Clik Or Screw Cap ?

[MikeGB]

I only have snap caps, but in the long run I think I'll settle with screw caps.

[Roseofsharon]

Well made examples of either are what I prefer, the poorly made examples of either are a nuisance.

Well put! I'll take my pen as it comes as long as it writes well and is (on the basic level) aesthetically pleasing.

[tleek]

I don't mind either way, but I prefer screw caps. I don't know why, I just like them better.

[Blade Runner]

Some click on caps don't do a good job of keeping the nib from drying out. All my screw on caps have never had this issue. Screw on caps are more laborious in getting the cap off. For fast access, I prefer a well made slip on cap, for example the Parker 51 and vintage Aurora 88s. Never had a 51 or 88P nib dry out with its cap on. These days fast access isn't a priority, so I use mostly screw on pens.

[Joe in Seattle]

I prefer the Visconti Homo Sapiens bayonet connection to either of the two more common closures. Threaded is second choice to feel secure the cap will stay in place.

[mislav]

I prefer screws, but it is just a habit...

[Bo Bo Olson]

Grew up with screw cap, lever pens.

Have both.....more use to the screw cap.

 

If you unscrew a slip on all that can happen is it unscrews so you can get at the converter or cartridge.

If you pull on a screw cap....you can ruin the pen.....so you need to really know....which of your pens are screw cap.

I'd say I have 10 screw cap pens to every slip on capped pens.

[unigami]

At work, when I am infrequently using the pen to take notes in meetings for example, it is much easier to use a click cap.

[D.C. in PA]

I have many of both, along with slip caps and retractables. Generally, I prefer screw-on caps to click caps for security, although I have had a screw cap ruin a sport coat when it managed to come undone in an interior pocket. I don't recall the pen, but remember being surprised by its failure to remain intact.

Conversely, I love Parker 51s and have never had a problem with one. Ambivalence is a bugger!

[Lou Erickson]

I have many of both, along with slip caps and retractables. Generally, I prefer screw-on caps to click caps for security, although I have had a screw cap ruin a sport coat when it managed to come undone in an interior pocket. I don't recall the pen, but remember being surprised by its failure to remain intact.

Conversely, I love Parker 51s and have never had a problem with one. Ambivalence is a bugger!

I've had way more screw-caps come open than snap caps. Some of them unscrew really easily - a Pelikan takes, what, half a turn? An Estie is 2/3 of a turn? Whereas a P51 cap seems to just stay put. Not what I would have expected.

[ac12]

For ease of use, a pull cap.

 

As was mentioned, in the pull cap category, you have slip on caps (Parker 51), "snap" on caps (Baoer 388, and it really SNAPS on/off), plain friction caps, and maybe a few others.

I find these easier to use than a screw on cap.

However, in practice, you get used to whatever pen you are using. And I use both pull and screw caps.

But every once in a while, I forget and have to think, is this a screw or pull cap?

 

Heck I have a Sheaffer desk pen that you screw into the holder. I don't even think about it when I unscrew the pen to use it and screw it back in when I'm done. It is like my body knows what to do with that pen, so my brain does not have to tell my hand to unscrew/screw. And I use it alongside my Parker 51 desk pen that just slides into its holder.

 

To add to what Lou said. I don't know how tight to tighten a screw cap. I read an old Parker instruction that said to screw until you hear it squeek (I forget the exact word they used). Well that was fine when you could send it to Parker for repair, but today you can't send the old pens back for repair/replacement, as some of the companies do not even exist. So I screw in till it feels snug or "tight enough," and hope that it is good enough.

Edited April 1, 2015 by ac12

[sargetalon]

I favor the screw caps personally but am happy to use a solidly built click cap. My fear always is that I'll wear out the click mechanism with repetitive use.