Pen noob

[clew84]

Hi all,

I am interested in getting a nice ball point pen like a Mont Blanc but I have little experience with them. I once owned a Waterman and it was nice but it ended up cracking somehow after a few years.

I like a medium point with a little bit of a bounce in it (if that makes sense).

Any suggestions for me besides MB? I like black and silver colored pens (no gold).

Thanks!

[Kapture1]

Dont ask which model it is, got it as a Christmas gift last year. LOVE IT tho. Felt a little big at first, but now I feel naked writting without it. You wont go wrong with a Mont Blanc.

[shandy]

Hi Chris.
I think you are on track with your choice. Mont Blanc Ball points write really well.
I would suggest another though that I think would fit the bill.
http://www.graf-von-faber-castell.co...vFC_index.aspx

I love Graf Von Faber-Castell.
They have exquisite build quality and this one in particular would fit your colour preference. The style is amazing and wonderfull to hold!

Now then, can we interest you in a fountain pen

[bigmikebee]

you can get some good tips at fountainpennetwork.com. i like a RB cross apogee stuccato for everyday desk-jockying.

[clew84]

Thanks guys - helpful. I like the MBs and the Grafs - the Intuition bp is pretty cool. Any idea if there are reputable online sellers of nice pens? I have found a couple but would appreciate a referral.

And while fountain pens are beautiful, I travel a lot and will need something that can hold up. Plus my handwriting is not good so me using a fountain pen for me is probably like giving a Porsche to a teenager.

[shandy]

Originally Posted by clew84

Thanks guys - helpful. I like the MBs and the Grafs - the Intuition bp is pretty cool. Any idea if there are reputable online sellers of nice pens? I have found a couple but would appreciate a referral.

And while fountain pens are beautiful, I travel a lot and will need something that can hold up. Plus my handwriting is not good so me using a fountain pen for me is probably like giving a Porsche to a teenager.

Ahh Chris, one of the joys with a fountain pen is that it improves your handwriting! You should see my handwriting with a ball point. I look like I am having a fit!

As to online sellers well in my experience you can't go wrong with either Swisher
Here is a link to their Graff page.
http://store.nexternal.com/shared/St...unt2=692298531

Or melpens (their intuition BP is a really cheap price!!
http://www.melpens.com/Graf_Von_Fabe...point_Pen.aspx

No connection to either apart from satisfied customer!

[VetteBandit]

Originally Posted by Kapture1

Dont ask which model it is, got it as a Christmas gift last year. LOVE IT tho. Felt a little big at first, but now I feel naked writting without it. You wont go wrong with a Mont Blanc.

Looks like a starwalker resin BP to me. I have the starwalker grid (rubber / steel) version and love it as well.

I would suggest finding a local store and trying a few out. It really depends on what feels right in your hand.

[Shangas]

If the OP is a person who does a heavy amount of daily writing, then I would suggest keeping fountain pens up as an option. If they're just looking for a pen for whatever...ballpoints are fine.

[Numismatist]

fountainpenhospital.com gets you great prices on MB ball points as well.

[Kapture1]

Originally Posted by VetteBandit

Looks like a starwalker resin BP to me.

Thanks! I did research online and believed it to be a starwalker resin, but was still unsure.

[Lion]

Chris, welcome to the world of fine writing instruments. As Ian has said don't discount the choice of fountain pens as they write like a dream. Nothing wrong with ball point pens but also check out roller balls!!!

[bigmikebee]

as for online buys, i too hear a lot about the fountain pen hospital in nyc.

[2careless]

Hi Chris, one point to look out is the weight of the pen, and I think you have to physically handle it to judge - is it too heavy on the hand, does it clip nicely on the shirt pocket, they need to be checked physically.

As for makes, apart from MB, I do like ST Dupont and Faber Castell for ballpens. Both makes have some very nice looking silver/black pens.

[clew84]

Originally Posted by Lion

Chris, welcome to the world of fine writing instruments. As Ian has said don't discount the choice of fountain pens as they write like a dream. Nothing wrong with ball point pens but also check out roller balls!!!

Thanks everyone!! Very helpful!!

Never really written with a rollerball before (for a nice pen). How would you compare the bp to a rollerball in terms of if you did a lot of writing per day?

[Kapture1]

Originally Posted by clew84

Thanks everyone!! Very helpful!!

Never really written with a rollerball before (for a nice pen). How would you compare the bp to a rollerball in terms of if you did a lot of writing per day?

If you do lots n lots n lots of writting in a day, I recommend rollerball. I personally like to push hard when I write, so the ball point is perfect for me. The only down side is hand cramps.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by clew84

Thanks everyone!! Very helpful!!

Never really written with a rollerball before (for a nice pen). How would you compare the bp to a rollerball in terms of if you did a lot of writing per day?

Chris, this is just my opinion but I like roller balls over ball point pens.....the ink flows a little differently. I'm sure the experts will be along shortly!!!

[VetteBandit]

Im a roller-ball fan as well. A good RB is very smooth and requires less push force than a BP. Some will probably tell you that the ink in a BP will last longer than a RB. Im not sure about that as I never really pay attention to that.

I prefer the look of the ink of a RB over the BP when on paper. Although I would say that overall Im in the FP camp as well I have to admit I am a sign a check here or there FP user. RB wins my vote on a daily basis.