Ballpoint Or Rollerball?

[stevekolt]

When not using one of your fountain pens, what do you prefer? A ballpoint or a rollerball? Why?

[RayMan]

Ballpoint with Parker or G2 style gel refill. I prefer gel refills over the standard ballpoint, because they're much smoother. I prefer gel over rollerball refills because they work well over a broader range of papers. Rollerballs can bleed through paper.

[NinthSphere]

Gel, specifically an Itoya GPR-7, in a Jotter or Maxmadco. Same reasoning as RayMan.

[Chrissy]

Rollerball as they are wetter but sometimes I just write with a ballpoint.

[SallyLyn]

If you need to write vast amounts and are on a budget a ballpoint is the way to go.

Gobs of money and ability to carry extras I’d go with the Uni Jetstream.

[hinky]

My trusty stainless steel Parker Jotter works really nicely with Schneider Gelion (Parker style gel) refills. I'm not really sure what category it falls under (rollerball or ballpoint). I love that the body of the refill is transparent, which is useful if you like knowing how much ink you have left. It puts down a nice consistent line and I find it smooth and pleasurable to write with.

[IvoryParker]

I actually prefer both, depending on whatever pen whim that I am on. More partial to rollerball however.

[RayMan]

I love that the body of the refill is transparent, which is useful if you like knowing how much ink you have left.

I prefer the clear refills as well. Not only can you see how much ink you have left, but also how much ink you started with. I'm just paranoid, and I don't trust manufacturers of the metal refills.

[usk15]

I prefer the clear refills as well. Not only can you see how much ink you have left, but also how much ink you started with. I'm just paranoid, and I don't trust manufacturers of the metal refills.

 

I read a while ago that plastic refills have thicker walls than metal refills, resulting in less internal diameter/ less capacity, resulting less ink. I'm guessing that is due to the resistance factor, metal refills being stronger then plastic refills.

[RayMan]

I read a while ago that plastic refills have thicker walls than metal refills, resulting in less internal diameter/ less capacity, resulting less ink. I'm guessing that is due to the resistance factor, metal refills being stronger then plastic refills.

Interesting. I never thought of that. Thanks.

[qvxb]

Rollerballs generally produce a darker line than ballpoints, but the Parker Quinkflow ballpoint refill with black ink comes close.

 

Retro 51 Tornados can use a rollerball refill or a Parker style ballpoint refill.

[hinky]

 

I read a while ago that plastic refills have thicker walls than metal refills, resulting in less internal diameter/ less capacity, resulting less ink. I'm guessing that is due to the resistance factor, metal refills being stronger then plastic refills.

That makes a lot of sense. 😁 But since I always carry numerous FPs and the jotter is just a back up (and the one I hand to other people when they borrow a pen), I can do without the bigger ink capacity. I guess it depends on the OP if he needs a pen with a lot of ink. 😊

[Algester]

Was never a fan of ink sticks so gel pens for me and they are technically consdered ballpoints, as for jotter refill I dont like the thick lines but if ever... I think Inoxcrom refills are ok

[Witsius]

I guess I prefer gel pens like the Uniball Signo or the Pilot G2 over a ball point. But I've got a Parker Jotter that I really like, and I have a few Fisher Space pens of various styles that I also enjoy. I need to find the Schmidt Parker style gel refillls and give those a try. I prefer the bolder line of a gel pen.

[carlos.q]

I prefer a Pilot G2 with a 1.0 broad refill.

[888007888]

I prefer a Pilot G2 with a 1.0 broad refill.

Me too 👍.

 

Although I have so many other pens such as MB ballpoints and rollerballs, that I feel the need to use the other pens in my collection. Pulled out the GvFC Intuition Platino wood RB last night. Haven't used it in about a year. Super smooth and write just like a brand new refill. Much smoother than any MB RB that I've ever used. Was surprised that it didn't hard start!

[Donald2]

I prefer a smooth rollerball. I write with a number of different types of rollerball pens like the Pentel Energel, G2, Cross Century II rollerball, Parker Jotter with Gel ink, Uni multi colored gel pens, Uni rollerballs, Pentel V5 rollerballs and Tombow rollerballs.

[Zookie]

When not using a fp, I like to use a heavy, dark rollerball.

I have pretty severe arthritis in my hands, and a ballpoint is too uncomfortable.

[sandy101]

I carry a ballpoint, because pens that don't like fountain pen ink tend not to like rollerball ink (I write lots of postcards).

 

At work, I tend to switch between Fps and pilot G2 rollerballs.

 

So, the answer is both.

[C95]

The Parker gel dries almost instantly, faster than a rollerball but its line is quite dark. I was disappointed by the 1.0 quinkflow because of its pale line, gray not black! Are there different version of it?I have not found a pure ballpoint with a decent true black yet