"clickable" Ballpoint Pens

[PAKMAN]

Stainless steel Parker jotters are nice. Also look at the Kaweco Al sport

[rminj]

 

How do you like your pen? What refill are you using? Most refills are within several thousandths of an inch in diameter to each other at the tip, so some fit better than others. I try to average the gap to reduce the "wiggle" that can occur with other pens. Tolerances can be finicky and it's always better to play it safe if you have different vendors making various parts for the same product. Parker probably does this to be sure everything works together every time. Thanks for your feedback, it makes for better pens in the future.

 

 

We ship to the UK all the time. If you wait for a sale and maybe combine an order with a friend, you can get away with pricing just as good, or better, than those in the states. Now VAT is a different story...

 

I like my Retrakt pen very much. I'm using the Easyflow 9000 refills.. I found the tolerances on them do not vary so they fit all my pens. Ideal pen? Well the Retrakt is just a tad too long for the refills I use.. If it were the shorter like a Jotter that would make it ideal.

[RNHC]

RNHC- I reviewed some of your other posts on some of my other designs and it seems you have a serious issue with the way I design my pens. That's totally fine, but some of the personal attacks were out of line (and seem to be deleted now). My offer stands if you actually want to review one of my designs in person, I will happily send you one to check out, free of charge. The clips on all of our pens, do in fact, flex. I too agree that the Bauhaus philosophy of form follows function is important. I interpret this to mean honesty in materials and application of engineering. Showing hardware and materials in their natural state is important to this philosophy. Not everyone likes to see hardware or raw materials but prefer hidden fasteners and plated or painted surfaces. This is all a matter of taste, but not the same design philosophy. I purposely tried to do something different with my designs and am perfectly aware that not everyone has the same preferences. Why design a pen just like one that already exists? That is just being lazy (no offense).

 

I would love to see what your ideal click pen would be, please feel free to sketch it up and post it for review.

 

Sorry that you thought I had serious or personal issue with you or your designs. I assure you that I do not. It would be preposterous if I did. Let's just say that your design aesthetic is not my cup of tea. If it's any consolation, as you can see from this thread and others, many others think your pens are bee's knees. I am simply not one of them.

 

I also assure you that your rhetorical musing on your design intention does not offend me at all. Why would it? In fact, I am puzzled that you'd think so. While I applaud your intention to do something different, as you are aware, all "clicker" pens are variations on its fundamental form: the "clicker" pen design is restricted in a sense that it has to have a barrel, a knocker and a clip. IMHO, the design aesthetics of a "clicker" pen comes down to basic details: the shape, the proportion, the color and finish (or material), etc. etc. Again, IMHO, your Retrakt didn't have what I look for in a pen in terms of design. That's why I didn't buy Retrakt but TiClick Classic and Tactile Turn Mover instead.

 

Lastly, I presume to take your request to see the sketch of my ideal pen as a jest. But if you were indeed sincere, I'd like to direct you to Lamy and old Rotring pens. Those best reflect what appeals to my design aesthetics.

[RNHC]

 

I like my Retrakt pen very much. I'm using the Easyflow 9000 refills.. I found the tolerances on them do not vary so they fit all my pens. Ideal pen? Well the Retrakt is just a tad too long for the refills I use.. If it were the shorter like a Jotter that would make it ideal.

 

I'm sure you know but both BigIDesign TiClick and Tactile Turn have two variations of their "clicker" pens: one to fit Parker-type refills and one to fit Pilot G2 length refills. Other than length, both types have identical features, finish, etc.

Edited January 10, 2015 by RNHC

[Conan the Grammarian]

My [recommendation] would for one on a budget would be a Jotter Ball point as it is a classic which is rather affordable.

 

 

The nice thing about the Jotter is that you can use ballpoint refills or gel refills in them. And Parker makes both. The Parker refills are available in any major office supply store.

 

You've also got a pretty wide selection of third-party refills available that fit the Jotter as well.

 

The drawback to the Jotter is it gets thin toward the point and that makes it difficult to use for long periods of time.

 

I suspect that by ruling out the Cross Click, you're looking for a true ballpoint and not a gel pen.

 

Try the Zebra F-301 or the all-metal F-701. Good ballpoints with refills available at almost any major office supply store.

 

I've never been a fan of the Jetstream, despite my love of Uni-Ball gel pens. That pen never "clicked" with me.

[Conan the Grammarian]

I recently got an Acme Crossword 7-function Pen as a gift. I haven't tried it out yet so I can't speak to how good it is, but it's pretty thin and has three ballpoints (black, blue, and red), a pencil, and a stylus tip. It clicks.

Edited January 10, 2015 by Conan the Grammarian

[RNHC]

RNHC- I reviewed some of your other posts on some of my other designs and it seems you have a serious issue with the way I design my pens. That's totally fine, but some of the personal attacks were out of line (and seem to be deleted now)...

 

Sorry to revisit the post but, just out of curiosity, what was it exactly that I said that you took as personal attack? Only thing that I recall that could be construed as personal was me expressing my doubt that you were formally educated/trained as a designer in a "debate" with one of your fans. So what is your background in design? (Absolutely no offense intended)

 

Also it's off-topic but have you considered making a clipless version of INK pen a la Nakaya, your inspiration?

Edited January 10, 2015 by RNHC

[blINK]

This is all a matter of taste, but not the same design philosophy.

FWIW, I think the Retrakt in blue is amazing. I had not heard of your pens until reading this thread. Then I looked at the website. If I hadn't already blown my first quarter pen budget, I would be ordering one. Beautiful design.

[RNHC]

It's been only a week and half since New Year's and you've already blown your first quarter pen budget? One thing in Retrakt's favor compared to Tactile Turn is its price. It's only $45. Perhaps you can sweet talk Dan into working something out.

[slide13]

I love a good clicky pen. Been going through lots of nice ballpoints looking for the right one. I think for a budget pen the Jotter is tough to beat. I have lots of nicer pens and still find a use for a good old Jotter.

 

I think for a great value in a nicer pen the Retrakt is the way to go. They hit a fantastic price point and I think you get a lot of pen for your money with one. I've had four of them now (2 silver aluminum, 1 green two-tone, and a brass). I have a Tactile Turn too and it's nice but I don't love the overall shape of it as much as the Retrakt.

 

The new two-tone ones are the best, to me it seems the already good fit/finish has improved a little in these. They've also gotten the refill extension just right with the Pilot G2 refill. All my earlier ones didn't have the tip of the refill coming out quite far enough but the new two-tone one is better. I checked and the extension piece on the click mechanism is just a bit longer - I hope that's true of all the new mechs as I just ordered a replacement one for my brass pen from them.

 

Glad to see Karas participating in the forum, welcome Dan.

[RNHC]

I think for a great value in a nicer pen the Retrakt is the way to go. They hit a fantastic price point and I think you get a lot of pen for your money with one. I've had four of them now (2 silver aluminum, 1 green two-tone, and a brass). I have a Tactile Turn too and it's nice but I don't love the overall shape of it as much as the Retrakt.

 

I also think that Retrakt has better overall proportion than Tactile Turn but it's not as pleasingly designed. There are comparison reviews out there that opine that Tactile Turn has better overall balance than Retrakt. In totality, Tactile Turn is a better pen, IMHO. I give edge to Retrakt on overall proportion and price but everything else I think Tactile Turn is superior. It's a much better looking and designed pen. You get what you pay for.

Edited January 10, 2015 by RNHC

[Mike 59]

These are just appearing in our stationer's shops, (1/2015) and look the part, triangular grip, Parker style refill, various colours available from 'funky' to all black, price would be about $4 or $5. Not actually tried one myself though.

http://www.cultpens.com/i/q/SN27536/schneider-haptify-ballpoint-pen

[usk15]

I had one of this Sharky pen, it's funny shape and good grip, bit too fat.

 

http://www.thejournalshop.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/360x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/h/sharky_orange/Schneider-SHARKY-Pen-Orange-31.jpg

[slide13]

I also think that Retrakt has better overall proportion than Tactile Turn but it's not as pleasingly designed. There are comparison reviews out there that opine that Tactile Turn has better overall balance than Retrakt. In totality, Tactile Turn is a better pen, IMHO. I give edge to Retrakt on overall proportion and price but everything else I think Tactile Turn is superior. It's a much better looking and designed pen. You get what you pay for.

Have you had one of each in hand? If not, then you're basing everything off pictures and second hand info. Yes, the Tactile Turn pocket clip design is nice, that is where any design advantage ends I think. Take both pens and unscrew the bodies and put them back together...threading is much nicer on the Retrakt. It's also designed for versatility in taking Pilot G2 or Parker style refills in the same body and even includes custom spacer to help adapt other refills.

 

At one point you mentioned the knurling. I love the Retrakts knurling. It helps when extracting the pen from a pocket by giving added grip. I don't want it under my fingers the entire time I'm writing, but it's nice when pulling the pen from your pocket especially if you clip it to you pants pocket on occasion.

Edited January 11, 2015 by slide13

[Ambien]

Anyone know if vintage Parker BP go on sale in the usual place for decent prices? I'm curious but not sure if I want to invest quite that much $ for a BP just yet. I like the Flighter models.

Currently own a Tactile Turn but always looking for interesting writers too.

Edited January 11, 2015 by Csrae

[max dog]

I'm not a fan of clickable ball points. The click, click action is irritating. But if it has to be a clickable ball point, then I would get a Parker Jotter. I have a few myself. At least it is somewhat iconic, and the quarter turn of the ballpoint every click to ensure even wear of the ball point is kind of neat.

[RNHC]

 

Anyone know if vintage Parker BP go on sale in the usual place for decent prices? I'm curious but not sure if I want to invest quite that much $ for a BP just yet. I like the Flighter models.

Currently own a Tactile Turn but always looking for interesting writers too.

 

 

If you are interested in interesting clickers, take a look at BIGiDESIGN's TiClick pens. It takes a myriad of refills, made from titanium, and in-house developed knocker. I also think it is a much more thoughtful design than even Tactile Turn. Then again, BIGiDESIGN is run by a couple of industrial designers, not a machine shop, so it's to be expected, I guess.

 

If you like to tinker, you can get a Zebra F-701 and mod it to be all metal: https://penthusiast.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/the-space-zebra-f-7401/

 

If you are interested in the classic Rotring 600 ballpoint-esque pens, there are many candidates: Retro Hex-O-Matic, Padrino 600, and TWSBI Precision come to mind. Or you can get a Rotring Rapid Pro and put in a gel refill (I prefer Itoya needlepoint gel refill) and call it a day.

Edited January 11, 2015 by RNHC

[Ambien]

 

If you are interested in interesting clickers, take a look at BIGiDESIGN's TiClick pens. It takes a myriad of refills, made from titanium, and in-house developed knocker. I also think it is a much more thoughtful design than even Tactile Turn. Then again, BIGiDESIGN is run by a couple of industrial designers, not a machine shop, so it's to be expected, I guess.

 

If you like to tinker, you can get a Zebra F-701 and mod it to be all metal: https://penthusiast.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/the-space-zebra-f-7401/

 

If you are interested in the classic Rotring 600 ballpoint-esque pens, there are many candidates: Retro Hex-O-Matic, Padrino 600, and TWSBI Precision come to mind. Or you can get a Rotring Rapid Pro and put in a gel refill (I prefer Itoya needlepoint gel refill) and call it a day.

 

Thanks for the links and info. IIRC I did try a Zebra before but it was underwhelming which is a bit sad but will see if the mod will help. Also, I do love rOtring's design and will see if I can find similar RB. Their FPs are very nice but kinda out of my budget since it seems to be very collectible. Oh well.

Edited January 12, 2015 by Csrae

[RNHC]

I modded my Zebra to Space Zebra. The only thing that I did different from the blogger was that I used the unbranded chromed clip from F-402 along with the clicker. I thought it made a much cleaner look. This is the pen I take with me when I go along with my son to his boy scout camping trips. Definitely tough enough to take a beating.

[jebib111]

Not to get involved in a ballpoint pen food fight, I don't think you have to buy something just to be able to say you don't like it. The seller didn't make their case simple as that and the buyer said so. On the other hand arguing about the characteristics of a ballpoint pen passionately, well this is a website for people who have purchased/collected more of something than they will ever use. And before I take any shots for that I'm as obsessed as anyone about collecting fountain pens. All I know is if someone offered me something I refused to buy and said try it my answer would be yes!