Are gel pens the smoothest writing?

[JR Paepke]

I've only had experience with two brands of gel pens, one positive one negative. The positive one is my Cross Ion. It's just a great utility pen to have on my keychain. It always writes and never skips regardless of the temperature. The crappy experience is with the Pilot G-2. I know people love them but whenever I buy one I always have skipping problems with it.

 

Basically I "hacked" the G-2 to hold a Mont Blanc rollerball refill based on the recommendation that Mont Blancs practically write themselves. But while it's a smooth write, it's nowhere near the near frictionless properties of the Cross Ion and Pilot G-2.

 

So my question is, Are gel pens just plain smoother than rollerballs? Does the higher viscosity of the gel act as a cushion? Does the ball size come into play at all?

 

Thanks in advance.

[peapicker]

<snip>

 

Well, the smoothest writing pens in my opinion are fountain pens with real ink.

 

As far as gel pens, I've always preferred the G2. I have a friend who hacked the G2 to take a Mont Blanc rollerball as you did, and I think it is actually a worse writer after the mod, and ends up being a lot more expensive.

Edited November 27, 2007 by peapicker

[JR Paepke]

Ah, yeah. I've only used one fountain pen - a Pierre Cardin from a set - and it had a really scratchy nib. I'd love to have a nice one with a good nib to try and compare.

[jmkeuning]

Ah, yeah. I've only used one fountain pen - a Pierre Cardin from a set - and it had a really scratchy nib. I'd love to have a nice one with a good nib to try and compare.

 

Come to the fountain pen side, you won't look back.

[bernardo]

My Lamy Safari rollerball is smoother than any gel pen I've ever tried, but any of my F nibs with Noodler's BP black is still smoother.

Edited November 27, 2007 by bernardo

[gregoron]

I've only had experience with two brands of gel pens, one positive one negative. The positive one is my Cross Ion. It's just a great utility pen to have on my keychain. It always writes and never skips regardless of the temperature. The crappy experience is with the Pilot G-2. I know people love them but whenever I buy one I always have skipping problems with it.

 

Basically I "hacked" the G-2 to hold a Mont Blanc rollerball refill based on the recommendation that Mont Blancs practically write themselves. But while it's a smooth write, it's nowhere near the near frictionless properties of the Cross Ion and Pilot G-2.

 

So my question is, Are gel pens just plain smoother than rollerballs? Does the higher viscosity of the gel act as a cushion? Does the ball size come into play at all?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Short answer: no. The smoothest writing instruments I've come across are fountain pens, then rollerballs, felt tips, fine point ballpoint pens, medium point bp's, pencils, and finally gel ink pens. My test is whether a pen can write a line on its own weight (without putting downward pressure on it). Gel pens require pressure from your hands to get the ink to flow.

 

PS. I mentioned that some fine point ballpoint pens are smoother than medium and broad ones because, I think, that their inks have lower viscosity. I'm not sure about it, but that's what I've experienced with Sheaffer and Pilot ballpoint refills.

Edited November 27, 2007 by gregoron

[lurcho]

The Cross Ion is a lovely little writer.

 

But another is the Uniball Signo UM-120. My favourite gel of all time. Smooth writer. Quite wet on suitable papers (very nice, for example, in Moleskines). They last for ages. And they cost less than a quid ($2).

[OldGriz]

No doubt in mind that a FP is the smoothest of all pens, IF the nib is properly made and adjusted...

 

But to answer the question in relation to gel ink refills, I have to say no.

I have found the Itoya Aquaroller refills to be much smoother than any gel refill I have tried...

Here is a link to Swisher Pen ~ Itoya Aquaroller Refill

I have been very happy with them when I absolutely must use a ball point pen...

[Iridium]

The crappy experience is with the Pilot G-2. I know people love them but whenever I buy one I always have skipping problems with it.

 

I've found that the prevalence of persistent skipping issues vary more by individual pen than they do by manufacturer. I've had great examples of pens that others have cursed, and likewise poor examples of pens that get much praise. That said, probably the most consistent brand regarding gel pen writing quality is Zebra, although their ink is not the most permanent (nor is it the least by a long shot).

 

Basically I "hacked" the G-2 to hold a Mont Blanc rollerball refill based on the recommendation that Mont Blancs practically write themselves. But while it's a smooth write, it's nowhere near the near frictionless properties of the Cross Ion and Pilot G-2.

 

I'm not impressed by either the G2 or Montblanc, all things considered. I use Sakura Gelly Rolls for their inks' virtually indestructible bond with the paper (personally rated slightly ahead of Noodler's Bulletproof Black for the time being due to mechanical strength), or the Uniball Signo 207 (black only), which is nearly as indelible, a bit more saturated, and feels smoother when writing (albeit with inferior uniformity of line).

 

So my question is, Are gel pens just plain smoother than rollerballs?

 

They don't feel smoother than rollerballs to everyone, but they do to me. They're more like a gooier ballpoint with inks that easily liquify with slight pressure. It's not a bad system when it works well, which is far from consistent at present.

 

Does the higher viscosity of the gel act as a cushion?

 

That might be one factor, but the overall lubricity is what matters the most in the end.

 

Well, the smoothest writing pens in my opinion are fountain pens with real ink.

 

Well, wet-writing fountain pens with smooth medium nibs are the smoothest-writing pens, in my opinion. However, I prefer the feel of even slightly "toothy" fine nibs to that of rollerballs/gels--it's just a very different writing experience.

 

As far as gel pens, I've always preferred the G2. I have a friend who hacked the G2 to take a Mont Blanc rollerball as you did, and I think it is actually a worse writer after the mod, and ends up being a lot more expensive.

 

There are better refills out there for less cost, in my opinion. This hack was a silly idea from the start--if one desires to write with a Montblanc, it's the external design of the pen that counts (use any refill that fits). Otherwise, one might as well use a different pen!

[Ray-Vigo]

I think you can have either a fountain pen or a roller ball at the top of the list- depending on how toothy the nib is. The smoothest nibs easily rival the smoothest roller balls. For those who use toothy nibs, I think that the roller ball is a bit smoother. I would put gels down with standard ball points in terms of smoothness. They do the job okay but aren't as smooth as a smooth fountain pen or roller ball. I will say though that a good ballpoint or gel does have its time and place though. I've found some places where my fountain pens don't do terribly well. In those spots I use a ballpoint or roller or gel.

 

As a side note I've had some decent success with the Parker Jotter series and with the Sheaffer Balance ballpoints for non-fp uses. I prefer FPs by far, but these are nice alternatives when one isn't there for you.

[rikki]

Short answer: no. The smoothest writing instruments I've come across are fountain pens, then rollerballs, felt tips, fine point ballpoint pens, medium point bp's, pencils, and finally gel ink pens. My test is whether a pen can write a line on its own weight (without putting downward pressure on it). Gel pens require pressure from your hands to get the ink to flow.

...Your qualifier doesn't seem to be related to smoothness all that much, IMHO. I always thought smoothness was the feel of the tip on the paper, how easily the tip catches in the paper grain, whether it makes a scratchy noise when used...not how much pressure you need to apply to get a line down.

 

Anyway, I would say FPs, then gel ink pens, then roller balls, then ballpoint pens, then pencils, then felt-tip markers. The tips on those wear away like I dunno what! I can't stand using them unless it's on whiteboard.

 

I will also vouch for the Uniball Signo being a very decent gel pen if you don't need exciting colors. I used a lot of the Sakura Gelly Rolls in high school—though I find their "standard" colors never seem to glide along the paper like the wilder ones do. As always, YMMV.

[FrankB]

My comments are going to be quite odd, so I guess it is appropriate for me to begin with an insight into my writing style. I write very slowly and deliberately owing to poor penmanship and to a service connected disability. I almost literally draw my letters rather than write them.

 

Because of my writing style, I have found gel refills to be more than just smooth, they are slippery. I do not feel I am controlling the pen with a gel refill, it is controlling me. I am primarily a FP user and I like the smoothness of the nib on paper, but with a hint of feedback. Hence, I also dislike most standard BP refills because of the pressure I must use to get the damned things to write. Roller refills also strike me as slippery, though less so, and they have the added disadvantage that they dry out too quickly for me.

 

Enter BP refills with B points. Although the refills still contain the same paste ink as any other, the B point allows for very smooth writing, while the paste ink allows me to write slowly with the sense that I have modest feedback. I use mostly Parker refills with B points in Jotters or Duofolds. I have Fisher Space Pen refills in my rollers. Those refills are roller sized, but they are BP-like refills with B points. And even with the B points, the refills allow me to write small enough that I can effectively fill out forms with smallish spaces.

Edited November 27, 2007 by FrankB

[chibimie]

In large Japanese stationary stores, they often display their disposable pens using three categories: ball-point ink (oil-based), gel ink and water-based ink. These water-based inks seem to write more smoothly than even the gels, but it might be my susceptibility to a distinction that is indeed real (e.g., the gels are 'more permanent' than the water-based) as well as a marketing ploy.

 

A Spanish pen (I think), the Inoxcrom short roller gel pen, is among the smoothest writers I have ever encountered.

[tnt]

I have a Montblanc Fineliner that writes incredibly smooth, but smoother than a gel pen? Yes, I woulds say so. Better than a fountain pen? Depends, my Yard 'o Led with its flexible medium NIB is the smoothest writing pen I have ever used, it almost feels as if you were painting with a brush. If I were to compare the Fineliner to any other fountain pen in my collection I would have to decide in favor of the Fineliner.

[Iridium]

I always thought smoothness was the feel of the tip on the paper, how easily the tip catches in the paper grain, whether it makes a scratchy noise when used...not how much pressure you need to apply to get a line down.

 

Same here, although I do prefer lighter pressure than a typical ballpoint requires, and most gel pens are fine for me in this regard.

 

Anyway, I would say FPs, then gel ink pens, then roller balls, then ballpoint pens, then pencils, then felt-tip markers. The tips on those wear away like I dunno what! I can't stand using them unless it's on whiteboard.

 

Once again, we're in complete agreement.

 

I will also vouch for the Uniball Signo being a very decent gel pen if you don't need exciting colors.

 

Personally, I use the Signo 207 for its indelibility, which is excellent for the black ink, but not nearly so good for the other colors. Since this is just a utility pen for me, I stick with the black also for universal acceptance.

 

I used a lot of the Sakura Gelly Rolls in high school—though I find their "standard" colors never seem to glide along the paper like the wilder ones do. As always, YMMV.

 

It's not as slippery as the Signo 207, but as with the latter, it's mostly for the indelibility of the ink in cases where a fountain pen won't do (e.g. multi-part forms). I prefer the Gelly Roll slightly because it dries faster and forms a more solid line (even with some shading), while the Signo 207's line looks slightly like that of a ballpoint (i.e. whiter channel in the middle).

 

Because of my writing style, I have found gel refills to be more than just smooth, they are slippery. I do not feel I am controlling the pen with a gel refill, it is controlling me. I am primarily a FP user and I like the smoothness of the nib on paper, but with a hint of feedback.

 

That's not so odd, at least to me--some gel pens are so slippery and "gooey" that writing with them is a quite "numb" experience. I guess it's sort of like an automobile suspension--while you definitely wouldn't want to feel every bump, you'd want to get at least some form of feedback that connects you to what you're doing.

 

In large Japanese stationary stores, they often display their disposable pens using three categories: ball-point ink (oil-based), gel ink and water-based ink. These water-based inks seem to write more smoothly than even the gels, but it might be my susceptibility to a distinction that is indeed real (e.g., the gels are 'more permanent' than the water-based) as well as a marketing ploy.

 

Each of the different types of inks have a unique feel, as well as their own utility. As we've found in this thread, people can have different criteria as to what "smooth" or pleasurable writing is, and I think we have that pretty well covered. The main utility of gel inks is versatility, in that you can suspend all kinds of weird stuff (even tiny bits of glitter or glass) in a nearly solid gel, and when you press on it, it comes out like a very fluid paint. Sakura in particular has done some pretty wild things with gel inks.

 

However, permanence--or more appropriately, indelibility--depends on the pigments/dyes and binders used, not the basic type of ink. For example, most ballpoint inks will wash off easily with alcohol or acetone (making check-washing a snap), but not Fisher Space Pen ink, which is extremely tough to completely remove (granted, it's not exactly standard ballpoint ink, but that's how it's generally categorized). While most water-based inks wash away easily even with plain water, Noodler's offers indelible water-based inks, of course, and some rollerballs such as the Uniball Vision series use inks that are waterproof at the very least. Finally, while some gel inks are extremely indelible even under concentrated chemical attack (e.g. Sakura Gelly Roll, Uniball Signo 207 black), there are many that can't even stand up to water for long, so we cannot accurately generalize the properties of various inks by their basic type alone (properties often vary by individual color, as well).

[Immoteus]

I'm somewhat surprised that you had such a poor experience with the G2. Every so often I would hear complaints about pilot pens bought in the US performing poorly. The Pilot gel pens (imported from Taiwan or Japan) I use (Hi-Tec-C with widths varying from 0.25 to 0.5) are one of the smoothest gel pens I've used (with FPs being smoother). HiTec-C's are available through various online retailers and Kinokuniya.

[captnemo]

Some gel rollers are amazingly smooth but still can't match a fountain pen, and they never will. With a fountain pen, you are merely breaking the surface tension of the ink and causing it to flow to the paper. The required pressure is zero, so the pressure is as light as your hand can manage. All the pen requires is contact. Any ball pen, no matter how smooth, requires some friction with the paper in order to spin the ball. There's no way around this problem with ball pens.

 

The only pen that could be less effort than a fountain pen would be if someone incorporated ink jet print head technology into a pen, so that no contact was required at all. The problem then would be, of course, turning the ink flow on and off as well as powering the ink jet somehow. It would be like writing with an airbrush.

[kissing]

In my experience, Gel pens are slippery, not smooth

 

Fountain pens are smooth

[JR Paepke]

I'm somewhat surprised that you had such a poor experience with the G2. Every so often I would hear complaints about pilot pens bought in the US performing poorly. The Pilot gel pens (imported from Taiwan or Japan) I use (Hi-Tec-C with widths varying from 0.25 to 0.5) are one of the smoothest gel pens I've used (with FPs being smoother). HiTec-C's are available through various online retailers and Kinokuniya.

 

 

Yeah, I don't know what it is with me. I know how much people love the G2. Actually, I've been using a G-2 07 in my field pouch for when I'm inspecting and it's been working very good. It's only skipped on me twice. Ironically the other G2 it was packaged with performed so horribly that I threw it away in disgust.

 

I wonder if my left-handedness is at fault?

[chupie]

In my experience, Gel pens are slippery, not smooth

 

Fountain pens are smooth

 

Bingo. While ball points are like writing with wax, my experience with G2s are like writing with oil. And I find I have more ink smearage with them then my fountain pens! Nothing tops the FP.