Best cheap non-FP writing instrument (hack)

[denbro]

After doing a lot of testing, I think I found the best non-FP writing instrument. I tried many of the pens suggested in forums (Pilot G2, Uniball Vision, etc.). Almost all of them had something I didn't like (line too broad, not comfortable,...). The best writing experience I had was with the Pentel Energel Needle Tip (https://www.pentelstore.com/catalog/index.php?grp=802&osCsid=fc24ca948beb1e8292bd24fa80c3c22f) but the pen itself is awful (to my opinion) and the rubber grip tends to slip around the body and renders the pen uncomfortable. I also found that the most comfortable pen (size, grip and look) was the Uniball Jetstream Sport (http://www.sanfordb2b.com/b2b/jhtml/products/subBrand.jhtml?subBrandId=B2BSNCat250045) but I didn't like the ink. To my surprise, I discovered that the Pentel Energel Needle Tip refills fits perfectly in the Uniball Jetstream Sport! It is really a wonderful writing experience. I know this result is quite subjective but I thought I had to share my experience with others.

 

BTW, the Pentel refill also fits perfectly the Uniball Signo 207.

Edited April 22, 2008 by denbro

[Romeo Dog]

My choice: Mirado Black Warrior pencil.

[Univer]

Hi,

 

One vote here for the Lamy Scribble pencil (I've got the .7mm, but I'm sure the 3.15mm version is every bit as good).

 

Runners-up, in no particular order:

 

Sheaffer Stratowriter ballpoint (either the gold-filled original or one of the later capped models)

Musgrave 100 Test Scoring Pencil

Musgrave Unigraph 4B or 6B

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

[cmeisenzahl]

I love my Lamy Dialog2 rollerball.

[Ducttapeearth]

I have a Parker Jotter with a blue gel refill and love it! I nearly had a heart attack a while back when it stopped clicking. It's better now...

[hardyb]

I have a Parker Jotter with a blue gel refill and love it! I nearly had a heart attack a while back when it stopped clicking. It's better now...

 

To take perfection one step further, try a Visconti Parker type gel or roller refill in it. Writes smooth as glass.

[Ducttapeearth]

Yeah, I was going to try either Visconti or Itoya refills when my two Parker ones ran out. That's the nice thing about the Jotter: you can use a lot of different refills in it.

[Martius]

Another vote for the jotter. A cheap and good-looking pen that has a lot of versatility.

[FrankB]

Parker Jotter here, too. Otherwise, it is a Papermate "American Naturals" wood case pencil with #2 lead.

[denbro]

Parker Jotter here, too. Otherwise, it is a Papermate "American Naturals" wood case pencil with #2 lead.

 

Speaking of the Jotter, am I the only one that find the fine blue refill much smoother than the fine black refill (ballpoint)? I tried the Parker gel refill and didn't liked it (line is not fine enough)

[Ernst Bitterman]

Burnt match. Not a long write out, but it's hard to beat the price.

[Robert Hughes]

Finger cut. Good for making a statement. And can be used with dip pens. Might be messy.

 

Remember to write before applying the Band-Aid.

Edited April 22, 2008 by Robert Hughes

[mr T.]

After doing a lot of testing, I think I found the best non-FP writing instrument. I tried many of the pens suggested in forums (Pilot G2, Uniball Vision, etc.). Almost all of them had something I didn't like (line too broad, not comfortable,...). The best writing experience I had was with the Pentel Energel Needle Tip (https://www.pentelstore.com/catalog/index.php?grp=802&osCsid=fc24ca948beb1e8292bd24fa80c3c22f) but the pen itself is awful (to my opinion) and the rubber grip tends to slip around the body and renders the pen uncomfortable. I also found that the most comfortable pen (size, grip and look) was the Uniball Jetstream Sport (http://www.sanfordb2b.com/b2b/jhtml/products/subBrand.jhtml?subBrandId=B2BSNCat250045) but I didn't like the ink. To my surprise, I discovered that the Pentel Energel Needle Tip refills fits perfectly in the Uniball Jetstream Sport! It is really a wonderful writing experience. I know this result is quite subjective but I thought I had to share my experience with others.

 

BTW, the Pentel refill also fits perfectly the Uniball Signo 207.

 

 

All of these pens are in my opinion not really cheap because they don't last very long. Better options are cheap oil based bp's like the Bic M10 or the Bic Cristal. Maybe refillable pens like the Ballograf Rondo or the Ballograf Epoca are good and not very expensive.

[dcwaites]

Thumbnail dipped in tar

 

 

[thefsb]

Pencils: Tombow Mono 100 HB is phenomenal. Palomino almost as good.

 

Pen: Uni-Ball Vision Exact Micro. Uni-Ball Gel Impact 1.0.

[Garageboy]

Faber Castell 9000 wood pencils

UniBall 207

[dvorak]

Pilot Precise V5 - just don't take a nearly empty one on an airplane...

[Escribiente]

To me, the best non-FP writing instrument is the California-Republic Palomino 2B pencil. Smooth, dark, and requires little pressure. It would be so awesome to find the same lead available for refillable mechanical pencils. I've tried 2B leads, but they are just not the same.

[denbro]

Yeah, I was going to try either Visconti or Itoya refills when my two Parker ones ran out. That's the nice thing about the Jotter: you can use a lot of different refills in it.

 

I tried the Itoya AquaRoller refill today and I must say that I'm impressed. This changes my conclusions because the Parker Jotter is smaller and sturdier as an everyday pen to carry inside a jeans pocket.

[Thornton]

Best non FP's in my opinion are...

Cheap: Pilot Razor Point II, Parker Jotter, Zebra F-402

Moderate-Expensive: Cross Century Classic BP, Lamy Twin