Find me a decent basic pen

jfindon

jfindon

Joined
Dec 12, 2006
Messages
967
I am tired of the ballpoints that skip around, blob, or are generally junk. I also don't want a cheapo gel pen, I was searching around on here trying to find what the smoothest writing pens were and came across this recommendation:

http://www.yafa.com/yafapen/Schmidt_Capless-Rollerball.html

Only problem is I can't find the friggin thing anywhere and think it may have been discontinued. I found it on OfficeDepot's site but they want $10 to ship it. I'd like to keep it around that price and it'll mainly be used to note taking at work. I already have a Space Pen but it's not exactly the best quality of ink.
 
Parker ball point pens are what I prefer from a cost and use perspective. It is the smoothest writing ball point pen I have ever used. Office Depot used to sell them. Now you have to buy online, I guess. I have a number, so really only have to buy refills at this point. Crosses are okay (have a couple), but if I have a choice, I will take the Parker.
 
Lamy Safari

I know it's over your budget, but people tend to look at you differently when you hand them a fountain pen.
 
Fountain pens can't go through four copies.

The plain old Papermate stick pen is great pen. Writes smooth, and you can press down to go through three copies with ease. Zebra pens are also great, just get the basic 301.
 
I second the Parker pens. Parker Jotters are great pens for the price. You can go a little higher and try something from Retro 51, they offer ball points and roller ball. Cross is always good too.
 
I had an infatuation with Lamy and Rotring years ago.

Somehow I always ended up going back to Uni-Ball stick roller ball pens. A dozen will put you right at your price limit.
 
I do a lot of writing at work and have a little different thought for you - I believe it's more about the refill inside the pen that gives you the smooth writing experience. If you're looking for a ballpoint format, check out the Schmidt Easyflow 9000 refill. It fits in any barrel that accepts Parker-style refills. If you prefer liquid or gel-type ink, try an Itoya Refill. They are also compatible with Parkers.

Good luck with whatever you end up choosing!
 
Honestly I only really care about the writing experience/refill too, but I also hate thick pens. I want something attractive looking that stands out a bit from the cheap ones everyone has, I kind of want to try the rollerball style.

Is my space pen a parker style refill? It's the capless click one.
 
Rollerballs are okay, but they smear as the ink is wet when it is applied. Give Parker a try.... under $10 for the basic Jotter. The stainless runs a bit more than the basic Jotter.
 
Pilot G2 0.7 FTW. Made in Japan so you know it'd good stuff. I don't write with anything else. Even got the pack in my trunk in case I lose mine while at work or somebody jacks me. I get the big pack at Costco or Wal-Mart. Saw a 2-pack at Big Lots for $2.50.
 
jfindon said:
Honestly I only really care about the writing experience/refill too, but I also hate thick pens. I want something attractive looking that stands out a bit from the cheap ones everyone has, I kind of want to try the rollerball style.

Is my space pen a parker style refill? It's the capless click one.
Click to expand...

The Space Pens are not Parker style. The space pen refills can be used in a Parker style pen, but a plastic adapter piece is needed. I don't advise it, though. Frankly I've had better experiences writing with a burned stick than space pen refills (Can you tell I'm not a fan?)

You can get all kinds of pens that will take the refills mentioned and still stand out from the cheap ones. You can get one of the Parker Jotters previously mentioned here for $10-ish all the way up to the Maxmadco Ti Bolt Action (my current favorite and daily carry).
 
I really like Pilot G-2 0.5s. They're a bit harder to find in stores, but you can find them online easy enough. Pilot makes an upscale G2 that looks a bit fancier than the clear plastic ones, and it uses the same refills. The 0.5 writes smooth, yet blobs far less than the typical 0.7 of this kind.

I also really like the Zebra F701, especially if you mod it with the steel clicky of the F401.

I typically have 2 pens on me. One ballpoint, one gel. Sometimes a third - an extra fine Sharpie. Different surfaces and different applications need different pens.
 
+1 Pilot G-2. You have to wait for the ink to dry though. After using stick pens for years, my signature is starting to look like my signature again. ;)
 
I pretty much just buy and use Uniball Signo's and Pilot Precise V5's. I just like they way they "flow" better than normal cheapo pens. I can hardly bring myself to use a Bic or the like anymore.
 
I have a Rite in the Rain black clicker pen (they have a few different styles) that works great. Similar in idea to the space pen but I haven't ever had them blob up on me and the line is fine and not smudgy.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I went with the Parker Jotter because it was readily available. So far so good, writes much smoother than other ballpoints I've used. PLus I can always get the gel refills if I want.

Is the Schmidt ballpoint refill much better than the stock Parker?
 
Parker Jotter with gel Quink refill is a great, inexpensive combo and can be had together for under $12
 
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