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ray sia
That is not what i want!!!
October 19, 2014
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Paul Tomlinson
Sorry to hear that, do you mean the article doesn't contain the advice you were looking for? If so please let us know and we'll see if we can update it when we have time
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Paul Tomlinson
Sorry to hear that, do you mean the article doesn't contain the advice you were looking for? If so please let us know and we'll see if we can update it when we have time
October 20, 2014
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Jack
So is the rollerball pen more liquidy and easier to smudge with?
October 27, 2014
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Paul Tomlinson
Hi Jack, yes rollerballs contain liquid ink so they do smudge more easily, but they also produce a darker line and glide more easily across the page.
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Paul Tomlinson
Hi Jack, yes rollerballs contain liquid ink so they do smudge more easily, but they also produce a darker line and glide more easily across the page.
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Lee
In that case can I assume that a rollerball does not suit a left hander since it is easier to smudge?
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Paul Tomlinson
Possibly - however some left-handers have trained themselves to avoid smudging by writing above or below the line, so it really depends on the user. Many left-handed people will be fine with a rollerball.
November 4, 2014
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Paul Tomlinson
Possibly - however some left-handers have trained themselves to avoid smudging by writing above or below the line, so it really depends on the user. Many left-handed people will be fine with a rollerball.
November 4, 2014
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Lola
is a ballpoint pen the same thing as a 'Biro' as called in Nigeria?
November 4, 2014
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Paul Tomlinson
Hi Lola, a Biro is a form of ballpoint pen, with a metal ball writing tip and filled with oil-based ink - so yes, they function in the same way. Hope that answers your question!
November 4, 2014
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Paul Tomlinson
Hi Lola, a Biro is a form of ballpoint pen, with a metal ball writing tip and filled with oil-based ink - so yes, they function in the same way. Hope that answers your question!
November 4, 2014
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Juan Carlos Calderon
According to your experience, which model result better to use. ? Roller ball or Ball point pen?
November 6, 2014
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Paul Tomlinson
Hi Juan, it's purely down to personal preferance. We'd probably recommend trying a friend's pen and seeing what you prefer.
November 6, 2014
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Paul Tomlinson
Hi Juan, it's purely down to personal preferance. We'd probably recommend trying a friend's pen and seeing what you prefer.
November 6, 2014
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Elmo
Hi, evry time i used to check weblog posts herre in thee
early hours in the morning, for the reason that
i enjoy to fknd ouut more and more.
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Paul Tomlinson
Thanks Elmo, glad you're enjoying the blog!
November 12, 2014
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Paul Tomlinson
Thanks Elmo, glad you're enjoying the blog!
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Kevin B
Hi
Are rollerball pens the same as gel pens?
November 27, 2014
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Paul Tomlinson
Hi Kevin - they're very similar. A rollerball pen is filled with liquid ink whereas gel ink is more viscous. There's very little difference in the feel though and the two systems are mechanically identical, so practically speaking they're more or less the same.
November 28, 2014
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Paul Tomlinson
Hi Kevin - they're very similar. A rollerball pen is filled with liquid ink whereas gel ink is more viscous. There's very little difference in the feel though and the two systems are mechanically identical, so practically speaking they're more or less the same.
November 28, 2014
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Ray Newcomb
I am left handed and tend to smudge ink. I would like to buy a high quality pen. It appears I may need to buy a ballpoint. I was wondering if a High quality Rollerball with an extra fine tip (0.5mm) might give me a crisp line without smudging. If not, then is a high quality ballpoint at 0.5 available. I also understand that with some pens the ball is not centered well, and they therefore scratch more and are less reliable. Is there a higher quality brand that is more reliably centered? Thank you for your response.
July 1, 2015
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Przemek
Hi Ray,
Thank you for the comment. If you are looking for rollerball or ballpoint pen that writes smoothly and has minimal smudging, I would personally recommend a pen with gel ink. Cross rollerball pens come with a gel ink refill and Parker also make a gel ink ballpoint refill. Here are two links that will point you in the right direction:
http://www.penheaven.co.uk/pen-brands/cross-pens/cross-rollerball-pens
http://www.penheaven.co.uk/parker-gel-ink-refill-medium-point
Best regards,
Przemek
July 3, 2015
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Przemek
Hi Ray,
Thank you for the comment. If you are looking for rollerball or ballpoint pen that writes smoothly and has minimal smudging, I would personally recommend a pen with gel ink. Cross rollerball pens come with a gel ink refill and Parker also make a gel ink ballpoint refill. Here are two links that will point you in the right direction:
http://www.penheaven.co.uk/pen-brands/cross-pens/cross-rollerball-pens
http://www.penheaven.co.uk/parker-gel-ink-refill-medium-point
Best regards,
Przemek
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Bharat
Hi... I'm bharat. I'm totally confused as to which pen suits my handwriting style... Wish I could show u how pathetic it is. Anyways.... I want to write bolder and faster since my habdwriting is small and I don't write the complete alphabets which makes it difficult to understand. May be a bolder non would help. I recently got a lamy broad min also but I find it too broad. I'm confused and I have to write a competitive exam in a couple of months... I'm really in need of help and guidance pls....thanks
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David Cole
Thanks for your comment. If you'd like to write faster we'd recommend either a rollerball pen, a gel ink ballpoint refill or a fountain pen, as these would have the smoothest ink flow. In regards to a finding a broad nib that isn't too broad, you might want to try a Parker Sonnet fountain pen with a broad nib.
We would also highly recommend reading 'Improve Your Handwriting: Teach Yourself' by Rosemary Sassoon. It is available from Amazon and has excellent reviews.
July 16, 2015
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David Cole
Thanks for your comment. If you'd like to write faster we'd recommend either a rollerball pen, a gel ink ballpoint refill or a fountain pen, as these would have the smoothest ink flow. In regards to a finding a broad nib that isn't too broad, you might want to try a Parker Sonnet fountain pen with a broad nib.
We would also highly recommend reading 'Improve Your Handwriting: Teach Yourself' by Rosemary Sassoon. It is available from Amazon and has excellent reviews.
July 16, 2015
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Mark Sunday
I'm vision impaired, and currently use a gel ink pen with 1.0 mm point. I've been looking at fountain pens online, but am concerned about leaks. Are there any broad and bold rollerball pens?
July 18, 2015
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Przemek
Thanks for your comment. I am not aware of any rollerball pens which have a broad tip. Gel ink pens have good ink flow and if you are looking for something smoother, I would recommend a Lamy Fountain pen with a broad nib. I use a Lamy Fountain pen on a daily basis and have never had a problem with leakage.
July 20, 2015
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THRobinson
Agreed, I have 3 LAMY pens... 2 Safari's, and the most recent purchase, a Lamy Al-Star with a broad nib. The medium nib is still pretty thick when compared to something like a 1.0 M PaperMate ballpoint.
Lamy is a good daily writer, and you can swap nibs without having to dismantle the pen or remove the ink cartridge. Downside though is it doesn't take a standard/universal cartridge or converter. You'll have to get the Lamy converter or buy Lamy ink cartridges.
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THRobinson
Agreed, I have 3 LAMY pens... 2 Safari's, and the most recent purchase, a Lamy Al-Star with a broad nib. The medium nib is still pretty thick when compared to something like a 1.0 M PaperMate ballpoint.
Lamy is a good daily writer, and you can swap nibs without having to dismantle the pen or remove the ink cartridge. Downside though is it doesn't take a standard/universal cartridge or converter. You'll have to get the Lamy converter or buy Lamy ink cartridges.
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John
Are you still looking? I thought if mention that the stigma of leaking with fountain pens only applies to pens before World War II, all modern pens have as much possibility of leakage as any other pen. Meaning zero unless you throw it a wall several times or something. The only mess possible is spilling an ink bottle, but there are cartridges to buy anyway which are no mess.
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Sidney Post
Modern fountain pens don't leak unless really abused as long you don't take them with you on an airplane or go mountain climbing. The cheap Japanese fountain pens are very neat and tidy but, I find the feeds on the double broads to be a bit stingy unless your write slowly. For a very heavy line with a fountain pen, the European nibs lay a fatter line that a similar Japanese pen too. Waterman Experts seem to be a good mid-tier entry point for me with their nice nibs, brass body (for weight) and, modest price when gently used on the second hand market. Shaeffer Preludes are nice as well at $20~25USD.
February 10, 2017
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Przemek
Thanks for your comment. I am not aware of any rollerball pens which have a broad tip. Gel ink pens have good ink flow and if you are looking for something smoother, I would recommend a Lamy Fountain pen with a broad nib. I use a Lamy Fountain pen on a daily basis and have never had a problem with leakage.
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John
Are you still looking? I thought if mention that the stigma of leaking with fountain pens only applies to pens before World War II, all modern pens have as much possibility of leakage as any other pen. Meaning zero unless you throw it a wall several times or something. The only mess possible is spilling an ink bottle, but there are cartridges to buy anyway which are no mess.
August 26, 2015
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Sidney Post
Modern fountain pens don't leak unless really abused as long you don't take them with you on an airplane or go mountain climbing. The cheap Japanese fountain pens are very neat and tidy but, I find the feeds on the double broads to be a bit stingy unless your write slowly. For a very heavy line with a fountain pen, the European nibs lay a fatter line that a similar Japanese pen too. Waterman Experts seem to be a good mid-tier entry point for me with their nice nibs, brass body (for weight) and, modest price when gently used on the second hand market. Shaeffer Preludes are nice as well at $20~25USD.
February 10, 2017
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Jaxson
This is a very interesting blog. It is very well presented, easy to understand, and was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!
-Jax
December 6, 2015
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Robert Hyde
Hi. I believe that gel pens are airplane safe.
Is anyone aware whether the gel/ink type pens are also airplane safe?
Many thanks
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Leigh Bowden
I've just had three UK passport applications turned down by the Post Office as I'd used a rollerball type pen. The PO official says the ink doesn't scan but it seemed to go through my two year old scanner and my thirteen year old scanner without incident.
June 17, 2016
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Przemek
We haven't heard of this before. Rollerball ink is usually water-based, so I don't know if it is a good idea to use it on official documents. I would recommend a ballpoint pen or a fountain pen with carbon ink.
June 17, 2016
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Jerry
I don't think the problem is with ballpoint pens vs roller ball pens...it's the color. Yes most governments want you to use blue ballpoint pen for documents...and here is why. If you make a copy of a document, it always comes out black. They want to make sure it is the original document, and not a copy. Therefore, it's not the type of ink pen you use, but rather the color of ink. In most cases they want it in blue. ... which is sort of strange because blue ink doesn't copy that well. But leave it to the government! :)
September 12, 2017
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Przemek
We haven't heard of this before. Rollerball ink is usually water-based, so I don't know if it is a good idea to use it on official documents. I would recommend a ballpoint pen or a fountain pen with carbon ink.
June 17, 2016
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Jerry
I don't think the problem is with ballpoint pens vs roller ball pens...it's the color. Yes most governments want you to use blue ballpoint pen for documents...and here is why. If you make a copy of a document, it always comes out black. They want to make sure it is the original document, and not a copy. Therefore, it's not the type of ink pen you use, but rather the color of ink. In most cases they want it in blue. ... which is sort of strange because blue ink doesn't copy that well. But leave it to the government! :)
September 12, 2017
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George Franklin
Are there ballpoint and rollerball pens with mechanisms that are higher quality than those in inexpensive pens?
September 5, 2016
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Jeremiah Habecker
The best inexpensive (ie 'cheap') rollerball that I've found is the Vision Elite by Uni-ball. It has an internal ink reservoir just like a fountain pen which helps regulate changes in pressure. You can pack a Uni-ball rollerball in your checked luggage and never worry about it exploding. I live in Colorado at 4,560 feet but I have visit job sites sometimes 10,000 feet and higher. I have never had a problem with this pen, even in winter. They are pretty sharp looking too and would fit right in at the office. They come in white or black with chrome accents. You can find them pretty much anywhere that sells pens. Even the grocery store. They are always the priciest 'budget' pen, averaging $3 per pen, but so worth it. And one last thing, get a 0.7 Fine or 0.8 Bold for best results. I would avoid the 0.3 Needle and 0.5 Micro.
August 23, 2017
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Jeremiah Habecker
The best inexpensive (ie 'cheap') rollerball that I've found is the Vision Elite by Uni-ball. It has an internal ink reservoir just like a fountain pen which helps regulate changes in pressure. You can pack a Uni-ball rollerball in your checked luggage and never worry about it exploding. I live in Colorado at 4,560 feet but I have visit job sites sometimes 10,000 feet and higher. I have never had a problem with this pen, even in winter. They are pretty sharp looking too and would fit right in at the office. They come in white or black with chrome accents. You can find them pretty much anywhere that sells pens. Even the grocery store. They are always the priciest 'budget' pen, averaging $3 per pen, but so worth it. And one last thing, get a 0.7 Fine or 0.8 Bold for best results. I would avoid the 0.3 Needle and 0.5 Micro.
August 23, 2017
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Kien thuc can sa
Terrific work! That is the type of information that are supposed
to be shared around the internet. Shame on the search engines for no longer positioning this publish upper! Thank you =)
February 13, 2018
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Angela
Hi,
I’m looking to get my husband a Mont Blanc for his 40th. He uses gel pens - should I go rollerball?
Thanks
July 7, 2018
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Gemma Plumbridge
A gel ink refill is between ballpoint ink and rollerball ink in terms of its properties. It's free flowing, but won't dry as quick as the water based inks of most refills. You can get gel refills for certain brands in either ballpoint or rollerball, so it's really going to be about what writing type your husband prefers and if you can get a gel refill to fit the pen.
If you are just looking to purchase a pen and not switch refills then probably rollerball.
July 26, 2018
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Gemma Plumbridge
A gel ink refill is between ballpoint ink and rollerball ink in terms of its properties. It's free flowing, but won't dry as quick as the water based inks of most refills. You can get gel refills for certain brands in either ballpoint or rollerball, so it's really going to be about what writing type your husband prefers and if you can get a gel refill to fit the pen.
If you are just looking to purchase a pen and not switch refills then probably rollerball.
July 26, 2018
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Gail Klein
Ballpoint pens can take different width cartridges,e.g. they produce thicker or thinner lines. Is this true for roller point pens too? If not is their line just like the thinnest of the ballpoint refills? Thanks
July 17, 2018
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Gemma Plumbridge
Many manufacturers do different tip widths for their ballpoint pens, but its more unusual to find various widths in rollerballs. We know that Lamy and Parker do them.
Also don't try and compare line widths between writing types. A medium ballpoint might be 0.8mm line width, but a rollerball 0.7mm... It's not really clear cut as this will also vary brand to brand.
July 26, 2018
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Gemma Plumbridge
Many manufacturers do different tip widths for their ballpoint pens, but its more unusual to find various widths in rollerballs. We know that Lamy and Parker do them.
Also don't try and compare line widths between writing types. A medium ballpoint might be 0.8mm line width, but a rollerball 0.7mm... It's not really clear cut as this will also vary brand to brand.
July 26, 2018
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ray sia
That is not what i want!!!
October 19, 2014
-
Jack
So is the rollerball pen more liquidy and easier to smudge with?
October 27, 2014
-
Lee
In that case can I assume that a rollerball does not suit a left hander since it is easier to smudge?
November 3, 2014
-
Lola
is a ballpoint pen the same thing as a 'Biro' as called in Nigeria?
November 4, 2014
-
Juan Carlos Calderon
According to your experience, which model result better to use. ? Roller ball or Ball point pen?
November 6, 2014
-
Elmo
Hi, evry time i used to check weblog posts herre in thee
early hours in the morning, for the reason that
i enjoy to fknd ouut more and more.
November 11, 2014
-
Kevin B
Hi
Are rollerball pens the same as gel pens?
November 27, 2014
-
Ray Newcomb
I am left handed and tend to smudge ink. I would like to buy a high quality pen. It appears I may need to buy a ballpoint. I was wondering if a High quality Rollerball with an extra fine tip (0.5mm) might give me a crisp line without smudging. If not, then is a high quality ballpoint at 0.5 available. I also understand that with some pens the ball is not centered well, and they therefore scratch more and are less reliable. Is there a higher quality brand that is more reliably centered? Thank you for your response.
July 1, 2015
-
Bharat
Hi... I'm bharat. I'm totally confused as to which pen suits my handwriting style... Wish I could show u how pathetic it is. Anyways.... I want to write bolder and faster since my habdwriting is small and I don't write the complete alphabets which makes it difficult to understand. May be a bolder non would help. I recently got a lamy broad min also but I find it too broad. I'm confused and I have to write a competitive exam in a couple of months... I'm really in need of help and guidance pls....thanks
July 15, 2015
-
Mark Sunday
I'm vision impaired, and currently use a gel ink pen with 1.0 mm point. I've been looking at fountain pens online, but am concerned about leaks. Are there any broad and bold rollerball pens?
July 18, 2015
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Jaxson
This is a very interesting blog. It is very well presented, easy to understand, and was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!
-Jax
December 6, 2015
-
Robert Hyde
Hi. I believe that gel pens are airplane safe.
Is anyone aware whether the gel/ink type pens are also airplane safe?
Many thanks
January 26, 2016
-
Leigh Bowden
I've just had three UK passport applications turned down by the Post Office as I'd used a rollerball type pen. The PO official says the ink doesn't scan but it seemed to go through my two year old scanner and my thirteen year old scanner without incident.
June 17, 2016
-
George Franklin
Are there ballpoint and rollerball pens with mechanisms that are higher quality than those in inexpensive pens?
September 5, 2016
-
Kien thuc can sa
Terrific work! That is the type of information that are supposed
to be shared around the internet. Shame on the search engines for no longer positioning this publish upper! Thank you =)
February 13, 2018
-
Angela
Hi,
I’m looking to get my husband a Mont Blanc for his 40th. He uses gel pens - should I go rollerball?
Thanks
July 7, 2018
-
Gail Klein
Ballpoint pens can take different width cartridges,e.g. they produce thicker or thinner lines. Is this true for roller point pens too? If not is their line just like the thinnest of the ballpoint refills? Thanks
July 17, 2018
