I really love Marvy Le Pen. It glides smoothly on paper. It doesn't leak on an airplane. It's inexpensive and comes in many colors. I find I have to hold it almost perfectly vertically. Just out of FOMO I would be interested in knowing if there's anything better. From time to time I try something else but have never found one better.
The cheap pen that changed writing forever
41–50 of 193 posts
Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever
#42Earlier quoted context omitted.
>> pentel energel 0.7mm. Thanks for mentioning this I am currently on the lookout for new pen to make my standard usage pen. My prime requirement is that it should be 1.0mm, or at a minimal 0.7mm, since I love the thickness. Secondary requirement is that it should be smooth. I bought Baoke gel from Amazon and while I loved it a lot, was greatly disappointed to find it was of Chinese make. Am now searching for somethi…
> greatly disappointed to find it was of Chinese make. May I ask why, as it is not among your requirements? > Am now searching for something that’s of non-Chinese origin Any specific reasons?
I boycott Chinese products or anything made in China for the same ethical reasons which Shared404 cited.
Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever
#43This article rather misrepresents the social aspect of handwriting before ballpoint pens, as it ignores the use of dip pens and pencils. Oddly, there is an illustration of a dip pen rather than a fountain pen.
Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever
#44Earlier quoted context omitted.
Same, once I used one, there is no no going back. You can certainly go deep with ink and pens and whatnot, but you can buy a Lamy for cheap on Amazon and just stick with cartridges and still get a far superior result. If anyone feel like their writing is sloppy and avoid writing because of it, try a fountain pen.
For what it's worth, the consensus on /r/fountainpens and other fountain pen enthusiast sites is that you risk receiving counterfeit Lamy Safari pens when purchasing from Amazon. These fakes often have poor quality nibs and ruin people's first experience with fountain pens. The recommendation is to purchase a pen through a reputable dealer so you know that you are getting the real thing. There's a post here on Imgur…
This is true, most use https://www.jetpens.com/
More making the point that the barrier to entry is low considering Pilot makes a $3 disposable fountain pen. I suppose that would have been a better example.
Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever
#45One side effect not discussed here: how the shift to ballpoint pens increased hand strain [0]. Writing with a fountain pen is relatively effortless - not to deny it has several other drawbacks. I imagine this is part of why, as an elementary school student in France, I was required to write with only fountain pens. [0] https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/08/ballp...
I also write for long periods of time, and use a mechanical pencil with softer lead (2B). It doesn't replace a pen when you need a pen, but if you just want to avoid hand strain, this is another option.
I always use a pencil over a pen when ever I can. I write a lot outdoors and pens don't work in the rain. And there's also the story of pens and pencils in space I like.
Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever
#46Bic all the way. Lazlo Biro legend.
Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever
#47Earlier quoted context omitted.
My favorite pen is the pentel energel 0.7mm. It will write smooth dark lines just the right thicknes without blobbing or cutting out, and is the most effortless pen to write with. But yes, it does write at a higher angle than a fountain pen. I had a fountain pen years and years ago, and it was something you had to want to use. I can't help but think of it like vinyl records, straight razors and film cameras.
>> pentel energel 0.7mm. Thanks for mentioning this I am currently on the lookout for new pen to make my standard usage pen. My prime requirement is that it should be 1.0mm, or at a minimal 0.7mm, since I love the thickness. Secondary requirement is that it should be smooth. I bought Baoke gel from Amazon and while I loved it a lot, was greatly disappointed to find it was of Chinese make. Am now searching for somethi…
You may like the Bic Velocity. They are offered in medium 1.0 and, my favorite, bold 1.6mm. Very smooth and probably my favorite writing instrument. Everyone I have ever turned on to these pens have become fans. I prefer the blue ink but the black is just as smooth. Oh, and not of Chinese origin.
https://us.bic.com/en_us/bic-velocity-bold-retractable-ball-...
Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever
#48Earlier quoted context omitted.
>> pentel energel 0.7mm. Thanks for mentioning this I am currently on the lookout for new pen to make my standard usage pen. My prime requirement is that it should be 1.0mm, or at a minimal 0.7mm, since I love the thickness. Secondary requirement is that it should be smooth. I bought Baoke gel from Amazon and while I loved it a lot, was greatly disappointed to find it was of Chinese make. Am now searching for somethi…
You may like the Bic Velocity. They are offered in medium 1.0 and, my favorite, bold 1.6mm. Very smooth and probably my favorite writing instrument. Everyone I have ever turned on to these pens have become fans. I prefer the blue ink but the black is just as smooth. Oh, and not of Chinese origin. https://us.bic.com/en_us/bic-velocity-bold-retractable-ball-...
Thanks mate
Just looked them up on Amazon and 1.6mm looks awesome!
Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever
#49Earlier quoted context omitted.
The gel pens are my favorite, but I did enjoy using fountain pens in grade school - I just liked the way the result looked.
How anyone can enjoy writing with fountain pens is completely beyond me. They were the bane of my childhood.
Fountain pen technology has come a long way! I've never had any problems with leaky pens. You can get some very nice fountain pens for around $20 these days.
Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever
#50Earlier quoted context omitted.
My favorite pen is the pentel energel 0.7mm. It will write smooth dark lines just the right thicknes without blobbing or cutting out, and is the most effortless pen to write with. But yes, it does write at a higher angle than a fountain pen. I had a fountain pen years and years ago, and it was something you had to want to use. I can't help but think of it like vinyl records, straight razors and film cameras.
>> pentel energel 0.7mm. Thanks for mentioning this I am currently on the lookout for new pen to make my standard usage pen. My prime requirement is that it should be 1.0mm, or at a minimal 0.7mm, since I love the thickness. Secondary requirement is that it should be smooth. I bought Baoke gel from Amazon and while I loved it a lot, was greatly disappointed to find it was of Chinese make. Am now searching for somethi…
I have a Tombow Zoom[0] and I liked it so much I bought another, so now I have two. It's 0.5mm but it's a very bold line, especially on smooth paper like a Rhodia pad. It appears you can get 0.7mm cartridges for it too.
They are super classy and IMO great value for money. However they do have one problem, which may or may not affect you. The cap doesn't like to stay put on the back of the pen during robust use, e.g. sketching. This happens more with the silver model than with the black model for some reason.
For me it wasn't a show stopper, it just means I use different pens for bar sketching or, if I really want/need to use the Tombow, I remember to pocket the cap before I get going.
I'm also a big fan of the Energel though, just today I was marveling at how thin and precise its 0.5mm line is.
If you're into the Uni-Ball look I recommend trying the Eye, which you can get in Fine or Micro or Needle. I guess in the US it's called the Vision?[1] Might be too thin for you and the aesthetics aren't for everyone but the Micro is my go-to sketching-and-writing pen for when I'm out and about and might lose it. Works much better than the Tombow on toothy papers, like proper artist's drawing paper. They fit very nicely into many spiral bindings too.
Good luck with your search!
[0]: https://www.jetpens.com/Tombow-Zoom-505-META-Liquid-Ink-Roll...