Question About Ballpoint Pens

[Sazerac]

Occasionally, I find myself using a ballpoint pen. When I do, I prefer the Caran d'Ache 'broad'-tipped (they call it "large") monster refill. Unfortunately, I do not like the skinny design of the lower-end Caran d'Dache ballpoint pens (the 849, for example). Are there other brands of ballpoint pens that accept Caran d'Ache refills? I would prefer to use the Caran d'Ache refill in a more substantial (=fatter) pen. (I would bet Caran d'Ache makes a fatter and much more expensive pen, but I am not crazy about spending a lot on a ballpoint pen. Doing so would take away from my fountain pen funds.)

 

Alternatively, are there other ballpoint brands that offer high-quality 'broad'-tipped refills (Parker or other style would be fine)? I have tried the Fisher Space Pen 'broad' refills and am not too happy with them. I guess I am looking for a ball point tip that is closer to a 1.0 rather than a 0.7.

Edited November 4, 2013 by Sazerac

[Nokin]

I have a Surefire Pen which has an adjustment that allows you to use a variety of refills from most manufacturers. I don't know if it accepts Caran d'Arche but may be worth checking out, so long as you don't might a (literally) heavy duty pen. I have one of the original versions, EWP01, so you may also need to make sure later versions have the same benefit.

 

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/NokinPhoto/ewp01bk.jpg

[usk15]

I think the CdA refill will work in Parker IM ballpoint pens. I know this IM pens will accept refills without having end shape from regular Parker refills.

this is a thread with a CdA pen review, and in the middle of review is a picture with CdA refill vs Pelikan refill (standard G2 refills): https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/248082-caran-dache-849/

[Sazerac]

Thanks for the responses. That Surefire Pen looks pretty cool. I have ordered some of the Schmidt 9000 EasyFlow refills it comes loaded with. They are Parker-style and, judging from some reviews, they might serve my purposes. Also, I tried a Caran d'Ache refill in my Pelikan ball pen, and, although it is not a perfect fit, it might work well enough. It scribbles well enough, but I'll give it a full workout tomorrow.

[doggonecarl]

I have a Monte Verde One Touch Stylus ballpoint. Its "Soft Roll" refill lays down a nice broad line. Not sure what compatabilty (as far as what pens can use it) is for the refill in my pen, but the company makes a lot of refills for the more common ball points and rollerballs.

[kaissa]

Never used it but Visconti's 1.4 mm is the broadest that I know. You should be able to use the Goliath refill with any pen that accepts Parker refills without any problem although it is not exactly the same size of a Parker refill. I also like MB broad refill but you are limited to MB pen only

[Sazerac]

I am waiting for some refills from Yafa (distributor of Monteverde pens, I think), and the Caran d'Ache refill did not work so well in the Pelikan -- a tad to short. But I'll chase down a Visconti 1.4. That sounds tantalizing.

 

Thanks for the responses.

[rminj]

Ah..yes ..broader refills. I know Parker had stopped marketing their broad refill and the Quinkflows come only in medium.

 

The clever Schmidt folks are now making a broad Easyflow 9000. I think it is 1.4mm. The sample I have

is a wonderful writing experience putting a lot of ink on the paper.

[51ISH]

Schmidt also do the P900 refill in Broad. This is a standard Parker replacement and should fit any pen that takes Parker refills. It is a 'normal' ballpoint and not 'easyflow' or 'rollerball' type replacement. I like it for a number of reasons: as I said it is standard ballpoint type ink and so last for ages, and ages, and ages.......in the UK they are cheap as chips from Cultpens (no affiliation), and finally some Broad refills write like paint brushes (Lamy), but this while still retaining it's Broad line is still quite a sharp point..... I have been using them at work for ages, and anyone that 'borrows' my pen always comments on how 'nicely' it writes..... hope this makes some sense to you

 

http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Schmidt-P900-Ballpoint-Refill-Broad.html

[rminj]

Schmidt also do the P900 refill in Broad. I have been using them at work for ages, and anyone that 'borrows' my pen always comments on how 'nicely' it writes..... hope this makes some sense to you

 

http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Schmidt-P900-Ballpoint-Refill-Broad.html

 

I have tried the P900 broad blue. I agree with how nice the point size writes. Maybe I got an old batch (there were 2) but the problem I had is the P900 blue was very light in shade..almost baby blue.

This caused me to press harder and harder to make a darker blue line despite the point size being really ideal. In complete contrast the Easyflow 9000 blue is more on the purple size. The shades of blue seem so different one would not think the inks are from the same company. Again, maybe I got some

old batch of P900 refills...I should probably try a fresher refill. The Easyflow ink is ultra smooth though so I have a hard time going back to regular paste ink.. I could see not having any problem with the P900 broad if using the black color.

[51ISH]

 

I have tried the P900 broad blue. I agree with how nice the point size writes. Maybe I got an old batch (there were 2) but the problem I had is the P900 blue was very light in shade..almost baby blue.

This caused me to press harder and harder to make a darker blue line despite the point size being really ideal. In complete contrast the Easyflow 9000 blue is more on the purple size. The shades of blue seem so different one would not think the inks are from the same company. Again, maybe I got some

old batch of P900 refills...I should probably try a fresher refill. The Easyflow ink is ultra smooth though so I have a hard time going back to regular paste ink.. I could see not having any problem with the P900 broad if using the black color.

 

Ahh....good point, I should have said, sorry....I've only tried the black, we can only use black at work Like most folks here, I prefer to use something other than a BP ....given the choice....

[welch]

Monteverde broad is a nice one. Parker-format. If you can afford a MontBlanc ballpoint (yes, way overpriced), they make a great broad refill. The Parker-format fits many ballpoints -- lots of the trade-show give-aways plus Pelikan, and, of course, Parker. I have used a Parker Frontier, brushed steel, since about 2000. Nice weight, and I like the rubber grip.

 

Now that I think about it...Sanford Office Products markets a not-bad throway broad (1.4mm) as the Papermate Profile.

[Moshe ben David]

Occasionally, I find myself using a ballpoint pen. When I do, I prefer the Caran d'Ache 'broad'-tipped (they call it "large") monster refill. Unfortunately, I do not like the skinny design of the lower-end Caran d'Dache ballpoint pens (the 849, for example). Are there other brands of ballpoint pens that accept Caran d'Ache refills? I would prefer to use the Caran d'Ache refill in a more substantial (=fatter) pen. (I would bet Caran d'Ache makes a fatter and much more expensive pen, but I am not crazy about spending a lot on a ballpoint pen. Doing so would take away from my fountain pen funds.)

 

Alternatively, are there other ballpoint brands that offer high-quality 'broad'-tipped refills (Parker or other style would be fine)? I have tried the Fisher Space Pen 'broad' refills and am not too happy with them. I guess I am looking for a ball point tip that is closer to a 1.0 rather than a 0.7.

 

Have you looked at the Caran d'Ache Alchemix pen? It is more substantial yet uses the same refill; I see today that it sells for about $75 at Fahrney's...