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The cheap pen that changed writing forever

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Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#101

Post by robocat »

ChuckMcM wrote: post #80
godelmachine wrote: post #29

Earlier 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…

My go to pen for years has been the Sarasa Zebra 1.0. I liked it so much and was frustrated when office supply stores didn't carry it that I bought a carton from a distributor (288 pens!) I doubt I'll run out, but they do dry out eventually.

> they do dry out eventually

Perhaps make a simple humidor? Or solvent-idor?

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#102

Post by Polylactic_acid »

enriquto wrote: post #16

The wording of this article is very strange. All references to fountain pens happen in the past tense, as if they did not exist anymore. Millions of people still use fountain pens every day. The author lives in a bubble of ballpoint users or what?

I'm not exactly deep in the fountain pen community but it looks like to me that fountain pens are the pen version of mechanical keyboards or mechanical watches. The ordinary person doesn't own one and would likely see no benefit from one but a bunch of enthusiasts continue to keep them going.

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#103

Post by sjs7007 »

falcolas wrote: post #55
zasz wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

One of my favorite fountain pens is the Pilot Varsity - it’s a disposable fountain pen. Lots of ink combined with one of the best nibs out there, no matter the price. There’s an entire set of users out there dedicated to figuring out ways to refill these so they can re-use the nib. I haven’t had a single one leak on me, either. They go for around $2 each.

This looks pretty interesting. Thanks for the tip!

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#104

Post by smabie »

ascar wrote: post #60
kaonwarb wrote: post #2

One 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...

On the other hand, using a fountain pen is incredibly frustrating and exhausting for left-handed people (in a left to right writing system). I had to unnaturally bend my hand above the line I wanted to write so I don't immediately smear the ink. Basically mimiking a right-hand draw position with the left hand while having your hand above the line instead of on the same level. It hurts. We were also forced to use it i…

Gotta learn that mirror script like da vinci

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#105

Post by harikb »

kaonwarb wrote: post #2

One 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 had a teacher who considered the mess it leaves on the front short pocket as payback for jumping/running around in school grounds - as sort of a sign of lack of discipline.

There was also a whole thing about rich vs poor in the classroom - the ones who still struggled with a leaking pen vs the one who always brought the fanciest ones. I went to public school, so I could see this right before my eyes. We did have school uniforms, but the pen and the lunch box were the only ones for the rich kids to show off.

Technology aside, the cheap and functional ballpoint pen did change the life in subtle ways for so many kids.

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#107

Post by wanderingstan »

chrisseaton wrote: post #4
kaonwarb wrote: post #2

One 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...

Right - ballpoint pens are horrible to write with and your writing will look terrible, but they are useful in an austere environment like a plane or outdoors, especially when they're the pressurised variant.

Ballpoint writing doesn't have to look terrible, it's just a different tool from a fountain or dip pen.

A few years ago I hit the front page of Reddit with my ballpoint writing: https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/969vta/i_practice_alp...

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#108

Post by ajmurmann »

dzonga wrote: post #53

write on paper first using pen, then type out the notes to computer. efficient and reinforces learning

It's also nicer in meetings, since it's obvious you are taking notes and really appreciating what's being said rather than being distracted by Slack

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#109

Post by GekkePrutser »

The bic caps are also great as makeshift plastic prybars to pry open electronics :P They get thicker along the clip so you can often use them to keep pressure and they don't cause 'bite marks' because they're made of really soft plastic.

Of course spudgers are a better tool for the job but if you don't have them to hand, an old credit card and a few bic caps are great :)

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#110

Post by godelmachine »

Wistar wrote: post #51
godelmachine wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks mate Just looked them up on Amazon and 1.6mm looks awesome!

Oh, it is. It can get a little clump of ink on the ball from time to time but that is a small annoyance in relation to the excellent writing feel and quality. It lays down a lot of ink.

How long does 1 last?

1 week?

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