ball point pens: Just wondering if anyone has found a decent ballpoint pen? I have bought several from Costco and Walmart and I have never found one that in dependable. You would think...

farwest Loc: Utah

Just wondering if anyone has found a decent ballpoint pen? I have bought several from Costco and Walmart and I have never found one that in dependable. You would think someone could make a pen that works it is so frustrating to be in the middle of filling out a document and it stops laying down ink.

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

Try Montblanc refill in any pen body that will take it.
Not cheap but no comparison
Montblanc body crazy expensive but refill is part that works

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

I haven't bought a ball point pen retail in years, as I now buy in bulk for advertizing. The Parker Jotter was always dependable. The pens I buy have a gel ink, and are quite smooth to write with and are very dependable. There are myriad pens out there by Parker, Cross and Pentel, to name a few.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I use Parker, Cross, Zebra F-301 (FINE point), and a Uniball 207 for checks.
Never a problem with any.
The Parker writes nicely on thermal paper from registers where many ball points won't.

DrAW45 Loc: Maumee Ohio

Yep - can’t get any better than Mount Blanc

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

farwest wrote:

Just wondering if anyone has found a decent ballpoint pen? I have bought several from Costco and Walmart and I have never found one that in dependable. You would think someone could make a pen that works it is so frustrating to be in the middle of filling out a document and it stops laying down ink.

Try Cross. Not too expensive, and refills are great and readily available. How photographic is this issue?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Sinewsworn wrote:

.... How photographic is this issue?

It's in "General Chit-Chat (non-photography talk)" category.

tramsey Loc: Texas

Tote1940 wrote:

Try Montblanc refill in any pen body that will take it.
Not cheap but no comparison
Montblanc body crazy expensive but refill is part that works

You have deeper pockets than I do if you are willing to pay 4 to 500 dollars for a pen or even 20 for a refill

BebuLamar

The Parker Jotter refill is reliable, price is kinda high but OK. I use it but not really like it. I like the Uniball Roller Ball Pen the most but it's not a true ball point pen like the Jotter.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

tramsey wrote:

You have deeper pockets than I do if you are willing to pay 4 to 500 dollars for a pen or even 20 for a refill

Haha,

My stainless Parker (T-Ball Jotter) is at least 30 years old...
And I still have my Parker 61. It has to be over 50 years old.

BebuLamar

Longshadow wrote:

Haha,

My stainless Parker (T-Ball Jotter) is at least 30 years old...
And I still have my Parker 61. It has to be over 50 years old.

My uncle had a set of Parker 61. My dad had a set of 51. My older sister had a Sheaffer fountain pen. He bought for me a set of 45 that included a fountain pen, a pencil and a ball point pen. I lost them many years ago. I have a parker Arrow fountain pen but I always have the ink dried out. I have a bottle of Quink ink.

sjb3

farwest wrote:

Just wondering if anyone has found a decent ballpoint pen? I have bought several from Costco and Walmart and I have never found one that in dependable. You would think someone could make a pen that works it is so frustrating to be in the middle of filling out a document and it stops laying down ink.

I was given a Cross ballpoint back in August of '09; I don't use it every day, but have always carried it in my shirt pocket. What I was most impressed with was how much time (literally years) went by before replacing the ink cartridge. It never skipped or smeared, either. Wouldn't be surprised if I end up passing it on after I've passed on (I'm 73!). Highly recommend a Cross Pen.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BebuLamar wrote:

My uncle had a set of Parker 61. My dad had a set of 51. My older sister had a Sheaffer fountain pen. He bought for me a set of 45 that included a fountain pen, a pencil and a ball point pen. I lost them many years ago. I have a parker Arrow fountain pen but I always have the ink dried out. I have a bottle of Quink ink.

Yea...

Who writes letters/notes with a pen anymore.
It's all emails and texts.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

sjb3 wrote:

I was given a Cross ballpoint back in August of '09; I don't use it every day, but have always carried it in my shirt pocket. What I was most impressed with was how much time (literally years) went by before replacing the ink cartridge. It never skipped or smeared, either. Wouldn't be surprised if I end up passing it on after I've passed on (I'm 73!). Highly recommend a Cross Pen.

We got them as work anniversary gifts at one place I worked.
My dad gave me two sets he had, I think I'm up to 5 or six sets now. Plus a Cross fountain pen I purchased separately.
The ARE nice pens (& pencils).
Stores near me don't seem to have the Cross pen refills in stock, only mail order, sometimes.
Luckily, Monteverde makes refills for the Cross pens. They're nice also,
and evidently not available much either......

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

farwest wrote:

Just wondering if anyone has found a decent ballpoint pen? I have bought several from Costco and Walmart and I have never found one that in dependable. You would think someone could make a pen that works it is so frustrating to be in the middle of filling out a document and it stops laying down ink.

I am not very particular about a pen. As long as it does what I need it to do. If I had to pick, I like the Rotring Core Series. They are not very expensive as each run about $45-$55 per pen. You can buy them in certain stationary stores and on line. The company discontinued this series.