EDC pen ink… what do you like?

[Pnut]

Most of my pens use Parker style refills. I’m a fan of gel inks. I like the gels because of the smooth and effortless writing. So far, the best I found are the MONTEVERDE GEL refills. I like the broad tip in blue/black color. The color is a dark blue.

There are a few drawbacks to these gel inks. The first is that they don’t last very long. When they start to go, they start skipping. Also, on hot days, the ink can starts gumming up at the tip. The ink is a little slower to dry on paper and will run if you get the paper wet.

I’ve tried the Parker brand gels, but I’m not a fan of the lighter shade of blue and they tend to skip a lot. I’ve also tried the SCHNEIDER GELLION + and they are descent. They write smoothly but the blue ink isn’t as dark as the MONTEVERDE and the lines aren’t as thick… it’s a good ink if you like finer lines.

Any other recommendations?

[vcdgrips]

For my Parker jitters, I like the Schmidt p900 refills in gel.

Having said that, I also like my Zebra Sarasa gel pens as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Zebra-Pen-Sarasa-Retractable-Barrel/dp/B08Q3CRJQH/ref=sr_1_7?crid=KRVU44DNUV3P&keywords=zebra%2Bsarasa%2Bpens&qid=1698621151&sprefix=Zebra%2B%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-7&th=1

PS if smoothness is really driving the train, then a migration to particular paper and a fountain pen may be in order.

[Up1911Fan]

I'm usually a Fisher space pen guy. I've used them in Hinderer and Blackside Customs pens.

[Eric_L]

The fisher space pen refills will fit into a Parker. They make blue and you can get it in “broad”, which is probably equivalent to a 1 mm ball. Amazon.

[jeep45238]

Fisher space pen insert in a Zebra, or one of the Fisher bullet pens are my go to if a fountain pen isn't on the menu for the day.

[vcdgrips]

An additional data point re “best pens” from the Wirecutter. When they were independent and published by the NYT there were better I think. Having said that now that the “article” is owned by the NYT they are still a solid starting point.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-pen/

[JTQ]

I've used a lot of the economy GEL pens, but I'm not much of a fan. Most GEL's I've used have smeared quite a bit and the balls tend to slide on the paper rather than roll. Most have also bled through paper, even though no-bleed through is often one of their advertised benefits. The very popular Pilot G2's seem particularly sloppy. I am a short time into using some Sharpie S-GEL pens and they seem to be OK, so far.

In the liquid ink world, I generally like Uni-Ball roller balls as their ink smears less than others.

For ballpoints, I usually have a Parker Jotter handy, but their new (has it been 20 years?) Quink ink, seems a little sloppier than their old ink, though it is faster. I also have several Fisher Space pens, and a Bullet pen rides in my pocket daily. Fisher's ink is a little sloppy too, but they are handy to have. At some point I looked up the size of the Parker and Fisher balls, and while I can't remember exactly what they are, Fisher's medium is a little wider than Parker's medium, so in comparable point sizes, the Parker will have a slightly finer point.

[vcdgrips]

Re the ubiquitous G2- IMHO at least a bit overrated on every vector- price, color, smoothness, smeariness etc.

Pentel Energel is better in every way and can even be had in a wide bodied, all metal version if that is your jam. Indeed, the vast majority of the "plastic" pens mentioned below, can almost always be had in a metal bodied version for a more tactical/professional/better looking "deployment." If not an OEM branded pen, at least the refill.

If you really want to geek out on all manner of gel/ball/liquid ink pens ( and fountain pens too) I give you "Jet Pens." You have been warned.

https://www.jetpens.com/?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqP2pBhDMARIsAJQ0Czq_dAHEuqC78xQ3cK6D oPaz5p_Gm3E2SW_EUG9D5CclQwNHZBwPLIAaAvuIEALw_wcB


https://www.jetpens.com/blog/The-42-Best-Pens-for-2023-Gel-Ballpoint-Rollerball-and-Fountain-Pens/pt/974

[camsdaddy]

I like the Schmidt Easyflow 9000. I think its called a hybrid ballpoint. I find they dont skip and they write darker than a standard ballpoint. I also find that they write a lot longer than the gels with less smudge. I like Fisher refills and have Jotters with fine and medium refills. I change them out as I take a notion. I honestly wish I could find a refill for my jotter that writes like a Zebra F301 but thats a discussion for another day.

[Chuck Whitlock]

I am a short time into using some Sharpie S-GEL pens and they seem to be OK, so far.

I have gravitated to the S-GEL pens in blue for work. They write nicely, aren't expensive, and easy to source.

On my own time, I have an aviator pen in my pocket. I rarely do more writing than sign a receipt or check off a grocery list.

https://www.amazon.com/SKILCRAFT-Aviator-Multi-function-Medium-7520-01-564-9906/dp/B001KKPGHQ/ref=asc_df_B001KKPGHQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167152767982&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17078797364207303009&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028142&hvtargid=pla-310881475861&th=1

[Pnut]

Question for the Schmidt fans… I wanna give them a try, but don’t know which to choose. What’s the difference between the different Parker style refills? They have the P900, P900 SOFTLINE, and the 9000 EAZYFLOW?!?!

[camsdaddy]

Question for the Schmidt fans… I wanna give them a try, but don’t know which to choose. What’s the difference between the different Parker style refills? They have the P900, P900 SOFTLINE, and the 9000 EAZYFLOW?!?!

The 900 is oil based. The 9000 is a hybrid that is sort of like a gel and sort of like an oil base. Im not familiar with the Softline. I copied and pasted the following "The Softline should essentially just be an easyFLOW that retains more of its original oil-based ballpoint characteristics such as a higher viscosity (thus more grip/resistance) and greater performance on waxy/glossy paper. But, truthfully I never really cared to try the P900 so all I can offer is my product info knowledge instead of personal anecdotes" I may want to check it out

[Cool Breeze]

any rollerball that is in a metal-like refill (dupont / monteverde / etc.) has dried up on me fast. They are expensive and waste of money IMHO. Uniball 307s have also dried up on me. Pilot G2s write horribly and are "goopy."

Pentel Energels are great. The normal blue is also waterproof despite not saying as such. I've heard good things of Sarasa as well. The refill size is incredibly ubiquitous - find a pen you like, ditch the refill if you don't like it, and install one you do.

[Casey]

I'm incredibly finicky about, well, most things, but pens especially. I absolutely love the Pilot Juice gel pens. Smooth-writing, not goopy like the G2, available in a few different tip sizes (I find 0.5mm to be the best balance of not being too bold to allow for writing small while not being so fine it feels scratchy), and you get some pen nerd cred because it's not a pen that's in very common use in the US.

Refills available at JetPens (https://www.jetpens.com/Pilot-LP2RF-Gel-Pen-Refill-0.5-mm-Black/pd/10268).

I carry a BIGiDESIGN Click Pen (https://bigidesign.com/collections/pens/products/ti-click-edc-pen), which is adjustable to fit tons of different refills.

[Pnut]

I picked up some Schmidt 9000 Parker style refills, medium tip in blue. I’ll add a pic comparing it with the Monteverde gel and the Schneider Gellion +.

I personally like the Monteverde the best. I like the dark blue color, broad lines, and smooth feeling when writing. The Schneider is good, but the lines aren’t as broad and the blue isn’t as dark. The Schmidt is also nice, but also not as broad and dark. The Schmidt has a little more drag than the gel inks too… not as much as a regular ball point, but not as smooth as a gel. These are just my personal preferences.

110855

[vcdgrips]

Color and "broadness" vary from brand to brand. Most mediums are not as broad as something marked "broad" regardless of who makes them.

In broad strokes (pardon the pun,) anything Japanese tends to be a little less broad that a european counterpart i.e. a Japanese fine point is finer than a German one.

In terms or broadness, the only way to have an apples to apples comparison correctly/measured/marked pens by mm size. i.e .5mm point v .7 etc.

[Boxy]

Come back to standard US Government Skilcraft pen.

[vcdgrips]

Story of the Skilcraft Pen

https://nib.org/sites/default/files/pen/pen-index.html


Source to buy

https://www.amazon.com/Skilcraft-Government-Retractable-Point-7520-00-935-7135/dp/B0055KSNYK/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=521274477044&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9023226&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7164364393958851758&hvtargid=kwd-299603525653&hydadcr=5370_9616380&keywords=skilcraft%2Bpen%2Bus%2Bgovernment&qid=1698803322&sr=8-1&th=1

[Dark Star Gear]

Pilot Hi-Tec C and the Juice up, both of which are a roller ball available in a range of colors and sizes. I use them in a Big Idea Design clicky body and they've been the longest pen I've carried. I prefer a fine tip, 0.4mm or less, and these last the longest and write the best.

[Shawn Dodson]

My favorite EDC pen is a Parker Jotter.

I use the standard Parker QUINKflow refill.

I used to religiously use blue ink but changed to black after several issues in which black ink was required for signing documents.

[vcdgrips]

Parker Jotter is a great pen. I am a particularly fond of the all steel versions. Perhaps that absolute intersection of nice enough to keep track of, not a tragedy if it is lost, borrowed or stolen. I ALWAYS back up a fountain pen in court/class/training with either a Parker Jotter or the aforementioned all metal bodied Zebra Sarasa.

The all steel Parker Jotter travels extremely well, both domestically and internationally as a “tactical” pen relative to many others, particularly those designated as “tactical.”

[JTQ]

Parker Jotter is a great pen. I am a particularly fond of the all steel versions. Perhaps that absolute intersection of nice enough to keep track of, not a tragedy if it is lost, borrowed or stolen.
I've always preferred the plastic barrel Parker Jotter's, but agree, the Parker fit into that good pen, but one I don't obsess over niche. It seems as if that niche is going away, at least among ball point pens. In today's prices, that would probably fit into the $10 - $20 price range. There are lots of cheap ball points available for under $10 and then there are the "everyday" nicer pens that are in the above $50 range, but that nice, but not too nice ballpoint seems to be a vanishing breed. The low end Fisher pens may be the last of this group.

The basic Jotter with the plastic barrel and steel around the tip seems to have disappeared leaving only the all metal barreled options. Parker seems to want to move into the IM line. The PaperMate Profile pens have been gone for probably more than a decade and PaperMate doesn't even offer refills for them, and Bic's "high end" clicker, the Citation is also long gone. Those were the "Big 3" I usually had on hand, back in the 1980's, rather than use those Government pens linked above.

[vcdgrips]

The Sub 15 Dollar Click Pen Sweet Spot- Prices/Sellers are illustrative and not necessarily bottom dollar. Multipacks are sometimes available and can really drive the per unit price down. Inks can be ball/gel/hybrid etc.
FWIW, I have used all the pens below in Court, Class (Legal and otherwise), Training (Legal and otherwise) with satisfactory results.

Parker Jotter 9-14USD
https://www.jetpens.com/Parker-Jotter-Ballpoint-Pens/ct/2052?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7oeqBhBwEiwALyHLMznlaDhqZOmmMOQUZ1tn qPab94ziu0wi4JKmUtPsD5I4JY293kr3_hoCP44QAvD_BwE

Zebra Sarasas 9ish USD
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097FGBY86/ref=twister_B099SY3MX6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Pilot Acroball 13ish USD max
https://www.amazon.com/PILOT-Acroball-Ultra-Premium-Refillable-Retractable/dp/B082MQKMJH/ref=sr_1_2_pp?crid=1S0IONHNASI7Y&keywords=pilot+Acroball&qid=1698855297&s=office-products&sprefix=pilot+acroball%2Coffice-products%2C151&sr=1-2

Pilot Energel 5-11 USD
https://www.amazon.com/EnerGelTM-Alloy-Medium-Turquoise-Barrel/dp/B0026ZPWZA/ref=sr_1_1_pp?crid=3JKNYSST31G41&keywords=Pilot%2Benergel&qid=1698855381&s=office-products&sprefix=pilot%2Benergel%2Coffice-products%2C144&sr=1-1&th=1


All Black and Metal Zebra 750 (think Zebra 701 on steroids) 8ish USD
https://www.amazon.com/Zebra-Pen-Retractable-Barrel-49811/dp/B08XS7GKCM/ref=sr_1_13_sspa?crid=6Q6YRHPXX7CH&keywords=Zebra%2B701&qid=1698855621&s=office-products&sprefix=zebra%2B701%2B%2Coffice-products%2C130&sr=1-13-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

[RoyGBiv]

I've been very happy with the performance of Pentel EnerGel...
I'm using the disposables currently, but, they make refills as well.
I also found I prefer the 1.0 over the 0.7mm, but both have been good for me.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DBG046E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And very UN-happy with made-in-Mexico Zebras ... lasted me maybe a month each. Terrible.

[Archer1440]

My EDC pens are Pilot Capless (Vanishing point) fountain pens which I run with Pilot Iroshizuku inks. They fly without leaks, write exceptionally smoothly and are strongly constructed- just in case one finds themselves in need of a slightly vicious stabby thing.

[1911Nut]

Parker Jotter with Fisher Space Pen Black Medium refills.

[camel]

Parker Jotter with Fisher Space Pen Black Medium refills.

I have had good success with this

[Pnut]

Gel ink observation… although I prefer using gel inks, I’ll only use them for notes, journals, etc. Because the ink tends to run if it gets wet, I avoid using them for signatures or other important documents.

[LtDave]

These right here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0824W61QR?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

OHTO Flash Dry Gel. Apparently only in black, at least via Amazon.

[ragnar_d]

Gel ink observation… although I prefer using gel inks, I’ll only use them for notes, journals, etc. Because the ink tends to run if it gets wet, I avoid using them for signatures or other important documents.

That was what made me move away from gel inks. I had some water get spilled on my desk and screw up some notes I had there, no more gel inks on a day to day basis. Especially since most of them didn't play nice with Rite in the Rain pads. All my every day pens are running Parker "QUINKFlow" refills or Fisher space pen refills.