Fineliner Vs Ballpoint Vs Fountain

[sacredrage]

My business partner bought me a starwalker resin mont blanc pen to use for the signing of our org docs (in a few years when we officially launch the company). I notice that there are 3 basic types: Fineliner, Fountain, and Ballpoint. This particular pen is fineliner, and as I've tried to learn more about the very nice gift my partner gave me I can't seem to find any data on the purpose of the fineliner - especially as contrasted against the other two types. I realize this is a fountain pen forum, so the bias is likely towards the fountain pen tip, but I'd like to understand the purpose of this particular design and what each type of pen is designed for. If choosing for myself, I would have chosen the fountain pen, but since that's not possible I'd at least like to understand what I've got so I can best appreciate it.

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited March 22, 2012 by sacredrage

[osnofian]

Hi,

 

The fineliner has the same configuration as a rollerball, just a different refill. Personally, I prefer the fineliner as I'm more used to fountain pens, and the fineliner has a more forgiving angle of writing. Nevertheless, if you want to purchase a different refill at some point, a rollerball refill will fit your pen without any problem

Actually, I didn't know montblanc would supply pens already with a fineliner refill, all of mine started as rollerballs that I then replaced the refill on.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Ohh, and

I hope you have a great time here.

Edited March 22, 2012 by osnofian

[sacredrage]

Thanks for the welcome and the reply. On their website, the starwalker resin pens are marketed as either fineliner, ballpoint, mechanical (pencil), or fountain. It appears as though you are correct that the fineliner/ballpoint are interchangable - although I think the difference in the pens is twist off vs removable cap design.

 

I'm still trying to understand the basic mechanical differences (and their purpose) between fineliner and ballpoint en general. Can someone elucidate the finer details for me?

 

Thanks.

[osnofian]

You are right, ballpoint is twist mechanism without cap, rollerball/fineliner is capped. The refills are different fisically. The more finer details are that the ink in the rollerball and fineliner is much more fluid than the ballpoint.

[pen jubky]

1332440994[/url]' post='2289459']

Thanks for the welcome and the reply. On their website, the starwalker resin pens are marketed as either fineliner, ballpoint, mechanical (pencil), or fountain. It appears as though you are correct that the fineliner/ballpoint are interchangable - although I think the difference in the pens is twist off vs removable cap design.

 

I'm still trying to understand the basic mechanical differences (and their purpose) between fineliner and ballpoint en general. Can someone elucidate the finer details for me?

 

Thanks.

 

There is no difference between the starwalker Fine-liner/ rollerball model. They are both the one and the same and only come in twist.

Edited March 22, 2012 by pen jubky

[sacredrage]

 

 

There is no difference between the starwalker Fine-liner/ rollerball model. They are both the one and the same and only come in twist.

 

Do you mean twist off cap when you say twist?

[pen jubky]

1332455057[/url]' post='2289670']

1332453194[/url]' post='2289647']

There is no difference between the starwalker Fine-liner/ rollerball model. They are both the one and the same and only come in twist.

 

Do you mean twist off cap when you say twist?

 

Correct.

 

 

[agentdaffy007]

Rollerball/Fineliner have interchangeable refills and they can have the cap twisted off just like a fountain pen. Ballpoint is totally different, it has a twist mechanism.

[fpupulin]

As to their writing functions, you can see them this way:

 

ballpoint = very hard, no line variation, ink dry out almost immediately;

rollerball = a bit softer with some variation depending on pressure, the ink is slower to dry out;

fineliner = much softer, with good line variation, dry time in between the first two;

fountain pen = elastic, quite a lot of line variation depending on inclination and pressure, ink slow to dry.

[peterb]

I have a mb rollerball. It writes very smoothly and pretty wet. I intend to try a fineliner refill eventually. The rollerball medium writes finer than a fountain pen medium nib. I have never tried a fineliner, although i have heard them described as akin to felt-tips.

Was wondering if the rollerball/fineliner refills came in fine and if any of you have feedback.

I generally prefer fountain pens and the medium rollerball is akin to a fine nib, results-wise.

[Bart1979]

Welcome to FPN first of all ;-). I've had both, a Starwalker rollerball/fineliner (my first MB actually) and a Meisterstuck ballpoint (both the Legrand and Classique). The starwalker rollerball was delivered with both a fineliner and rollerball refill by my dealer, and they are as stated above interchangeable. The fineliner is very smooth and has some line variation, more so than the rollerball. Drawback in daily use for me was that they run out of ink really fast (for me that was 6 weeks).

 

 

I ended up selling them, since in my opinion, a fountain pen is still the best of them all if what you want is smooth writing. So I now use a 149 with an F nib, and a Pelikan M215 EF at the office.

 

The Montblanc ballpoints on the other hand, are a different story. MB produces what can be considered the best ballpoint refills around. Certainly the broad version is very, very smooth, and a refill lasts a very long time. And of course, they are much more practical to use than a fountain pen, everywhere and always ready, and will write on the crappiest of papers.

 

Nonetheless, I wish you lots of joy from your MB, and use it in good health! I suspect it will not be your last Montblanc pen ;-).

[agentdaffy007]

Indeed, a MB Ballpoint is a must. Whenever the MB 149 can't write, the MB Ballpoint is up to the task!

[gauravinsan]

nothing matches the feel of a fountain, research has shown that a fountain pen has a calming, sooothing effect on a person`s personality, it grooms you, the class and elegance is unmatched, it makes ordinary thing like writing enjoyable