5 ms·

That's a very nice pen and I get the appeal. However, I've recently discovered Uni Jetstream pens, and I don't see ever buying anything else. There are nicer pe

That's a very nice pen and I get the appeal. However, I've recently discovered Uni Jetstream pens, and I don't see ever buying anything else. There are nicer pen bodies out there but I've never used a pen that does a better job of putting ink on paper, reliably, every time, without ever skipping in the slightest, not requiring any significant pressure, working on every kind of paper, and drying instantly. For me, it writes as nicely as my fountain pens but with all the convenience of a ballpoint. They're also about $3 each, depending where you buy them, so they're dirt cheap as far as nicely-working pens go.

joshvm 1y ago
Jetstreams are great. Worth pointing out that you can buy refills in various form factors, including Parker style that'll fit the Rotring 600: https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-SXR-600-Jetstream-Ballpoint-Pen-Refill-0.5-mm-Black/pd/25439 https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-SXR-600-Jetstream-Ballpoint-Pen-... I also recommend the 800 mechanical pencil which has a very satisfying twist-retract tip.
- kstrauser 1y ago
  Why? Why would you do this to me? Sighs and busts out the credit card. Edit: it’s on its way. Curse you.
- dillydogg 1y ago
  The discovery of the jotter style refill led me down a path of trying many different inks for my Rotring 600. I ended up liking the OHTO ceramic rollerball quite well, partly for the ink, and also for the appearance of the nib, which I think suits the Rotring 600 nicely
anthonyko 1y ago
Also a big fan of the Uniball, perviously was using Signo DXs, but have switched over to the Uniball One. I think that slightly thicker barrel helps with my handwriting. Also love the wire pocket clip. https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-One-F-Gel-Pen-0.5-mm-Faded-Green-Body-Black-Ink/pd/33269 https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-One-F-Gel-Pen-0.5-mm-Faded-... I do like the Rotring pencils over the pens, but still prefer Uni as I feel less bad about losing a Uni Kuru as it is cheaper and still has knurled grip. Also has a fun rotating lead. https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Kuru-Toga-Roulette-Mechanical-Pencil-0.5-mm-Silver-Body/pd/6548 https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Kuru-Toga-Roulette-Mechanical-Pe...
- kstrauser 1y ago
  Those are very nice! I like the Uni Jetstream RT: https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-Jetstream-RT-Ballpoint-Pen-0.7-mm-Black/pd/39668 https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-Jetstream-RT-Ballpoint-Pen-... It feels really nice to write with. I also have a Kuru Toga I picked up at a neat little stationery store on vacation, but I was reminded when I got home that I don't care for writing with pencils. Should that change, there it is waiting for me.
- ryanchants 1y ago
  I've picked up each color of the new metal body Kuru Toga, and they are an extra level of extravagance on an already perfect pencil: https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Kuru-Toga-Metal-Mechanical-Pencils/ct/7453 https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Kuru-Toga-Metal-Mechanical-Penci... Pigma Microns and Uniball One are my go-to pens. Previously it was Signo DXs as well. I think I prefer the barrel of the DX, but the wire clip and general appearance of the Uniball sold me.
Brajeshwar 1y ago
I agree that, even though the Uni Pens write well, they look a tad uglier than their counterparts. I like rOtring’s heavier feel. I write with a fountain pen at most times when I’m at my desk but I always carry much simpler gel/ball pens. My daughters and I have settled on all sorts of rOtring and we are loving it.
cobalt 1y ago
have you tried pentel EnerGel?
- kstrauser 1y ago
  I haven’t! Tell me what you think about it.
  - jmhammond 1y ago
    Imagine writing smoothly like butter as clouds part and angels sing. Unfortunately, it’s not water safe, but it’s great. My favorite feature is that it dries REALLY quickly, so I can left-hand without smudging.
    - kstrauser 1y ago
      The water safety is what nudged me off fountain pens and back to ballpoints. I use a bullet journal and don’t want water to wash it all away. I know you can get fountain inks that are more resistant, but at that level of finickiness, I’d rather just carry a lower maintenance ballpoint, and the Jetstream is good enough that I don’t miss my other lovely pens. PS: One time a reporter asked me what I thought of a particular food, and I described it as snacking on the wings of angels sent to earth for our dining pleasure, and they quoted me. My wife reminds me of this often. Edit: Here’s the quote: https://www.removepaywall.com/search?url=https://omaha.com/momaha/blogs/is-a-wedding-legit-without-creme-cheese-mints/article_f082e53b-6850-5318-8f79-86c2cdf83a43.html https://www.removepaywall.com/search?url=https://omaha.com/m...
- layer8 1y ago
  Not the GP but I have (BL77), and much prefer the Jetstream.
- youniverse 1y ago
  +1 to EnerGel and the RSVP which are my two daily drivers.
xeonmc 1y ago
You can buy a Uniball One-F (the premium body) and put Jetstream refills in there as a drop-in replacement. Note though that for longevity in engineering notebooks I don’t like to use Jetstreams because of the yellowing seepage problem over time. But for everyday throwaway writing this setup is the ideal best of both worlds.
- ethersteeds 1y ago
  Since you're kindly offering recommendations, what do you use for longevity in engineering notebooks?
  - bayindirh 1y ago
    If you want a low maintenance option, your best choice will be fade-proof pigment inked systems. From top of my head: - UniBall Eye / Vision Elite's Red, Blue, Black and Green (look for fade-proof / water-poof note, or SuperINK) - Sakura / Faber Castell / Rotring pigment inked, felt tip markers (Look for Archival Ink / Fade Resistant) If you prefer fountain pens: - Pelikan 4001 blue black (which is not sold in the US) - Rohrer & Klinger's Iron Gall inks (scribosa, ebony, etc.) - Noodler's "Bulletproof" series cellulose reactive inks. - Lamy Blue Black - Lamy Crystal Benitonite - Montblanc Permanent Blue / Permanent Black I'm sure there are many more, but these are the ones I know and had experience with. Always use an acid-free higher quality paper. Leuchtturm 1917, Rhodia, Yu-Sari, Mnemosyne comes to my mind. Do NOT use Moleskine notebooks with fountain pens. They are not designed for fountain pens.
    - sevensor 1y ago
      > Do NOT use Moleskine notebooks with fountain pens. They are not designed for fountain pens Or for hard use in general. Well over priced for the quality of the paper and bindings.
      - bayindirh 1y ago
        What bothers me is, their notebooks were fine when they first came to market. I still have their old, filled notebooks with great bindings and paper, with spotless ink retention, incl. fountain pens. They gradually reduced their quality, and created a “higher, more expensive tier” to offer their previous quality. Leuchtturm 1917 is a world apart when compared to today’s Moleskine.
lelele 1y ago
What variant of Uni Jetstream pens? Because here are a few: SXN-150, SXN-210, etc. Thank you.
- lars_francke 1y ago
  I've been using SXN-210 for over a decade and I love them.
  - layer8 1y ago
    Same here. I tried a lot of different pens and these are still the best.
- waynesonfire 1y ago
  I had a similar issue. I like the SXN-210, it has a removal cap and 1.0mm tip size. I got a box of 12 for a few bucks from Amazon, here is the link since it's hard to search by model, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002LD1NK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002LD1NK
- kstrauser 1y ago
  This is what I’ve been using: https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-Jetstream-RT-Ballpoint-Pen-0.7-mm-Black/pd/39668 https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-Jetstream-RT-Ballpoint-Pen-... Although lately I’ve been using this multipen: https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Jetstream-3-Color-Ballpoint-Multi-Pen-0.7-mm-Dark-Black-Body/pd/9908 https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Jetstream-3-Color-Ballpoint-Mult... It’s nice having 3 colors of ink available, and it’s not that chunky blue thing we had in elementary school.
agos 1y ago
the Uni Jetstream and Power Tank carried me through university. Nothing I've ever tried comes close.
navigate8310 1y ago
Oh if you like Jetstream, you'll love Uni Zento even more

joshvm 1y ago

Jetstreams are great. Worth pointing out that you can buy refills in various form factors, including Parker style that'll fit the Rotring 600: https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-SXR-600-Jetstream-Ballpoint-Pen-Refill-0.5-mm-Black/pd/25439 https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-SXR-600-Jetstream-Ballpoint-Pen-... I also recommend the 800 mechanical pencil which has a very satisfying twist-retract tip.

kstrauser 1y ago
Why? Why would you do this to me? Sighs and busts out the credit card. Edit: it’s on its way. Curse you.
dillydogg 1y ago
The discovery of the jotter style refill led me down a path of trying many different inks for my Rotring 600. I ended up liking the OHTO ceramic rollerball quite well, partly for the ink, and also for the appearance of the nib, which I think suits the Rotring 600 nicely

anthonyko 1y ago

Also a big fan of the Uniball, perviously was using Signo DXs, but have switched over to the Uniball One. I think that slightly thicker barrel helps with my handwriting. Also love the wire pocket clip. https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-One-F-Gel-Pen-0.5-mm-Faded-Green-Body-Black-Ink/pd/33269 https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-One-F-Gel-Pen-0.5-mm-Faded-... I do like the Rotring pencils over the pens, but still prefer Uni as I feel less bad about losing a Uni Kuru as it is cheaper and still has knurled grip. Also has a fun rotating lead. https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Kuru-Toga-Roulette-Mechanical-Pencil-0.5-mm-Silver-Body/pd/6548 https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Kuru-Toga-Roulette-Mechanical-Pe...

kstrauser 1y ago
Those are very nice! I like the Uni Jetstream RT: https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-Jetstream-RT-Ballpoint-Pen-0.7-mm-Black/pd/39668 https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-Jetstream-RT-Ballpoint-Pen-... It feels really nice to write with. I also have a Kuru Toga I picked up at a neat little stationery store on vacation, but I was reminded when I got home that I don't care for writing with pencils. Should that change, there it is waiting for me.
ryanchants 1y ago
I've picked up each color of the new metal body Kuru Toga, and they are an extra level of extravagance on an already perfect pencil: https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Kuru-Toga-Metal-Mechanical-Pencils/ct/7453 https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Kuru-Toga-Metal-Mechanical-Penci... Pigma Microns and Uniball One are my go-to pens. Previously it was Signo DXs as well. I think I prefer the barrel of the DX, but the wire clip and general appearance of the Uniball sold me.

Brajeshwar 1y ago

I agree that, even though the Uni Pens write well, they look a tad uglier than their counterparts. I like rOtring’s heavier feel. I write with a fountain pen at most times when I’m at my desk but I always carry much simpler gel/ball pens. My daughters and I have settled on all sorts of rOtring and we are loving it.

cobalt 1y ago

have you tried pentel EnerGel?

kstrauser 1y ago
I haven’t! Tell me what you think about it.
- jmhammond 1y ago
  Imagine writing smoothly like butter as clouds part and angels sing. Unfortunately, it’s not water safe, but it’s great. My favorite feature is that it dries REALLY quickly, so I can left-hand without smudging.
  - kstrauser 1y ago
    The water safety is what nudged me off fountain pens and back to ballpoints. I use a bullet journal and don’t want water to wash it all away. I know you can get fountain inks that are more resistant, but at that level of finickiness, I’d rather just carry a lower maintenance ballpoint, and the Jetstream is good enough that I don’t miss my other lovely pens. PS: One time a reporter asked me what I thought of a particular food, and I described it as snacking on the wings of angels sent to earth for our dining pleasure, and they quoted me. My wife reminds me of this often. Edit: Here’s the quote: https://www.removepaywall.com/search?url=https://omaha.com/momaha/blogs/is-a-wedding-legit-without-creme-cheese-mints/article_f082e53b-6850-5318-8f79-86c2cdf83a43.html https://www.removepaywall.com/search?url=https://omaha.com/m...
layer8 1y ago
Not the GP but I have (BL77), and much prefer the Jetstream.
youniverse 1y ago
+1 to EnerGel and the RSVP which are my two daily drivers.

xeonmc 1y ago

You can buy a Uniball One-F (the premium body) and put Jetstream refills in there as a drop-in replacement. Note though that for longevity in engineering notebooks I don’t like to use Jetstreams because of the yellowing seepage problem over time. But for everyday throwaway writing this setup is the ideal best of both worlds.

ethersteeds 1y ago
Since you're kindly offering recommendations, what do you use for longevity in engineering notebooks?
- bayindirh 1y ago
  If you want a low maintenance option, your best choice will be fade-proof pigment inked systems. From top of my head: - UniBall Eye / Vision Elite's Red, Blue, Black and Green (look for fade-proof / water-poof note, or SuperINK) - Sakura / Faber Castell / Rotring pigment inked, felt tip markers (Look for Archival Ink / Fade Resistant) If you prefer fountain pens: - Pelikan 4001 blue black (which is not sold in the US) - Rohrer & Klinger's Iron Gall inks (scribosa, ebony, etc.) - Noodler's "Bulletproof" series cellulose reactive inks. - Lamy Blue Black - Lamy Crystal Benitonite - Montblanc Permanent Blue / Permanent Black I'm sure there are many more, but these are the ones I know and had experience with. Always use an acid-free higher quality paper. Leuchtturm 1917, Rhodia, Yu-Sari, Mnemosyne comes to my mind. Do NOT use Moleskine notebooks with fountain pens. They are not designed for fountain pens.
  - sevensor 1y ago
    > Do NOT use Moleskine notebooks with fountain pens. They are not designed for fountain pens Or for hard use in general. Well over priced for the quality of the paper and bindings.
    - bayindirh 1y ago
      What bothers me is, their notebooks were fine when they first came to market. I still have their old, filled notebooks with great bindings and paper, with spotless ink retention, incl. fountain pens. They gradually reduced their quality, and created a “higher, more expensive tier” to offer their previous quality. Leuchtturm 1917 is a world apart when compared to today’s Moleskine.

lelele 1y ago

What variant of Uni Jetstream pens? Because here are a few: SXN-150, SXN-210, etc. Thank you.

lars_francke 1y ago
I've been using SXN-210 for over a decade and I love them.
- layer8 1y ago
  Same here. I tried a lot of different pens and these are still the best.
waynesonfire 1y ago
I had a similar issue. I like the SXN-210, it has a removal cap and 1.0mm tip size. I got a box of 12 for a few bucks from Amazon, here is the link since it's hard to search by model, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002LD1NK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002LD1NK
kstrauser 1y ago
This is what I’ve been using: https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-Jetstream-RT-Ballpoint-Pen-0.7-mm-Black/pd/39668 https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-Jetstream-RT-Ballpoint-Pen-... Although lately I’ve been using this multipen: https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Jetstream-3-Color-Ballpoint-Multi-Pen-0.7-mm-Dark-Black-Body/pd/9908 https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Jetstream-3-Color-Ballpoint-Mult... It’s nice having 3 colors of ink available, and it’s not that chunky blue thing we had in elementary school.

agos 1y ago

the Uni Jetstream and Power Tank carried me through university. Nothing I've ever tried comes close.

navigate8310 1y ago

Oh if you like Jetstream, you'll love Uni Zento even more