Hacking Ballpoint Pens: The Monteverde Capless Gel Refill Review

If you’re like me, and are known throughout your immediate and extended family as “the pen guy,” then you have a collection of ballpoint pens that people have given you over the years as gifts.  Some or all of them may be monogrammed or personalized in some way, making them nearly impossible to pass on or sell (setting aside, for the moment, the difficulties in selling gifts that often have sentimental value).    

Case in point:  when I graduated from law school, I was given a Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique ballpoint, with the platinum trim.  It’s a beautiful pen, if you’re into the Montblanc black and platinum/gold aesthetic.  It’s engraved with my initials, fits nicely in my hand, and is extremely comfortable to write with.  The only problem is that I hated the standard Montblanc ballpoint refill.  I found that it skipped a lot and didn’t leave a dark enough line for my taste.  Plus I found the refills obscenely expensive, costing $12 or more (unless you buy them in bulk, which I couldn't justify, seeing that I dislike the way they write).  

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Montblanc Classique Ballpoint with Platinum Trim

Enter Monteverde.  Many people may not know this, but Monteverde manufactures a line of “capless” gel refills that fit ballpoint pens from many manufacturers, including Montblanc.  I’ve outfitted the Classique with the fine blue/black Monteverde refill, and I’ve also upgraded a Parker jotter using Monteverde's Parker-compatible gel refill.  Both are great pens, and they now appear in my rotation on a weekly basis.  

One word of caution:  Monteverde’s quality control can be inconsistent.  For example, I have a Waterman retractable ballpoint that I also wanted to convert into a gel pen.  A couple years back, I purchased some of the “Waterman-compatible” gel refills and they simply didn’t fit, despite there being no visible difference from the standard Waterman refill.  Apparently, the Monteverde refill had an ever-so-slightly larger diameter, so somebody must've gotten the measurements wrong at the factory.  (The store I purchased them from ended up allowing me to exchange them for the standard Waterman ballpoint refill, which is actually pretty decent.) Amazon reviews are also mixed.  There are complaints about the Monteverde refills being scratchy, drying up, leaking, and running out quickly, though I have to say that has not been my own experience. (Note:  if you are used to writing with a ballpoint pen, gel refills WILL run out quickly if you write a lot.  There was one complaint from someone who claimed that he wrote a full page by hand every day and was surprised that the gel pen ran out after a month.  That’s par for the course, in my experience.)  In general, take Amazon reviews with a grain of salt—my personal favorite was a one-star review because the refill “does not fit fake Montblanc pens.”  

I have had nothing but good experiences with the Monteverde refills.  I’ve gone through two of them, and each has lasted me a fairly long time when used for light note-taking.  For a pack of 6, they are much less expensive than a standard Montblanc-branded refill.  They also come in blue-black (my favorite) in addition to the standard black and royal blue.

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Monteverde Softroll Ballpoint Refill (Parker-compatible) in my Maxmadco Bolt-Action Stainless Steel Pen.

If gel pens aren’t for you, Monteverde’s “softroll” ballpoint refills are also quite nice.  I have the blue-black refill in my Maxmadco stainless steel retractable pen, and I’ve enjoyed it.  The company even makes a Lamy-compatible refill.

My Five Best Fountain Pen Inks for Everyday Writing

UPDATE: A new version of this “Top Five” list was published on February 26, 2020. Check out the post “Daily Writers: The Best Fountain Pen Inks for Daily Use.”

Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed an explosion in the number of fountain pen inks on the market.  Six years ago, when I first picked up my pen again after a long hiatus, the main players with any sort of color variation in their ink lines were Noodler’s and Private Reserve. For us corporate drones, bottles of staid (and somewhat boring) inks such as Parker, Waterman, and Pelikan 4001 could still be found on the shelves of big-box office supply stores.  Today, the big box stores have more or less abandoned fountain pens entirely (except for disposables and super-cheaps), but the overall landscape has completely changed:  I now count 10 readily available brands of fountain pen ink in my desk drawer alone.  Great, right?  But a major drawback is the paralysis of choice and the potential for overwhelm.

I like to shuffle colors in and out of my pens, but there are five or so inks that I keep coming back to for everyday writing.  By “everyday,” I mean writing at work on cheap copy paper, in my pocket notebooks, and taking notes while I read.  With the exception of one recommendation, most of these inks are readily available and relatively inexpensive.  

1. Sailor Kiwa-Guro Nano-Black. Expensive, yes; however, the price has come down a bit lately, and this Japanese workhorse will get the job done anywhere, even in a Moleskine. It’s pigmented ink, so just remember to clean your pens out regularly. Some might balk at paying this much for black ink, but given how long a bottle of ink lasts me, it’s not really a consideration. The versatility of this ink makes it a useful travel companion.

2. Waterman Serenity Blue/Florida Blue. I’ve sung the virtues of this ink before, as it made my list of “Best Blue Inks for the Office.” Want something that’s nice to look at, writes well on any kind of paper, won’t turn any heads, and is inexpensive? Try this.

3. Pilot Blue-Black. Another great ink that’s typically only available in cartridge form in the U.S., though you can easily order it from Japan off eBay or Amazon (in the big 350ml bottles, too). Like Waterman blue, Pilot Blue-Black dries quickly and works well on most papers, but you also get some nice shading and red sheen when the ink dries.

4. Diamine Oxblood. Ever wish you had a red ink that was dark enough to use for everyday business correspondence? Pick up a bottle of Oxblood. Like the vast majority of Diamine inks, it plays nice with most pens and different grades of paper. When it comes to my personal favorite readily available red ink, it’s a toss-up between Oxblood and . . .

5. Sheaffer Skrip Red. With its classic fire-engine hue, it’s my favorite “true red” ink. Skip Red is probably one of the few bright red inks that doesn’t stain, and can be considered “safe” to use in most vintage pens (though I’d still advise you to be careful with lighter colored celluloids or demonstrators).

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This list reflects my own opinion. There are an infinite number of “top five” lists floating around out there, but people love recommendations, so here are mine.  What I need from an ink on a day-to-day basis is probably different than what someone else wants, but if this list can be helpful to even a few people out there, it adds value.  This list also shouldn't be confused with my "favorite inks of all time," because that list will include things such as limited editions and vintage inks (and is on the way).  

Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku Tsuki-Yo

I don’t know what’s taken me so long to write up a review of this ink. I’ve had this bottle for over three years: it was the first Iroshizuku ink that I purchased, back when you could only get this ink stateside from Jetpens, and it’s remained one of my favorites.  Unfortunately, I let it languish in the back of my ink cabinet, covered up by some other bottles of ink that I later cleared out. Despite a year or so of non-use, I used this ink so much early on that the bottle is just half-full!

I’ve reviewed many other Iroshizuku inks on the blog.  For those new readers, Iroshizuku is Pilot/Namiki’s “luxury” line of fountain pen inks, offering colors outside the somewhat restrictive blue/black/blue-black range sold under the Pilot moniker.  When it first came out, Iroshizuku was regarded as expensive, and sold for approximately $30 per bottle (which is still its official MSRP), though you can get it for around $24 street price [Updated for 2023].

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Iroshizuku Tsuki-Yo both wet and dry.  The name "Moonlight" strikes me as fitting.

One of my favorite things about Iroshizuku is the name that Pilot/Namiki gives each ink.  Though only the Japanese name appears on the bottle, most stores also provide the English translation (which I assume is accurate and comes directly from Pilot).  Tsuki-Yo translates to “Moonlight.”  The ink, when wet, appears as a rich blue-black, but when it dries fades somewhat to a dark teal, and hints of blue-green emerge.  On certain papers, and when you are writing with a wet nib, you get some pretty good red sheen.

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Tsuki-Yo writing sample on Nock Co. Dot-Dash Index Card.

Like all Iroshizuku inks, Tsuki-Yo dries quickly and doesn't smear.  On cheaper paper, and on some index cards, you will get slight feathering and bleedthrough when using a very wet fountain pen nib.  For this writing sample, I used a Nock Co. Dot-Dash index card, and you can see some feathering where the ink pools at the bottom of downstrokes on certain letters.  I've started using this ink again at work (where I typically use fine and extra-fine nibs), and I haven't had any problems.

Other Reviews of Iroshizuku Tsuki-Yo

Azizah at Gourmet Pens has some awesome writing samples in various nib widths, which really show off the shading of the ink and the sheen.

Ian over at PensPaperPencils reviewed the ink as well, and names Tsuki-Yo as one of his favorite dark blue inks.

Ed Jelley has an extensive handwritten review that includes comparisons with other inks.

Some Other Iroshizuku Inks I've Reviewed

If you like the look of Tsuki-Yo, then you may want to check these out:

Iroshizuku Asa-Gao:  "Morning Glory."  A nice bright blue ink.

Iroshizuku Yama-Budo:  "Wild Grape."  An ink that blurs the line between crimson, magenta, and purple.  A unique color that I love.

Iroshizuku Kon-Peki:  "Deep Azure Blue."  An ink that didn't stick with me.  I sold this bottle, but I find myself missing this ink.  So it goes.  I may pick up another bottle after I finish one of the myriad bottles of blue ink that I have lying around.

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A half-full bottle of fountain pen ink?  Can you believe it?  Must be good...

As of 2023, The T.G.S. Curated Ship is able to offer you Pilot pens and inks directly, including the entire Iroshizuku lineup. We currently carry the 50ml bottles of ink, priced at $24. The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We no longer participate in third-party affiliate programs.

My Five Best Pencils for EveryDay Writing

Editor’s Note: I recently updated this Top Five List! Be sure to check out My Five Best Pencils for Everyday Writing, Five Years Later!

2015 was the year of the pencil for many, and I was no exception.  Due in part to the efforts of pencil-pushers like the folks at C.W. Pencil Enterprises and Pencils.com, high-quality woodcase pencils are more available than ever (though they may be more expensive than when we were kids).  Without further ado, here are my top five pencils that I enjoy for everyday writing: 

1. Palomino Blackwing 602. Palomino’s resurrection of the classic Eberhard Faber pencil looks great and has what I consider to be the perfect balance of point retention and darkness. I’ll also include the Blackwing Volumes 211 here, because it uses the same core. The 211 is perhaps my favorite purchase from the past year, but it’s a limited edition, so it can’t merit it’s own place on a Top-5 list.

2. Palomino Forest Choice. My personal favorite of the natural-finish pencils ends could be called the frugal man/woman's version of the Blackwing Volumes 211. At $2.95 for a dozen, it's a fraction of the cost. (Literally, you get a dozen pencils for the cost of one Blackwing.) The wood on the Forest Choice also develops a nice patina with long-term use. Some people find the core a touch scratchy, but I personally prefer a little grit in my graphite.

3. Dixon Ticonderoga (Made in China). What used to be the flagship U.S.-made #2 pencil, that most of us (well, at least those of us above the age of 25) learned to write with in school. Dixon has now moved production to China and Mexico, but the quality is still there—you just have to look a bit harder. The graphite used in the Chinese version (typically sold at Target) is pleasantly dark and soft, as opposed to the Mexican graphite which I find harder and extremely scratchy, even for me.

4. General’s Semi-Hex. My favorite of the last American-made yellow #2s, and it's getting a bit harder to find. I reviewed these a while back. Some might find the graphite gritty, but again, that's my preference. I especially like the "semi-hex" rounded edges, which are much more comfortable than the rather sharp hexagonal edges of pencils made by Musgrave, such as the Musgrave Test-Scoring 100 and the Palomino Golden Bear (made by Musgrave).

5. The Original Palomino HB. My “gateway drug” into nice pencils, and the first pencils that I ordered where I paid more than $10 for a dozen. The Palomino is the whole package: a dark core, aromatic cedar smell, thick lacquer on the wood, and an excellent eraser.

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Writing Sample for my Top Five Pencils:  the classic Palomino HB wins on softness/darkness, though the Forest Choice and Blackwings are close.  Sample on Doane Paper.   

Honorable Mention

I can’t justify placing the Caran d’Ache Swiss Wood and the Caran d’Ache Black Wood in the “Top 5” due to a combination of cost and availability, but I love these two pencils and use them all the time.  If you’re a true pencil geek, they’re both worth checking out! Update: You can now purchase Swiss Woods and a selection of other high quality pencils directly from T.G.S.

Disclaimer: This post does NOT contain third-party affiliate links, though I do sell certain pencils referred to in this post via the T.G.S. Curated Shop. If you enjoy the content on The Gentleman Stationer, please consider purchasing directly from us, where possible, or supporting us on Patreon. My goal is to make this website entirely independent and self-sustaining going forward.

State of the Blog, a New Year's Giveaway, and the Top 5 Posts of 2015!

I'm a big believer in taking a day or two at the end of the year to take stock of where things are: what went right, what didn't go so hot, and most importantly, where you want to take things in the future.  This blog is no exception.  Overall, I'm very happy with how things are going.  I feel blessed to have an absolutely amazing group of readers that grows every week, which is really all any writer can ask for.  Even though it often takes me longer than I'd like to respond to your comments and e-mails, I read every one of them, and am honored that you take time out of your busy days to read what I've written.  This blog also has become more or less self-sustaining, meaning that I can pay my hosting fees while still generating some meager affiliate/ad revenue to keep products coming in the door for review.  For 2016, I want to keep things going in the right direction. 

So what does this mean for you?  One of my biggest fears is that I'll produce boring content and/or simply re-review products that too many people already have reviewed to death, without offering any sort of unique perspective.  That's where you all come in. This year, in exchange for leaving a comment on this post containing a suggestion for a new article or review, you'll be entered into a giveaway for a special secret "grab bag" of products.  Most of these are products that I've been sent or that I've purchased throughout the year for review, and just don't have the room to keep.  I'm not going to tell you what's in the box, but trust me, it will be good.   As always, subscribers to my e-mail list will automatically be entered into the giveaway.  

And now, I give you the five most popular Gentleman Stationer posts of 2015:  

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1.  My Review of the Conid Bulkfiller Minimalistica.  Following this year's Atlanta Pen Show, I made a conscious decision to streamline my pen collecting and focus on custom-made pieces.  Conid's new lower-priced entry, featuring its proprietary "bulkfiller" filling system, is perhaps my favorite (and apparently you all like it too). 

2.  Franklin-Christoph Eyedropper Mania. Another post-Atlanta Pen Show piece. (I guess I should go to this show every year!)  I have both of these pens inked and sitting right here in front of me, filled with Sailor Apricot (the Model 65) and Iroshizuku Tsuki-Yo (the Pocket 66).  I really don't ever get tired of looking at these pens, and the Masuyama nibs are fantastic.   

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3.  Bung Box Blue-Black.  2015 was certainly the year of limited-edition ink craziness, and Bung Box led the way.  The 4B is a gorgeous color. 

4.  My "Tier One" pens. Episode 164 of the Pen Addict prompted more than one of us bloggers to draw up our own "Tier One" and "Tier Two" Pen lists.  I'm a list junkie writing for other list junkies, so it didn't really surprise me that this post was in the top 5. 

5.  Top Five Fountain Pens for Less Than $75.  We'll see whether TWSBI's new Vac Mini eventually cracks this Top 5, but the availability of a solid pen in the $25-75 price range continues to pose a challenge, and the pickings are slim.  

I also didn't want to close out the year without sharing some personal favorites with you.  I definitely had the most fun testing and writing about mechanical keyboards--which is perhaps my nerdiest obsession ever--and I think I've finally found the keyboard that makes writing on a computer fun again.  (Review forthcoming, I won't spoil the surprise.)  I also really enjoyed visiting and recapping both the Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Pen Shows, where I got to hang out with fellow bloggers and enthusiasts for several days.  Both are definitely on the list this year.

Thanks again, and best wishes for 2016!

Joe