Ballpoint Ink vs. Fountain Pen Ink...

[fpnet2]

Hello,

 

I was wondering, what is the difference is between the ink found in the average Bic ballpoint pen, and the ink recommended for fountain pens? I believe they are both colored with dyes, but one may use alcohol for drying, or another disparity of this nature? Has anyone ever used a fountain pen with such ink? What about a drip pen? Thanks!

[*david*]

Ballpoint ink is thick and oily. It cannot be used with either a fountain pen or a dip pen, because it doesn't flow. Fountain pen ink, on the other hand, is much too wet for a ballpoint. They are totally incompatible.

[jd50ae]

viscosity(?)

[RLTodd]

.... Fountain pen ink, on the other hand, is much too wet for a ballpoint. They are totally incompatible.

Well, er..... Ink rollers like the Kaweco but I guess thats kind of confusing the issue.......

[*david*]

....  Fountain pen ink, on the other hand, is much too wet for a ballpoint. They are totally incompatible.

Well, er..... Ink rollers like the Kaweco but I guess thats kind of confusing the issue.......

...but they're rollerballs, not ballpoints. An actual ballpoint needs thick ink that won't leak out. Rollerballs are a different design, and they use ink that is closer to fountain pen ink.

[pigpogm]

From an article I wrote about pen types...

 

Ballpoint ink is a thick (viscous) alcohol-based ink, using dye for colouring. The ink doesn’t seep into the paper, so can be used on fairly thin sheets, and won’t ‘feather’ through the surface.

 

Most modern ballpoint ink actually becomes thinner when under pressure, so as the ball is pushed in by pressure on the page, the ink becomes more liquid, flowing more easily. As soon as the ink is deposited on the page, it becomes thicker, and dries quickly, making it less prone to smudging.

 

Most of the article was researched on Wikipedia - lots of good articles on types of pens and inks there.

[kissing]

They're as different as oil is to water (which is almost literally true anyway).

 

Fountain pen is mostly water, Ballpoint ink is mostly oil. It's like comparing oil paint to watercolour paint Completely different. Of course to us, fountain pen ink is simply superior

[D.R.Mabuse]

And let's not overlook the technical side of it all! I spent literally years searching for just the right ballpoint, which wouldn't drop an occasional little blot into whatever I was writing.

 

Using a FP, well cared for, I never have to worry about this at all. Ah, if I'd only had the guts to go straight to FPs, I'd have saved a small fortune and I'd have a couple of extra, freed-up drawers in my desk.

Edited December 30, 2006 by D.R.Mabuse

[FLZapped]

And let's not overlook the technicalside of it all! I spent literally years searching for just the right ballpoint, which wouldn't drop an occasional little blot into whatever I was writing.

 

Using a FP, well cared for, I never have to worry about this at all. Ah, if I'd only had the guts to go straight to FPs, I'd have saved a small fortune and I'd have a couple of extra, freed-up drawers in my desk.

Many of the common ballpoints do indeed blot now and then. I don't ever remember my cross pens doing that, but they also were a real drag to write with. (although generic Cross refills make them look slick!)

 

-Bruce

[D.R.Mabuse]

And let's not overlook the technicalside of it all! I spent literally years searching for just the right ballpoint, which wouldn't drop an occasional  little blot into whatever I was writing.

 

Using a FP, well cared for, I never have to worry about this at all.  Ah, if I'd only had the guts to go straight to FPs, I'd have  saved a small fortune and I'd have a couple of extra,  freed-up drawers in my desk.

Many of the common ballpoints do indeed blot now and then. I don't ever remember my cross pens doing that, but they also were a real drag to write with. (although generic Cross refills make them look slick!)

 

-Bruce

I pretty well fond my best luck with Ballograf ballpoints, which I can pick up locally. We live a hour from a Swedish community which imports these.