Recommendations for a smooth ball point pen?

[antarmukhee]

Which is the smoothest writing ball point pen that you have used?

I am looking for recommendations for a good-looking professionally-looking ball point pen to be gifted.

[hari317]

2 hours ago, bestillmysoul said:

Which is the smoothest writing ball point pen that you have used?

I am looking for recommendations for a good-looking professionally-looking ball point pen to be gifted.

Uniball Laknok broad. Very smooth. But I don’t think it will make a good gift. Uniball Jet stream refills are v good and some fancy models like sxn-310 might be worth gifting. 

[flatline]

If I gift a ballpoint, it's almost always a Fisher space pen of some sort. They're not the smoothest writing BP, but they look nice, they feel nice, and they never quit on you unexpectedly, even when they're almost out of ink (although you do have to write slower to let the air pressure push the remaining ink against the ball).

 

My wife likes the Uniball Jetstream which I think is a ballpoint using hybrid ink, but I don't think there are any handsome Jetstream models out there.

[antarmukhee]

Thanks, @flatline@hari317

You are right, Uniball Jetstream or Laknok do not have the 'show' factor for a serious gift..

I was looking for a professional-looking pen like Parker Jotter, or Sheaffer sentinel or Cross classic century ball pen.. Of these I was not happy with Jotter refill. No experience with others.

 

I was not aware of Fischer pens; thanks for pointing it out. Among space pens, is there any model in particular that you would recommend? The 'capomatic' model comes closer in cost to Cross classic century. Are any of these pens better than Jotter refill (just to get a sense of pen that I am familiar with) ?

 

[Mercian]

5 hours ago, bestillmysoul said:

Which is the smoothest writing ball point pen that you have used?

I am looking for recommendations for a good-looking professionally-looking ball point pen to be gifted.

 

The answer to your question is more complicated than you might expect!

There are various types of ballpoint refill available out there.
Many companies make ballpoint refills to their own, proprietary, shape & size, but there are also various 'standard'-pattern refills which can be put in to many ballpoint pens.

 

For instance, the size and shape of refill that Parker puts in to its ballpoint pens (such as the Jotter, Urban, and Vector) is known as a 'G2' refill (but one must be careful - Pilot also make a refill/pen that they call 'G2', and it is a totally different thing).

Pelikan also makes ballpoint refills that conform to Parker's 'G2' pattern.
So, one could buy a Pelikan ballpoint and then put Parker G2 refills in it, or buy a Parker ballpoint and then use Pelikan's G2 refills in it.
Parker makes G2 refills with traditional ballpoint ink, and G2 refills that are filled with 'gel' ink. In my experience, Parker's gel ink gives a far smoother writing experience than their 'normal' or 'traditional' ballpoint ink. But they do not last as long as the traditional-ballpoint-ink refills do.

If you are wishing to buy pens to gift to people, if I were you I would find a pen whose size/shape/appearance you like, then find out what kind of ballpoint refills it takes, and then try to find out which company makes the smoothest-writing refills of that type.
E.g. if you decide that you like the shape of the Parker Urban ballpoint, which takes G2 refills, you could ask for advice about which company makes the smoothest-writing G2 refills.

I hope that this information helps, and I wish you good luck in your quest.

[Zookie]

It someone were to gift me a Fischer bullet pen, that would make me very happy. They are very nice pens 😎

BTW My birthday is coming up in September 😁

[hari317]

7 hours ago, bestillmysoul said:

Among space pens, is there any model in particular that you would recommend?

The AG7. IMO the pens are just ok my brand new AG7 purchased from USA fell apart. The Indian fisher space agent refused to touch it. No issues I sent it back to fisher space USA and it was repaired and returned. The Broad fisher refills are smooth. 
 

Jotters are an excellent choice with aftermarket refills from Schmidt or Schneider. 

[antarmukhee]

10 hours ago, Mercian said:

 

The answer to your question is more complicated than you might expect!

There are various types of ballpoint refill available out there.
Many companies make ballpoint refills to their own, proprietary, shape & size, but there are also various 'standard'-pattern refills which can be put in to many ballpoint pens.

 

For instance, the size and shape of refill that Parker puts in to its ballpoint pens (such as the Jotter, Urban, and Vector) is known as a 'G2' refill (but one must be careful - Pilot also make a refill/pen that they call 'G2', and it is a totally different thing).

Pelikan also makes ballpoint refills that conform to Parker's 'G2' pattern.
So, one could buy a Pelikan ballpoint and then put Parker G2 refills in it, or buy a Parker ballpoint and then use Pelikan's G2 refills in it.
Parker makes G2 refills with traditional ballpoint ink, and G2 refills that are filled with 'gel' ink. In my experience, Parker's gel ink gives a far smoother writing experience than their 'normal' or 'traditional' ballpoint ink. But they do not last as long as the traditional-ballpoint-ink refills do.

If you are wishing to buy pens to gift to people, if I were you I would find a pen whose size/shape/appearance you like, then find out what kind of ballpoint refills it takes, and then try to find out which company makes the smoothest-writing refills of that type.
E.g. if you decide that you like the shape of the Parker Urban ballpoint, which takes G2 refills, you could ask for advice about which company makes the smoothest-writing G2 refills.

I hope that this information helps, and I wish you good luck in your quest.

 

Thank you very much, @Mercian

I will first decide on a body and then search for refill.

[antarmukhee]

4 hours ago, hari317 said:

The AG7. IMO the pens are just ok my brand new AG7 purchased from USA fell apart. The Indian fisher space agent refused to touch it. No issues I sent it back to fisher space USA and it was repaired and returned. The Broad fisher refills are smooth. 
 

Jotters are an excellent choice with aftermarket refills from Schmidt or Schneider. 

 

Thanks @hari317

Will search for jotter compatible schmidt and schneider refills.

 

[Mangrove Jack]

This is what I would recommend.

As good a combination as strawberries and cream.

 

The following pen with the following refill. 

The pen: Pelikan K200 click operated ballpoint pen which takes the  Parker Style G2 refill. The pen is very well made, looks very good, has excellent ergonomics (IMO) and is good value for money. Made in Germany.

https://www.amazon.com/Pelikan-Classic-983189-Retractable-Ballpoint/dp/B0014E2H8Y

 

The refill: Uniball Jetstream. A very smooth, dark, reliable refill. It's got some hi-tech hybrid ink in it and it works bloody well. I use it.

This is the model that is a "Parker Style" refill. Same size as Parker G2 refill. Japanese made. 

https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-SXR-600-Jetstream-Ballpoint-Pen-Refill-0.5-mm-Black/pd/25439

[markofp]

The Pilot Metropolitan Ballpoint is a beautiful all-metal twist-to-open pen of fine size and weight, and is the smoothest writing ballpoint that I personally have ever owned. You can also find rollerball and fountain pens that match it. It is not expensive, but well-made enough to come across as an impressive gift.

 

 

[antarmukhee]

On 8/28/2021 at 1:02 AM, Mangrove Jack said:

This is what I would recommend.

As good a combination as strawberries and cream.

 

The following pen with the following refill. 

The pen: Pelikan K200 click operated ballpoint pen which takes the  Parker Style G2 refill. The pen is very well made, looks very good, has excellent ergonomics (IMO) and is good value for money. Made in Germany.

https://www.amazon.com/Pelikan-Classic-983189-Retractable-Ballpoint/dp/B0014E2H8Y

 

The refill: Uniball Jetstream. A very smooth, dark, reliable refill. It's got some hi-tech hybrid ink in it and it works bloody well. I use it.

This is the model that is a "Parker Style" refill. Same size as Parker G2 refill. Japanese made. 

https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-SXR-600-Jetstream-Ballpoint-Pen-Refill-0.5-mm-Black/pd/25439

 

Thank you for your recommendation. Yes, the pen looks quite good..

[antarmukhee]

7 hours ago, markofp said:

The Pilot Metropolitan Ballpoint is a beautiful all-metal twist-to-open pen of fine size and weight, and is the smoothest writing ballpoint that I personally have ever owned. You can also find rollerball and fountain pens that match it. It is not expensive, but well-made enough to come across as an impressive gift.

 

 

 

Thank you.. I was aware of Pilot metro roller ball pen, but the ballpoint I was not aware of.. Just searched for it on amazon india and it looks good..

Can you please tell me the name of the refill for this pen and Pilot metro rollerball pen?

Thanks..

[markofp]

The Metropolitan ballpoint takes what is known as the "Dr. Grip Center of Gravity" refill. It's not easy to find in stores but is easily order-able on-line.

 

The rollerball takes the same refill as the G2. 

[kaissa]

It really depends on the receiver's interest in pens. I see Parker Jotter as a very safe gift. Lots of colors to choose from, very good price to performance ratio.

 

Smoothness depends on the refill. If you insisi on a "ballpoint" I would recommend Schmidt's EasyFlow 9000 or Schneider's Slider 755 in XB point. Both of these refills will write smoother than Parker Quinkflow refill that comes with the Jotter. Not bad but not amazing either.

 

As mentioned before a gel refill is a very nice choice. It definetely will write smoothly. I like Parker's gel refills. 

[antarmukhee]

On 9/4/2021 at 12:44 AM, kaissa said:

It really depends on the receiver's interest in pens. I see Parker Jotter as a very safe gift. Lots of colors to choose from, very good price to performance ratio.

 

Smoothness depends on the refill. If you insisi on a "ballpoint" I would recommend Schmidt's EasyFlow 9000 or Schneider's Slider 755 in XB point. Both of these refills will write smoother than Parker Quinkflow refill that comes with the Jotter. Not bad but not amazing either.

 

As mentioned before a gel refill is a very nice choice. It definetely will write smoothly. I like Parker's gel refills. 

 

Thanks..

Yes, I agree..

I like the form factor of Jotter, but I wish they were smoother to write.. replacing the refill seems like the best bet..

 

Another factor in a gift is the novelty factor. As in, most stationary shops in my area carry Jotter, so I am sure my recipient is familiar with it.. also, he is a doctor, so he would have received quite a number of pens (including Jotter) as gifts.. that is why I am hesitant about Jotter.. I was looking for some design that my friend would not have seen before..

 

***

 

Anyway, I went to a local pen shop, and got a few nice pens.

One is a pen that is designed like a jotter, slightly larger, and has a sheaffer-imperial-style clip-button-push mechanism for exposing the refill tip.. another has a mobile-stylus on one end, and a cap, which, when fully posted, shines a tiny LED light near the refill tip so that one can write in dark ( it's a bit fancy, but made me smile when I saw it).. another is a cute metallic pen, small in size with a simple design, that has a magnetic cap, that holds magnetically when posted.. these pens had sturdy bodies.. refills were quite good quality in first 2, and had jotter-like smoothness in the third. I will replace the third pen's refill with Schmidt refill if I gift it... 

All these pens were made in Mumbai, had no brand name on them, and were only as expensive as a jotter.. 

[antarmukhee]

On 9/4/2021 at 12:44 AM, kaissa said:

It really depends on the receiver's interest in pens. I see Parker Jotter as a very safe gift. Lots of colors to choose from, very good price to performance ratio.

 

Smoothness depends on the refill. If you insisi on a "ballpoint" I would recommend Schmidt's EasyFlow 9000 or Schneider's Slider 755 in XB point. Both of these refills will write smoother than Parker Quinkflow refill that comes with the Jotter. Not bad but not amazing either.

 

As mentioned before a gel refill is a very nice choice. It definetely will write smoothly. I like Parker's gel refills. 

 

Also, the insistence on ball point pen was because I know that the recipient is required to use ball point (and not rollerball) at work...

your suggestion actually prompted me to think from recipient's point of view once again... thanks...

[bk123]

You can try Pelikan Jazz K35 or K36. It's a nice looking pen and easily available under Rs 1000. I had a good experience with its Bold refill.

 

 

[antarmukhee]

4 hours ago, bk123 said:

You can try Pelikan Jazz K35 or K36. It's a nice looking pen and easily available under Rs 1000. I had a good experience with its Bold refill.

 

 

 

Thanks, will have a look..

[orfew]

I love the Montblanc bps. They are smooth and very well balanced. I also love my Visconti Van Gogh bp. It is also an excellent writer.