Ball point pen vs FP

[tigger23505]

Better handwriting. With ballpoint pens my leftyness manifests as a hooked over writer using massive amounts of pressure. With fountain pen, I was able to retrain myself as a non-hooking underwriter using very little pressure. I've been able to control the slant with the paper angle. Got that from some hints at IAMPETH. I'm currently working on Italic, with a broad nib pen, lots of fun, but I don't see it replacing either my running cursive or block printing any time soon. I'm still in the slow phase of italic. So my 'fast' work is still in my old standbys.

 

I like the flexibility of color choices available, both cartridge loaded inks, as well as bottled inks, using converters / dip pens.

 

Another aspect of the fountain pen is that I sort of stand out from the crowd, in a unique but not overly geeky sort of way (at least in my own mind).

[eric47]

Yes but ballpoints aren't all like Bics. I can write a consistent line with my cheap Zebra F301 ballpoint using its own fly weight. You just have to chose the right ballpoint as you would a fp.

 

Agreed. Unless I'm writing on carbons, I can use the same amount of pressure as a FP as long as the refills are good.

 

I'm pretty pleased with Pelikan BP refills; fine point because I find the get fewer ink blobs on the point. I use Pelikan in my Pelikans (duh!) as well as a vintage celluloid BP I recently received. The Pelikans are much easier to find, and I think the maker of the BP doesn't make the right kind of refill anymore. I also have some celluloid Visconti Ragtime BP that also write nicely -- still on the original refills of those. Aurora BP refills are pretty good too.

[arikol]

My handwriting has improved somewhat after I started using an FP, but more importantly I started enjoying writing and cramp up less in the hand (still trying to reverse the bad habit of too much pressure). The FP really does suit cursive

 

The writing angle of a FP means that my hand sits in a natural position. Decent ink makes the pen and the nib glide over the paper. I used to avoid pens in general, using instead a mechanical pencil with as soft lead as possible to get smooth action on the paper which was nicer to write with than any ballpoint I've tried and less messy than any rollerball I've tried. Then I got my FP and it's the best of a few worlds (ok, it can be messy) and just feels relaxing to muck about with refilling and such.

 

The nibs are nice, the comfort of writing with them is better, the inks available are beautiful, mucking about with your tools is always fun and there are such beautiful pens available. Quite a few reasons.

 

As my main pen now is a Lamy Safari I can't say that I do it for the recognition or to differentiate as it's not a pen people are likely to notice.

[Pendragon]

Since a lighter touch is used with a fountain pen, writing is less fatiguing and more pleasurable than with a ballpoint. No writers cramp with a fountain pen! There is also a huge variety of inks available for fountain pens, and in a rainbow of colors. Some of the inks are very permanent, another big plus. Fountain pens, ballpoints and rollerballs each lay down a distinctive line. I think that the line from a fountain pen looks the best, and therefore makes my handwriting look better. Fountain pens may leak from time to time, but I have had far more ballpoints leak on me than fountain pens.

[nxn96]

I use a fountain pen simply because I prefer how they write versus a ballpoint. That being said, the more modern ballpoints, gel pens, can be pretty nice and seem to be a "split the difference" between the classic ballpoint and more tempermental rollerballs (i.e., sort of leaky and don't last too long); but they still don't compare to a well-tuned fountain pen.

 

Thank you for this.

 

I was a little dismayed by this thread because it is the sort of topic that may generally invite snobbishness. There are some excellent rollerball pens out there. I have an artisan-made pen that takes Uni-ball 207 refills, and I wouldn't throw it in a drawer and forget it just beacuse it's not a fountain pen. I also have a "TUL" pen that I found in my book bag one day, and I must admit that it is a joy to write with, something I wouldn't mind finding refills for.

 

I have a $24.00 tin of mustard in my pantry. But I also have a squeeze bottle of French's and a jar of store-brand mayonnaise. Even though I'm quite snobbish about my imported black Dijon, I will also be perfectly happy to squeeze some of the French's on to a bratwurst. It's not as though I must choose between these options, nor must I make excuses or apologies for either one.

 

 

Happy to have done so. Others have also noted much the same- a definite preference for fp's, but having some ball, roller or gel pen(s) that are quite fine in their own right. My "regular" ballpens tend to be vintage Parker cap-actuated pens (GT 45 Flighters are a favorite) with gel refills. I detest stick pens and won't use one if I don't have to; some might even find that snobbish, but since I'm seldom without my own pens (usually an fp and a bp), I don't have to scratch along with a Bic or Write Bros stick pen.

 

In terms of mustards, see if you can get a bottle of Plochman's Kosciusko Spicy Brown Mustard. If it's not in the stores, I think they sell it on Amazon of all places.

[Zaarin]

But while out running errands, shopping, or getting something to eat, then I carry around a ballpoint, because the only pockets I have are in my pants, and I don't want a fountain pen in my pocket. Then my trusty steel Parker Jotter BP is the best tool for the situation.

The ability to carry a pocket notebook and a fountain pen is the one and only reason I habitually wear shirts.

 

Another thing comes into play here as well, that my signature is different with ballpoint vs fountain pen too,

This is also a problem for me - my official signature developed before I started using FPs, and because of the extreme control which results from the extreme pressure of writing with BPs, it has quite a different look written with an FP, even if it shares the same basic shape, and the FP version is also less consistent.

 

That said, I've been writing cheques with FPs for years and none have been rejected yet. Nevertheless, if I'm asked to sign something off the cuff I usually use the rotten ballpoint that is inevitably proffered just in case I can't produce something tolerably close to what's on my passport. When writing letters, of course, I just sign at will and forget consistency.

[SheilaM]

Why FPs? For the fun of it! I love the variety of the pens, inks, and papers, and the differences in what they'll all do. It's entertaining to me to play with them.

 

I did find my handwriting improved, but I think that was simply a factor of writing longhand more than I had been, and paying more attention to what I was doing with the pen. I spend a lot of time on computers, both for work and for fun, which of course doesn't need much penwork of any kind.

 

And call me a heretic if you like...I also have a couple of nice BP/rollerball pens that I use frequently as well. Some of the work I do wouldn't translate well to FP use, so I use what works. I've never personally seen it as a "if you're not with us, you're agin us" relationship.

[bydandie]

For me, it's the antidote to high tech career I have. The simple task of writing a letter for the first time in years today to my 90-year old Great-Aunt on beautiful paper I've just bought using my new M805 which is using a lovely Parker blue-black quink is reason enough.

 

In the era of facebook is it not more satisfying that someone took some time out from their busy life to communicate with you in a tangible form?

[kanajlo]

The quality of the line seems to look and feel better with liquid ink, which works better than gel ink, which works better than paste ink. This is just one consideration out of a hundred.

[glindauer]

This thread could have just as easily been titled "Finding a $100 bill in your pocket vs. Being punched in the face: Which will people choose?"

 

I just saw this and couldn't help laughing, I am not sure why :ltcapd:

[Chevalier]

I love them for their nibs. I don't use the modern pointed pen nibs,

those are only fancy ball point pens in my book. I love vintage flex

nibs and I still have no clue why those aren't in production anymore,

like they used to be.

[Albus]

Personally, I would prefer FP for their smoothness and comfort during writing.

 

However, they are

-sensitive to paper; particularly if you are taking exams and have no choice of paper.

-fragile; I have not yet the misfortune to drop one.

-not cheap; cheap ones are sometimes scratchy (although i am using a pilot Dr. Grip which is somewhat costly compared to Bic)

-not easy to write fast with; unless you know shorthand, my standard writing speed is 800words in 45min( thanks to General paper and econmics, fastest is 1050words in 45min (thanks to GP and economics copying lessons)

-not waterproof.

 

I compare FP to BP as jeep to sedan.

The jeep will get you there(not as comfortable, with style but you will get there) but for most situations, a sedan can do the trick.

 

When I'm able to find a good source of noodler's or some other water resistance ink, Im expecting to use my fp more.

[Chevalier]

There are some high tech BP out there, that have many of the advantages of a FP but without the negative sides (oh god, how I hate to write this). I think this could become a problem in the future (well, at least a problem for us). The FP becomes more and more a special writing instrument, for people that simply want to write with them. This might be a chance too (I still dream about new superflex-nibs in new basic FP).

[glindauer]

There are some high tech BP out there, that have many of the advantages of a FP but without the negative sides (oh god, how I hate to write this).

 

Many advantages except:

 

- You can't have an inexpensive one (that writes nearly as well as the costly version) with which to knock about.

- You don't have an endless supply of ink choices.

- You can't easily learn to fix it (if so inclined) if it breaks.

- You can't change out the point for a wider, narrower, italic, or flexible one.

- You can't write with an old one and wonder if a business tycoon, historical person, or ancestor held a pen just like it (or this very pen).

 

And all the other things FPN'ers mentioned previously in this thread.

Edited October 12, 2010 by glindauer

[Chevalier]

Most points are right and those new BP and gel writers are no option for me anyway. However, some are quite cheap, so cheap that a repair wouldn't make any sense. The problem is, that a gel writer or BP is still no FP and it's almost impossible to get a good hand with those. I already know some people, that have problems reading their own handwriting (more something between scribbling and doodling) after a few weeks.

[caliken]

I love vintage flex nibs and I still have no clue why those aren't in production anymore, like they used to be.

IMO it's simply a case of supply and demand. There is insufficient interest for their manufacture to be worthwhile.

 

"There are some high tech BP out there, that have many of the advantages of a FP but without the negative sides"

 

That may be true, but until I can find a ball point pen with which I can write, held at 45 degrees to the page with such a light touch that it can be lifted easily out of my hand...I'll stick to FPs.

Edited October 28, 2010 by caliken

[kcyarn]

1. It's not as much strain on my hands as a ballpoint, so less ache = better handwriting. (I think this is due to a combination of pen width and ink flow.) In a pinch, I'll use a gel pen or pencil, but not a traditional ball point.

 

2. My main pens (lamy safari F and Pilot Pocket 1980 F) are both girly. One's pink. The other has flowers. Some friends and family members like to steal pens from my desk, take them to construction sites and/or factories, and drop them point first on concrete. Naturally, they return the damaged pen to my desk and take a good one. (I've caught them testing pens at my desk on several occasions.) However, they wouldn't be seen dead with one of my fountain pens. (Especially the Pilot.)

[Chevalier]

@caliken

 

Pilot has some of those. I have a cheap pilot that even provides a minimal line variation (ok, you need pressure for that). I still don't like it, simply because it's behaving completely different from a FP. I'll have a look at my office tomorrow, it should be burrowed deep in my BP grave.

[TonyFin]

I took an other reason. After 15 years of waiting I found my grandma's old pen and it is some sort of heirloom.

[kcunvong]

I love the timelessness of a fountain pen. Ink bottles and piston fillers - they are so inconvenient to use, yet in a world of cheap ballpoints and rollerballs, I feel that it speaks sophistication to actively choose to use a fountain pen: any fountain pen, whether it be a cheap Hero or an excessive Montblanc. The act of filling a pen is a beautiful gesture.

 

I also love what it has done to my handwriting. For myself, ballpoints are too slippery and are difficult to control. I've recently noticed this, after momentarily borrowing a ballpoint (those cheap ones, given away by drug companies) from a co-worker of mine. They lay down inconsistent, choppy lines, and therefore lack authority and confidence. They also require so much more pressure than a fountain pen. Rollerballs are a step up from ballpoints, as they are not slippery, but still lack line variation and the filling mechanisms of a fountain pen. Moreover, they still lack the nib, which deserves an entirely new topic on its own. With a fountain pen, I can control the thickness of each line by simply applying pressure, something a ballpoint or rollerball can't ever achieve. Every mark I make with a fountain pen is made consciously and carefully.

Edited November 10, 2010 by kcunvong