Pen Freak

Yes, I'm a pen freak. I'm that guy at the pen section, mumbling about pen tip sizes, gel inks and barrel design. It's been an addiction of mine since grade school days, when Parker Jotter retractable ball pens were all the rage.

In high school, I became a fan of Flair pens for drawing and writing. I used to eat through those pens, drawing, writing reports and for everyday use. I read somewhere that Quentin Tarantino uses Flairs to write his scripts.

In my college days, when I was introduced to fountain pens. My design and drawing instructor, Mr. Bonifay, was a total sketch freak, toting his huge 12 x 14 bound black sketchbook with hundreds of drawings in it. Odd thing was, he religiously used a simple, black Sheaffer fountain pen (something like this one, but black plastic) for sketching, which further blew me away.

I bought one of those fountain pens myself and sketched with it, and you know what? It wasn't bad at all. I adapted to the quirks of a fountain pen for sketching. The old pen is now broken (pocket clip broke) and is in need of a trip back to the factory in Iowa for lifetime warranty repairs. (Note to self: send that Sheaffer pen in!)

When I began getting back into sketching and journaling with Moleskines a few years ago, I found my interest in pens reviving. I tried the ol' Sheaffer, but the Moleskine's paper couldn't handle the scratching of a fountain pen tip, nor the ink liquidity.

Next I bought some Pilot G2s on 0.5 and 0.7 widths, as these were so often mentioned by Moleskine users. I loved the gel ink — its density and the pen shape. However, after several months of use, I began to experience some issues with the G2. I disliked that the flow was not totally smooth on my Moleskine pages. The ink would flow nicely and then abruptly, thin out on me.

I put up with this for a while, until my most recent trip to Office Max, where I bought several pens for home and work use (I do a quite bit of sketching at work). One of the pens I took a liking to was the Sanford Uniball Signo 207 gel pen. It looked and felt very much like the Pilot G2, but the ink flow was much better. I bought one and have now switched over to the Uniball.

But the story goes on — my pen freak revival brought to mind yet another über-favorite pen: the Niji Stylist 100. This unassuming black plastic pen had a smoothest tip for sketching, never skipping on me. Apparently it has a unique plastic tip construction which makes it durable. All I know is, these things rock.

This weekend I hit the local art store and found the Niji Stylist 100, and immediately appreciated the smooth flow of ink it provided. I've been enjoying it so much, I've started carrying the Stylist around everywhere, using it for work and personal sketching, notes, my diaries and more.

So what are your favorite pens? Any suggestions for this pen freak? Please feel free to leave a comment — I'm always on the lookout for great new pens to feel my addiction. :-)

Comments

[Fred Beiderbecke]

I love the Lamy Safari fountain pens. They're fairly inexpensive (for a fountain pen), the ink is always flowing when you uncap (even after awhile) and they feel good in my hands. The aluminum is my favorite with the vista not far behind.

[Daniel Erickson]

I'm currently trying the G2 refills (.07) in a neatly styled Retro 51 pen that I had ordered for a customer give-away program a few years ago. But I do find that the G2 is fussy occasionally and skips on the ink flow. The pens that have been regularly excellent in operation for me have been the Uniball Vision Elite pens. I prefer the .05 tip for writing in Moleskine notebooks, but also use their .08 tip pens for writing in my Miquelrius journal that I use for general notes, sermon notes, and ministry purposes. I haven't seen many people comment on having used the Uniball Vision Elite pens, but I highly recommend them.

[Steve]

Mike, Mike, Mike,

Go to Daly's, and get yourself a Namiki Vanishing Point fountain pen with a small nib. You get the same ink colors as the G2 series, only with a writing experience that is really awesome.

I also second the vote for Safari's, although they are no Namiki.

Steve

PS - why no trackbacks or permalinks?

[Mike Rohde]

Thanks for the tips guys! I used to have a Safari once upon a time too -- just remembered that. I'll have to hit Daly's and check out the Namikis there. I also want to try out a Fisher space Pen while I'm there.

Steve, no trackbacks because lately I've been hammered with tracckback spam. In fact, I'm in the (very slow) process of turning off trackback on every post here -- it's just noth worth the constant hassle of deletion. Oh well, another great technology ruined by spammers.

[Kristin]

Not so much for sketching, but I want to try the PenAgain ergonomic pen. Ever since I broke my hand, holding most pens for any length of time has been a difficult and painful task. Yet the PenAgain pens look like they'd be great for writing, taking notes, etc. If you get one, please post a review (I'm dying to know how real pen users feel about them!). :)

[Mike Rohde]

Daniel, I have a Vision Elite (0.7) and I'm moderately pleased with it, though it seems to dispense the ink a bit unevenly. Could just be this pen is a dud. I actually also like the plain od Vision, which has great ink flow and a nice smooth rolling action.

[Fazal Majid]

I like broad-nibbed, liquid pens from S.T. Dupont and Waterman best, but then again I don't use them for sketching, where a fine nib would be better indicated. The only fine nib I have is on a Caran d'Ache Ecridor, which is slim enough to be a good fit with a Moleskine.

[Jemima]

In the UK, Muji sells fantastically cheap gel ink pens, that are the best I've come across (although I like a lot of the Pilot range as well).

http://www.mujionline.com/shop_uk/productpage.asp?PID=384

They come in a range of colours and have a really consistent flow.

[Rich...!]

I'm a Cross Matrix man myself, I opted to swap the fountain pen for a highlighter though - I find that having the variety of writing options is a real winnner, I also like how it feels when I hold it. The one negative is its upside down design.

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/cross-matrix-multipen-review.html



I'm on my third one now, I just can't seem to find anything better...!

[Dana VanDen Heuvel]

The Retro 51 'Tornado' rollerball pens are superb and flow well with everything from a generic legal pad to my Molskine. I've got several, including the pencil. Beautiful, delicious, and nice to hold.

I also love the Faber Castell E-Motion ballpoint pens. Not quite as smooth as the rollerball, but light weight and fun to use.

[Garrick Van Buren]

Back when I was sketching on paper more, I preferred the Pentel RSVP. It's wider barrel is more comfortable in my hands than the Pilot G2.

[RT]

Thanks for sharing such great information. I would have expected to see this over at Journalisimo, but glad to see it where ever you chose to post!

[Daniel Erickson]

Well, I just got myself a Waterman Phileas medium point fountain pen to start the experimentation. I'm having fun so far. It's perfect for the Miquelrius journal paper and does well even on the Moleskine even though the line is a bit thicker than I'm used to writing. There's very little bleed through and I'm starting to fall in love with the feel of ink flowing onto paper without a little ball in between me and my paper. We'll see where it goes from here.

[Mike Rohde]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! Jemima, I'll have to contact some friends of mine in the UK about the Muji. And I still need a field trip to the local Daly's Pen shop here in Milwaukee. That experience might be worth a whole post.

RT, as for Journalisimo, good idea. I'll propose to Armand to copy this one over there for some more exposure and to get some additional suggestions. :-)

[Anonymous]

For everyday writing, I've been a fan of the Bic Micro Metal. But, since I like them, they stopped making them.

[Chris Halasz]

Mike,

I recently recommended the Lamy 2000 to you (didn't the marketing department know it'd be out of date after one year -- What did Oscar Wilde say -- "It is only the modern that becomes old"?). The design as subtly elegant as the Moleskine, and as complementary in one hand as the notebook is in the other. None of the status logos, gilded curves, feathers, or flora on so many otherwise excellent fountain pens.

http://www.lamy.com

- Chris

[nick]

I'm another pen junkie: about 60 of the bloody things, covering about 100 years. Different pens for different seasons and situations: my current favourite is an oversized Sheaffer Balance from the 1930s, which shares my desk with a modern Pelikan M650 and a Lamy 2000. I've taught myself to repair older pens, which means I can get the odd bargain from flea markets, antique fairs and eBay.

(I'd be curious to know, by the way, if the people up in Fort Madison are still honouring those White Dot lifetime guarantees.)

[Anonymous]

I highly recommend the Pilot Varsity disposable fountain pens. They write smooth and at $2.50 a pop you don't have to worry about losing them. The only caveat with this pen is the ink seems to be abnormally suceptible to fading after a couple of years - particularly the black.

http://tinyurl.com/3zjvg

[Mike Rohde]

Nick, I do believe Sheaffer honors their warranty on white dots. I called them last year and they told me to send mine in. I intend to as well, because I love my fountain pen.

Thanks everyone else for the additional suggestions. Noodlers ink sounds intriguing and I'm getting the bug for a Lamy again... wonder if I can scrounge up the Lamy I used to have in one of my old boxes? ;-)

A visit to the Daly pen show downtown is going to happen soon, and that, I do think, is worth a complete post.

Thanks everyone! keep offering suggestions!

[Janice]

A Namiki Vanishing Point fan club! And here I thought I was all alone.

I adore mine -- fine nib, always Levenger bottled ink, currently loaded with Skies of Blue.

Haven't tried the ink/pen on a Moleskine yet. That's the next notebook in the pile.

[Dan Carmell]

Mike--

Sheaffer will honor the lifetime guarantee, likely not in a way that will please you: they will substitute a new fountain pen for your old one. It will not be as nice, as Sheaffer's quality is not what it was. If you really like the pen, I'd suggest sending it to a vintage pen repair person. There are a number listed at penhero.com and if you email me, I can recommend several.

Vis-a-vis Chris' comment about Lamy's naming of the 2000, this pen was introduced in the early 1960s, so Lamy was looking forward to 2000. And the design is as classic today as it was in the 1960s: timeless and elegant.

Dan Carmell

[Dave K.]

My workhorse pens during college were Pilot Uniball Visions. I still have a bunch, and most have been around my desk for a few years. I think they're the best cheap pens out there.

I tried G-2s when they got lots of talk earlier this year and was sorely disappointed by how long it takes their ink to dry.

I've since become a fan of Parker's Gel refills, as I find their ink as satisfactory as a G-2, but faster drying. And Jotters are awesome, inexpensive daily writing pens. I like my Charcoal Maze Jotter very much. :)

[Neal Dench]

Hi Mike

Like you, I have the same problems with Pilot G2 pens - lovely pens, but the ink flow is not always smooth, and the ink takes so long to dry that I try not to use it in my Moleskine journal too much (though I think they're fine for everyday use writing checklists and such).

At the end of the day, I don't think you can beat a fountain pen, though they're not as convenient as gel pens. My "best" pen is a Waterman Hemisphere given to my for my last birthday. However, for my everyday use I'm currently a fan of the Pilot VPen disposable fountain pens. Got a job lot of red ones from eBay and I've been very impressed -- *almost* the convenience of a gel pen but with a fountain pen nib and ink.

[Evan "JabberWokky" E.]

On the disposable side, I really like the Signo Gelstiks. The 0.7 are nice and wide, very crisp on a Moleskine page. I also use the 0.38 retractable... in theory. In reality, I have a Signo 0.7 or three near everywhere I sit and work, a few in my bag, and a couple in my pocket. One is clipped inside the Palm Pilot case I made out of a pocket folder Moleskine.

I also use a Sheaffer fountain, but not in my Moleskine; the ink goes through to the other side. It's beautiful on a good cream linen page though.

[John[ny]]

Daniel, you're right about the Vision Elite! And they're waterproof to boot!

Space Pens are great, Mike!

Check out the selection at http://www.thewritersedge.comThe gentleman that runs it is friends with Jim Fisher, the inventor, and his shop is actually now the official store for Space Pens (though Fisher still sells them, I hear).This is a cool article about how Jim from The Writers' Edge saved the Space Pen company: http://www.inc.com/magazine/19960615/1965.html

I have tried the Uni-Ball 207, but I've found that the normal Gel RT (not the Impact RT) is even more comfortable to hold, and it takes the same refill as the 207. And there is no fake-metal tip. It is really really just like the G2.

Like you, I thank the stars that Office Max has singles for sale at the check-out. I never walk away empty-handed:)

[Michael Leddy]

My favorite fountain pens are Pelikans, an 800 and two 400s. The Lamy Safari is a great all-purpose everyday fountain pen, pretty indestructible.

Concerning ink and the Moleskine: Things will vary quite a bit depending on the ink. Sheaffer ink, for instance, is very thin; Pelikan much thicker. A pen that feathers and bleeds through with Sheaffer might perform very differently with another ink.

The pen your teacher was using could have been a Sheaffer PFM ("pen for men") or, perhaps more likely, a Triumph Imperial. The Triumph Imperial was made until just a few years ago, sold for about $35, and was ultra-reliable.

It's a shame that fountain pen production right now seems to lean toward the garish and gaudy. When I got hooked and was buying pens (roughly twelve years ago or so), there were many more excellent and practical choices in pen design. Now when I look at catalogues from the Fountain Pen Hospital, Joon, et al., I see fewer and fewer pens that look appealing (mostly Pelikans and Lamys).

[Mike Rohde]

Michael -- you nailed my Sheaffer pen -- it's the Triumph Imperial! It's black plastic, but has a very streamlined style and just keeps on going. A few years back the clip busted off the pen cap -- maybe I can locate a Triumph cap to replace my busted one.

Hmmm...

[Michael Leddy]

Try pendemonium.com. Sam Fiorella (Sam's a she) isn't a parts dealer per se, but she's in Ft Madison and might have a cap to sell. Her email will be somewhere on the site. The Triumph Imperials were made with some variations in size, so you should measure your cap to know exactly what you need. You could also send the whole thing to Sheaffer, but you're likely to just get a new pen, which might not be what you want (and who knows?--it might not even be a Triumph Imperial, unless they have old stock around).

[Lo Szabo]

"Hybrid Gel" pens (light blue and right orange) made in Japan and my Sensa pencil.

[Paul D'Angelo]

I have a Waterman Model 42 - rolled gold filigree encased pen in perfect condition, circa 1920-30. I didn't realize what I had for 20 years. If you would like pictures, send me instructions as to what e-mail address.

[Danny]

Cool discussion! I have a few pens, and have found myself using a couple of metal-shafted rollerballs most of the time: a Waterman Hemisphere with a Pelikan extra-fine cartridge; and a Parker Sonnet with a medium rollerball. The Waterman works exceedingly well in a Moleskine journal, and the Parker is great to take notes when larger writing is appropriate.

They both travel very well, give nice consistent lines, feel great to use, and aren't nearly as particular as a fountain pen. Still looking forward to a Sailor, though!

[Allan]

I use a 1948 Parker 51, last of the vacumatic 51s; very cool, very smooth pen. Noodler's Black ink works very well for me on Moleskine paper; doesn't feather or bleed, and once it hits the paper, it's there forever, which is nice in a fountain pen ink.

The 51 was produced for more than 40 years; good examples are easy to come by, and the '48-onward aerometric filler system is practically bulletproof. Nice pens.

[Lily]

Mike, have you tried the Pilot Hi-Tec-C pens? These pens are perfect for moleskin notebooks. You can find them at www.jetpens.com. Tell me what you think.Thanks!

[Ed Svoboda]

You really should try the Noodler's. Great ink on these notebooks. Check out www.fountainpenforum.com for an article on using fountain pens and Moleskine notesbooks. The best advice is to try a quick drying ink like Noodler's or Pelikan and a fine nibbed pen. There's a lot of options out there but I personally prefer vintage Sheaffer's. Parker 51's are great as well. In new pens you can't go wrong with a Namiki (Pilot) Vanishing Point or a host of more reasonable pens like the Pelikan M200.

[Leonardo Menderes]

I was horrified by the fadeing ink in wall-postednotes lately, so I started on a quest fortrue archival-ink pens, and did my ownsunny-window testing.

The new Zebra Sarasa and Jimnie pens aregreat for lasting and depest black, littlebleed. However, there are a bit wide-linedfor the stated 0.7mm size, and drink inkfast, and take extra dry-time sometimes(big deal because I'm a lefty).I still like them for boldness.

But for finer lines and quicker drying, thePilot P-500 is my note-pen of choice now.If you have a light touch, it makesincredibly black and small lines.

As for ball-points, the Rose-Art X500 outlivedthe Pentel RSVP easily (fade-wise), andfelt even smoother. It skips a bit atwork though....strange, something in the air.



I was unable to get proof on the lasting ofthe Uni-Ball models. I will have to doa sunny-window versus the P500 and Sarasa.

[Anonymous]

I'm a fan of the Signo uniball gelsticks 0.7(available at Staples). Used for sketching and drawing. Flow is great and great dark color that doesn't bleed much, but the only drawback is that in sketching the ink doesn't dry fast enough to prevent the occasional smudge.

[erin]

hello fellow pen freak! =D

my recent addiction is the pilot hi tec c pens. i haven't had a problem with inkflow yet, and i really like that they come in really fine-tipped sizes...the smallest size available is 0.25mm. they're awesome. the thing that sucks is that they're hard to find in the u.s...i found this website though, www.jetpens.com, that sells lots of them in a myriad of colors. check 'em out!!

[Tonya]

I was wondering what kind of pen this is at the top of the page? I have one but it needs replaced. I have had it for years and I love it but the writing is gone off the side. Can anyone help me?

[ariel]

u can also use bic felt tip pens and pilot felt tip pens and office max felt tip pens.I collect pens to bst not alot of new ones.i hve a pen from the

[anders]

hey i found a caran d ache pen yaers ago and i have been trying to find how much its worth theres a number in side and it says e695920 i would like to know if theres a nothere way i can search it on the internet or how much it worth



thanks alot

[Greg]

I too vote for the Uniball Vision Elite for use in the Moleskine. I also use a Lamy fountain, but I've found that it's not as good in a Moleskine as it is on other types of paper.

Thinking about adding a Vanishing Point to the collection based on comments here and elsewhere..

[Gregory]

I too am a pen man. I agree with the Lamy 2000 a good pen to use for your journal mine has a broad nib ( lays a nice thick line ).Or Sailor pens from http://www.andys-pens.co.uk/.

Have fun and keep it up. Paker 51 from ebay can also be fantastic.

Gregory

[Mike Rohde]

Greg and Gregory -- thanks for the tips. I have recently moved back to the G2 line, preferring the nice inks there even if they dry slowly. I've found over time that all of these gel type inks dry somewhat slowly anyway, so it's a matter of me adjusting my drawing style a little bit.

[Leonardo Menderes]

Sorry it took me so long to get back on theextra light-fading tests I was going to do.

I am concerned with fading because notes on mywall are affected over months. Over yearsthere can be issues on concealed papersalthough the correlation isn't clear.

I tried some pens, including the Sanford uni-ballOnyx that is popular here and in the office, andsubmitted them to light-fading by leaning themup against a flourescent bulb for 10 days,until the "RSVP" pen ink was mostly fadedaway.

Here are the results:

---------------------------Pentel "RSVP" balpoint benchmark:--writing: takes some pressure to avoid skip,but smooth and fairly skip-free.Barrel somewhat big, but tip is stable--fading: almost entirely gone after 10 days...as mentioned. Similar fading to 1 yearon office cubicle wall---------------------------Sanford uni-ball Onyx (fine)--writing: very light pressure skips, butfine density under normal pressure....good density even at 45-deg anglesThe barrel may be thin for some, butthe matte texture gives good grip.

---fading: TADA! it is finally tested..there was slight fading, but otherwisedensity was good. The hue shifted fromblue-black to ashen-black, so I suspecta dye component was erased, but a strongdye or a pigment component remained.This is not bad for documents, and cheap.

--------------------------------Pilot P-500---writing: very nice steady solid lines,finer than similar .05 pens...there is a 'pebbly feel' though....a thicker ink would give asmoother feel..but this is the bestfor writing very small notes, etc.Long lines make it blob on tip....may need wiping. Drying good for .05

---fading: completely unaffected, like new-----------------------------Itoya XE-100PU "Xenon"

---writing: smooth and oily feel at first, nice!but angle-sensitive, and needs pressure.Density good (w/pressure)The barrel is really bog, with rubber grips,and the tip wobbles a little...thismeans despite the small line, it is onlyreally good for larger writing. A shame,given the beautiful ink feel.They need a slimmer, tighter model....the cartridge is small enough....a bit smudgy sometimes..for 30 sec.

----fading: density stayed good, but a littleof the loss-of-blue like the uni-ball.Small skips became more apparent.

----------------------------s for ball-points, the Rose-Art X500 outlivedthe Pentel RSVP easily (fade-wise), andfelt even smoother. It skips a bit atwork though....strange, something in the air.

(the rose-art preformed as before)---------------------------



So, I'm still with with Pentel P-500, butI'm hoping Itoya will come out witha sleeker barreled pen with the samecartridge as the Xenon. The hybridrollers have a nice feel and lessjinky-looking curves in writing.

The P-500 stylus/ribbed style bodyis hard to beat for tiny writing..precise!

Uni-Ball lovers, your ink is not bad at allfor fade resistance.

[Mike Rohde]

Leonardo -- wow! Thanks for this helpful information! Have you done any tests with G2 pens by chance?

[Leonardo Menderes]

I have not tried the G2 yet, but I see informationthat it has the same gel ink as the P-500 andP-700. So that's good news

I found a Sanford (a la uniball) faq page that said their click models had different ink compared to the capped models, with a little less density. They compensate by not offering finer points in the click-pen style. So that might be true of the G2 compared with the P-500, but not I'm sure.



Good news, bad news: Good news: Itoya really does make a capped (non-click) version of their Xenon, so I can get the improved smoothness and better precision than a retractable. The name to look for is: "Gripper IQ". They even have a narrower barrel than the Xenon (thank God). Bad news: they are hard to find at normal office supply stores etc. I can buy via online sources, but I've got the urge real bad to buy a "Gripper IQ" at a brick-n-mortar store. If somebody knows of one in Mass, post word of it. The P-500 is quite nice, but the Aqua-roller cartridge in the Itoyas is ...well...a super-smooth experience (drool)... I might ask the Crane Store at the Burlington Mall where I got the Xenon if they can get the Gripper....that's the ticket.

[Leonardo Menderes]

PS: phooey, they don't have the Gripper, and won't, at Crane's stores. BTW, the Aqua-roller does not saturate rougher paper as well as the P-500. I'm tempted to fiddle with a G-2, but I'm a lefty, so the 0.5 and quicker dry on the capped P-500 is important to me. I am tempted to improvise a stick pen from the Aqua-roller cartridge, a tube, and epoxy. The Xenon body is like a big ham-hock.

[Leonardo Menderes]

The "Paper Store" Hallmark stores here are a surprising source of high-grade pens. No Itoyas, but I got to really test a G2 0.5 (the size most stores don't carry) ...Almost identical to the P500 in density and thin line, slightly better saturation, a little longer drying, and a smoother feeling ride. I bought the 0.5 G2..hopefully that will quench my Aqua-roller obsession. The Aqua-roller doesn't lay as dense a line, anyhow. I'll start an age-test now, but I have no doubt as to the lasting power...but just in case....

[Anonymous]

Has anyone got any comments on the Sensa line? I am interested in the fountain pens & ballpoints. Thanks

[beaucoup_fish]

I am a fan of the Pilot Hi-Tec-C pens as well. I love the precision of the very fine tips, and ink flow is perfect!