Post stories about your own pen quest below!! Let me know if there’s a pen you like me to try out.
To start:
This blog is about my quest for the perfect pen.
I am ridiculusly picky about the grip, balance and ink flow of pens. And it wouldn’t hurt if they come in a good variety of colors. (It’s very helpful for note taking, design schematics drafts, etc.)
Over the years, I buy lots of different pens. Some good, some bad. Some are just plain awful. In this blog, I’ll review the pens, rate them by my personal taste and also describe them in full detail so you can judge for yourself.
[update on 2008-05-25]
I currently use Uni-ball Vision Elite as my main writing instrument on a desk. It has a great ink flow and comes in 8 colors. For writing on mass transit (subway in my case), I prefer to use Zebra Sarasa or Uni-ball 207 over VE. (They both come in a good variety of colors.) They are both retractable (instead of capped) so I don’t have to worry about losing the cap. Zebra Sarasa, in particular, has a great grip so I don’t have to worry about losing the entire pen.
My default pen right now is the Pilot G2 in Turquoise. Great grip, retractable, good ink flow, interesting ink color.
Pen Quest 
83 comments
Comments feed for this article
December 5, 2006 at 1:33 am
Ha
Oh I totally understand you. Ever since I started math, I’ve been
writing so much that my wrist hurts, so it’s vital that I find a good
writing instrument. My first choice would be pencil (the good old
wooden ones, not the mechanical ones, mind you. Mechanical pencils
feel like it’s meant for precision drawing more than writing to me,
and the wooden ones just smell wonderful when you sharpen them). The
problem with pencil is that my notes get smudged really fast, so
that’s out of the question, though I still use them nowadays to draft
my homework. I used to write with ball-point pens until a Uni-ball pen
enlightened me to life without the sucky ball-points (a lot of them
have cute designs and really small tips though).
A while ago, I had this obsession with fountain pens so I started
using my Hero 331 (that hadn’t been touched since I received it as a
present from school in 8th grade). It’s quite a fine pen for the look.
The nib produces sharp lines and flows very smoothly. I used it with
Parker Quink blue ink and it produces an almost purple color, pretty.
I went crazy with it and asked my parents to look for more fountain
pens for me in Vietnam (they are way too expensive here). They came to
visit me last month with 2 extremely cute Chinese fountain pens. One
looks like a tiny mechanical pencil with cute little flowers on the
outside, it’s so much like a toy that you wouldn’t think it has a
complicated construction inside. And the nib is so thin, I totally
loved it (problem: it didn’t hold too much ink due to the tiny size!)
The other is slightly larger but has pictures of funny ninjas around
the cap (very strange choice for a fountain pen if you ask me).
There were several problems with fountain pens though. First of all,
it’s hard to find paper thick enough that you can write on both sides
with a fountain pen. I ended up buying printing paper and I’m still
taking notes on them. The lack of lines to “guide” your writing is
strangely liberating, the paper is thick enough and not expensive
either. Then there’s the problem with hand-writing. Mine is not very
cursive, so it’s not optimized for a fountain pen. And I found out the
hard way that fountain pens are not built to write mathematical
symbols. My wrist hurt so much after the first week that I actually
had to abandon them, my cute little fountain pens! I’m still obsessed
about them though and if I have to write a lot of English texts, I’d
still choose fountain pens.
My next try was with gel pen. They are smooth enough, but I seem to be
using them up at the rate of 3 days/pen. I love the Uni-Ball that you
talked about in your blog (though I haven’t tried the Elite version),
but they are a tad too expensive for my writing habit right now. I
bought a pack of Target gel stick (12 for $5) last month, and they
also produce nice blue color except that I used all of them up by now
😦
Btw, I haven’t tried the Staedtler pen, but I have some of their 2B
pencil. Very nice they are.
Yeah, that’s my ranting. I love pens (and pencils) too, and I think
your blog is a good idea. I have some request though: I want to see
how much they cost, and how they feel against different type of
papers. I like the entries so far so keep them coming!
Ha
December 5, 2006 at 1:45 am
laikwan
for math, i still think erasable writing instrument is best. i would stick to a mechanical pencil bc i’m too lazy to sharpen pencils. Try 0.7mm instead of 0.5mm, it’ll feel less precise :). To avoid smudging, use 2H instead of HB lead. Harder lead smudges less. Another thing I do is keep an extra sheet of paper between my hand and the notebook. It’s a practice i got from my drawing days. ow, the edge of my palm turns black. and when my palm is sweaty, i add a extra sheets to prevent the moisture from getting to my notebook.
ball-point pens aren’t that bad. perhaps u were using something like bic or papermate? they do suck. however, when i used to use ball point pen, “pilot – the better rectractable ball point pen fine point” was my stable for a long time. i’m not sure what’s ur pref on point size. i like fine points, that way you don’t have to press as hard. (think pressure over surface area of the point on paper).
for writing, gel will not last, and roller pens tend to go through the other side of paper, ur best bet might just be a good ball-point pen.
December 8, 2006 at 1:01 am
Ha Lam
But don’t you have to press harder if you are using a 2H? That was my
concern. And I love the extra sheet trick, I can do my calculation on
that too.
Yes, it was papermate ball-point 😦 I want to see a review of pilot
ball-point now! Fine point is good because I usually have to add
comments on my notes when I read them later.
December 8, 2006 at 1:13 am
laikwan
hmm, then you might get smudge ur “scrap” sheet. for 2H, you might have to push a bit harder, but that also depend on the lead size. For 0.5mm, you can use less force than 0.7mm and to a normal pencil. think force over surface area of the point.
i wil do pilot better retractable. surprisingly, they don’t sell it at my local staples or their website 😦 i will have to order them amazon the next time i get somethig.
January 17, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Catty Corner Mike
What happened to this blog. No updates since last year. Has man given up on making pens? Did someone take all the pens? Pehaps the quest has become too arderous. Maybe some dark entity has challenged your faith in mankind’s ability to make pens.
January 17, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Catty Corner Mike
How come only you get a nifty picture! I want a picture too!
February 1, 2007 at 10:06 am
Alan
I came across this site by accident in my search for the Staedtler Liquid Point 5. I have the 7 and I really like the flow but the point is too wide. I believe you are correct about the bleed. I am hoping that the thinner point will have less bleed. My standard pen of choice is the Pilot Precise V5 because for a thin point it has good flow. I am always looking something better. Any recommendations?
March 1, 2007 at 3:50 am
Brad
Well,
Zebra’s Sarasa is a great pen, but sometimes the ink is a bit stickier than I would normally like, but it is vibrant, and I like the ink flow better than the Uniball Signo.
However – I swear that for everyday writing, the Uniball Jetstream is the perfect pen, especially the retractable. You have got to try it out. Ink is less vibrant, which on some paper is a pain, but overall, it never runs, smudges, and the ink is the best cross between the ink flow/smooth writing style of gel/liquid with the control and anti-smear benefits of a ballpoint.
Great pen.
September 27, 2007 at 7:48 am
ray
i bought a pen set a few years ago, how ever the fibre tipped insert has run out. i believe they are quarenteed for life, i have trie to replace the fibre insert which is ,schmidt liner with number 29 f. the colour of the set isgreen and black marbled effect. can you please advice as to where i can get a replacement insert. thank you ray
October 6, 2010 at 6:12 am
david
yes you are right they do have a lifetime guarantee the company was or still is lazio i do recall they were on qvc some time ago now i myself am trying to find them to replace my own set iff i find anything else out i will let you know
January 31, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Tom Terranova
This is a great blog. Glad to hear that I’m not the only one on a never ending grail quest for the perfect pen. Today I was at Staples trying to locate the best pen to order for hardcopy editing. As I was zooming in on the different photos, I suddenly realized: “Oh my god, I’m looking at pen porn!”
Have you tried the Uni-Ball SIgno UM-201 yet? It’s supposedly the world’s thinnest pen.Japan-only I think, but JetPens has a multi-color set for around $20. Here’s the link:
http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/products_id/368
The photo where they write “rice” on a grain of rice with one of them is great. But apparently those who write on rice for a living (?!) report that it’s not actually the best pen for that purpose.
April 9, 2008 at 11:32 am
JRWASU
Have you tried the Pilot V Razor Point? Capped, marker pen, better looks than the old Razor Point I & II and comes in Extra Fine point and many colors. Its the best i have found so far, and i have tried many!
Something to try… 🙂
May 17, 2008 at 6:54 pm
monosonico
Best pen that I’ve had is Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen (http://www.lamy.com/eng/b2c/2000/001).
May 18, 2008 at 2:17 am
Graham
—Bic Atlantis—
First of all, I love this site. Just found it this afternoon, hungover, in that strange state of mind where only something as specific and absurd as the perfect pen hunt would satisfy my attention. And I mean all that as a compliment – good work.
Second, I myself am a pen fanatic. I tend stick anything resembling the shape of a pen behind my ear, and find at the end of most days, I’ve acquired a new pen of unknown origin. Recently, on a bus ride home from a city named Busan (living in South Korea at the moment), I was writing with a Bic Atlantis, and realized, without a doubt, it was the most comfortable and pleasing pen I had ever used. It’s a ballpoint, which ordinarily I saved for quick jots and carbon copy paper writing. But this thing is amazing. I’m almost positive I brought it in my backpack from the states over here, and I hope and pray everyday that Bic still makes these little gems. I thought if you had the time and energy to find one, and review, you would be doing mankind a great service. Keep up the good work.
Graham
April 30, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Hanaa
Graham,
Not sure if you are still in Korea or still love the Atlantic Bic, but if so..I would be happy to send you some. No catch…just a “Penanthoropist” that likes making others happy by giving them their favorite pen :). Let me know where to send.
Bustymee@aol.com
Hanaa 🙂
May 18, 2008 at 2:39 am
t
Try the Zebra F-402. It’s a stainless steel pen, so it’s well-weighted and well balanced (not to mention that it’s impossible to break). The pen has a simple, black, smooth grip, which, combined with the simplicity of the stainless steel, gives it a sort of timeless elegance. Writing quality is also superb, and, as a ballpoint, it doesn’t smudge or bleed like gel.
http://www.zebrapen.com/ball-f402.html
May 18, 2008 at 2:45 am
Hyun
–Uniball Jetstream–
The Jetstream is the smoothest pen I have ever used. I am a lazy writer, so using a common Bic ballpoint pen is out of the question. The G2 is a step ahead of most ballpoints when it comes to smoothness, but the Jetstream blows it away. I have never used a smoother pen with a more comfortable grip.
Some people who use my pen complain about it’s smoothness, but they seem to prefer cheaper pens which require more effort to write with.
May 18, 2008 at 4:37 am
J
2 suggestions for you:
1)bic ultra round stic grip
– they’re super cheap (12 for 2 dollars or something like that), and write relatively easy. They’re extremely better than the normal, cheaper, bic pens.
2) Staples Quattro
Contains 3 ink colors and a pencil, but is the size of a normal pen Also comes with a stylus tip, if you wanted to switch it in for something else. Changes ink color by holding it in your hand, turning the pen to match the color square that you want, and clicking the button, just like you would in a normal pen. Its kind of amazing. Useful for impressing small children and the weak minded.
There are some gripes with it: ink can refuse to come out at times, and the pencil only holds a single lead at a time, but the convenience of red/blue/black ink and a pencil and eraser makes up for it.
I’d be interested to hear if you could find a better multi-pen. For now, this is pretty good.
May 18, 2008 at 4:54 am
JL
I am one of the unfortunate people who have fallen in love with the Mont Blanc Starwalker Specialedition http://www.montblanc.com/special_starwalker.php . I have used a Mont Blanc Meisterstuck rollerball for the past 10+ years and have loved every day, as the weight, writing line, reaction, and resilience of the pen make it top notch in my eyes.
Back to the 100 year anniversary edition. This pen looks amazing. Some choose to wear jewels on their ears, fingers, or neck, but I choose to have it in my pocket or in my hand. Once you get it in the light and see the diamond shimmer while you write, you may want to make sure and pay attention to what your writing as you may forget all about it. The ink is perfect Mont Blanc production and writes very well at any angle and keeps its line tight and as precise as you can be with your hand. As for the resilience of the pen, I have not dropped it yet but if it keeps true to my meisterstuck pens in the past, they can be dropped multiple times before any scratches or cracks appear, and even if they do, most pens have a warranty to get it fixed.
All in all, I could not ask for a better pen to use daily or in any situation. It also easily draws an eye if your into that sort of thing.
Consider trying one carefully, if you do, you may find leaveing the store without one impossibly hard like I did.
JL
May 18, 2008 at 6:52 am
Smiler
Hi
Like you, I have some fascination for good writing implements. My family ran a commercial office supply business and I managed to experience many different pens.
My distilled take on the best pen around is the PILOT Vball 0.5 Black. They disappeared for a few years but now they are back – by popular demand I assume. They have the smoothest ink flow with a nice rounded ergonomic body and I rarely look beyond them.
Your current favourite is my second choice.
Have a look at the PILOT Vball (BL-VB5) I’m sure you would be impressed.
May 18, 2008 at 9:15 am
Steve
Uniball Jetstream is the best I’ve ever had (talking about “consumer” pens, I’ve never had a high-end one like mont blank).
I’m using the 1.0 version, but since it’s almost over now (after months of use) I’m thinking about trying the .7 one.
The black version is very classy, and every time I have to let someone use it they always take a second to look at it.
The grip is comfortable, ink flow is very smooth, and the cap stays very firmly both when closed and when in “writing mode” thanks to the rubber grip that covers the whole body.
I really can’t find anything bad to say.
May 18, 2008 at 10:33 am
Lee Higginbotham
http://leehigginbotham.com/pearl-collection/pen.htm
May 18, 2008 at 10:36 am
John
I have my Fisher Space Pen. But I don’t use it at work, because work pens disappear.
I recommend that you try it out, and it doesn’t have to be frozen upside down in a vacuum.
May 18, 2008 at 11:58 am
Sarah
I love the Zebra F-301. I’m a student so I go through pens at a rapid rate. The great thing about these pens is that you can buy refills, saving money. I also prefer ballpoint to ink as it won’t smudge. So when I’m doing homework or taking notes, I don’t have to wait and blow on the ink to avoid smudges. The ink flow is also excellent. None of that scribbling on a piece of paper to get the ink flowing again. The line it produces is very uniform. The design of the pen is also very elegant. It’s slim and simple. The grip is not padded but I prefer my pens without that. The retractable feature is also very nice as dealing with caps annoys me. I use this with the matching mechanical pencil and both are an essential addition to my pencil bag. I’ve been using this pen for 4 years and I haven’t switched yet!
May 18, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Joe
Cool site. My favorite pen right now for work is whatever the hotel I stay in has. Well, not favorite, but definitely most used seeing as I lose them a lot. As for personal pens I bought a Lamy Pico (http://www.lamyusa.com/pico.html). I travel a lot and like to have a small pen that I can leave in my pocket for taking notes. I don’t like having a regular length pen as they stick out and just take up too much space, but at the same time I hate short pens since they’re not balanced at all. Enter the Lamy. It’s short (~4″) when closed and not pointy at all. It sort of looks like an oversized pill. Unlike other short pens it expands an inch when opened so it’s nice and balanced. It’s also made of some sort of metal (aluminum I think) with a great weight to it. It’s not the best for lots of writing, but for traveling and simply cool looking pens, it’s excellent.
May 18, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Derek
I highly suggest you try out the Uniball Jetstream. I did a search for “jetstream” on your blog and didn’t find it, so to my knowledge you’ve never covered it.
It only comes in red, blue and black but the ink flow is second-to-none in my experience, and I personally like the grip. It’ll well-weighted, a great tip/point and well worth the cost to me. I buy it at Staples, and so far I’ve only ever bought it in black.
I look forward to seeing you review the pen should you choose to.
May 18, 2008 at 12:46 pm
David
I’d love to hear your take on the Pilot Precise V5 RT.
I need a retractable pen and the only problem with these is you have to buy a mixed color pack to get a blue one.
May 18, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Serg
My favorite pen by far is the Pilot P-500.
As a physician I write a ton of progress notes in the medical record and I have always appreciated pens that have a fine point and have ink that doesn’t soak through the page.
The P-500 is a 0.5mm gel ink ballpoint pen that has those top two qualities. The ink comes out very thin and smooth and it allows me to write on both sides of most sheets of paper except the most thin.
There is a 4 pack of green, red, and I think blue but as far as I can tell it comes in the P-700 variety, which still is a great pen but I prefer the precise tip.
Downsides? Well there are a few. There isn’t a cushion grip. It isn’t a retractable pen so you need to use a cap with it. And finally, if you drop it or if you write with a ton of pressure the tip easily bends. Luckily, I ordered 3 boxes online and for some reason the store screwed up and sent me 2 more orders for free. So I have another 50 of these pens so I don’t mind wasting (or losing) a couple of these.
May 18, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Mikeey
You should try out a TUL pen. I think its only available from Office Max though.
May 18, 2008 at 1:26 pm
jacquie
Muji pens. ’nuff said.
May 18, 2008 at 10:07 pm
David Smith
Can you comment on a line of really thick-point pens? How wide a point have you seen on a ball point? My wife loves the really thick ones and I can’t find one she likes! Help!
David
June 8, 2012 at 12:33 am
Hanaa
David, you should buy the Bic Cristal Bold pen for your wife. I just bought some at a local bargain store for 99 cents for a pack of 10. The pen is 1.6m writes very smooth, nice and dark. Black or Blue ink 🙂
May 19, 2008 at 12:23 am
Splat
Love the Pilot gel pens, but they don’t fly. For months afterward they bleed all over the place, slowly.
Please recommend pens that work at both sea level and cruising altitude, and back.
May 20, 2008 at 1:07 am
Will
You should really just use fountain pens. I went on your quest already, but only found nirvana with a nib.
May 22, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Dentist
im a fan of gel pens in general, i try not to be picky
i also like zebra pens when i can scavenge them
but my favorite ballpoint non-gel pen is the bic atlantis-i feel that it writes like a gel pen without the gel
May 27, 2008 at 2:49 pm
George Mitchell
Suggest you try one (or more) of the offerings of Fisher (yes, the “Space Pen” people).
I recently bought 2 for myself, including the multipoint version) and a new lifetime “MARS” pen for a recent HS graduate. It will not run out of ink before man lands on Mars.
I have also placed a Fisher refill in a Parker pen.
The original Parker Sonnet with the now obsolete Golden Touch (fine, black) refill was my favorite.
May 28, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Bernard Glassman
Let me first admit to a fountain pen bias. But that doesn’t mean that there is not a rollerball that has won my heart. It’s the Acme that looks like a #2 pencil, using a Schmidt refill (comes with the pen.) Here is a link:
http://www.acmestudio.com/products/products.htm Scroll to the picture of the “pencil.” No rollerball has ever written more smoothly, and the weight and balance of this pen keep me writing for hours. But it’s a tad heavier than most rollerballs, so please test it at a store, if possible, before you invest.
Enough of rollerballs. Now to the fountain pens. My perfect pen is the Waterman Edson with the factory stub nib. Nothing off the shelf writes more beautifully and smoothly, and I have tried literally hundreds of fountain pens. Heck, I own literally hundreds of fountain pens. The Edson is far and away the best, but it lists around $500 or more and if you aren’t obsessively into pens it’s not worth further mention. Next best is the pen the Edson inspired, the Waterman Carene with the factory stub. Under $200, writes like a dream and feels wonderful.
At $35 or so, it’s the Pilot Knight. The smoothest <$100 fountain pen off the shelf I have ever used. Simply amazing. I have no idea how Pilot does it.
All of that said, I will tell you what I am using every day, and have no likelihood of giving up in the near future. It’s the newest rOtring Newton. I don’t know who retails them in the US, if anyone. I get mine via an eBay store. But here is the kicker. Like almost every fountain pen I am ever likely to use that is not a factory stub nib, (Pilot Knight excepted), my rOtring has been smoothed to a cursive italic by Deb Kinney. Total cost under $60. I have a copper and a silver version, and each lays down a line so interesting that writing is simply a huge pleasure. I compare writing with one of Deb’s cursive italic nibs to singing in the shower. You know what the shower can do for your voice? Deb’s nibs do it for your handwriting. Google “Deb Kinney” and you should be able to find out more about her.
By the way, I do not have a financial interest in any of the items or businesses I’ve mentioned here. But I do know the compulsion to find the perfect pen, and I believe I have found the ones that are right for me.
Of course, I did just get the new Levenger catalog…
You may want to check out my podcast site: http://penstories.mypodcast.com
BG
May 28, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Bernard Glassman
Slight correction:
If you go to the Acme Studios website http://www.acmestudio.com . click on rollerballs in the list on the left and then scroll down.
BG
June 6, 2008 at 4:40 am
mechnical pencil with padded grip
[…] with cute little flowers on the ….. The grip is not padded but I prefer my pens without that. …https://penquest.wordpress.com/your-pen-quest/zignig wholesale – Internet Packaging Made Easy Jiffy Bags – Padded …Grip Seal. padded bags. LP […]
June 29, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Mannix
One of the best pens I found was a 3 colour ballpoint pen sold by TMI at a time management seminar I attended in London in 1995. It was grey steel with the right weight and balance. It felt like it would never break.
I managed to lose it and have been on a perpetual quest to replace it. TMI no longer sell it and the closest I have come is Lamy’s 3 colour pen.
July 31, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Kotwell
I wonder if you’ve had the opportunity to review the TŪL line of retractable pens? I’d be interested in your opinion.
August 21, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Val
Love the site, I stumbled onto it, I bought a couple pens as I too am picky and they are med point retractable TUL. Don’t remember where I picked them up and they are the best I have used in a long time for everything. But will have fun trying some others out here upon some interesting recommendations! Thanks.
September 19, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Tracy
Oh. My. God.
You are my soul mate.
My pen saga?
I HAD my perfect pen. I loved it. Just loved it. It was an extension of my arm; a smooth, light, firm appendage with a fine tip and perfect ink flow that never smudged. My pen never failed me.
Sometimes I had panic attacks. I’d be in the middle of a perfect thought and reach for Pen to write it down. But Pen would be GONE! A frantic search & rescue operation always ensued with couch cushions and papers scattered in my wake. I’ve submitted assignments late because I couldn’t finish writing without Pen. And it was worth it.
Pen was a Flexgrip, fine point, blue. They aren’t made anymore. They changed them about 8 years ago. The new “improved” model has a wider barrel and the tip is not as fine. I hate it. The ridges on the grip hurt my middle finger and leave red marks. 😦
The only solace I’ve found is in a beautiful gold & silver Cross fountain pen. I know it’s wrong to turn to a rebound pen but I can’t stop myself. And I’d trade it for one of my old flexgrips. I would.
Sniff.
September 25, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Nico Belfort
For years I thought I was the only person that was nuts (or obsessed) with finding the perfect pen. My wife, family, and friends are all aware of this quirk of mine and have grown to accept it. However after 12 years of searching for the perfect pen for me, I have found it! It is the Pilot Dr. Grip Balnced Pen with the turbo ink. Now I know that sounds goofy (turbo ink) however it is the smoothest ball point ink out there (I have tried several over the years). I like the smoothness of gels however I always hated how some of them bled through or were inconsistent with the ink flow. People in my office sometimes will use my pen and ask “what kind of pen is this” they love how smooth it writes while how comfy it feels in their hands. Once of the ladies in the office loves her gel pens and used mine to sign some documents, she later told me that she thought she was using a gel pen but when she look at the pen closer she was shocked that it was a ballpoint. You can find the pen at about any store except Walmart. It goes for 7-8 dollars and comes with a free refill. The refills go for about 2 dollars. I can writes for hours and hours and because the pen is balanced and comfy it does not hurt my wrist or hand. By the way THANK YOU for having a website like this (now I feel like I am not alone).
December 12, 2008 at 9:58 am
ryan
Good website. I’ve used your opinions to consider pens for a couple of people with hand problems. Here’s another issue I’ve come across. I have a client with carpal tunnel syndrome who writes on paper requiring triplicate copies. Need a pen that can write in triplicate with minimal force. Any ideas? Will the Pilot Dr. Grip Balanced do the trick?
December 18, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Ruby
Hi, I’m not sure if anyone else will reply, so I’ll give my 2 cents 🙂 I’m a graduate student and in my recent exams, suffered from temporary carpal tunnel syndrome. I love pens, and often surf the net about it, so that’s how I started reading about fountain pens. Fountain pens are better than ballpoint pens and gelpens because the ink flows out once the tip touches the paper. You can write with the pen held at a much lower angle (than almost upright for ballpoints) and use a lighter grip on the pen. If you do not have a fountain pen at home, perhaps you can get your wife the Pilot Varsity (also called V-Pen) disposable fountain pen to try? If she likes it, you can use Google or go to http://www.fountainpennetwork.com to read and discuss about fountain pens. I’ve tried many so-called ergonomic ballpoint and gelpens before, but they’re always too heavy for me. Hope that helps a bit! 🙂
December 18, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Ruby
Just to add: getting a slightly chunkier fountain pen, or adding a pen grip to your fountain pen may help too, as I discovered recently: http://toyingwithlight.wordpress.com/. And I found these: http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=50943 and http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=41955.
January 6, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Robert Hines
I’ve tried every pen I could find over the years, and am totally addicted to Pilot Razor Point II blue pens. If you have great handwriting, and don’t write with a heavy iron hand, these pens write beautifully. I go through dozens every year, and am able to provide everyone I know with moderately used pens once the tip loses its sharpness. As a 30-year graphic designer by profession, I don’t believe there is a better writing combination (at least for most work) that the Razor Pt. II and a Cambridge quad-ruled writing pad. The other quad pads aren’t good enough. I know I’m a writing fanatic and have been known to walk several blocks in freezing weather to buy a fresh pen for work. Any, that’s my 2 cents worth.
February 8, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Ronnie Dodd
I am looking for a pen that looks identicle to a wood pencil. It even has an eraser on it. They use to have them in the 70s-current. I love them but I can not find a name or a manufacture. if you can help please reply!
February 20, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Yitah
Bic Ultra Round Stic Grip
I’m a fan of super fine ball point pens (I have some 0.3 mm ball point pens from Japan that are astounding – made by Mitsubishi)
However I really like the Bic Ultra – medium point but super smooth rolling and also very cheap.
I bought three boxes at Office Depot when they had a special on them – $1 a box!!!
March 18, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Justin
I’ve always been a fan of liquid ink rollerballs, in particular, Uniball’s Vision series (Vision Elite, Vision Exact). I’ve just recently seen the new Vision Needle series; could you try that one out?
August 11, 2009 at 12:11 pm
classie
V5s FTW
September 11, 2009 at 11:30 am
Gary
What a great blog! I really thought I needed therapy to stop obsessing about good pens. I am left-handed, so fast drying is critical. I also work in a lab and where we used to have forms printed, most are now generated in house and printed on copy/inkjet paper. I assume that some of my dislike of pens lately is due to the paper. Even expensive pens skip and are inconsistant. Sometimes the cheapest ones from the dollar store and hotel rooms write better. So far I have looked at/tried:
LAMY (don’t know the model as it was a gift, but takes the M-16 refill. Good, but expensive
Zebra F-301. Too thin to hold on to.
Cross (again, no model, medium pt.) So far, my favorite.
Uniball Jet Stream RT, bold rollerball. Good but runs out fast.
Sharpie’s new fine pt.. Point loses rigidity quickly and gets fat.
Parker. The medium point standard Parker refill is a close second.
Does anyone have suggestions about the paper? Is copy paper worse for writing as I suspect? I think I’ll pick up a good journal and try some of these pens on that. Thanks to all for posting.
October 22, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Band105
Hi, happy to have found your blog.
As a fellow pen-searching man from Sweden I have to recommend that you try (and maybe make a review on) some of the pens from the Swedish penmaker Ballograf.
I get my stock of Ballograf pens for free at work and have always liked them. Long-lasting, smooth, sturdy and timeless design with a life time guarantee.
Since you seem to be very serious about your quest you should check them out.
Start at http://www.ballograf.se/Index.asp
oh – and the disclaimer: I dont sell Ballograf pens, I just like them.
Band105,
Happy owner of many pens
February 13, 2010 at 8:54 am
Chris de Vidal
I’m cheap, and have a pretty high degree of tolerance for some irritation, to a point.
Cheap, well-writing pens are hard to find, but out there. Paper Mate’s Write Brothers Stick used to be my favorite at about 10 cents each, but the quality seems to have changed in the last fifteen years. Still pretty good, and I can tolerate the imperfections of the occasional loop-drawing to get it started. Above average, but not like they used to be.
National Pen Company sells company logo pens that are always write outstandingly well, but they don’t sell in small batches, you have to buy a minimum of 100 at 75 cents each. Otherwise you have to visit companies who offer these pens for free.
I just wrote Nationals’ customer service dept. to see if they have any cast-offs they’d be willing to sell (here’s hoping!). I don’t care about what’s printed on it.
Apparently I’m not the only one who thinks these pens write well:
http://nationalpencorp-promotionalgiveaways.com/pens/advertising-pen-reviews
March 18, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Snowshoes
My quest began with a search for a refill to a pen that say’s “Pen Quest – Italy” on the ‘Pocket Clip’ attached to the cap o the pen. The pen cartridge is identified as a SCHMIDT liner, Made in Germany, 29 F, 602.
If any one can help, please reply.
September 29, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Bic Orange Fine point lover
I would buy any pens I could see for sale when I needed a pen and got burned many many times. for example I would go to those stupid dollar stores and buy (‘oh what a deal’) 12 papermates for $1. Except papermate makes quality and garbage pens and then trick the customer by teasing them with their name “hey these are 12 PAPERMATE pens for a $1 sooo they’ve got to be good!” only they are not. ALL 12 were in and out on the ink flow (and this wasn’t just a bad batch –other packs showed same problem). I remembered an orange colored bic pen serious editors seem to use and found it was “Bic Orange fine point” —a truly AMAZING pen. Also Bic does NOT do what papermate does. If it says BIC its always a ‘good’ bic not some tease abusing the name recognition. If its Bic buy it.
But especially BIC ORANGE FINE POINT. I threw out all of my non bic pens and now only buy Bic Orange fine point. I do have some other bics and they are great but the fine point always gets me in the end.
My quest has ended in victory! Now if I could only find the perfect paper….
October 29, 2010 at 10:51 am
Teri Shaw
I have two, only two, fine gel pens that are wonderful and I cannot find any information about them on the ‘net. I don’t know where I got them and the only information on the pen itself is the work “Icebreaker” on the cap. Has anyone ever seen or heard of these and can someone point me to where they might be purchased.
Thanks.
Teri
PS, I tried a G2 based on the posts here – jury is still out on that one as I can’t find a fine pt, only medium which isn’t my fave.
October 29, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Gary
I saw a reference to Icebreaker pens list as being from Corporate Express Brands. Maybe it is a promotional run. Hope this helps a bit.
November 10, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Fabrice
Hello!
Great website… I would love to collaborate on pen reviews as I believe to own every tipe of pen that exists! I also use them extensively for illustration and type design.
My favoirite pen of all time is definitely Pilot Multiball black and red medium or broad (or extra broad) tip. The ink is absolutely amazing, covers everything, dries on everything. Precise, great to hold, superb design, sturdy, the one pen I would bring anywhere and for any occasion!
I would love to contribute to the blog! Bye
Fab
December 13, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Matt
Hey I just bought some Niji Yasutomo Grip 350 pens. No refills seem to be available anymore. Any suggestions on what kind of other pen refill I could use instead???
May 2, 2011 at 10:28 am
M Black
I have been looking for the BIC Orange fine point Pens everywhere and cannot find them!! Soo Frustrating. This is the only pen that I can write neatly with. Its about the shape and narrowness of the barrel and the fine point. Does anyone know where I can find them??
January 25, 2012 at 1:37 pm
Kim
Same here!! You can find them at http://www.wheresmybic.us….they sent them to me within 3 days!! You can purchase a dozen for $10.95.
September 23, 2011 at 12:52 pm
steve farrell
Does anyone know where I can purchase some older uniball 500 ink pens?
November 20, 2011 at 1:39 pm
B Brennan
If you are looking for the actual pen, I believe it has been discontinued for several years. If you are looking for refills, try Yafa Pen Co. They have several Schmidt pen refills that fit the 500.
January 10, 2012 at 9:01 am
Kim
I have been searching for the Bic pen of my youth. It was a plastic, super fine, ball point pen in the classic “Bic yellow”. Where oh where can I get about 100 of these? Haven’t found anything that writes as fine and is as light to hold as these gems. Any ideas, just let me know. Thanks in advance!
January 10, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Kim
Heads up, everyone!! Just located the object of my desire (Bic classic “Orange” fine point pens!! Wrote the company and asked “What’s up?”. They directed me to a web site called http://www.Wheresmybic.us and low and behold, I can get a dozen of these beauties for $10.95. Okay, back in the day, that amount would have gotten me about 30 of these, but at least I can get em!! Hooray!
January 24, 2012 at 11:39 pm
Mercia
Zebra Jimnie retractable 1.0!! It’s barely 50 cents, very smooth, almost no ‘vibration’, and it has a unique blueish-gray color. I used for a decade and it’s the best pen I’ve ever tried. The smoothness also allow difference texture and intensity, so I also used it for sketching. I can say it’s even better than the usual 2B pencil for sketching.. 😀
February 3, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Mickey
Ok, this is really crazy . . . I bought a pen at Office Depot last August that I love. It is a very slim black ballpoint with a pink fake jewel on top, no brand name on it. I think I paid $2 for it. They do not carry it anymore. Does anyone have an idea here I might look?
March 8, 2012 at 11:06 pm
Ace
I thought I was weird… until I found this site! 🙂 I love pens! My favorite at the moment is Uniball Signo 207 Micro Point. Does anyone know where to buy the assorted ink pack? I can’t find it anywhere!
March 9, 2012 at 6:45 pm
Gary Bradnick
The quest for the “perfect” pen is probably going to follow me until I get too old to hold a pen. For work/everyday, I try to find the best throw away I can for the lab. The biggest problem is that most forms we use now are printed on copier/laser printer paper and that seems to have a big effect on the quality of the flow. A pen that I don’t like feels different on a legal pad or notebook. I usually carry a Cross or a Lamy that uses the M16 refill. I also prefer blue for some reason. I recently wanted to try the PaperMate InkJoy pen. Is is OK but out of a box of 12, most have problems with clumping or blobs when you first write after at least 1/2 hour in between. Anyone else try them?
January 30, 2014 at 1:51 pm
Gary Bradnick
As a follow-up to this post, I never liked the ink that Lamy uses in the M16 refills. It is a lighter blue and heavy. I recently found that Monteverde makes a refill to fit the Lamy pens. Just got some today and it is much better. The color blue you expect in a ballpoint and very smooth.
April 30, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Hanaa
Oh I feel sooo at home here! hehehe. Love, love pens…don’t know why but I do. Big Lots has opened me to one of my favorite pens. Cello Superglide. a pack of three pens is $2.00. comes in black. Amazing!. Bic has actually bought a portion of this company. Get to your local Big Lots and see if they have these pens in stock..hey for a couple of bucks you can’t go wrong. The Cello gel pens are equally great if you like gel.
My other finds at BL. Uni Jetstream 101 blue ink. Pack of 3 $2.00. smooth wonderful. Another find is the Bic Cristal gel stick pen, black ink. Pack of 12 for only $3.00 These have been discontinued…yup I stocked up! heheh
I have so many pens, I feel like I should be a “Penanthropist”….I would be happy to send out a little sample pack of the pens I mentioned. You can email me at Bustymee@aol.com…..yea, yeah picked that name years ago..lol
Hanaa 🙂
February 19, 2013 at 10:06 pm
Rebecca
Oh, love me some Cello pens! Nothing writes like a Cello 🙂
October 16, 2012 at 8:06 pm
Greg
Try this one!
http://www.rotring.com/en/
November 30, 2012 at 8:32 am
Danielle
Could some one pleaaasssseee tell me where I can find and buy an old BIC Roller that I have . The only colors I have seen them in is Orange and Black. It almost writes like a marker. pleeease help. I know this wasent a lot of info. But there has to be another person who loves this pen and will know which on I am talking about. Thank you !
November 30, 2012 at 9:47 am
Kim
Danielle…there is a web site called Where’s My Bic….go there, write the company and I promise you they will have the pens you want. Worked for me! Good luck.
December 5, 2012 at 9:32 pm
jacob workman
i think in my opinion,the BIC Velocity is really smooth at writing and bold.It even writes smoothely on my skin.
December 17, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Hanaa
Bic Cristal Bold pen is being discontinued..:( stock up now!
February 9, 2014 at 10:09 am
Joel
I use the uniball vision elite and absolutely love it. Just wish i could buy like 1000 for super cheap.
July 28, 2014 at 8:23 pm
KG5989
So glad to have found this site!
Im not a crazy pen enthusiast, but when I find a pen that I really like…. I have to have it! That pen was the BIC Atlantis retractable ballpoint pen in blue ink. I discovered this cheap gem of a pen when I was in school in 2008ish and I bought a couple dozen.
That had lasted me a long time, up until a few weeks ago. My last 1 finally was shot, so I made a trip to the CVS near me. And I cant find the right version of the pen. The 1 that I love is the BIC Atlantis retractable ballpoint pen in the CLEAR barrel. The CVS only had the newer version that has the blue barrel. And I needed a pen for the next day at work, so I thouht what the heck and just bought a 4-pack. Well the next day at work, I quickly realize that the new version and the version that I love are not the same pen. The name is the same, the pen is not. So after work that day, I go to Office Depot to see if they carry the pen, then to Wal Mart, etc. Nobody seems to have it. And then I go online to BICs’ website and I find out that my version of the pen has been discontinued…. sad day.
The new version has a skinnier feel to it. And the tip seems to be skinnier as well. And it does not feel the same. I really cant get used to it.
So, does anyone know where my version of the pen can be found at? If not, does anyone know if I can refill my older version of the pens(I kept all the barrels)? If so, what brand should I buy? And the specs for it? The new version of the Atlantis comes with a medium point, 1.0mm. However, it does seem to be a bit thinner than the version that I love, I was thinking of going 1.2mm with a bold point.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
April 14, 2020 at 8:39 pm
Pen Geek
I just wanted to say I love this entire page. I’m still looking for my top pen, but it might just be the Lamy 2000 fountain pen!
April 14, 2020 at 8:40 pm
Pen Geek
I just wanted to say I love this entire page. I’m still looking for my top pen, but it might just be the Lamy 2000 fountain pen!