If you had to use a ballpoint what's the smoothest

[I am not a number]

I'll go for the Uniball Jetstream in black, 1.0mm. It practically writes by itself! There are many versions available (capped, retractable, different styles) and the higher end one would be the Premier, which has a nice cushy grip. Reviews for the classic capped version can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Uni-Ball-Jetstream-P...s/dp/B0004F7ILA.

Without a question in my mind, the Uniball Jetstream.

[OneRiotOneRanger]

Who makes the best ballpoint refill? I would like to buy a new ballpoint pen. I want to base my decision on the quality of the refills available.

First, what you want to buy is a pen which accepts a universal, as opposed to proprietary, refill. Typically, when one thinks of universal refill, one thinks of Parker-STYLE ones, but others, like Fisher, can fit Parker style applications with an adapter.

Second, you have to decide which kind of ink you want to use: Conventional ballpoint ink, gel ink, or thixotropic ink. (If interested, I have a one pager I can send on both the chemistry of and applications for such inks).

Then, brands/colors.

That said, I'd recommend you try the Monteverde (Yafa) soft roll ballpoints (thixotropic ink) or Visconti ballpoint or gel refills. Lots of point size choices and some fun colors available.

 

[mr T.]

Who makes the best ballpoint refill? I would like to buy a new ballpoint pen. I want to base my decision on the quality of the refills available.

 

Schneider makes the best bp refill. Schneider refills last longer than any Parker refill on the market and are much cheaper. Ballograf refills are also very good.

 

 

[hatherton_wood]

Schneider makes the best bp refill. Schneider refills last longer than any Parker refill on the market and are much cheaper. Ballograf refills are also very good.

 

I just wish you could get more colours in the Parker style. All you can seem to get in the UK is Blue, Black and Red. Why is green not available? I thought it was mentioned a while back that Parker refills are made by Schneider?

[Dave505]

I like the Schmidt refills. I believe Schmidt makes many of the refills for other brands. I especially like the Schmidt Easy Flow 9000 ballpoint refill. It's like the best of both worlds between a ballpoint and a rollerball.

 

Dave

[gadgetjunky]

That said, I still personally think they aren't very good unless being used in extreme conditions. And NASA did spend a bit of money testing for two years when they knew pencils already worked...

 

My understanding is that you have to be very careful sharpening and using pencils in zero-G environments. If the graphite dusts any, and that dusts then floats into some of the electrical equipment, you can get shorts and electrical fires very easily. In those tightly enclosed, oxygen rich capsules fires where a deadly threat.

 

Personally, my favorite ballpoints refills are Cross broads in blue. The Parker Gell ballpoint refills write smoothly but have pretty poor water resistance in my experience. I have had good luck also with the Fisher Space Pen refills in broad black. I find that they aren't as bad about gooping as the fine or medium, and they are generally smoother also.

 

I also quite impressed with the Papermate Profile 1.4mm disposables. They are very smooth and come in a variety of colors. When I have time I am going to experiment with adapting them into other pens.

[Flere-Imsaho]

Cross broad point

 

Sorry I couldn't resist

 

I really want to believe you but Cross does not sell broad point refills in the EU.

So maybe they do not believe it themselves?

Or they do not care (which is even worse).

 

-Flere

[zenshrink]

Caran D'Ache

[mb1988]

From my experience, parker ballpoint and gel refills are terrible - please don't even get me started on the rollerballs...

 

very scratchy and inconsistent pens which leave blobs of ink.

 

I personally really enjoy using cross or waterman ballpoints. Great colour, and nice and smooth!

 

I have a cartier ballpoint pen too - the refills it takes are the same size and shape as parker refills - but I bought some "bic ballpoint refills" in dubai - it's the only place I've seen them available - and boyyy are they smoooth!!!!!

 

Best ballpoint refills ever!!!

 

 

[Jay9498]

All very close:

 

Uniball Jetstream

Parker Ballpoint (not gel, the gel is very nice, but I believe that is off topic)

Papermates using Lubriglide refills

Pilot Dr. Grip (might be similar to other Pilot ballpoints, but I don't see those)

 

Also, in terms of taking it to next level, Papermate has a mega ball pen out with a 1.4 mm ball. Very smooth and it seems to resist skipping for such a bold ballpoint. I'm going to hold out for the 9.0 mm

 

Jay

[Greenpiece]

Here are my favorites in order:

 

1. Pilot Precise Grip

 

2. Uniball Gel Impact

 

3. Uniball Jetstream

[eilu]

Schneider makes a BP called the Slider Pen with "ViscoGlide technology" in a variety of widths. This is the closest I've had a BP come to the smoothness of an FP.

[Deirdre]

I love Visconti's gel refills, so that's what I'd use (in a Visconti).

[Bookman]

Smoothest alternative pens I use:

 

1. Pilot Precise V5 RT

 

2. Pilot Precise V5 (for carrying in a pocket)

 

3. Uniball Signo Micro 207 (for writing extremely small)

 

Edit/P.S. -- I refuse to use a true ballpoint. Nobody has to press-down that hard on paper. I carry a favorite gel pen everywhere.

Edited May 21, 2009 by Bookman

[Penman1964]

Who makes the best ballpoint refill? I would like to buy a new ballpoint pen. I want to base my decision on the quality of the refills available.

 

 

My advice would be a montblanc BROAD refill. The ink in this refill was described to me by the salesperson in the Montblanc boutique as "creamy"....and he was right. Best ball point refill I've ever used!

 

David

[mikerph]

I like the Pilot ballpoint refill as used in the vanishing point ball pen or the Stanza ball pen, the Parker gel is good but doesn't last as long as a regular ball point. Waterman makes a good writer and so does Caran dAche. I've had variable luck with Fisher Space pen refills---the Mars or Millineum sealed pens all write well,they are broad points. All in all, I think I like the Pilot best.

[JML]

Monteverde Soft Roll ballpoint refills are just great, and they come in several sizes/types (Parker-style, Montblanc, Cross, DIN mini, etc.) The blue and black Parker-style are Swiss-made. The Office Depot Foray refills (Parker-style) are the same, apparently, and far, far cheaper! Same Swiss-made refill, with thixotropic ink. Very smooth, non-blobbing, and I like them better than the very short-lasting Parker-style gel refills from Monteverde and Visconti. The Schmidt gel refills come only in fine point, while the others are medium. The Parker gel refills leak a clear silicone fluid, as do the others (not as badly).

Edited November 14, 2009 by JML