post the cap, and finally go about writing with it. With the BP pen, I can grab it and hit the button and immediately put it to paper, all with just one hand. Similar situation when done writing, it takes about four times longer to put the FP to use and to put it away as the BP. Same goes for most roller ball pens, since they employ a removable cap. It's not the ink difference, but the ease of use that sways me to the BP over the RB. If I have to use two hands to remove a cap, I may as well use a FP. And note that, for those who prefer, many BP pens have gel ink fillers available (my BP takes Parker refills). Twist actuated BP pens are about as slow as FPs and typical RBs to get into action, so it's cap and button actuated BP pens for me. Yes, I know I could get a Pilot Vanishing Point, best of both worlds? But it would cost many times that of a nice, old Parker Flighter, and it's not a heart stopping, mind altering event to drop a BP pen on its point. Speaking of Flighters, a recent acquisition here, was thinking of carrying it, but it looks too nice to risk wear and tear:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/nihontochicken/IMG_0282_zpsbbbecaf3.jpg

 

A bit of a barrel scuff from the actuator cap and that's it, pretty much new. Not quite as classy as a 51 Flighter pen/pencil, but a few steps above the models of years later with the cheapened clips and no gold embellishment. Note that this pen is named International Flighter Jotter on the label on the end of the box (I had thought that the term Flighter, while commonly used to describe many Parker all-stainless models, was really correct only for the 51). Too bad Parker didn't make a 51 Flighter ballpoint pen, though I understand that perhaps a cap actuated pencil may be converted (will the standard Parker BP refill fit the 51 Flighter liquid lead pencils?).

 

BTW, is there any viable method of resurrecting old Parker refills that have stopped writing but are not empty, perhaps by soaking the points in a solvent for a time, or ???

Put it in a dish and pour in boiling water, when it cools to hand warmth take out the refill and try it. No guarantees but you may have some luck???

[FayeV]

I prefer fountain pen first. My second choice writing instrument is a mechanical pencil. (We have a plethora of mechanicals pencils, side effect of my 9 yr old's love of them).

 

If I had to choose between RB and BP, I'll always choose the RB. Much easier and smoother writing for my "lazy" hand. I hate BP pens. High end or low end BP makes no difference. My Waterman BP gathers dust in an obscure corner of a desk drawer. I tend to carry cheapo disposables that I don't mind giving away when people ask to borrow a pen. The only reason I'm still tied down to using a BP is because the hubby orders those duplicate checks and I need to use the BP in order to make a legible imprint on the copy.