The Best Ballpoint Pens for Fountain Pen Lovers
So you’ve made the jump to fountain pens! Like many fountain pen lovers, you probably made the big switch because of the smooth writing experience — and we don’t blame you! But today, National Ballpoint Pen Day, is a day to celebrate one of our other loves!
We recommend that everyone have at least one ballpoint pen that they just love to write with. Like it or not, there are some instances where fountain pens just won’t work, and you want to enjoy your writing experience no matter the occasion!
Ballpoint pens are especially useful when you are filling out those forms with multiple copies. They’re also just great for keeping in your pockets for long periods of time, and they require much less maintenance than fountain pens if you leave them in a coat pocket over the summer.
Another benefit of ballpoint pens is that the ink tends to last an exceedingly long time. If you’re used to refilling your fountain pen every few weeks, you’ll be amazed by how long you can write with a durable, high-quality ballpoint! Because of the viscous ink in most ballpoint pens, the pigment is easy to control, and pens often take a long time to dry out (even without a cap).
You can get refills for every ballpoint pen you can find at Phidon, so your new ballpoint is never a one-and-done deal and your quality ballpoint will last a lifetime with the proper care. Just like nib sizes for fountain pens, ballpoint refills come in a variety of sizes. Most brands make at least a fine and medium refill, but some brands also make broad and double-broad for the upmost smoothness. Just like fountain pens, the broader the tip, the more ink you will put on the page and the higher the quality of notebooks you’ll want to use. No one likes when a pen bleeds to the other side of the page, fountain pen or not!
If you’re a fountain pen lover looking to celebrate National Ballpoint Pen day, here are some of the best pens for you.
Parker Jotter
The Parker Jotter is by far one of our favourite ballpoint pens. You can recognize its classic profile immediately by its sleek design and distinctive arrow clip. Once you know the look, you’ll start to see them everywhere in TV shows and movies!
If the regular Quink Refill is not smooth enough for you, Parker also makes Gel Ink refills that just glide over the page. If you’re really not ready to give up the flowing strokes of your fountain pen, gel pens are an excellent middle-ground. Remember, a Parker refill is also the ballpoint pen equivalent of standard international size ink cartridges: though some brands use proprietary ballpoint refills (like Lamy and Caran D’Ache), many brands use the standard Parker size, meaning that you can interchange refills with barrels across brands to find your best writing experience.
Leuchtturm1917 Drehgriffel
Leuchtturm says that the Drehgriffel is not a pen, but a design object! The Drehgriffel has a unique twist mechanism to open and close the pen, and the barrel is slim enough to fit into tight pen loops, like the ones from Leuchtturm and Roterfaden. This pen is especially great for those who like a modern look, and it comes in so many colours to mix and match with your Leuchtturm notebooks.
Fisher Space Pen
The Fisher Space Pen is one of the best ballpoint pens simply for its story alone. Lefties and bullet journalers will especially appreciate how little the pressurized refill smears and smudges on the page. Once it’s hit the paper, it’s there for good, plus it can write wherever you need it: in extreme hot, in extreme cold, upside down, underwater, even in space!
Caran D'Ache 849
The ink flow on the Caran D’Ache Goliath refill is superb, and it comes in so many different colours and sizes. No matter which model you choose, you know that you’re getting a high-quality pen that will produce a smooth line every time. For a reliable ballpoint pen that can go wherever you go, we recommend the Caran D’Ache 849. In fact, it is one of the ballpoint pens that our staff members swear by! For an eco-friendly option, you can try the Nespresso pens, or for a pen with personality, try the Paul Smith 2020 special edition!
Retro51 Ballpoint Pens
For your comfort when writing, Retro51 pens are a bit thicker and heavier than the other pens on this list. These pens have a very classic design, and they even come in special editions that you can feel good about using. A portion of the proceeds from Elephant & Rhino #1 and Elephant & Rhino #2 goes toward ERP (Elephants, Rhinos, and People), an organization that helps to save these endangered animals of Southern Africa. A portion of proceeds from the Buzz pen, one of our favourites, goes toward the NW Honey Bee Habitat Restoration Initiative!
Bonus Choice: Pilot Frixion
The Pilot Frixion certainly isn’t as fancy as a fountain pen, but it sure is useful! The Frixion is an erasable pen — yes you read that right — that is perfect for students and journalers. Writing with a Frixion feels like writing with a felt-tip pen, and the included eraser will get rid of any mistakes by using heat. Just be sure to never leave your notes in a hot place because they will disappear!
What are your favourite writing instruments when fountain pen isn’t an option? Do you love rollerball pens, pencils, or ballpoints? Let us know in the comments, and happy Ballpoint Pen Day!