Where Did The Term "parker G2 Refill" Come From? Is It An Actual Thing?

[Danny Kaffee]

I have an issue that's been bothering me lately. Since I've recently been researching a good Parker-style ballpoint refill to go in my blue Aurora Optima Auroloide ballpoint pen (the best looking pen color I've ever seen), I keep running across references to a "Parker G2 refill."

 

I've always been lead to believe that there are Parker style ballpoint refills (with the ratcheting action at the end) and Pilot G2 style refills (the kind that go in the Pilot G2 pen). Photos below. First the Parker style and then the Pilot G2 style.

 

These refills will not fit the same pen.

 

So where did the term "Parker G2 refill" come from? I've never known G2 to be associated with anything but Pilot, which I believe introduced the gel G2 in the mid-90's. I remember than vividly because I was in law school from 1995 to 1998 and always used the G2 for taking notes and writing exams. The G2 at the time was a massive advance in the area of smooth writing.

 

I'd love it if someone could clarify this issue for me.

 

 

Edited April 16, 2020 by Danny Kaffee

[EBUCKTHORN]

Good question-thanks. I know the difference between the two types of refill but that term has always been confusing for me as well!

[flatline]

It's my understanding that the Parker G2 refill has been around decades longer than the Pilot G2 gel pen.

 

I have no sources for that other than my own memory. I remember "Parker-style" refills in my dad's pens when I was a kid (35+ years ago). I don't remember seeing Pilot G2 gel pens until I was in high school...

 

--flatline

[Danny Kaffee]

It's my understanding that the Parker G2 refill has been around decades longer than the Pilot G2 gel pen.

 

I have no sources for that other than my own memory. I remember "Parker-style" refills in my dad's pens when I was a kid (35+ years ago). I don't remember seeing Pilot G2 gel pens until I was in high school...

 

--flatline

I don't think that's true. Although I don't mind being proven wrong.

 

As I understand it the "G" in G2 is due to the "gel" nature of the ink. I'm pretty certain gel refills were not a thing until the 90's. While the Parker style ballpoint has been made since, I believe, the 1950's.

 

I will note that the Parker gel refills of today make no reference to "G2" on their packaging.

Edited April 16, 2020 by Danny Kaffee

[Anderglan]

 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ball_point_pen_refills_en.png

I suppose "G2" and all the other abbreviations may be taken from some ISO/ASA/DIN/ÖNORM/... publication.

[usk15]

G2 is an ISO standard for refills that looks like Parker: https://www.cultpens.com/c/q/explore/product-type/refills/parker-type-g2-refills

It is also developed by Parker, that is the reason all this type of refills are called "Parker Style" or Standard G2.

 

 

Pilot is a brand like any other brand, while G2 in their range is just the model/line of their product.

[EBUCKTHORN]

Thanks to all and thanks for the chart and the clarification. A peripheral reason for my curiosity is that I rail against single-use plastics and try to avoid them, hoping that all the rest of us do the same. That's why I favor fountain pens (even syringe-refilling cartridges when possible) and mechanical pencils over the many plastic-bodied, ball-type refills. I understand from the local trash management organization that small metal objects can be separated from the waste stream whereas small plastic objects can't. (Take this as "semi-anecdotal" information). These plastic refills, admittedly, are a tiny portion of all single-use plastics but this IS my HOBBY and I want it to be PURE! I admit that this concern is akin to navel gazing, but allow me my recreational fantasy and, if you agree, join in!

[Danny Kaffee]

Anderglan and usk15 -- That is some great information. Thanks!

 

Now I'm left to wonder why Pilot used the G2 moniker.

Edited April 17, 2020 by Danny Kaffee

[Danny Kaffee]

While researching the ISO standard for pens, I found this interesting write-up on unsharpen.com.

 

https://unsharpen.com/pen-refill-guide/

 

Interestingly, Japanese rollerball refills are often referred as being “Pilot G2” or just “G2” sized, due to the wild popularity of the Pilot G2 gel pen. This has caused endless amount of confusion with pen refill buyers over the years, but it’s understandable why it happened: the G2 is an ISO ballpoint standard, but also the name of a mega-popular pen. More people know about the pen than the ISO 12757 standard, so the “G2” is often thought of as a rollerball refill.

 

This is why people who review pens will often call the ISO standard the “Parker-style G2” while calling the rollerball size the “Pilot G2.”