When People Offer Me a Cheap Ballpoint...

[davidtaylorjr]

On 1/27/2022 at 5:05 PM, Checklist said:

I thought I remembered hearing a while back that COVID didn't really spread via surfaces.  Sanitizing my pens has never occurred to me, unless the kids get ahold of one...

Correct, odds of surface transmission are low Science Brief: SARS-CoV-2 and Surface (Fomite) Transmission for Indoor Community Environments | CDC

[Black Spot]

When People Offer Me a Cheap Ballpoint...

 

Ah, I see that you have not heard of the trinity of good things. Allow me to enlighten you.

We shall read From the first book of fountain pens

The conversion of the Double edged razor 

and the joy of the good chefs knife.

 

 

 

  

 

[Mercian]

In addition to my fountain pen du jour, I carry one of those four-colour Bic multi-pens with me for use on types of paper that are not FP-friendly (or if I ever have to lend a pen to somebody).

 

At the moment, during the time of the ‘rona, on the occasions when I have felt a need to ‘decontaminate’ my FP after using it in public, on my return home I have washed it along with my hands using soap and water.
Soap is a better way to disrupt the lipid ‘shell’ of the virus than is alcohol. And is also less likely to damage any plastics in one’s pen.

 

Were I to find myself in need of hospitalisation at the moment, my plan is to load my all-stainless-steel Parker Vector with a cartridge re-filled with Sailor Kiwa Guro. I will take the Vector, along with a small notebook/bloc pad, in the bag of things that the hospital wants me to bring-in with me.

 

Why would I want a pen with me if I get hospitalised?

Well, if I have to be intubated/ventilated/wear an oxygen mask, I imagine that speaking clearly might get somewhat difficult, so being able to write my answers to any questions from clinicians seems to me to be a good idea.

 

Why that Vector?

Because the all-stainless-steel construction of the pen (apart from its feed) means not only that it is robust, but also that it can be safely wiped-down with alcohol-based gel by hospital staff if they need to do so.

Also, if it gets stolen/lost while I’m in there, I’ve only lost a Vector. I would not want to risk taking in any pen that is expensive or hard-to-replace.

 

Why Kiwa Guro?

It flows well, but doesn’t feather or bleed, it is lightfast, and is very water-resistant.

Noodler’s Black would be another good candidate.

[Mercian]

4 minutes ago, Black Spot said:

The conversion of the Double edged razor 

and the joy of the good chefs knife.

I am hoping that you do not intend to use these two items ‘Samurai style’ - i.e.  to ‘deal with’ the scapegrace wretch who impugned your dignity by offering you the cheap ballpoint 

[Black Spot]

20 minutes ago, Mercian said:

I am hoping that you do not intend to use these two items ‘Samurai style’ - i.e.  to ‘deal with’ the scapegrace wretch who impugned your dignity by offering you the cheap ballpoint 

 

No, We seek to convert, show you the error of your ways. 

 

 

[lovemy51]

On 1/31/2022 at 11:40 PM, AmandaW said:

 

I just finished reading about the history of Bic Cristal in 'The Missing Ink' by Philip Hensher and was left thinking I should get one. Briefly...

I don't have access to that book, but i like this article here: https://penhero.com/PenGallery/BIC/BICLE.htm

not necessarily about the "cristal" tho'

[old_enough]

On 2/2/2022 at 2:25 PM, Mercian said:

[…]

 

Why Kiwa Guro?

It flows well, but doesn’t feather or bleed, it is lightfast, and is very water-resistant.

Noodler’s Black would be another good candidate.

Those Sailor Nano Inks are the only ones I found which can replace a ballpoint on bad paper most of the time. For me it’s Sou-Boku.
 

Most inks don’t even work properly on office paper, bleeding into double broad lines from a fine nib. My Sailor Mini with H-EF Nib does the job on almost any paper. Good for printed out forms.  
 

I still use ballpoints from time to time. Normally I try to avoid those cheap giveaways. But when I was offered a BIC Cristal some weeks ago, I took it thankfully. Those are not bad and the refills fit into my leather-clad BIC Cristal x Pinel et Pinel…

 

Best,

Sebastian

[Kari Homan Shannon]

On 1/27/2022 at 5:05 PM, Checklist said:

I thought I remembered hearing a while back that COVID didn't really spread via surfaces.  Sanitizing my pens has never occurred to me, unless the kids get ahold of one...

 

eh.  I figure if I'm going to get sick from a fountain pen, there's worse ways to go.... We all need a *little* exposure otherwise covid will become the next MRSA (superbug).... 

 

I ate dirt as a child, and I'm totally fine, and healthy, and happy..... It built my immune system I'm sure, and as such, I almost never get sick.  That's it, that's my answer..... eat dirt.... Lol.  

[Kari Homan Shannon]

On 2/2/2022 at 7:25 AM, Mercian said:

In addition to my fountain pen du jour, I carry one of those four-colour Bic multi-pens with me for use on types of paper that are not FP-friendly (or if I ever have to lend a pen to somebody).

 

At the moment, during the time of the ‘rona, on the occasions when I have felt a need to ‘decontaminate’ my FP after using it in public, on my return home I have washed it along with my hands using soap and water.
Soap is a better way to disrupt the lipid ‘shell’ of the virus than is alcohol. And is also less likely to damage any plastics in one’s pen.

 

Were I to find myself in need of hospitalisation at the moment, my plan is to load my all-stainless-steel Parker Vector with a cartridge re-filled with Sailor Kiwa Guro. I will take the Vector, along with a small notebook/bloc pad, in the bag of things that the hospital wants me to bring-in with me.

 

Why would I want a pen with me if I get hospitalised?

Well, if I have to be intubated/ventilated/wear an oxygen mask, I imagine that speaking clearly might get somewhat difficult, so being able to write my answers to any questions from clinicians seems to me to be a good idea.

 

Why that Vector?

Because the all-stainless-steel construction of the pen (apart from its feed) means not only that it is robust, but also that it can be safely wiped-down with alcohol-based gel by hospital staff if they need to do so.

Also, if it gets stolen/lost while I’m in there, I’ve only lost a Vector. I would not want to risk taking in any pen that is expensive or hard-to-replace.

 

Why Kiwa Guro?

It flows well, but doesn’t feather or bleed, it is lightfast, and is very water-resistant.

Noodler’s Black would be another good candidate.

 

Lol.  Sounds like you've put some thought into this.... Lol.  I'd probably just take a bic, or maybe wooden pencils, even though my fp's are all intro / cheap I'm still fairly attached.... plus, I just wouldn't want to deal with covid AND inky fingers.  Lol.  I was re-inking a pen last night, and it fell onto my desk, hit just right and splashed ink EVERYWHERE.... I even had it on my lips and teeth... 

 

I don't know, it just seems like having to deal with inky fingers AND covid might be more than I could handle.... hahaha.  

[inkstainedruth]

On 2/2/2022 at 8:48 AM, Black Spot said:

 

No, We seek to convert, show you the error of your ways. 

 

 

 

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[mke]

On 1/30/2022 at 12:10 AM, N1003U said:

the typical oxidation state for copper is +2

Sorry, but that is not correct - copper is +1 or +2. Wikipedia: "Copper forms a rich variety of compounds, usually with oxidation states +1 and +2"

[txomsy]

When People Offer Me a Cheap Ballpoint...

 

I just, say thanks, and use it. That's the least one can do to acknowledge a courteous offering: accept it politely and thank the producer for caring enough to share whatever they have with and interest to help.

[Mech-for-i]

1 hour ago, txomsy said:

When People Offer Me a Cheap Ballpoint...

 

I just, say thanks, and use it. That's the least one can do to acknowledge a courteous offering: accept it politely and thank the producer for caring enough to share whatever they have with and interest to help.

 

Second that, cannot say it any better

[N1003U]

On 4/26/2022 at 6:10 AM, mke said:

Sorry, but that is not correct - copper is +1 or +2. Wikipedia: "Copper forms a rich variety of compounds, usually with oxidation states +1 and +2"

 

Yea, yea, copper will go into a +1 state, but you usually really have to whack it with a lot of energy to make it do it...+2 is WAY more typical...

 

...many metals are famous for taking on multiple oxidation states, but some states are more equal than others...

[kaissa]

On 11/26/2021 at 6:20 PM, Checklist said:

Apologize for the reference to a terrible movie, but it is a good response to offers of a cheap Bic.  

 

 I understand your dislike of BIC but Cristal 1.6 mm is one hell of a pen. Sadly I cannot buy them as easily as before but you should give it a try if you like bold lines.