Need Some Advice On RollerBalls & Ballpoint Pens

[vitalsignsrn]

Hi Everybody,

I'm interested in buying my brother a nice pen for his 40th bday. Initially I was contemplating a fountain pen but I don't think this would be a good idea in retrospect. He would want either a ballpoint or a rollerball (with an emphasis on ballpoint). I have narrowed it down these types: Montblanc 146 , Pelikan 600 or 800, or Delta (not sure which one yet, maybe the Alfa Romeo LE although it looks pretty bright & I'm not sold on the colour). I thought would be fun to get a pen from an Italian pen maker to reflect our heritage so if there are others like Visconti etc that someone has opinions on, I'd love to hear it. I am absolutely ** not ** getting a fountain pen. I still want one for myself, but I can hold off. LOL

In doing some reading, I've come across some ads regarding ballpoint "conversions". What does this mean? That they take rollerball inserts? Perhaps this is a happy medium. The rollerball writing experience with the ease & convenience of the ballpoint (& no cap to worry about). I've also read that some rollerballs or fineliners aren't that great that they dry out or are goopy. Are there any manufacturers that you would advise I should stay clear of? I'm most likely going to stick with the above manufacturers simply because I like the look of the pens. Is there a thread some one can link for replacements? I'm sure there are some on here but I failed to find them.

Thanks,


PS..I'm a total newb & have to apologize for my lack of knowledge.

[SL BRABUS]

"Hi" Judy.....

Montblanc rollerball pen would be a great choice for your brother.....

If you buy the Montblanc rollerball pen you could convert it into the ballpoint pen by using the Montblanc old-style ballpoint pen refill adapter or he could make a home made adapter himself....

If you buy the Montblanc ballpoint pen then you could not use the rollerball refill because the rollerball refill is longer than the ballpoint pen.....

The rollerball need to be cap all the time when not in use, so the ink won't dry out.....

Unlike the ballpoint pen twist mechanism.....

Hope the information help & good luck with your choice....

[jmiicustomz]

The visconti ballpoint pens will take a hybrid gel ink ballpoint refill that writes very smooth. Personally I am looking towards a homosapien from visconti. I LOVE the look and feel but I want a ballpoint (I have to fill out triple carbon copy forms all day) but in the capped pen of the rollerball.

Montblanc makes great and very smooth ballpoint refills, but not Italian like you were hoping.

[salvadorsantana]

Montblanc

[Terpmedic]

I'd say no to the Montblanc Rollerball. The refills dry out in no time. The ballpoints are terrific. I'd steer clear of the Le Grande as it can be tough to find refills.


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[Bisquitlips]

Ballpoint would be your best choice. IMO.

[vitalsignsrn]

Hi Guys,

Thank you so much for the advice. :-) I gather from the information I should stick to just a traditional ballpoint. Tony, thanks for the clarification re:rollerball to ballpoint. I thought I had read something along those lines but I was getting confused with the terminology. I think I've been watching too many YouTube videos. Hahaha..

I like the Visconti one, especially the history & the materials used (as I'm of Italian descent. :-D Off to check their website now.

Again, thank you so much!

[bdex75]

Which ever way you go my requirement for a pen is always that it has a cap. No twist pens for me.

Pretty hard for someone to walk off with a pen when I have the cap in my hand. 😆


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[vitalsignsrn]

So true..so true..

[G8RDPM]

Sorry to be late to the party as always!
I have a MB that is in my lab coat that has been my daily since 1990!
Many of my employees are about the age of that pen. In my scrubs I carry a Le Grand since about 2001.
I have a rollerball that dates back to about 1995 that I don't use cause the top would separate from the bottom while in my pocket and leave a stain.

With our nightmare here in the US,I want a fountain pen.

For your BIL,
ballpoint!

Thank you for starting the wine thread! Appropriate ending!

[vitalsignsrn]

Hi All,

I wanted to update my thread. I had phoned my watch AD as they carry MB to find out about pricing for the Starwalker ballpoint. Well, they knocked off a few bucks but not a lot & the price was still a bit high. I forged ahead looking for the Visconti Homo Sapiens because I knew it was the style my brother would love the most. I found a jeweller in Toronto (North York actually), who recently started carrying Visconti. I did call a few other places in Toronto, but their prices were over $500 to order it in. I was going to order from a place in Quebec (trying to keep my purchase in Canada) called Stylo.ca who lists the ballpoint for $390 Can. plus the Quebec sales tax which is I think almost 10%. I found it cheaper by $20 (taxes in & their in store discount sure does come in handy!) right in my city. :-D
Act II ordered it from the supplier & took less than 1 day for them to get it in, left a deposit over the phone yesterday afternoon & picked it up this afternoon. Perfect, it needs to be wrapped for my brothers birthday party for Saturday night. My 1st impression of the pen was that it was beefy. It had some thickness to it that would suit a mans hand & the weight felt luxurious & hefty. I have a close cousins 60th birthday coming up in June & guess what, he's getting a Visconti. Probably a Van Gogh roller ball, Starry Night or Pollard Windows. Just waiting on pricing for the Wall Street one before I decide. The Van Gogh's ballpoint is nothing to write home about ( light & thin) but the roller ball is a nice size & has a stately look to it. Plus, it posts nicely & securely.

For those in Toronto, or visiting Toronto & want a Visconti pen, contact:
http://act2finejewellery.com

They also started carrying Hugo Boss pens (have quite a few in stock) which are masculine & sleek looking. If you do want a Visconti though, make sure you call or email them before before you go to the shop because they only have a few on display. Brett was the sales guy I dealt with.

"With our nightmare here in the US,I want a fountain pen."
Are you using Auto Correct? Thank you for chiming in. It wasn't too late. I really need to get up to speed on the Wine Thread.


Sorry for the long winded response. I wouldn't normally have put so much detail about pricing but I think those reading this thread would appreciate it.

[J!m]

Hi Judy.

Late to the party (as usual) but I'll give you the "geek" answer: Fischer space pen. Not flashy or dramatic; you might not even have people trying to steal it- until they write with it.

It is the one pen I rely on and I do a bit more writing than I care to. Cheap, and the refills (which are about $5) fit into Parker brand pens with the included adapter. Now I went simple, clean stainless in my case (about $11 and then chucked the Parker refill in the bin), but Parker does precious metal and larger body pens like the "fancy" ones.

I appreciate high-end things, but I need a pen that absolutely works no matter what. And paying 10-100X more for a pen that might let me down is not an option.

And even if not for your brother, you may want to grab one and try it. The first time you write with it upside down in a rainstorm* you'll be a convert.

*I had to do this in my photography days. Space pen and Write-in-the-rain pads. You can take the pen and pad in the pool with you and write underwater!

[vitalsignsrn]

Hi Jim,

I skimmed over the Space pen thing. I'll have to Google it. Thanks for the heads up. If it's that cheap, I may pick one up just for the fun of it. :-)

[iliketime]

thought the rollerball was a type of insert

[J!m]

Originally Posted by vitalsignsrn

Hi Jim,

I skimmed over the Space pen thing. I'll have to Google it. Thanks for the heads up. If it's that cheap, I may pick one up just for the fun of it. :-)

Yeah one of the few American made things that are inexpensive yet reliable.

[vitalsignsrn]

I'm reviving my thread as I'm now working on pen gift #2. These are the ones I'm considering. I've googled till I'm blue in the face & I've been scouring You Tube too. Can't really find many videos on these types of pens as most of them are for fountain pens. Also, there is a lack of information on the dimensions of these pens, even at the manufacture level. It's maddening to have to click on all kinds of pen sellers to try to find dimensions! Pen Chalet does some nice videos & at least I'll get an idea of the pen itself but he doesn't mention dimensions nor are they listed on the actual site. Beggars can't be choosers though so I'll take the vids since he's about the only one that showcases all types of pens. Rollerball must post.

Ballpoint:
Delta Dolce Vita medium ?? May be too short?

Montegrappa Nero Uno linea (rose gold accent).

Pelikan 800 or 805 (blue). Rollerball posted quite long.

RollerBall:
Delta Dolce Vita slim (the medium size looks **very** thick)

Pelikan 600 or 605 (blue). This one wasn't as thick as the 805 but it posted to a nice length & was still very comfortable to hold.

Visconti Michelangelo (if I can find the black & rose/bronze colour). Although, I'm not fond of the clip because I know he will wear it in his pocket.

I took a look at the Visconti Van Gogh & I don't think it would suit this persons style.

Not interested in Montblanc. I simply like the style of these other pens better for the price I'm willing to pay. Ideally, I can stay below $400 Can which is the top of my budget.

Background, he's a lawyer, travels for work a lot & is NOT a fountain pen person ('m not spending money on a FP in case he **might** like it). In fact, he's not a pen person at all. The last pen he got was an inexpensive Waterman (ballpoint) from me at my wedding many years ago for being master of ceremonies. LOL He just turned 60 & I'd like to get him something either Italian or German made ( his heritage.) Leaning towards an Italian brand (Delta DV ) as he has been studying Italian for many years & they go to Italy frequently.

So..thoughts? The lady at the store yesterday said to avoid buying a rollerball because of the posting issue about opening up the inner chamber when the pen is posted not to mention the marks the cap might leave on the pen. This person will not be rough with the pen so I'm not worried he will damage the inner cap. The only pen I have not had in my hand is the Delta. No one locally has one. Would the medium ballpoint be similar in girth to the Pelikan 805? Or the Slim be the same as the Pelikan 600? I liked the feel of the 800 but dang it was LONG when it was posted so I think it might be better as a ballpoint & I did manage to find that it is 138 mm x 13mm which is a nice size for a ballpoint.

Thank you..sorry for my ramblings... I figure, I might as well post my questions, others might like this info too since it's scarce. I've written to the manufactures for measurements & have not had any responses yet.

Thanks.. :-)

[Bisquitlips]

Great information and lots of choices Judy.

I have owned all of the pens you were inquiring about and for someone who just wants a pen that is both beautiful and very functional and rock solid I would go the Pelikan 600 or 605.

They are beautiful writers and superbly made. And give several lifetimes of satisfaction.

I wish you well!

[vitalsignsrn]

Hey Richard,

Seems like YOU are my man. :-) I'm definitiely interested in a gorgeous pen that my cousin can whip out when he's at a meeting or at work. I've no doubt he would appreciate anything I buy him, including a Bic, but I'd like to think I would surpass a BIC for a milestone birthday. LOL

I am kinda stuck (maybe) that the Dolce Vita med. ballpoint might be my best & cheapest alternative by a good $100. Can you tell me what your opinion/ experience is of the Pelikan 605 Rollerball vs 805 ballpoint vs Delta Dolce Vita ($300 Can) med. ballpoint are compared to each other? I've narrowed it down to these 3...
605 (600) rollerball
805 (800) ballpoint
Delta Dolce Vita medium Ballpoint pen.

I've alway prided myself to buying the "perfect" gift for people because I usually involve what I think they would love. If I have to go over by a $100, then so be it. However, these are my final choices. What is your overall impression of the Dolce Vita med. ballpoint? Is the 605 / 600 Pelikan rollerball a nicer writing experience?

Thank you kindly, you seem to be THE MAN at the moment. LOL
** there is a local guy who has the 600 in the red/black version which is nice..although, I think I can find other on Amazon.ca from Japanese sellers (reliable? Who on Ebay would you buy from if any?) My favourite is still the 605..the gift recipient would love the blue/silver accents. And the green...lovely. And the Stressman grey...lovely...although I would rather have red/ blue/ or green.....

Judy
:-)

[Bisquitlips]

Yes.... soooo...!

I would purchase the Pelikan 600 series in any denomination before considering any other.

You cannot go wrong and it will last just about forever.

My best wishes!

Richard

[Bisquitlips]

Also.... I don't have a favorite vendor on Ebay.

Just bide your time if you have it and pick up a 600 series Pelikan. Just such a quality writing instrument.