# Are modern pens basically useless junk? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 5, 2024, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178 "2024-12-05T05:28:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/101 "2024-12-10T15:15:15Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > “have a couple of pens handy in all the places where i might want pens.” A friend of mine needs “cheaters” to read anything. He was always searching for a pair. So, he bought 24 pairs at a Big Lots type place. He put a pair everywhere at home and work where he might need them. His eyes immediately worsened enough to make them useless. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/102 "2024-12-10T15:24:08Z")
My husband does that – he has about 6 pairs of “cheaters”, and it’s worked well for him. There’s one in the car, one by the downstairs TV, one in the den, one at his desk, one at the kitchen table, and probably another couple I haven’t noticed. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/103 "2024-12-10T16:46:29Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > His eyes immediately worsened enough to make them useless. are you saying because of all of those glasses? or just a coincidence and a lesson in not necessarily buying in bulk? 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/104 "2024-12-10T16:55:45Z")
Pure coincidence. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/105 "2024-12-10T17:27:50Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Most fountain pen inks, being water-based, can be washed off. I myself have been reminded, several times, just how NOT waterproof some of these fountain pen inks are. I’ve been using some Iroshizuku black and a blue-black and they’re barely faster than watercolors. Nice inks, amazing sheen (blk), lovely shading (blue-blk), and my pens love them but they’re not manufactured with any water resistance at all and, depending on paper, can straight up run off the page. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/106 "2024-12-10T18:37:15Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > IMO our OP is far less disciplined than you folks. There are basically two strategies for managing objects. One is to have a few carefully curated and maintained objects, and the other is to have a lot of inexpensive duplicate objects that you can lose track of and treat badly and it won’t really matter. Obviously most people choose some middle way, but for example those with ADHD or other executive function challenges, the second way is a lot more doable. I’m totally with Strategy #1, and my husband, #2. We eat out of separate sets of dishes (I have my one hand-thrown eating bowl) and so forth. It’s weird but there’s no point in trying to converge, it just doesn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/107 "2024-12-19T20:46:36Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > If I try to use a pen and it doesn’t work, I throw it out (unless it’s refillable and I can get refills for it.) That takes care of a potential backlog of useless pens. I don’t have a problem tossing my 15 cent pens, provided ten seconds of scribbling on an envelope doesn’t recharge them. I also give them away. Tossing a $2 Uni-ball Jetstream may take more gumption, but it’s a rare event. Because I mostly use 15 cent pens. Cheap pens with printing on them? Throwing them away takes a little more gumption as well. Following LSL’s advice. I might have to destroy them _en masse_ in a frenzy. Luckily I don’t have too many. I endorse [Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)’s take. Well curated carefully crafted pens are awesome, just not for me. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/108 "2024-12-19T20:56:20Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > I endorse [Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)’s take. Well curated carefully crafted pens are awesome, just not for me Agreeing. I can’t afford enough of them, and in my life the “carefully curated” part isn’t going to happen. Even if I myself weren’t a klutz who drops things out in the field, the cats and dog would interfere. But I’m sure that a really good pen is better than the ones I use. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/109 "2025-01-07T17:58:50Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > I have a monthly whiteboard calendar To keep notes on upcoming doctor’s appointments and other things, and bought a set of different colored markers. I swear that almost half the colors either don’t write or are so light they’re useless. It can help if you carefully store the markers tip down. But yeah, we’ve found that they often don’t last worth anything. > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > If I try to use a pen and it doesn’t work, I throw it out (unless it’s refillable and I can get refills for it.) That takes care of a potential backlog of useless pens. Ditto. It makes me sad when the pen in question is one that was bought as a souvenir of a trip. I did actually buy refills for a couple of more substantial pens that I was given at one or two work functions. Nothing too shmancy - a basic Parker pen refill did the trick. The pen bodies were more substantial than the generic “use three times then throw away” stick pens. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/110 "2025-01-07T18:25:30Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > I have a monthly whiteboard calendar To keep notes on upcoming doctor’s appointments and other things, and bought a set of different colored markers. I swear that almost half the colors either don’t write or are so light they’re useless. Your basic EXPO markers work the best, I’ve found. All the others I’ve gotten for my classroom whiteboards are crap, as noted. But the EXPOs keep right on going, week after week, even with horizontal storage. ---
**Author:** ![sunacres](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@sunacres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunacres)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/111 "2025-01-07T21:48:59Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Your basic EXPO markers work the best, I’ve found. Agreed, with one notable exception: Auspen refillable markers. Classroom use consumes a lot of markers and it bothered me to see the glued-in socket at the base of the EXPO markers, so I experimented with refillables. The Auspen line not only lets you refill but all of the parts are replaceable as well so there’s very little waste. It takes a little practice to maintain them properly, but the benefit is you have a lot of control over the “juicy-ness” of the flow and you can get very saturated colors that way. They weren’t suitable for student use, however - they very naturally couldn’t resist opening them up to “see how they work,” with predictable results. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/112 "2025-01-08T15:22:48Z")
> [@sunacres](#): > > They weren’t suitable for student use, however - they very naturally couldn’t resist opening them up to “see how they work,” with predictable results. Hah - yep, I can imagine that! Students do dumb stuff. I was once SUCKING on the end of my cheap Bic pen, in 4th grade. After a few minutes, the pen exploded all over my clothes. And it wasn’t even a uniform day - ruined a regular dress I was wearing, not the loathed plaid jumper. Give the kids the cheaper idiot-resistant stuff. Keep the nice pens (or markers) for yourself. Though I have to ask, how do you keep the nice markers from growing legs and being swiped by students or other teachers? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/113 "2025-01-08T15:32:15Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > G-2 Pilot pens (fine point) Yeah, I love the G-2 Pilots, but the last ones I ordered were the Uni-Ball Signo UM-153, 1.0mm, Broad Point, Blue Ink. I like medium-to-broad point pens. I just love the way they glide across the page. The Sharpie S-Gels are quite nice, as well, but I think those Uni-Balls are my favorites. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/114 "2025-01-08T15:45:09Z")
Yeah, Uniball Jetstream for life over here. At least for ballpoints. I’ve run several of them totally out of ink (blue and black at both 0.7 and 1.0mm), though I guess I’m the type to use pens consistently and not lose them (or loan them out at all). I go through perhaps half a dozen a year, and the higher cost is worth it to me. But the standard Bic stick pen is still a marvel of modern engineering. They are remarkably consistent for a low price. If you’re the type to leave pens everywhere, just buy a bunch of cheap Bic or Papermate or whatever ballpoints with the expectation several will fail due to lack of use. Unrealistic expectations are not the fault of the pen. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/115 "2025-01-11T16:04:58Z")
I haven’t had issues with pens. Yes some of them turn out to be junk, but I always keep 2+ pens in the same space and have those collections of 2-3 pens set up all over the apartment. If a pen shows sign of not working I throw it out and use another pen. I don’t know if there is any one pen brand that is better than another. I just buy the cheap retractable pens. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/116 "2025-01-13T03:52:21Z")
Anybody of a certain age remember a leak-prone pen from the 50s where the ink came plastic cartridges? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/117 "2025-01-13T04:07:20Z")
I remember pens for which the ink came in plastic cartridges from the 50’s and 60’s and I’m pretty sure at least through the 70’s. I don’t remember them being particularly leaky, though they did leak occasionally. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/118 "2025-01-13T04:07:37Z")
I remember some ruined shirts. That’s why pocket protectors became popular. They were a necessity if you carried pens in a shirt pocket. Then the Nerd jokes started. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/119 "2025-01-13T05:13:03Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Anybody of a certain age remember a leak-prone pen from the 50s where the ink came plastic cartridges? Wasn’t it mostly fountain pens that used ink cartridges? ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178/120 "2025-01-13T16:17:41Z")
Lots of pens use plastic cartridges, including the Pilot G-2 people keep mentioning. It is not some fountain-pen exclusive. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pens-basically-useless-junk/1011178.md?page=7)