Refillable Non - Fountain Pen?

[draftingpencil]

I'm an engineering student, and I really hate using pens then just throwing them away. I also hate how ballpoints like the BIC never are dark. So I'm looking for a refillable pen that produces dark lines, while also not seeping through. I'm a total newbie when it comes to pens so any advice would be nice. Also I know fountain pens seem to fit the bill, but I'm not very interested in them; the metal on paper doesn't feel right.

 

I've used a pen that was so smooth, but the tip was like a markers soft tip, what are these type of pens called and would you recommend them. Also would these tips just die like marker tips?

[Shaughn]

They are called 'fibre tip' or sometimes 'felt tip'; no, I do not recommend them because (IF they are still available) they dry out quick.

 

You say that "metal on paper doesn't feel right". I agree on that: you shouldn't feel metal on paper. For me that is an indication that you are pressing the pen too hard on the paper, as all biro users tend to do. Actually the pressure on the pen should be nil, zero, nothing and the weight of the fountain pen itself schould be doing all the pressure. Thus, the ink acts as a lubricant between nib and paper and you should experience nothing but a fluent movement...

[GeeBee]

There is also the refillable roller ball from Noodlers, spare roller ball tips are available and it just uses bottled ink like a fountain pen.

http://www.gouletpens.com/Noodlers_Rollerball_Pens_s/904.htm

http://www.gouletpens.com/v/vspfiles/photos/N18060-2.jpg

Edited May 13, 2011 by GeeBee

[tonybelding]

There are also the "Ink Ball" refillable rollerballs from Monteverde. It seems like the main catch with refillable rollerballs is that the tip will wear out and need replacement once in a while.

 

As Shaughn suggests, a good fountain pen nib shouldn't feel scratchy or sticky on the paper. Some of mine have a slightly rough texture, a bit like a good mechanical pencil. Some others are slick as glass. A lubricating ink helps.

[Shangas]

Any pressure except the weight of the pen is already too much when you're using a fountain pen. It's a pen-nib. Not a nail.

 

I would suggest using a rollerball pen if you don't want a fountain pen.

[Dark Side]

I use a Platinum Preppy sign marker converted to an eye-dropper. It has a felt tip and works very nicely, I'm currently using Pelikan Turquoise in one and Pelikan Brilliant Green in another. The only downside I've experienced is that they write rather wide lines, wider than my medium Lamy 2000. The felt tips will eventually wear out but replacement tips are available so no biggie.

 

I have another Preppy converted to a rollerball with Noodler's Kung Te-Cheng in it and I prefer it over the felt tip because of the finer line. Kung Te-Cheng has also been the only ink I've use in the rollerball one that hasn't caused the little ball in the tip to fall out after a while. Must be the lubricative properties of the ink, will need to experiment with the Noodler's Eel inks I have.

[Kaptenmork]

Maybe a technical pen?

 

http://www.google.com.sg/search?hl=en&biw=1280&bih=610&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=technical+pen&aq=f&aqi=g3g-m1&aql=&oq=

[79spitfire]

Visconti Eco-roller? I've heard of people refilling Pilot V-pens as well and they are available in a fine point, I use some of those for doodling.

 

BTW, if you can feel the metal on the paper with a FP, either you're pressing WAY too hard or the pen you are using has a problem. You might have to go to a pen show or shop and test drive a few. In my experience, cost is not always the end-all factor in how smooth a fountain pen writes. The Pilot Varsity is a cheap pen that writes smoothly.

[cocojj]

Rollerball or Pilot gel pen.

[Shaughn]

I'm an engineering student, and ...

 

Come to think of it, if you are, why don't you engineer one? Geo. S. Parker did, and see what it did for him

[dogpoet]

I'd suggest that Shaughn is possibly being overly harsh on fibre tips. I'm currently using a Waterman Kultur rollerball with a fine fibre tip refill in it, and I haven't had any trouble with it so far. If anything, the fibretip refills last longer than the rollerball ones, which dry up pretty quickly. waterman have stopped doing the refills now, but they still turn up on ebay, and I think a couple of manufacturers make compatible refills as well.

 

Another possibility, as you don't like the charcoal colour from biros, is seeing if you can get hold of a gel ink or rollerball refill to fit one of your refillable ballpoints.

 

Kaptenmork's suggestion about a technical pen is an excellent one: those things can be a bit drama queenish, but they were designed for drafting, and do a fine job of that. There's also the Rotring Tikky Liner (if I have the right name) which is a refillable rollerball with a very fine point. Those aren't too pricey, and look great, but I have to admit I've not tried one yet.