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When Word Processors Are Out: What's The Best Pen?
chensonny writes "Recently I was in a situation where there was no word processor, and several of us had to write, copy and sign a big amount of paper. It was then I re-realized the need for a good and comfortable pen. I saw some friends using a Mont Blanc, others like me using a felt pen or cheap ball-point pen. What does the geeks of Slashdot use for writing?" My favorite pen is an aluminum Lamy fountain pen -- can anyone recommend a good place to order Lamy ink in the U.S.?
I have to agree. The Sanford Uni-ball has been my favorite for 15 years. Just bought a box of 12 for $7.99 so they're cheap too.
Pilot Dr. Grip
http://www.mypencil.com/mall/page55gelball.asp
they do make one with a soft grip, it's all i use:
http://www.pilotpen.us/detail.asp?PenID=42
Very heavy, more momentum when you write (meaning you don't need to work as hard). Buy one of those little foam gizmos that slips on the barrel, and you'll have a fine writing instrument. They're warranted for life.
I'm a writer, so I have a bit of a pen fetish. I have used all sorts of pens, including some ver' expensive Waterman fountain pens, and nothing writes for me like the Sheaffer. It has a very smooth, very precise action and nice ink flow.
For other purposes I use fine-point Sharpies.
I am a believer of momentum and curves.
Here's one on my site that can write in red or black, .5mm pencil, hilighter, and pda stylus, all in one regular-sized pen-like unit. The ultimate geek pen?
Be careful with Gel Pens--sometimes the ink doesn't scan.
This has caused problems for my credit union (scanned checks show up as blank when people view them via online banking), as well as my employer (scanned documents show up blank).
--RJ
I think your link is wrong. Is http://www.zebrapen.com/ the site you were looking for?
Karma: Meh (Mostly from meh.)
I found a cool site where the ppl are freaky about their fountain pens. It's a nice break from the bic. :-) www.ramblingsnail.net
And the hard core geeks only use the Pilot retractable mechanical pencil. Like this one.
Pentel used to make a better retractable mechanical pencil, with a nice crosshatched aluminum barrel grip, but sadly they discontinued them.
The Pilot is the next best one. If I can't dig up either of those, then the next best is the Pentel P205. Yeah, I'm a geek, but I love my mechanical pencils. Loaded with nice soft 2B lead. Great for smudging stuff.
I am left handed and this is the only pen that I like.
Like many left handers I grab the pen fairly close to the tip. Bics, or any of the expensive status pens are not comfortable.
Also, as a left hander, I tend to smudge the ink, so I need a fine point that doesn't dump too much ink on the paper.
I am surprised that more companies don't make sure that left handers can also use their pens comfortable - I don't think any other aspect of the design is compromised by becoming left hander compliant.
FYI...a less expensive alternative is made by Koh-i-Nor (~$10, plastic)
Zebra pens are really awsome. The gel-ink flows out super easy, you barely need any pressure at all.
I've tried hundreds of pens, and I like Zebra pens the best. They are like $25 for a pack of 12. Get them in any store like Office Depot.
- Voxel
Modesty is one of life's greatest attributes
Since I don't really have a lot of occasions where I actually handwrite on paper any more, I hardly get to use my Uniball except for writing checks.
I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.
A medium-cost Parker fountain pen is the pen of choice for me. (By medium cost I mean about 35, I can't remember exactly how much or what model it was because it was a long time ago I bought it.) It writes very smoothly and the combination of gold (plate), brushed steel and black is just too cool. I like the way their cartridges have an "emergency reserve" thing so that you don't just run out of ink at a crucial moment, too. Having said that, they're pants for writing on CDRs.
"'I pass the test,' she said. 'I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel.'"
- JRR Tolkien.
The Fisher Space Pen has pressurized ink and is waterproof. You can write upside down and in zero G. You can even write underwater.
"My God, this must be a truly remarkable corn chip, to be so widely and confidently touted."
Try a Parker. I've worn out one pair (a pen and a pencil) and now am going through my third set. The first one got lost at some time. No fuss, the pair is just plain smooth steel.
Parker's website doesn't show the very basic model I use. The closest match in both style and size would be their 'Inflection' set. Around here, you can find these basic items in any decent bookstore that sells study and office supplies.
And to your being a leftie, the ones I'm referring to are completely round and symmetrical.
There is no such thing as good luck. There is only misfortune and its occasional absence.
My first training in the arts was at a young age of about 8, my parents thought I had crappy handwriting (they were right) so they enrolled me in a calligraphy class. I still have crappy handwriting. Well, actually, nowadays my Japanese handwriting is much better than my English handwriting. Since that time, I've tried hundreds of pens of all manufactures, anyone who is really interested in writing wel should visit an art store, especially one that imports lots of oddball Japanese pens.
Anyway, I prefer fountain pens, mostly because nobody will ever borrow them so I never lose my pens to theft. IMHO the most bang for the buck is the Lamy Safari, it's cheap and writes well. I prefer the Lamy "joy" pen, it has a wider nib that satisfies my calligraphic urges. But you have to know how to write italic to use the joy pen properly.
But my favorite pen of all time is a cheapo crap Cross ballpoint. Mine has the IBM logo on it, I got it as an award for selling my first $1million of IBM equipment. I use it solely for financial transactions, it's sort of a weird superstition of mine.
Pencils are another story. Everyone should have a really good mechanical pencil. The best kinds have retractable points so you don't poke holes in your shirt pockets. The Japanese have this one completely nailed. The Sanford Logo II 0.5mm is my favorite, although it doesn't retract the tip. For a good retractable-tip pencil, the Yasutomo Grip500 can't be beat. Rotring makes awesome mechanical pencils, although I don't personally like the harsh German design, I find them uncomfortable and hard to hold.
I'm a pen snob. And I'm not ashamed of it. In most situations, I write with a Pelikan Souveran 800 fountain pen. The nib is the most repsonsive of all of the fountain pens I've ever used, and the ink flow is superb. My two 800s are the best pens I have ever used.
In situations demanding a more durable pen, the Rotring 600 series have never failed me. They're made of solid brass, and are almost invincible. The list of potentially deadly situations my 600s have survived is long.
As a collector, user, and frequent gift-giver of high quality writing instruments, I have found Joon, a company based in New York, to be without match in all of my pen purchase needs. Check them out on the web at www.joon.com. For Timothy, they carry the entire line of Lamy inks and refills.
And just an aside- I've noticed some folks above me in this topic talking about Levenger. DON'T buy pens or ink from Levenger. They put a markup on their pens so high it's absurd, and their ink is shite. If I wanted to write with colored water, I'd buy food coloring.
--Use this space for notes--
Urban legend. Graphite shavings in 0 gee is bad. The russians also use Fisher space pens since the 60s.
I've always loved fountain pens. I have a small collection built up over the years of both modern, and vintage fountain pens. I've actually found that a restored fountain pen from the 20's or 30' can have the most pleasant feel when writing. A good one holds a huge amount of ink (as opposed to those wimpy cartridges that the modern ones tend to use. This is good because the older pens also USE a lot more ink. The ink almost leaps onto the paper, making a nice dark line and also lubricating the writing process. Unfortunately I type a lot faster than I write, and since almost everything ends up in a computer these days it's hard to justify writing instruments at all. Unless you are very famous, no one is likely to read your diary when you're gone.
Like many, I went through a phase of using a Palm Pilot (or similar device) for recording thoughts when away from any computer keyboard. I've since gone back to just using these devices for addresses and appointments (which mean that the sub $100 ones do just fine). So I'm back to carrying a pen whenever I go out and generally a small notebook (the paper variety) too.
Sometimes I carry a fountain pen, but more often I'm in a hurry and grab a ballpoint. For cheap ones I like Parker clickable ballpoints. The ink capacities are huge and they write smoothly. For $20 or so though I'd recommend the Rotring ballpoints which are all steel, have a textured grip, large ink supply and are nice and techno looking. You can enhance either Parker or Rotring pens by replacing the ink cartridge in it with one from Fisher (the makers of the original "Space Pen"). These really will write upside down, under water and on practically any surface. When writing on ordinary paper they have a nice feel too.
I remember in the 60's Bic did a series of commercials on how durable their pens were. They shot them from guns into tree trunks and then took what was left (not much) and wrote with it. They also "simulated" strapping one to a car to see how many miles you could write with one. Very impressive. Unfortunately I think cheap pens are not what they used to be. I've found that many of these if left unused for a year or so refuse to ever write again no matter how much you tap, shake or scribble with it trying to get it started again. Unfortunately many of these more expensive specialty pens (like the ones with the special grips) have the same ink mechanism used for the cheap ones. So, go with ink mechanisms from Parker, Fisher, Rotring, Lamy, Mont Blanc, or Cross, unless you are in a situation, such as a waiter, where your pens are constantly stolen.
Finally, and most importantly, if you are going to write anything that you need to last for a long time, do the following experiment:
Take all your candidate pens and make a test mark (sign your name or whatever) on several types of paper that you typically use. If you use colored ink, do this in all the colors you plan to use too. Just as a control, make the same marks with an ordinary pencil, and also pick any ordinary black-ink ballpoint (not the gel pens though, plain old ballpoint).
Tape these papers to a window or somewhere else where they will get direct sun. The back window of your car will do too. Check them in a month. You might be surprised, and if you are writing for any sort of archival purpose you might change your mind about what you want to use.
RED is best for faxes, copies, scanning, etc. It shows up as black. Blue is the worst, esp. light blue. When I used to do a lot of faxing, I used red felt-tips exclusively.
"Would it kill you to put down the toilet seat?" -- Maya Angelou
, Watermans, Cross and Schaeffers all look pretty good and feel good but the writing quality depends on lots more than that. I collect pens -- got dozens of high end one -- their worth actually rivals the dozen or so computers around my house -- but most sit in their display cases. For fountain pens the nibs and the writing paper make the greatest difference. But fountain pens are an acquired taste and not for everyone. For the others -- roller balls, ball points -- the quality depends entirely on the refill. If you're like me, I don't like a nib or pen that's too smooth or puts too much ink down so most roller balls are out of the question. Favorite pens? Zebra 301 ($5 a pack) and the Zebra mechanical pencil.
If you get the silver one, it's easy to have it engraved. I carried one such for many years. When I lost it, I immediately bought another one.
This just came out, and is still hard to find as not all Mont Blanc stores have them in stock (but they all have a tester you can go try), and it is by far and away the BEST writing instrument ever. If you have a standard (not the "Grand") huge fat one) mont blanc rollerball pen, these new fineliner refills will fit inside. They're like a mini felt (but not felt) tip pen with a spring so it doesn't get squished. It simply writes better than anything else I've ever tried. Google for "mont blanc fineliner" and get yerself one. If you already have a rollerball just pick up some fineliner refills.
As for cheapo disposable pens, my favorite has always been the Pilot "Precise" V5 (extra fine) or V7 (fine). They always write wonderfully. But the Mont Blanc Fineliner is the greatest thing ever (and no, I do not work for them or any pen company).
Stupid people make stupid things profitable.
I use the Pilot P500, an absolutely wonderful smooth writing 0.5 mm tipped pen. It uses a gel ink which never smudges and is archival quality, so it won't melt your paper over time. It's nice to be able to write in pen quickly and very precisely; it makes my handwriting easier to read and makes writing small (and conserving paper for notes) much better.
When doing a lot of writing, I prefer my Parker fountain pen; however, I also write well with a fibre-tip (preferably a fairly thick one like the Paper Mate nylon). Mechanical pencils are also good for some things (B or 2B lead).
These days, I use my Psion to make notes more often than paper, though.
Ceterum censeo subscriptionem esse delendam.
I have been writing with these pens since the mid 80's. The balance feels just right and the ball glides pretty well. The only problem is people keep stealing them. Also, be careful if you fly with these, this is not a safe pen to keep on your breast pocket (insert pocket protector joke here).
I thought I was the only one that was so picky about pens, but a few weeks ago I found a coworker that did just that. When she was in high school she found a specific pen that she liked and that is what she has purchased ever since. Since she is now the ops manager that happens to be the main brand of pen she buys for the office.
Pedro
----
The Insomniac Coder
The logitech io digital pen can be found cheaper here. Don't give in to posting thinkgeek url's for karma.
Sig: I stole this sig.
Perhaps the best all-around fountain pen is the Namiki Vanishing Point. For a street price of around $100, you get a nice pen. It has a gold nib, takes both a cartridge or a convertor (for bottled ink), and is a good size (not too large, not to small). It has a very sharp look. I personally perfer the pre-2000 models, but I hear the current ones are pretty good.
Oh! I forgot to tell you the best part. In its own right, the VP is a great pen--perhaps the best to be had for that price point. It earned this on the basis I described above. The really cool thing is, it is retractable--the only retractable foutain pen in current production! So, no cap to have to manipulate. Since I get a lot of golf shirts, it is particularly nice.
A runner up for a fount is a vintage Parker 51. The areometric ones (produced from 1948-1970ish) are generally regarded as the best fountain pen ever. They can typically be had for under $100.
Mont Blanc used to make very good pens. However, as they became hyped as "the best" (a dubious claim to begin with), the quality went down, support became worse, and only the rep had remained. They are said among collectors to have a very brittle plastic (I know from first hand reports), and the service is iffy.
If you need a ballpoint, might I suggest the rotring 600 tri? Two ball points and a
I haven't been able to leave a pen on my desk for five minutes in years without someone stealing it. No one seems to clue that those nice pens I buy are not from departmental stock cabinets, or everyone would already be using them! Then people wonder why I lock everything up in my desk, even when I'm "just" going for lunch.
I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
I collect fountain pens and pencils, and I taught myself an Italic calligraphic style of writing several decades ago, which I have never regretted. I believe that the brand and make of writing instrument best for you will depend entirely on your reasons for buying it. I warn you that I am a collector and tend to buy pens and pencils costing at least $100 apiece (current U. S. list prices), and usually at least triple that.
Several people have commented on the non-utility and beauty of fountain pens. Undoubtedly the most lavishly beautiful but non-functional fountain pens made today are the collectors' editions by Montblanc, ranging in price upwards from $500 or so, at discount, in the United States. I own several collectors' editions by Montblanc, and they are a joy to see and handle. However, I would not advise actually writing with a Montblanc, since every single Montblanc that I own leaks, from their bottom-of-the-line fat cigars (I own two) to my collectors' edition Hemingway (a gorgeous ink sieve.) Carrying a filled Montblanc fountain pen is a great way to ruin your clothes. The Montblanc rollers, ballpoints, and pencils that I own never worked well for me in daily use either, since they also tended to be fragile and difficult to buy supplies for. Montblancs are more "collectable" than the other brands I will mention, so it is easier to re-sell them, I have been told. Montblanc is a foolish choice for a calligrapher, a P. T. Barnum high-price-tag brand, in my opinion.
The most beautiful fountain pens made--that actually work--are Pelikans. I own a couple of very expensive Pelikans ($1000 range at discount in the U. S.), and these collectors' pens also are completely functional and virtually leakproof. However, I do not recommend Pelikan's ballpoints, rollerballs, or pencils, since mine have proven to be fragile. Also, I have sometimes had some trouble in obtaining refills in the U. S.
My favorite brand of working writing instruments is Parker. Parker fountain pens are beautiful, not overly ornate. Every single one I own works flawlessly. Parkers' rollerballs are the best I have ever used. I am not a big ballpoint user, but the ballpoints I own by Parker also serve when needed. I also use and love their high-end automatic pencils.
My current favorite writing instrument is a Faber Castell automatic pencil that cost me $100, full list U. S. price. Other brands of fountain pen that I have enjoyed actually carrying and writing with are Conklin, Delta, and Aurora--all good functional, real, working fountain pens.
gday. i worked for a Pen Shop (yes they do exist and sell exclusively pens up to $50,000!!) for several years and can offer pretty good opinion on pens. First out... Mont Blanc are a wanker's status symbol and a crap pen...we know it, they know it, but damn it sells well. If you are a ballpoint user go for a Cross or a Waterman (excellent), Lamy, Fisher Space Pen (personal favourite), or a Rotring. If you like fountain pens, definately head more towards the Waterman or the Montegrappe...but they can be pricey. If you are a pencil man, then Faber Castelle, Lamy or Rotring are excellent. These i recommend because of weighting, ease of writing, value for money, and excellent warranty. I'd generally say spend up to $250US will still result in quality for money...after that it's artwork, silver, brandname, prestige...etc... enjoy! PS Personal use : Space Pen. writes anywhere. kicks ass for engineers. Otherwise a Montegrappe Heritage is my point of choice!
Nobody on the first page mentions the Zebra F-402.
I've been using these for years, and while I've never needed an external source to verify my assessment of quality, these pens bear the mark of a champion: Everyone is constantly stealing them from me.
If I fail to clip it inside my shirt collar, I can measure the time between when I lay it down, and when it turns up missing, in minutes.
For those that would die defending it, Freedom
has a sweet taste that the protected will never know.