Recomandations for a SOLID ballpoint

[Waltz For Zizi]

Even though I am 99.9% fan of the fountain pen I have a few BP's and RB's bought on the used market, because they had very good prices.

I'm looking to expand my "repertoire" to see what else it's out there especially since I recently just discovered the Sakura craft_lab 001 and 002 that are really "down my alley". I haven't bought them but they sparked my interest in BP's a bit more.

What other BP's would you recommend besides the usual mainstream ones like Montblanc, Pelikan, Lamy,etc, brands that are well known for fountain pens, because I probably already know them. Something in the range of 50-100$, not 5$ Pilot pens or hundreds of $ titanium ones made by the EDC brands.

 

[Paul-in-SF]

I have a Rotring 600 BP, which is the only ball pen I have or use (I have a few gel pens too). I think it fits the definition of "rock solid." It's about 40 years old and I paid about $100 for it a few months ago. I don't know if that's at, above or below the market for that pen, but it has sure been worth it to me. 

[Number99]

I do not have these pens but from my previous wishlist. Mitsubishi Pure Malt. I am not sure if this is what you are looking for as it is made of wood.

The ballpoint pen is equivalent to $10-35USD in Japan, but the price is often not clear when you go overseas.

https://www.mpuni.co.jp/products/ballpoint_pens/ballpoint/puremalt/oil_based.html

 

If you are interested in an ultrafine tip, there is the Jetstream Edge.

This is an oil-based ballpoint pen with a 0.28mm ultra-fine tip. The tip has good visibility but you may need to hold it as upright as a brush pen.

It has a functional design, but may not be as luxurious.

https://www.mpuni.co.jp/products/ballpoint_pens/jetstream/jetstream_edge/edge.html

 

This is an aside, but I prefer PARKER, but many people in Japan prefer Jetstream, which has less writing resistance.

I strongly recommend owning just one Power Tank, as it is a low-end model for disaster prevention purposes.

https://www.mpuni.co.jp/products/ballpoint_pens/?subcate=jetstream/index.html

 

I think it is a good idea to start with an inexpensive pen that uses the same refill or ink to see if it fits your needs, and then move up to a higher-end model with a refill that fits your preference.

 

[pencomparer]

I've spent the past couple years reviewing ballpoint/rollerball/gel pens on my blog, and I can say some of the best are (in no particular order):

 

Uni SXN-2200

Tombow Zoom

Ohto GS02

[Chthulhu]

I'm fond of the Ballograf 'Epoca" pens; their refills are very good, and hold archival-quality ink.

 

[SpecTP]

check out Tactile Turn too https://tactileturn.com/

 

I have a few and it's very durable and fun to use

[amberleadavis]

3 hours ago, SpecTP said:

check out Tactile Turn too https://tactileturn.com/

 

I have a few and it's very durable and fun to use

 

I was just gifted and Ember and I adore it.

[Waltz For Zizi]

4 hours ago, SpecTP said:

check out Tactile Turn too https://tactileturn.com/

 

I have a few and it's very durable and fun to use

Thanks! Unfortunately I'M not the biggest fan of the "utilitarian" look of them. I preffer something more elegant. Two of the most elegant ballpoint pens that I know of (in my subjective opinion) are the Graf von Faber Castell Intuition (in ivory) and Aurora Optima ( the older versions)

[The Elevator]

My recommendation is the Uni Jetstream Alpha Gel UNI SXN1000071. It’s only $10-15, (depending on vendor) and for that price you get a sturdy aluminum body, a super comfortable Alpha Gel grip, and the ability to change refills. (Posting a Jetpens link for compatibility) https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Jetstream-Ballpoint-Pen-0.7-mm-Alpha-Gel-Grip-Series-Black-Body/pd/2775/refills?pn=2.

what Jetpens doesn’t tell us is that the pen is also compatible with Uniball Signo UMR8# refills and Pentel Energel refills. (I have successfully used both) 

 

When I don’t have a fountain pen with me, my daily driver is one of these with the Uniball 307 UMR 85E refill. 

 

The only real caveat to this pen is that the grip is positioned pretty far back from the tip. If you are  used to fountain pens with # 6 nibs or bigger, this shouldn’t be a problem.

 

Uni also makes a premium type multi ballpoint with Jetstream ink. I haven’t bought one yet, but it’s on the list. 

https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Jetstream-Prime-3-Color-Ballpoint-Multi-Pen-0.5-mm-Black/pd/38443#index=1

[Waltz For Zizi]

5 hours ago, The Elevator said:

My recommendation is the Uni Jetstream Alpha Gel UNI SXN1000071. It’s only $10-15, (depending on vendor) and for that price you get a sturdy aluminum body, a super comfortable Alpha Gel grip, and the ability to change refills. (Posting a Jetpens link for compatibility) https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Jetstream-Ballpoint-Pen-0.7-mm-Alpha-Gel-Grip-Series-Black-Body/pd/2775/refills?pn=2.

what Jetpens doesn’t tell us is that the pen is also compatible with Uniball Signo UMR8# refills and Pentel Energel refills. (I have successfully used both) 

 

When I don’t have a fountain pen with me, my daily driver is one of these with the Uniball 307 UMR 85E refill. 

 

The only real caveat to this pen is that the grip is positioned pretty far back from the tip. If you are  used to fountain pens with # 6 nibs or bigger, this shouldn’t be a problem.

 

Uni also makes a premium type multi ballpoint with Jetstream ink. I haven’t bought one yet, but it’s on the list. 

https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Jetstream-Prime-3-Color-Ballpoint-Multi-Pen-0.5-mm-Black/pd/38443#index=1

Have you tried the Pilot dr. grip?

[mr T.]

On 8/16/2023 at 11:36 PM, Waltz For Zizi said:

I'm looking to expand my "repertoire" to see what else it's out there especially since I recently just discovered the Sakura craft_lab 001 and 002 that are really "down my alley".

Some recommendations: Rotring 600 bp, Staedtler Concrete, Ballograf Rondo Elox, Ballograf Temus/Temus II, 

 

[Mark from Yorkshire]

Parker Jotter

[Waltz For Zizi]

3 hours ago, Mark from Yorkshire said:

Parker Jotter

I already have 2 "vintage" ones in stainless steel😁

[The Elevator]

On 8/24/2023 at 7:31 PM, Waltz For Zizi said:

Have you tried the Pilot dr. grip?

I have, and while the grip placement is slightly better than the Uni, I really dislike the ink. To make things worse, the pen isn’t compatible with any refills other than the OEM. Mine is currently sitting disused in a desk drawer. For my priorities, the Uni works better. 
 

though while I’m here, I noticed you included the Sakura Craft Lab, so I’m guessing you’re open to gel pens as well as traditional oil-based ballpoints? With that assumption in mind, I recommend you steer clear of the Pentel Energel Alloy. Energel ink is awesome, but the clicker mechanism on my alloy version broke in the space of two months, and the tip doesn’t hold the refill very effectively. To their credit, though, Pentel did a much better job on the philography version. 

[Waltz For Zizi]

1 hour ago, The Elevator said:

and the tip doesn’t hold the refill very effectively

Thanks! I dislike a lot when the tip moves around when you use a BP or a retractable mechanical pencil. Some rollerballs like MB have solved this issue by having screw in refills. That's why I like fountain pens, there's no moving of the nib, unless when your pen is broken.

[Zookie]

The Zebra metal ballpoint s are very nice, solid pens and don't  cost a lot. Check out the f 701. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.

[Waltz For Zizi]

On 8/20/2023 at 7:01 PM, Chthulhu said:

I'm fond of the Ballograf 'Epoca" pens; their refills are very good, and hold archival-quality ink.

 

Thanks! I "digg" them. Really inexpensive too. I definitely need to get one of those.

[Black Spot]

Bic crystal is solid. I am sure they will be finding them hundreds of years from now. 

[gweimer1]

Retro 51

[dogpoet]

As you already have a couple of Parker Jotters, how about one of those Karas Kustoms things? I get the impression that their main selling point if that they're very solid pens indeed.