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Ballpoint vs Rollerball vs Fountain – What are the best writing pens?

January 6, 2020

Choosing between a ballpoint, rollerball and fountain pen can be a bit confusing, especially considering the different types of ink each pen uses and how differently they write. Ultimately, it all depends on preference as well as the results you want to achieve. And that’s why it’s important to understand the differences between ballpoint vs rollerball vs fountain pens.

Ballpoint vs Rollerball vs Fountain

In this post, we’ll highlight the differences between fountain, rollerball and ballpoint pens. By the end of the article, you should be able to differentiate the various types of pens and choose the one that’s most appropriate for your application.

Ballpoint Pens

The ballpoint pen is without a doubt one of the most common and well-known types of pen. These pens use an oil-based ink that was originally designed as a more reliable and cleaner alternative

to fountain pens. The pens allow for a wide range of shading, which makes them appropriate for everyday use as well as for industrial engineers and artists. They come in various tip sizes with the most common being the fine tip that is about 0.7mm and the medium tip that is about 1.0mm.

Pros

Long-lasting ink refill
Dries quickly
Less finicky or fussy
Smooth writing

Cons

Messy
Not the best choice for long writing

Rollerball Pens

Rollerball pens use water-based liquid ink. The ink flows fast, creating a nice vivid line. They use water-based ink and a ballpoint mechanism. They come in tip sizes of between 0.5mm and 0.7mm. These types of pens are designed with finer tips and smaller balls because they flow faster than their ballpoint pen ink counterparts.

Pros

Less pressure required to write
Large color selection
Quick-drying
Dark line

Cons

Not travel-friendly
Uncapped pens leak
Short ink refill life
Bleed and feathering

Fountain Pens

Fountain pens use a nib to write and use a converter, cartridges or come with a built-in reservoir to hold ink. The pen draws ink from the cartridge/reservoir through a feed system with the use of capillary action and gravity. The reservoir can be filled with an internal piston style filling system, a syringe or pipette. Fountain pens that use a converter/cartridge filling system accept a pre-filled ink cartridge or draw ink into a converter.

Fountain pen nibs come with a wider section of tip sizes and compared to ballpoint and rollerball style pens.

Pros

Eco-friendly
Line variation
Huge color section and many cartilage types available
More customizable

Cons

Most difficult to use and require more maintenance. Filling a fountain pen and cleaning a fountain pen are both things that need to be maintained.

Bottom Line

Each type of pen has its own benefits and drawbacks. So, when comparing ballpoint vs rollerball vs fountain pens, weigh all your options. The right pen for you depends on what you’re using your pen to do as well as your writing style. With the tips mentioned, you should be in a better position to make the right choice.

How to Fill Fountain Pen – a Step-by-step Guide

December 5, 2019

So, you want to know how to fill fountain pen. Many of us like to use a piston style fountain pen. However, some people hesitate as they are unsure how to maintain a fountain pen. If you have this perception, you will have to change it. Fountain pens are designed to hold the ink within the barrel. They feature an integrated piston to draw ink. You will find different types of fountain pens, but almost all types follow the same filing procedure.

How to Fill Fountain Pen

If you have a fountain pen and you do not know how to fill it, keep reading below. This article will help you with step by step instructions to fill your pen. Once you understand the filling process, you might not hesitate to own a fountain pen.

Step-by-step Instructions

Before going ahead with the procedure, first, make sure have the ink for fountain pens. This is the only requirement. Once you have the pen and ink, no one can stop you from writing effortlessly. Fountain pens work from being made of four parts: the nib, the feed, the reservoir, and the collector. Have a look at your pen to realize the mechanism so that you can easily fill it.

Step One

To fill your fountain pain, first, you will have to move the cartridge of your pen. Move it forward by twisting the knob that you will find at the back of your pen.

Step Two

You will have to entirely dip the nib of your pen into the ink. While doing so, make sure that the nib is completely submerged with the breather hole under the ink. You need to dip the nib only. The other parts should not be affected by the link.

Step Three

Draw the ink into your pen by twisting your pen’s knob in the opposite direction. It will move the piston away from your pen nib. During this, the vacuum will pull the ink through the nib into your pen. Do it slowly to avoid the air to enter the chamber.

Step Four

Remove the nib from the ink bottle. While removing, you can let five drops of inks to fall into the bottle.

Step Five

Turn your pen nib upright and turn the knob slowly to release the remaining air from your pen.

This is a simple process and can be done by any without any guidance. After completing the process, if you feel that the chamber is not full, you can repeat the same procedure. Some pens feature a window so that you can release when the chamber is full. If you do not have this option, you can simply repeat the same process to fill your pen full. Also, you do not need to fill your chamber if you use your pen occasionally.

Final Thoughts

Now you know how to fill fountain pen. This way you’ll know your pen is full of ink the next time you visit Tempe. If possible, buy a fountain pen with a window. Having a window will help you to know when you need to refill your pen without bringing an abrupt stop while writing. Also, don’t forget to clean your pen whenever it’s necessary.

Fountain Pen Cartridge Types

November 12, 2019

When choosing a fountain pen, you also need to consider the ink-filling system. You can fill your pen with ink in several ways and cartridges are among the most popular. A cartridge is a small ink reservoir, usually in tube form that makes it easy to fill ink into your pen. It also helps to know that there are several fountain pen cartridge types.

Fountain Pen Cartridge Types

In this article, we’ll discuss cartridges in detail and outline the various types available. We also outline some of the benefits and drawbacks of using cartridges as an ink-filling system. Fountain pen ink cartridges and converters come in many different styles, which can help your handwriting look professional when applying for a job, which can lead to a job interview. Cartridges fall into two main categories: Fountain Pen Cartridge Types

Standard International:

Fountain pens are made of nibs, feeds, and reservoirs (cartridges). These types of cartridges have the same type receptacle and can be used by a wide variety of fountain pen brands. The advantage of buying a fountain pen from a brand that uses standard cartridges is that you have a broad array of cartridges available to you with many color options, and in case of an emergency, finding a basic refill at your local stationery shop shouldn’t be a hassle.

International standard cartridges come in two main versions – 73mm cartridges and 38mm cartridges. Most pens will accept either option, and there are also many designed to allow two short cartridges in the barrel. That way, you can always use one as a spare should you run out of ink unexpectedly. However, there are a few compact fountain pens that can only use the shorter cartridge.

Proprietary:

Proprietary fountain pen cartridges can be used only in their respective pen brands. As a result, pens from certain manufacturers can only utilize their own proprietary ink cartridges. Some manufacturers offer an adapter, which allows their pens to use international cartridges in addition to their proprietary band.

Advantages of Cartridges

They are cost-effective.
Cartridges are light in weight, making them more convenient than built-in filling systems and converters where bottled ink is necessary.
They are an easy way refill fountain pens with ink and often come preloaded, making it easy to refill your pen with ink.

Disadvantages of Cartridges

Because cartridges are separate components from the barrel, they usually have less ink capacity than other systems.
Most cartridges don’t allow the use of a wide range of inks found in bottled form. However, you can refill bottled ink into a spent cartridge using a blunt-tipped syringe.
Plenty of fountain pen makers use proprietary cartridges that don’t work with other brands, limiting color choice.

Bottom Line

Understanding the different fountain pen cartridge types helps when choosing what fountain pen cartridge to get. For instance, if you know you’re going to have trouble refilling your pen then it’s wiser to consider one that works with a standard international cartridge. Similarly, if finding a proprietary cartridge won’t be a hassle, you have more freedom to choose. Remember to clean your fountain pen cartridge, so it can be used optimally.

Cleaning a Fountain Pen

October 30, 2019

Fountain pens need to be well cared for to function properly. Over time, dried ink, fibers and dust can build up in the nib, disrupting how the pen works and causing the pen to write poorly. Similarly, leaving ink in your pen for an extended period of time can prevent it from working effectively. As such, it’s important to clean your pen periodically or if you’re not going to use it for long. Here are a few tips on cleaning a fountain pen.

Cleaning a Fountain Pen

This post covers the basics of cleaning a fountain pen to ensure it’s performing its best. It also highlights how often you should clean your fountain pen.

Step 1: Disassemble the Pen

Start by uncapping the pen and removing the nib section from the barrel of the pen. You can do this by unscrewing the pen where the barrel and the nib section meet. If your pen uses a converter or cartridge, remove it from the nib section.

Step 2: Rinse

Hold the nib section of the pen under running water for a few seconds. The idea is to remove any easily removable ink and make the next step easier. Since hot or warm water may damage or warp some components of your pen, be sure to use only cold or room-temperature water. Another simple trick you can use to flush the nib is with a bulb syringe. Flush the nib until it runs clear.

Step 3: Soak

Prepare some clean water in a cup and place the nib section in it to soak. Once the water becomes saturated with ink, replace it. Repeat the process until the water remains clean. Bear in mind that some inks – especially those with high water resistance or saturation can take longer than others to clean out a pen. Regular tap water should work fine but consider distilled water if your tap water is high in mineral content.

Step 4: Dry

Remove the nib section from the water and give it about 12-24 hours to dry completely. For the best results, leave it in a small cup with the nib facing down and wrapped in a soft, smooth paper towel or cloth to help draw the water out of the nib section.

Step 5: Reassemble the Pen

Once the nib is completely dry, install the converter or cartridge if the pen uses one, and screw the nib section back into the barrel.

How Often to Clean a Fountain Pen

Even if your pen is still writing well, it’s advisable to clean it every 4-8 weeks. You should also clean your fountain pen whenever you’re changing from one ink to another.

Bottom Line

Cleaning your fountain pen regularly will extend the life of your pen and keep it writing just as well as it was when new when filling out important documents or applying for a job. As necessary as it is to have a resume to apply for a job, it’s equally as important to maintain your fountain pen to get the best use out of it. Avoid using cleaners, detergents or liquid soap to clean your pen as they may damage some components. For tougher cleaning or dried ink, consider using a pen flush to revive your fountain pen.