Three workhorse ballpoints: The Gravitas Twist in Ultem; the Caran d’Ache 849 “Rollerball”, and the Caran d’Ache Infinite 888.

Ranking My Favorite Ballpoint Refills in 2022

November 12, 2022

Continuing my personal celebration of the ballpoint pen this week, I thought it might be fun to do something that I haven't done in a while: rank my favorite ballpoint refills. Despite what people may think, there’s actually quite a bit of variation between the different writing experiences available. Refills vary in terms of darkness, smoothness, and line width, though you’ll admittedly have a hard time finding the same range of bright colors as you can with gel pens. As my ballpoint usage has increased heavily in recent years, I’ve discovered some new favorite refills that I’d like to bring to the attention of ballpoint fans, especially those workhorse cartridges that don’t receive nearly the amount of attention they deserve.

Schmidt P900. At this year’s Washington D.C. Pen Show, I picked up one of the Gravitas “Twist” ballpoints in Ultem (which unfortunately does not appear to be available except in the standard clear polycarbonate finish). While most ballpoints that accept a Parker-style cartridge tend to ship with the Schmidt Easyflow 9000 (discussed further below), Ben Walsh includes the Schmidt P900F, which writes a finer, less “gloppy” line than the Easyflow. Sure, the latter is a smooth writer, but I prefer more precision. Lanier Pens on Amazon sells a four pack containing different colors in the F (.6mm) tip size, which costs just under $9. In addition to the Gravitas ballpoint, I now have these in all of my Baron Fig Squire pens.
Uniball Jetstream SXR-600. My second favorite refill, especially when I want to write small, is the Uniball Jetstream Parker-style cartridge in the .5mm tip size. (While it also comes in .38mm and .7mm sizes, the .5mm hits the sweet spot for me.) This particular refill lives in my Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball. Though an excellent writer, the downside is that the cartridge can be pricey, ranging from $5 - $ 8.50 apiece depending on where you buy them. A similar writing experience can be found in the Jetstream D1 refills, as well as the white-labeled D1 refills used in the Penco “Perfection” series of pocket ballpoint pens.
Caran d’Ache Infinite 888 “Swissglide”. For longer writing sessions, you can’t beat Caran d’Ache’s “Swissglide” refill, which is sold only in the Caran d’Ache Infinite 888 pen. True to its name, the Swissglide writes a darker, smoother line than Caran d’Ache’s signature “Goliath” cartridge, and it’s almost as long lasting. Though the refill is proprietary to this particular pen, the Infinite ballpoint costs a mere $6.25, and additional refills only $3.
Ohto Needle-Tip (Mark’style Tous les Jours and Traveler’s Brass Ballpoint). I’ve written before on how I love needle-tip ballpoint pens for working in my planners, and for making tiny marginalia and annotation when I’m reading. The Japanese Ohto refills (which I know are used in the Mark’style pens and which I suspect are used in the Traveler’s Pens) are among my favorites, behaving similarly to Jetstream ink yet offering even more precision for writing and drawing due to the needle-tip. These refills are also incredibly inexpensive and long-lasting.
Caran d’Ache “Goliath” (i.e., the proprietary Caran d’Ache 849 Refill). If you’re looking for a rock-solid ballpoint that lays down a medium wet, moderately dark line and can go for years without drying out, the Caran d’Ache “Goliath” is an excellent choice. While on the expensive side, they are durable, don’t dry out easily, and therefore tend to last for an extremely long time. Plus you get the comfortable hexagonal writing experience of the iconic Caran d’Ache 849 ballpoint.

Writing samples from all five pens listed here, including four colors of the Schmidt P900F.

Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Of the five refills discussed in today’s post, the “new discoveries” that I’ve enjoyed using the most are the P900F and the Swissglide. Both are inexpensive workhorses that should tempt even the most die-hard gel or rollerball fan, namely because they require much less pressure to write than your typical ballpoint.

Though maybe a touch dry for pages of longhand writing, for annotating books and taking notes on thin journal/planner paper, it’s hard to beat a needle-tip pen.

Another encouraging trend that has emerged over the past few years has been better Parker-style ballpoint options. Pens such as the Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball (which can transform into a “big 849 ballpoint”) and the Gravitas Twist both use this type of refill, as do many other kit pens and more generic ballpoints that people receive as gifts. The Schmidt P900 and Jetstream SXR-600 have not only allowed me to pull my “gift” pens - many of which have sentimental value - back into my regular rotation, but I’ve also converted many of my rollerballs because liquid ink rollerballs are among my least favorite writing options as they tend to bleed through everything.

The Schmidt Easyflow 9000 is a long-time favorite for many looking for a rollerball-like dark line, but in exchange for darkness you get smearing and a fair bit of “tip crud”.

Finally, why is the Schmidt Easyflow 9000 not on the list? Isn’t it the “best rollerball replacement option”? Not anymore, at least not to me. I personally find the Easyflow too oily, and it tends to gum up around the tip and leave streaks on the page. I consider both the P900F and the Jetstream to be superior options for pens that take Parker-style refills, but those who value “smoothness” above all else may still want to consider the Easyflow.

How about you? Is there a ballpoint refill option that I should be considering that doesn’t appear on this page? I’m interested, so leave a comment!

While this post does contain links to Amazon and other third parties, there are no paid affiliate links. The Gentleman Stationer is supported exclusively through purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Unfortunately, these Traveler’s Company ballpoints in the exclusive colors were exclusive pre-orders from the San Francisco Pen Show. If they sold well, hopefully they may be coming to the standard lineup?

My Annual Paen for the Ballpoint Pen

November 9, 2022

Now that we’re all fully saturated with fountain pen purchases and fountain pen-related content after last week’s Fountain Pen Day celebration, why don’t we talk about something a bit different? I often get asked, “If you’re not writing with a fountain pen, then what are you using?” The answer is that it’s almost always either a ballpoint pen or a pencil, with ballpoints stealing an increased role from the gel pens and rollerballs in my collection. Today I’ll discuss five reasons why I enjoy ballpoint pens, particularly for work-related writing and annotation.

Ballpoints are true “write anywhere” pens. If you need to get work done, and you don’t want to worry about the kind of paper you’re using, the ballpoint gives you the most versatility. For many, office copy paper is tissue-thin (like mine), and sometimes you’ll want to annotate something like a shiny-sheet magazine article or professional journal. Ballpoint is pretty much your only option.
Ballpoint ink dries quickly and offers permanence. Taking a lot of notes on documents where you need to flip through pages, and don’t want to worry about your fountain pen ink smearing? Not only does ballpoint ink dry near-instantaneously, but it’s also waterproof, which is why many in the medical and legal professions are actually required to use ballpoint pens on a daily basis in certain contexts.
Needle-tip ballpoint pens are excellent for annotation. I would say that half of the ballpoints I currently have in rotation are Japanese needle-tip ballpoints that I use to write in my Plotters (particularly the Mini-5 model), and to take notes in books that I’m reading. My number one recommendation for this category has always been the Traveler’s Company Brass Ballpoint and the arrival of my pen show special editions, pictured above, is actually what prompted this post. Smaller pens such as the Traveler’s ballpoint and the Penco Perfection series clip easily to a pocket notebook or paperback, allowing for portability and ease of deployment, but if you prefer something larger, consider any of the pens that use the Ohto needle-tip ballpoint refill, such as the Mark’style “Tous les Jours.”
Refills can last for years, and are relatively inexpensive. Though more expensive on a per-cartridge basis than fountain pen ink cartridges, ballpoint refills last much, much longer. (They similarly last much longer than liquid-ink rollerball refills, which I consider to be among the worst value propositions.) I currently have ballpoint pen cartridges that have been in use for years, with the “Goliath” cartridge in the workhorse Caran d’Ache 849 leading the way, and needle-tip pens using so little ink to the point that the refill in my first Traveler’s Ballpoint is still halfway full despite three years of use.
Ballpoint pens are largely distraction free. I say “largely” only because many ballpoints are click-pens, and the knock can serve as a fidget device both annoying and fascinating, but a ballpoint often allows me to focus on highly technical work or writing more than a fountain pen. Despite best intentions, it’s easy to find yourself more focused on the nib, ink, finish, etc. of a fountain pen than on the writing you’re actually doing. With a ballpoint, there just aren’t as many variables.

For all of these reasons and more, if someone asks me for a “nice pen recommendation” for a person who’s NOT already a known fountain pen user, that recommendation will almost always include one or more ballpoint options. As we enter the holiday gift season, it’s especially important to pay close attention to the needs of the person you’re buying for - while many of us love our fountain pens, they aren’t for everyone, and a nice ballpoint could be the best option for them. Stay tuned for more recommendations and discussion in the full holiday gift guide, coming later this month.

Ballpoint pens I’ve used over the past week, from left: The Caran d’Ache 849 (first two); Rotring 600 ballpoint, old Levenger edition; Studio Neat Mark One (with Schmidt Easyflow ballpoint refill); Bic Cristal; Caran d’Ache “Infinite” ballpoint, which I actually consider one of the biggest steals on the market right now; the Lamy 2000 ballpoint, and my two new Traveler’s pens.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by sales through the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon program. If you’re interested in shopping for a quality ballpoint pen for yourself or a gift recipient, we’d appreciate your support!

Pen Review: Opus 88 Minty Fountain Pen

November 5, 2022

I’m not sure if you could call Opus 88 fountain pens a “guilty pleasure” of mine, but they’ve certainly taken on a much larger role in my personal pen rotation over the past few years. From the time I first discovered the ebonite + acrylic Koloro demonstrators, to recently when I’ve been partial to the larger Omar and Jazz pens, I’ve been enamored with the high-capacity Japanese-style eyedropper filling system, which previously was only widely available in extremely high-end urushi and maki-e pens from companies such as Danitrio. Recently, Opus 88 has been expanding their lineup to include pens with more of a focus on design, incorporating different materials and color combinations that has enhanced the brand’s appeal and turned Opus 88 into a major player in the $90-200 price segment. The pen I’m reviewing today, the Opus 88 “Minty” fountain pen, is one of those recent releases.

Design and Build

Last week I posted some photos of the Opus 88 Minty in my post revisiting the Aurora Optima, since these pens share a common design profile, which I would characterize as a “streamlined flat-top.” It’s a classic, vintage-inspired design that, at least to me, never gets old, especially when paired with materials such as the “cracked ice”-style acrylics that Opus 88 chose for this pen.

The Opus 88 Minty comes in two colors: “Light Green” and “Orange”, which despite their names I would characterize as more of a teal blue and a coral/salmon, respectively. They’re beautiful colors, especially the orange. I also like the double band of color on the finials.

As an acrylic pen, the Minty is lightweight despite its relatively large size. Surprisingly, when placed next to the clear Opus 88 Demonstrator (pictured below), the Minty is only ever-so-slightly shorter, yet due to the streamlined design it feels much more compact in the hand. It also features a longer concave grip section, with shorter, more compressed threads that don’t interfere with my grip when writing. In fact, I hardly ever feel them.

While most of the Opus 88 fountain pens that have been transparent demonstrators, the Minty has an ink window to offer visibility into your ink supply.

What is a Japanese-style eyedropper? You fill the pen with ink directly into the barrel, and operate the end cap like a piston to open/close a valve that allows ink to flow to the nib. This system prevents leaking and ink burping that sometimes plagues eyedropper pens, especially during travel.

Writing Experience

Opus 88 offers an exceptionally good writing experience across the board, and I don’t think I’ve actually had a poor experience with any of their pens (though some of their designs work better for my hand size and shape than others, from a comfort perspective). This particular model is a great workhorse, suitable for longer writing sessions, not just due to the large ink capacity but the rounded shape. The tapered barrel allows you to post the pen, and even though it’s longer, it’s so light you don’t notice the extra weight.

While some might consider the Opus 88’s stainless steel JoWo nib unremarkable, in my opinion it’s a fine selection for a pen at this price point, and as discussed below, it adds versatility to the pen that leaves it open to modification, if you so desire. JoWo nibs themselves are rock-solid writers, and if you’ve been in the pen hobby for any length of time you’ve probably started to accumulate at least a handful of different JoWo-threaded units that you can swap between pens.

Overall Versatility and a Note on Modifications

Though I don’t recommend pen modifications to anyone unless you’re willing to accept responsibility if something goes wrong, one of my favorite aspects of the “Opus 88 experience” is the versatility. Like the Opus 88 Omar and Jazz fountain pens, you can swap out the stock Opus 88 JoWo nib with any other JoWo nib unit, or one of the JoWo compatible housings from Flexible Nib Factory, which allow you to use nibs from other brands such as Platinum, Pilot, Sailor, and more. (The green Minty pictured here features a Pilot PO (”Posting”) nib that I appropriated from a stock Custom Heritage 912 purchased years ago.) Another modification I’ve played around with is removing the clip, which gives you the option of creating a more streamlined pen. Again, proceed with any modifications at your own risk, as it definitely (and justifiably) voids your pen warranty.

On my orange Minty, I left the extra-fine JoWo stainless steel nib in place. The green one I outfitted with a Pilot PO nib using a replacement nib housing purchased from Flexible Nib Factory.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

The Minty is a welcome addition to the Opus 88 lineup, and I hope Opus 88 does more with this shape/model going forward, perhaps in other materials and with a clipless option. I liked this particular pen so much that after Opus 88 sent me two samples for review, I inquired about adding this model to the Curated Shop, and I’m happy to have a handful of these pens available for sale. They fit the profile of exactly what I’m looking to carry going forward: well-built, versatile workhorse fountain pens that won’t break the bank.

Please note that we are continuing our Fountain Pen Day sale and promotions/giveaway through the weekend! Until tomorrow (November 6, 2022), take an additional 10% off your order using the coupon code “FOUNTAINPEN” at checkout, and receive a complimentary ink sample with all fountain pen purchases, including the purchase of any Opus 88 fountain pen.

Several new Opus 88 eyedropper fountain pens that I have in for review. Please stay tuned!

My Favorite Style of Pen: A Second Look at the Aurora Optima Fountain Pen

November 2, 2022

Since this coming Friday is Fountain Pen Day, it’s only appropriate that both of my main posts this week be devoted to, well, fountain pens! Today’s post is less a full review than a further observation based on several years of heavy use. Back in 2016 I reviewed the Aurora Optima, on loan from my friend Thomas. While I enjoyed that pen, it was a bit out of my price range at the moment and I didn’t end up picking one up until a couple of years later, when I added the green Auroloide version pictured here. I wanted to take a moment today to remark not only on how much I have enjoyed the Optima, but in particular the shape.

Sailor Pro Gear Imperial Black (left) compared against the Aurora Optima. These two share a similar profile.

If you’ve followed the blog over the years, you likely know that I have several pen models that are personal favorites, including the Lamy 2000 and the Sailor Pro Gear. If you add the Aurora Optima and the Opus 88 Minty (a recent addition) into that mix, you’ll also notice a trend: I apparently favor a streamlined flat-top design, mostly in pens that post.

Why do I like this shape so much? As with all things fountain pens, it’s largely a matter of personal preference. “Postability” plays a huge role: Most days I’m running between meetings in different offices and conference rooms, writing perched on different chairs and sometimes even on a bench in the back of a courtroom or leaning against the wall in a crowded conference room. I can’t really worry about what I’m going to do with the cap of my fountain pen.

But a lot of what I enjoy about this pen design is personal in the sense that the shape fits my hand better than nearly every other style. With both the Lamy 2000 and the Pro Gear, the pen fits my hand best posted; the Optima sits in the midrange size-wise, at a point where I can generally use it either posted or unposted; and the Opus 88 is more on the upper end of the range, where I can post it if necessary (it’s very light), but when I’m at a desk or at home I find the size perfect unposted.

The Opus 88 Minty (left) and the Aurora Optima (right)

Takeaways and Where to Buy

If I found myself in a position where I had to choose a single model of fountain pen to use forever, never purchasing another pen ever again, chances are that it would likely be one of the pens pictured here. A primary goal of my writing here at T.G.S. has been to encourage people, when making a purchasing decision, to look beyond the aesthetics of a pen or piece of stationery to how well it will work for them in everyday use. While pens like the stock Aurora Optima or Lamy 2000 may not be the most visually exciting from the perspective of today’s FOMO, limited-edition driven market, they have staying power among fountain pen aficionados for a reason: they’re well-built workhorses that will let you write comfortably, for long periods of time.

An overhead comparison of four pens with a similar classic shape.

You can purchase the Aurora Optima pictured here from most Aurora dealers, as it’s the standard green model with gold trim. I picked this one up from Dan at The Nibsmith, who doesn’t appear to have this particular color in stock at the moment, but our friends at Dromgoole’s do have it priced at $476. The Lamy 2000 and Sailor Pro Gears are also widely available at retail, generally priced at around $200 and $300-$350, respectively. For a similar look in a larger pen, you might consider the Opus 88 Minty (which we do sell directly), a Japanese-style eyedropper that not only holds a LOT of ink, but sits in at the $125 price point. I plan to review the Minty separately at a later date.

Pen Review: Nahvalur Nautilus Ebonite Fountain Pen

October 5, 2022

Last week, I looked at the Nahvalur “Original Plus,” the updated vacuum-filler version of the Nahvalur “Original” fountain pen, and this week I’ll turn my attention to what is fast becoming Nahvalur’s “flagship”: the Nautilus fountain pen. Originally released under the Narwhal branding - with some current models still featuring the “Narwhal” engraving and logo on both the nib and cap band - the Nautilus has been around for a few years but recently has gained traction following a series of special editions and pen show exclusives in unique ebonites. The two pens I’m looking at in this post include a pen show exclusive that I received in Atlanta (the blue striated limited edition, numbered 205/400) and the “Stylophora Berry” release that I picked up in D.C. at the Nahvalur table.

Nahvalur Ebonite Striations — Two different ebonites: striated blue (left) and “Stylophora Berry” (right).

Design and Build Quality

The Nautilus has received quite a bit of attention since its release due to its distinctive looks, which are plainly inspired by its namesake, the famed submarine from Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. (RIP best Disney ride ever.) Nautical motifs predominate, including a torpedo/submarine shape, an engraved “waves” pattern on the cap band, and three “porthole” ink windows, which I consider more of a design flourish than anything else. The “portholes” can sometimes struggle to let in enough light to offer great visibility on the ink supply, but it’s still a cool visual touch nonetheless.

Nahvalur Nautilus Porthole Design — The porthole ink window and engraved cap band (still showing Narwhal branding, as this pen was released prior to the rebrand).

By far, my favorite aspect of the Nautilus fountain pen is Nahvalur’s use of premium ebonite in striking striated patterns. Why do I enjoy ebonite as a material for fountain pens? For starters, it feels solid in the hand - lightweight yet sturdy, with a warmth that acrylics and resins sometimes lack. You get a lot of visually interesting variation in the material that exudes some of the vintage vibe you get from celluloid or cellulose acetate without the price premium that those materials command.

Writing Experience

Given its shape, the Nautilus obviously doesn’t post. Nonetheless, this is a well-balanced pen that’s incredibly comfortable to write with, even for extended periods of time. Like the Original Plus, the nib on the Nautilus is smooth and requires very little pressure to write. The dark blue Nautilus pictured here initially featured a round double-broad (BB) nib with a lot of tipping - not usually my cup of tea - and while it wrote well out of the box, I chose to have it ground to a “Mini-Naginata”-style nib by C.Y. of Tokyo Station Pens. It’s of course now an excellent writer. My Stylophora Berry Nautilus (the purple pen) has a standard Nahvalur fine nib, and while it definitely writes on the broader side for a “fine”, the consistently wet line makes for a pleasant writing experience.

Nahvalur Nautilus Nib — The engraving on the nib is the same as on the Original Plus, though both of these Nautilus pens have rose gold nibs and trim. As a general observation, Nahvalur fountain pens tend to feature a fair bit of tipping, making them excellent platforms for nib customization (especially in the “B” and “BB” nib widths).

Since it’s a piston filler, the Nautilus holds a lot of ink, making it a writer’s workhorse. I’ve had one of these pens in rotation at any given time since late Spring, and I’ve especially enjoyed using them in my journals for longer sessions at night and early in the morning. Larger, unique pens like the Nautilus tend to be a bit too “conversation-piece-y” for my office environment, but I have taken them to work with me, and there’s absolutely no reason why you couldn’t rely on this pen as your daily driver. I will note that for whatever reason, I’ve found that ebonite pens don’t necessarily travel well in that they tend to burp ink in response to air pressure and temperature changes more than other types of pens. If you’re looking for a pen to take on an airplane, go with the Original Plus, which features a shutoff valve.

Nahvalur Nautilus Writing Sample — Writing samples for the Nahvalur Nautilus standard fine nib (top) in Wearingeul Metamorphosis, and custom-ground BB nib (bottom) in Anderillium Colossal Squid Dark. The Anderillium “Cephalopod” ink series seems like a great match conceptually for these pens. Writing sample is on Life Noble Note paper in grid layout.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

One reason why I love the Nautilus is that there’s nothing quite like it currently on the market. If I had to choose a “peer” pen, I would compare it to something like the Opus 88 Jazz or Omar (with a slight price increase to account for the piston and the premium ebonite), and the standard Leonardo Momento Zero with a steel nib. I would avoid calling any of these pens direct “competitors,” because they are extremely different aesthetically, and Nahvalur pens definitely have their own unique visuals and writing feel.

You can really see the unique pattern in the ebonite on the sections of both pens.

As Nahvalur has grown as a company and expanded its retail presence, the Nautilus lineup has likewise expanded and can now be found at most Nahvalur retailers. The T.G.S. Curated Shop currently stocks the Nahvalur Nautilus in the aubergine “Stylophora Berry” ebonite pictured here, priced at $160. There will be more versions joining in the near future. As I’ve mentioned before, one of the major things I look for when deciding to bring new items (and especially pens) into the shop is value, and after six months of regular use, the Nautilus continues to impress at this price point. Any time a company releases a unique-looking ebonite piston filler under $200, they have my attention, and I look forward to seeing what Nahvalur has in store for this particular model in the future.

Nahvalur Nautilus Size Comparison — A size comparison, showing two Nahvalur Nautilus fountain pens with, from left, the Nahvalur Original Plus in Gold Ocellatus, a TWSBI 580, and a Schon DSGN full-size.

Disclaimer: The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of select Nahvalur Fountain Pens, including the Nahvalur Original Plus and Nautilus “Stylophora Berry” pictured here. While I acquired the Stylophora Berry with my own funds, I did receive the blue “Pelagia Noctiluca” for review purposes, free of charge. This post does not contain third-party affiliate links.

Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Design and Build

Writing Experience

Overall Versatility and a Note on Modifications

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Further Reading on Opus 88

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Further Reading on the Aurora Optima

Design and Build Quality

Writing Experience

Takeaways and Where to Buy

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