When Word Processors Are Out: What's The Best Pen? 951
chensonny writes "Recently I was in a situation where there was no word processor, and several of us had to write, copy and sign a big amount of paper. It was then I re-realized the need for a good and comfortable pen. I saw some friends using a Mont Blanc, others like me using a felt pen or cheap ball-point pen. What does the geeks of Slashdot use for writing?" My favorite pen is an aluminum Lamy fountain pen -- can anyone recommend a good place to order Lamy ink in the U.S.?
Think Geek to the Rescue! (Score:5, Interesting)
These seem to be more for the rich geek, unfortunatly I'm only a poor geek. So I just use a Pilot Gel Pen.
Uniball (Score:4, Interesting)
Pilot Precise V5 (Score:5, Interesting)
I don't know if they make one with a big comfy grip, though, if that's what you're looking for. I'm not sure if I like those big, comfy grips, though... they sort of make me feel like I'm in nursery school again, grasping one of those crayons that seemed to huge at the time. Wait, that's probably a good thing. I'll shut up, now.
Big Fat Mont Blanc (Score:3, Interesting)
I have a big, fat, Mont Blanc fountain pen. Best pen ever.
Dont bother with a skinny one, and be careful as some of them seem to leak, but if you pick one that's good then you'll love it. No idea how much they would cost now, mine was about 300 10 years ago.
Edward
Re:Pilot Precise V5 (Score:3, Interesting)
Pencil -- Not pen... (Score:3, Interesting)
I would much rather have a pencil not only because it's eraseable (mentioned already), but because you don't need to worry about getting it on your clothes or it exploding. I would have to vote for the Cross Classic Century Pencil [cross.com]...
It's very comfortable, and lasts a long time. The only disadvantage is that it does NOT work as a small pry-bar...which is why I need to buy a new one ;)
Re:not a fountain pen! (Score:3, Interesting)
Using a fountain pen rather than a roller-ball is like using C++ or Java rather than VB. Sure if you're used to VB you'll create crap using C++/Java, but if you know how to use the tool the results and significantly superior.
Or it's the same as the difference between a Mac user and a PC user. The former values quality is prepared to pay for it, the latter doesn't and isn't. ;-)
Edward
Pilot VBall Extra fine (Score:5, Interesting)
I will die with one of these pens in my hands.
Re:Pencil = Good (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:not a fountain pen! (Score:1, Interesting)
Who doesn't like writing with liquid ink?
Perhaps you didn't have a good-quality fountain pen--I've used some which leak all over your pocket and your hands and your paper. The nib might take a little getting used to, but if you keep writing with it it will eventually mold itself to your writing style.
Now quills...that's a different story.
Re:Big Fat Mont Blanc (Score:2, Interesting)
In terms of best value, I tend to prefer Parkers - a Parker 55 fine point is unbeatable and can be picked up for $80. The Lamys the OPer mentioned are pretty good too.
As far as refill ink goes, I use Parker Quink that I pick up either at a local art supply store (Walzers) or from various places on the net (google to the rescue again).
I have a rather fine syringe (saved from Easter egg coloring kits for my kids) that I use to refill the cartridges with the ink & color of my choice. Although in light of the recent court decisions about refilling printer cartridges, this may not be an option
Re:not a fountain pen! (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:You can still handwrite? (Score:5, Interesting)
It's not just the physical act of writing that I can't do any more. Over a decade of using a word processor has led to me thinking in an "inside out" fashion about writing - I write say the main sentence of a paragraph, then add more before and after to fill in the rest of the point I'm trying to make. Or I write a document in a different order, perhaps writing the discussion first, then the background beforehand, then the conclusion then the introduction. Having a medium where you can't jump back and forth at will within the text, adding and moving at will, makes it almost impossible for me to compose a document by hand, unless I start off with one paragraph per page, written in the middle and take it from there, which means several drafts written out by hand before I get the final version.
When I need to hand write, for example a personal letter, I'll often write it out in a word processor, then hand copy it!
Re:Think Geek to the Rescue! (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:not a fountain pen! (Score:2, Interesting)
My Pelikan M800 Fine was very smooth out of the box, like it was supposed to be.
Arjen
Staedtler? (Score:2, Interesting)
From Deutschland. Vorsprung durch Teknik and all.
Re:Pencil = Good (Score:3, Interesting)
Has anybody tried these? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Think Geek to the Rescue! (Score:2, Interesting)
Comments on Cheap Pens from a UCLA Professor (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Space Pen (Score:3, Interesting)
But that Millennium pen... damn you, I just may have to spring for it.
link and viewpoint (Score:5, Interesting)
There was a related story (sorta) to this Why Johnny Can't Handwrite [slashdot.org] a few months earlier.
When I was in school, we had to do a buttload of writing. Then I came to college in mi. I think I did more writing in the 5th grade than I did in 3 years at college. If it wasn't on computer, I probably wouldn't touch it.
The only stuff was signing credit card bills at convenience stores and taking the odd note in class.
Now I've taken a break and am studying by myself(maths, phy, elec engineering). I finish a 160 page double side A4 size notebook in about 10 days. I've used up about quite a few of those notebooks(>30). Biggest problem here is not writing but motivation. But I digress.
My hands hurt too when I did that much writing but I am used to it now. You gotta take it slowly just like the gym regimen.
Writing is best done with a fountain pen, rolling ball or gel pens. If you are going to write a lot, ballpoint pens are the worst.
Ballpoints are made for convenience. The viscosity of the ink is what tires the palm and elbow faster than the the rest.
Whenever I buy a fountain pen, I buy extra nibs. If the nib is smooth, nice; otherwise I use fine sandpaper. Sometimes this works, sometimes not.
I use Hero pens( Hero [hisnibs.com]). Its pens and nibs are cheap. Availability is not a problem.
I've also used parker and schaeffer cartridge pens. Instead of buying new cartridges everytime, get a syringe and a nice ink bottle to refill the cartridges.
Rolling balls are nice but nearly everybody just uses and disposes them. It is actually possible to take the nib contraption out and refill its ink. Pilot makes rolling ball ink but its not sold in the states. Each of its 15 ml bottle is good for 8-10 refills.
Uniball's are decent too but not really suited for cursive writing.
---
Mont Blanc vs. other premium pens (Score:5, Interesting)
For the money, Mont Blanc pens tend to be ridiculously fragile, and repair costs range from $35 to $400+ (USD). Sometimes leakage is a result of improper pen storage and/or maintenance, but with Mont Blancs the problem seems to be suspiciously epidemic.
Don't take my word for it, but don't blindly trust the name either. If you have access to a fine pen shop, spend some time learning about the subject, then do the comparitive research. Imho, if you really want a pen that will last a lifetime, Mont Blanc is not the one.
Re:Think Geek to the Rescue! (Score:5, Interesting)
Depends on the gel pen. I now exclusively use the Pilot GTec C4 for my main writing. They're not cheap. CDN$2.99 per unit and I don't know of any USA source for them. You can only buy them in packs of ONE unless you are a supplier. (Thanks to my cousin I got a box of them for cheap.) You can get them at Staples in Canada and at numerous places in the UK and across Europe.
The advantages of these pens are:
- They actually do write a very very fine line. The rating is 0.2 mm and they actually do live up to it. I've seen a lot of pens that claim 0.5 mm and such but they write a very thick line. These C4's actually live up to the claim.
- No blotching at all. I am student and I have to write very quickly in lectuers. With my Sanford Uni-Ball Vision (micro-tip) pens (which are the best IMO in terms of reliability and overall feel) when I move my hand to the start of the next line, the ink was still slightly wet and it smudged. But with the C4, it dries VERY quickly. The only time I've had them smudge is when I deliberately tried to smudge them or got water on the paper.
The only problems are that the design of the lid is a little weak and if you like to play with the clip it can break off. ALso, when the pen is new the ink cuts off occasionally in the first couple of days. But after that it's very smooth, almost as smooth as the aforementioned Uniball Vision Micro.
Gel ink can be your best friend, as long as you find the right implementation.
Typewriter? (Score:2, Interesting)
Two years ago, however, I went on a sabbatical from computers. I had enough of CS and wanted to spend some time out and about with friends. After finding out that pen writing was a bad choice for me, I researched typewriters (the movie Naked Lunch helped quite a bit). A good old Royal typewriter can really do wonders and even make you want to write again.
I tried several typewriters, and gradually I learned what to look for in a typewriter.
1) Keyboard and button size, make sure they are comfortable. Same rules for a keyboard.
2) Availability of ribbon, does someone still make a replacement? I've had to respool several ribbons onto the old spools to make them work.
3) Weight of keys, how much force does it take to activate a key. I light a heavy key for its momentum, they leave a nice dark imprint, but it has to be balanced very well, otherwise it takes a lot of force to get it moving.
4) Key return, how fast a key returns to a safe or resting position, a quick return is good but can add more force.
5) The Mechanics, are the keys likely to hit each other while in action? Are they equally aligned both horizontally and vertically?
6) Physical Properties - A Heavy typewriter is good for home use. A later 70's plastic briefcase style typewriter might be a little better for travel, for when you want to write that novel or code at a coffee bar.
Every typewriter is a little different so it may take a while to find a good one. However, these days, its sometimes easy to pick one up for $5 or $10. Just hearing the clickity clack of the keys is enough to inspire one to write.
The Ion (Score:2, Interesting)
Makes for a good pocket pen, and it really confuses your friends when you hand it to them unopened.
Re:Uniball (Score:2, Interesting)
my only pencil is an Alvin. (Score:4, Interesting)
If ever you stuck the thing into a wall socket, I'd make you hold on to it.
If you get funny ideas about sticking me with some wimpy little pentel, just forget it.
Tell me some storries about graphite in disk drives. If you mess with MY drives, I'll crack you over the head with my Model M keyboard.
Re:Big Fat Mont Blanc (Score:2, Interesting)
It's a pen. Frankly, I had a "Big Fat Mont Blanc" and wasn't impressed. It didn't allow me to write faster, make my handwriting more legible, or make my message more intellectual, so I sold the silly thing on eBay. A fine automobile, on the other hand, is generally faster, handles better, and is potentially safer than a "second-hand Toyota." A Mont Blanc is a status symbol best used to impress middle management.
If someone walks into my office and takes my Bic, no big deal. I use the black crystal Bic for standard writing and a red crystal Bic for commenting on the work of others. They do the job well, and I never have to worry about where to find a refill.
Re:Think Geek to the Rescue! (Score:3, Interesting)
Oh, my fave pen? BIC "Stic", blue, medium point. Low drag without being "slippery", reliable performance, inexpensive (as little as 10 cents each), and easy on the hand. (Especially the new ones with the grippy area.) And no "fade".
Re:link and viewpoint (Score:2, Interesting)
I used the latter for a long time; it takes a bit of getting used to, but once you get into the rhythm of it, it's quite relaxing, quite fast, and you have the freedom to use really good (indian) inks. For a pen that's really easy on the hands, try a goose quill. It takes a much lighter touch than a modern nib, but it needs a hell of a lot of practice.
Having said that, I now mostly use a modern Mont Blanc fountain pen with Cross ink. The more common Parker "Quink" is yucky.
Re:not a fountain pen! (Score:2, Interesting)
1) Paper makes a big difference; you need good paper for fountain pens.
2) Good fountain pens write smoothly out of the box
3) Don't let others use your fountain pen too much
4) Use a biro for signing credit cards, payment slips etc
I use a Mont Blanc Meisterstuck (medium sized). My friend Steve (hi!) let me have a go with his about 14 year ago, and it was a revelation after the Parkers I had used until then. It cost two and a half times as much, but was incomparably better... I got one that evening and am still using it... (and yes, my hand does hurt)
Fisher Space Pen (Score:2, Interesting)
Writes in zero gravity/upside down, in freezing cold , under water but best of all...
Can fit inside your front pants pocket (for when your shirt has no front pocket).
Oddly enough, it was a Seinfeld episode that turned me on to these.