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how would you compare them with Gel Rollerballs ? [1] I am partial to the Parker rollerball refills - I use a Parker Chinese Laque Ambre - but do not want the

how would you compare them with Gel Rollerballs ? [1] I am partial to the Parker rollerball refills - I use a Parker Chinese Laque Ambre - but do not want the inconvenience of a fountain pen. I believe a rollerball is like the Nespresso to the fountain pen's espresso. Slightly worse - but much better than ball point pens. But the best part that I like about rollerballs is how you can get an expensive experience in a cheap pen. For example Mont Blanc refills can be hacked to fit a cheap G2 [2] [1] http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/241755-which-pen-company-makes-the-best-rollerball-refills/ http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/241755-which-p... [2] http://www.instructables.com/id/Save-$200-in-2-minutes-and-have-the-worlds-best-wr/ http://www.instructables.com/id/Save-$200-in-2-minutes-and-h...

kctess5 11y ago
I think your analogy is pretty good. I usually have a few loose g2s with me in case I run out of fountain pen ink in class. I find that gel pens sometimes make globs of ink, and that the lines aren't as nice as my FPs, but the writing experience is similar. I do like the solid weight and feel of my fountain pens though, which is often lacking in rollerballs. The weight of the pen is the only thing that holds it against the paper the way I write, so light pens can be annoying.
- sandGorgon 11y ago
  Ur right about the weight. And I believe that is what a lot of people complain about in a rollerball. Which is why I use my Parker Sonnet. A good heavier rollerball is the cool looking Retro 51 (which uses Parker refills).
gknoy 11y ago
I miss writing with fountain pens, and use gel rollerballs exclusively now (cheap, waterproof, I don't cry if I lose it, and the office has boxes of them). I like them well enough, and my writing is more legible ... but I really miss the experience of writing w/ a fountain pen. The feel is very different. If you're curious, one of the cheaper ($3-$4) disposable fountain pens (I think it was Pilot?) were a great introduction. When I first used one (on nice paper that didn't suck up all the ink into ugliness), it was amazing, even though I know there are better ones out there.
rwmj 11y ago
Japanese Gel Rollerballs are also excellent. The Uni-ball UM153S Impact Gel Rollerball 1.0mm Tip (made by the awesomely-named Mitsubishi Pencil Company) is my go-to pen for everyday writing.
- girvo 11y ago
  Excellent pen. My daily "driver" are the Uniball Jetstreams, a ball-point that writes like a gel rollerball. Amazing little pen, considering its $7.
- kctess5 11y ago
  Those actually look almost exactly like my pens of choice from the Google supply cabinets. They are very nice, I like them better than the more common G2 because the ink doesn't glob up as badly.

kctess5 11y ago

I think your analogy is pretty good. I usually have a few loose g2s with me in case I run out of fountain pen ink in class. I find that gel pens sometimes make globs of ink, and that the lines aren't as nice as my FPs, but the writing experience is similar. I do like the solid weight and feel of my fountain pens though, which is often lacking in rollerballs. The weight of the pen is the only thing that holds it against the paper the way I write, so light pens can be annoying.

sandGorgon 11y ago
Ur right about the weight. And I believe that is what a lot of people complain about in a rollerball. Which is why I use my Parker Sonnet. A good heavier rollerball is the cool looking Retro 51 (which uses Parker refills).

gknoy 11y ago

I miss writing with fountain pens, and use gel rollerballs exclusively now (cheap, waterproof, I don't cry if I lose it, and the office has boxes of them). I like them well enough, and my writing is more legible ... but I really miss the experience of writing w/ a fountain pen. The feel is very different. If you're curious, one of the cheaper ($3-$4) disposable fountain pens (I think it was Pilot?) were a great introduction. When I first used one (on nice paper that didn't suck up all the ink into ugliness), it was amazing, even though I know there are better ones out there.

rwmj 11y ago

Japanese Gel Rollerballs are also excellent. The Uni-ball UM153S Impact Gel Rollerball 1.0mm Tip (made by the awesomely-named Mitsubishi Pencil Company) is my go-to pen for everyday writing.

girvo 11y ago
Excellent pen. My daily "driver" are the Uniball Jetstreams, a ball-point that writes like a gel rollerball. Amazing little pen, considering its $7.
kctess5 11y ago
Those actually look almost exactly like my pens of choice from the Google supply cabinets. They are very nice, I like them better than the more common G2 because the ink doesn't glob up as badly.