How to Choose the Best Pen for You
There are three types of pens that you can use: ballpoint, rollerball, and fountain pens. This article will help you decide which one is best for you.
BALLPOINT PENS
Ballpoint pens are available in twist style or click style. The ink cartridge on a twist pen extends and retracts by turning two sections of the body in different directions. Click pens have a button at the top that extends and retracts the ink cartridge by pressing it down and releasing. The advantage of a ballpoint click pen is its one-handed operation.
If most of your writing is performed away from your desk while you are holding a writing pad or clipboard, then a click pen is the best choice. Or buy it because you like using a click pen.
Ballpoint twist pens require two hands to extend and retract the ink cartridge. Twist pens are available in more styles than click pens. If most or your writing is done when two hands are free, then consider a ballpoint twist pen.
One complaint of ballpoint pens is that they require constant pressure when writing and can fatigue the hand after writing for long periods of time. All of my ballpoint pens that use a Parker style refill come with a Schmidt EasyFlow 9000 refill. The Schmidt 9000 refill creates an ultra-smooth and easy feel as the writing tip glides across the paper.
Overall, ballpoint pens get the job done and are a good choice for everyday use.
ROLLERBALL PENS
Rollerball pens are viewed as a premium or upgrade by those who would generally write with a ballpoint pen. Often considered a writer’s pen, they glide well across quality writing paper. Less pressure is required to write with a rollerball than a ballpoint pen and they are less likely to strain the hand muscles. Rollerball pens are usually wider in grip which offers an improvement in the feel and control of the pen.
Rollerball pens are capped pens and available in postable style (cap attaches to the body) or traditional, non-postable style (cap is not attachable).
Rollerball pens have been known to smudge, however, new ink formulation in premium refills have eliminated this problem.
One disadvantage of rollerball pens is that they use water-based ink and must be capped when not in use to prevent the tip from drying out. Another drawback is that they don’t write well on poor quality paper, waxy paper, or when the paper is on a hard surface. Use another piece of paper as backup when writing on a hard surface.
Overall, rollerball pens offer a better writing experience than ballpoint pens but require good quality paper to write on. Choose a rollerball if you always write on good quality paper or card stock. Otherwise, go with a ballpoint pen which is less affected by the writing surface.
FOUNTAIN PENS
Fountain pens are the ultimate writing experience for those who want an individualized writing style. Learning how to use a fountain pen can be challenging especially after writing with a ballpoint pen for years. Writing with a fountain pen requires finesse or a delicate touch, and a specific writing angle. In addition, fountain pens can be customized with different nibs (writing tip) and type of ink.
While fountain pens offer an extraordinary writing experience, they are best used as desk pens at home or work.
Fountain pens are available on custom order. If you are interested in purchasing a fountain pen, please contact us here and we would be glad to discuss the various options available.
