Blasphemy, Anyone Own A Nice Ballpoint Or Rollerball?

[Mathew J]

So I have for the most part avoided ballpoints and rollerballs in favor of fountain pens, figure if I am spending that much might as well get something fancy....but lately I have been thinking of getting a montblanc rollerball, I have a ballpoint generation which I got super super cheap years ago, ball point space pen, and a cross rollerball, but nothing more than $100 bucks...always felt more than that was too much for a Roller but the convenience factor is drawing me in, I love fountain pens but lately they sit unused as I am on and off with them.

 

Wondering if anyone has a fancy MB roller or ball point and wondering your thoughts?

 

thanks

[psychobabble]

I own both the classique sized rollerball and ballpoint pen, both nice pens. I have a LeGrand sized ballpoint as well, which has not been used. I don't find as much pleasure writing with them as I do my fountain pens, so they sit at the desk untouched for the most part. Every now and then when I need ballpoint ink to fill something out, they come in handy.

 

I paid about $100 for the rollerball. It is very old and full of microscratches, but I don't care because it is pen for use, not to save. I got the ballpoint (as a gift) for probably $60 or so when Staples used to sell Montblancs back in the 90s, my very first Montblanc.

 

Good luck with your search.

[adelaidepen]

I have several MB BP/RBs. I have to write on a lot of duplicate paper and get into trouble if I write on it with FP as it doesn't penetrate to the lower layers. I usually have a FP and BP/RB on my desk at the same time - and having the same BP/RB every day would just be boring :roflmho:

Whilst I'd love to have the spare cash to buy a Hitchcock or Gandhi RB, I have kept to the Writers Series and Starwalker ranges. I love the Hemingway BP, Proust BP, Wilde BP, Colliti RB and Swift BP. I've had some problems with my Verne BP (clip has come loose) and Christie BP (twist mechanism is juddery) which is a shame as they both look so beautiful. The prices second hand are also so much lower. There have been several threads discussing the fact that MB RB refils don't last that long so make sure you get yourself some 3rd party ones - Monteverde are the ones I use. Hope this helps - let us know how you go.....

Edited October 10, 2012 by adelaidepen

[PAKMAN]

I have the 144 size FP BP and Roller Ball. I used the roller ball for a while but found that I really didn't like the Mont Blanc refills.

[Pen Nut]

My 162 Vermeil rollerball. Seldom, if ever, used but 'nice'

 

I also have in the MB none fountain pen world a 144 Doue, silver cap & black body and a silver ballpen.

 

 

 

[Hieroglyph]

Pen Nut........that's a nice Pen, I have the Solitaire Doue ( Sterling Silver Cap with vermeil fittings ) and Black Barrel. Also have a Meisterstuck Classic Burgundy, they're both nice everyday Pens; although I don't use them everyday.

I also recently got the following S.T.DuPont Ballpoint, sorry to digress from our beloved Mont Blanc's, but this IS a pretty cool Pen......sorry also it is a link, I'm rubbish at doing Photos.

 

http://www.pensinasia.com/rendez-vous_sun_bp.htm

[BrandonA]

I had a set of Classiques (ballpoint and fineliner/rollerball) but I never used them so I gave them to my Mum. She now uses them regularly along with the matching Mechanical pencil.

 

I also have a Starwalker ballpoint which I carry to work each day in case I need it. I've not used it for a long time. Tends to only get used when I have to fill in a visa form to go to America. I wouldn't stop carrying the pen as it is a trusty backup in case I need to write whilst standing up or run out of ink.

[Chrissy]

I have a Verne BP, a Meisterstuck classic BP, a Bernstein BP and a Starwalker Doue BP.

I also have a silver solitaire Le Grand RB and a Boheme RB that I recently purchased so that I could use the new brightly coloured RB refills that don't fit the Le Grand size RB.

 

I would be interested to know if there are any fat Le Grand sized RB refills in colours other than blue or black from other manufacturers

Edited October 10, 2012 by Chrissy

[olivier78860]

I have the 144 size FP BP and Roller Ball. I used the roller ball for a while but found that I really didn't like the Mont Blanc refills.

 

I second this, and this is the reason I sold my Le Grand rollerball last year. When I use a roller these days (quite rare), it is a Parker Premier black edition. I find Parker refills to behave in a far better way than Montblanc nowadays (especially the drying times and price/quality ratio).

 

My local retailer told me this morning that Montblanc were about to introduce new colours to their refills, so wait a little if you fancy different colours.

[Pen Nut]

Dont let the refill subject deter you from a Montblanc rollerball. I have, for years, converted and used all sorts of refills in my MB rollers. Its not hard and has been mentioned numerous times on here.

 

Oh and another rollerball which I really liked was the Montegrappa Reminiscence (could be spelt wrong that) which is the silver pen second in from the left. Should have kept it on reflection.

 

[meiers]

Ballpoint pens have their place.

I particularly enjoy MB broad BP refills in my starwalker.

[Mathew J]

Yeah I am not too worried about the refills, figure I can get them locally....

 

I was going to get an expensive knife, like a chris reeve, but then figured I would never use it so started looking at pens again which led me to a MB Roller, though now that I am looking I am once again consiering the Aurora 88 with the chrome cap, always liked that pen as I found it to be different...

 

And since someone started the watch picture thing here is what I have now....

 

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n123/mjancsics/Stuff/IMG_2223-70.jpg

 

 

Decisions are hard

Edited October 10, 2012 by Mathew J

[inky]

I have a MB Classique rollerball and a Lamy Alpin rollerball. The MB looks the nicest, however, the Lamy writes the best. The refill in the MB is MB and the one in the Lamy is Lamy. Too bad the MB won't accept the Lamy refill.

[mmahany]

There is nothing wrong with liking nice ballpionts or rollerballs. They're hassle free, easy to transport, and not near as tempermental as some fountain pens can be. I actually find myself buying more rollerballs/ballpoints as of lately

 

Here are a few of my Mont Blanc pens that aren't fountain pens.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b186/mmahany/2012-10-10091509.jpg

From left to right:

Mont Blanc Sterling Silver Solitaire Rollerball

Mont Blanc Sterling Silver/Gold Barley Solitaire

Mont Blanc Starwalker Metal/Rubber Fineliner/Rollerball

Mont Blanc Starwalker Mystery Black Fineliner/Rollerball

Mont Blanc Starwalker Cool Blue Fineliner/Rollerball

Mont Blanc Starwalker Cool Blue Ballpoint

Mont Blanc Bordeaux Document Marker (highlighter)

Mont Blanc Le Grand Ballpoint

 

I also currently own a Stainless Steel Solitaire Ballpoint, a Starwalker Black resin ballpoint, and a set of classique 164/163 pens. I've owned about 15-20 other Mont Blanc rb/bps so I'd be happy to help guide you with a new pen.

 

I wish I had a better picture, but here is my uncle's collection. He doesn't own a single fountain pen for the record. I've been trying to get him to sell me his Sterling Silver Le Grand Rollerball

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b186/mmahany/RandyPens.jpg

 

From memory:

Far left- Montegrappa Miya Argento Rollerball

3rd from left-Mont Blanc Classique Ballpoint

Middle-Cartier ballpoint(I think)

Far right- Mont Blanc Solitaire Sterling Silver with gold plate pinstripe rollerball

3rd from right-Mont Blanc Le Grand Sterling Silver Rollerball

4th from right- Mont Blanc Stainless Steel Ballpoint

 

The others are a Cartier, Dunhill, Caran D'Ache, and I think an Underwood

Edited October 10, 2012 by mmahany

[olivier78860]

Since the only writing ability given by a rollerball comes from the refill, I don't see the point in putting a brand A refill in a brand B pen.

It's like using a Lamy nib in a Montblanc pen.

 

But I like Montblanc ballpoint refills. Their B is the nicest B around. I prefer S.T. Dupont's for F and M though.

[Kalessin]

I've occasionally used a 164 ballpoint, but it's with my dad right now. He also has a 165 pencil to go with his 149 fountain pen.

 

I also use an old set of Slimline ballpoint and pencil to match a Slimline fountain pen. I carry this set less often than a Pelikan M400 set of fountain pen, ballpoint and pencil, but it does see some use.

 

I prefer buying the ballpoint and pencil to accompany a fountain pen when I can, as I have more writing that requires ballpoint or pencil when I'm at the office or otherwise away from my house.

[Pen Nut]

Since the only writing ability given by a rollerball comes from the refill, I don't see the point in putting a brand A refill in a brand B pen.

It's like using a Lamy nib in a Montblanc pen.

 

But I like Montblanc ballpoint refills. Their B is the nicest B around. I prefer S.T. Dupont's for F and M though.

 

 

mmmmm so then you would only use Montblanc ink in your Montblanc fountain pens ? how odd

 

Schmidt & G2 rollerball refills give a different writing experience than MB refills. Like to change about a bit me but each to their own.

[olivier78860]

Since the only writing ability given by a rollerball comes from the refill, I don't see the point in putting a brand A refill in a brand B pen.

It's like using a Lamy nib in a Montblanc pen.

 

But I like Montblanc ballpoint refills. Their B is the nicest B around. I prefer S.T. Dupont's for F and M though.

 

 

mmmmm so then you would only use Montblanc ink in your Montblanc fountain pens ? how odd

 

Schmidt & G2 rollerball refills give a different writing experience than MB refills. Like to change about a bit me but each to their own.

 

Ah, no. What I meant is that with a fountain pen, what gives the soul of the writing is the nib. It's part of the enveloppe of the pen. Changing inks gives different ways for the nib to "express" itself.

 

In a rollerball, the refill is "the nib". So I consider the ensemble "rollerball + refill" to be the pen.

[Pen Nut]

Since the only writing ability given by a rollerball comes from the refill, I don't see the point in putting a brand A refill in a brand B pen.

It's like using a Lamy nib in a Montblanc pen.

 

But I like Montblanc ballpoint refills. Their B is the nicest B around. I prefer S.T. Dupont's for F and M though.

 

 

mmmmm so then you would only use Montblanc ink in your Montblanc fountain pens ? how odd

 

Schmidt & G2 rollerball refills give a different writing experience than MB refills. Like to change about a bit me but each to their own.

 

Ah, no. What I meant is that with a fountain pen, what gives the soul of the writing is the nib. It's part of the enveloppe of the pen. Changing inks gives different ways for the nib to "express" itself.

 

In a rollerball, the refill is "the nib". So I consider the ensemble "rollerball + refill" to be the pen.

 

 

In a rollerball, the refill is "the nib". We can agree on that. Soooooo trying a different refill will give you a slightly different writing experience? No really it does. Anyway Souls & expressions is far too deep for me so I will gladly leave it to others.

[jkingrph]

I usually have a matching ballpoint for my fountain pen.

 

As a pharmacist I often pick up the phone and have to quickly get a pen in action to take a prescription and do not have time to uncap my fountain pen and get ready.

 

It's a matter of life or work style and after 45 years of this work having a "set" has become a habit.