My Gel Pen Dilemma

[RyanM]

Hey guys,

I currently use a Visconi Gel Refill, which currently lasts around 1 week.

I was wondering if it would last longer if I used a capped pen, such as a Rollerball.

This made me think; Why do gel refills come in normal Parker sized refills, and for pens which do not require a cap?

Is this why I keep running out of ink? Does it just keep drying up?

And should I keep using a ballpoint pen with a gel refill, or should I upgrade to a Rollerball?

Thanks guys,

Ryan.

[Gloucesterman]

I used a Visconti gel refill for quite a while (months of regular use) and never had the dry out/run out. I wonder if you might have received NOS -new old stock and it was already on its way out. Unless you were writing a huge amount, those are the only reasons I can think that it would run out so quickly.

[arcadeflow]

Some gel pens have caps, others don't, same case of ballpoints. They don't need them.

[amberleadavis]

I love gel pens and used them heavily during law school. I would suggest that something is happening with the tips because you should not be writing enough to use a pen up that fast.

[SallyLyn]

My limited experience- gel pens seem to run out of ink as fast as many of my fountain pen fills. Ballpoints last forever.

Doesn't make sense to my mind that gels are putting down that much more ink than a ballpoint but they must be. I can watch the ink drop in those with a clear case.

 

I enjoy the writing experience with gel/uni ball type pens but if I were writing lots like going to school unless I was filthy rich would be looking for a less expensive way to go.

 

I might try a different gel pen (I do like the uni ball jetstream) for a week or so to see if you have the same usage experience.

[Morphling27]

I don't think a gel pen dries out - what would be evaporating? It's encased and it has a clear substance at the back end to keep it from coming out or drying out I'd imagine.

 

Also, they can run out quickly, many gel pens are pretty fat - I always liked the G2 refills in the .38 size as they actually lasted a while and put down a good, fine line. It's only a little tube of ink - unless you have an eye dropper or larger fountain pen that fills from a plunger or another method, most converters don't hold much ink. So, think of a gel refill the same way - a tiny tube of ink.

[amberleadavis]

My limited experience- gel pens seem to run out of ink as fast as many of my fountain pen fills. Ballpoints last forever.

Doesn't make sense to my mind that gels are putting down that much more ink than a ballpoint but they must be. I can watch the ink drop in those with a clear case.

 

I enjoy the writing experience with gel/uni ball type pens but if I were writing lots like going to school unless I was filthy rich would be looking for a less expensive way to go.

 

I might try a different gel pen (I do like the uni ball jetstream) for a week or so to see if you have the same usage experience.

 

 

I can tell you that even the cheap gel pens lasted a week, and I write 15 pages of notes per class hour. A week just seems really short. I agree, try a different brand refill and see if you have the same experience.

[amberleadavis]

I don't think a gel pen dries out - what would be evaporating? It's encased and it has a clear substance at the back end to keep it from coming out or drying out I'd imagine.

 

Also, they can run out quickly, many gel pens are pretty fat - I always liked the G2 refills in the .38 size as they actually lasted a while and put down a good, fine line. It's only a little tube of ink - unless you have an eye dropper or larger fountain pen that fills from a plunger or another method, most converters don't hold much ink. So, think of a gel refill the same way - a tiny tube of ink.

 

They don't have to dry out, if the nib gets clogged, they are useless. Remember in the old days when you could ruin a good rollerball with fax paper? You can still destroy a gel pen by using it on receipt paper.

 

WAIT, are you using in on a coated paper?

 

Certain papers will destroy the feed area of the gel pen.