# Great pens **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 3, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225 "2013-02-03T16:39:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/1 "2013-02-03T16:39:51Z")
I’m a returning student and I’m finding that my usual pens are not working out for me. Regular ball points don’t seem to have reliable flow. I’m constantly having to scribble to get the ink flowing again. Ultra fine sharpies are fantastic but some of the things I need to take notes on are double sides and they bleed through. What’s a good pen for reliable flow but no bleed through? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/2 "2013-02-03T16:58:12Z")
I’ve tried a lot of pens for taking notes on both sides of a sheet of notebook paper, and the ones I really like to write with bleed through the paper. They also tend to run out of ink too quickly, IMO. I grew up with government-issue [Skillcraft retractable ball point pens](http://www.amazon.com/Skilcraft-Government-Retractable-Point-7520-00-935-7135/dp/B0055KSNYK). Dad used them in the FAA when I was a kid (late-'60s/early-'70s), and I assume he’d used them for 20 years in the Navy before that. No doubt you’ve seen them in the Post Office. Old school, eh? I’ve found the Skillcraft pens to be reliable. The SO tried one, and she said she couldn’t get the ink to come out. I’ve never had a problem. I think it’s a matter of scribbling when it’s new, and then they work fine after that. I’ve never had a problem with them. They’re not as ergonomically designed as new pens, and some people might find them a bit narrow. They’re about the diameter of a Bic Stick.I have not observed smearing of the ink, and the ink doesn’t bleed through notebook paper. Check out the [reviews](http://www.amazon.com/Skilcraft-Government-Retractable-Point-7520-00-935-7135/product-reviews/B0055KSNYK/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending) at the Amazon page I linked earlier. These pens are cheap ($5.74 a dozen – I think I paid less through a government site, although they had a minimum order requirement and I ended up with a clock as well), reliable, ‘guaranteed to write over a mile’, and are made by Disabled Americans. As one reviewer put it: > [@](#): > > Perhaps you have… wondered how that same pen has been there for 40 years. Well, maybe it’s because the pen design hasn’t changed? Maybe instead it’s because that one pen is the only thing other than cockroaches which will survive our impending nuclear holocaust. ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/3 "2013-02-03T17:32:32Z")
Oh… _pens_. Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/4 "2013-02-03T19:53:08Z")
[Fisher](http://www.spacepen.com/) makes goofy pens but their ink cartridges can be used in other brands of pens as well. I started using them when I was working in hot environments and regular ink would leak. The space pen ink cartridge is sealed and pressurized and the ink flows well until it is empty (“even upside-down in whipped cream!!!”). When I heard they were going to quit producing their Futura Elite pen I bought twenty of them to last me a while. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/5 "2013-02-03T20:12:14Z")
When I was in school, I’d use Parker Jotter ballpoint pens, with black medium-point ink and a black barrel. (And just to confirm that there seems to be a Wikipedia page about everything, [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jotter)’s the one for this pen.) ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/6 "2013-02-03T20:13:16Z")
For inexpensive and reliable pens, I like the Pilot G-2 gel ink pens. They have large capacity refills, and the gel ink seems to flow smoothly right to the end. I think they come in 7mm (fine) and 5mm (very fine) but there might be more sizes. They have black, blue, red and green ink available, and you can also get a variety pack with other colors like purple. And they are readily available at places like Walgreen’s as well as Office Depot type places. And no, I have no financial stake in the Pilot pen company, which I think is Japanese. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/7 "2013-02-03T20:14:37Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > When I was in school, I’d use Parker Jotter ballpoint pens, with black medium-point ink and a black barrel. (And just to confirm that there seems to be a Wikipedia page about everything, [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jotter)’s the one for this pen.) I loved those! I preferred the earlier ones with the non-recessed button. I still have a couple packed away someplace. Edit: My fave had a grey barrel. Those seemed to disappear early on. Edit 2: Looks like you can get a grey one in [assorted colours package](http://www.amazon.com/Parker-Jotter-Pens-assorted-colors/dp/B008HHD52I/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1359922563&sr=8-17&keywords=parker+jotter). . ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/8 "2013-02-03T20:33:32Z")
My pen of choice is the Pilot Precise V5, Extra fine. It is a rolling ball pen with excellent flow, cheap and reliable. > **[Pilot Precise V5 Rollerball Pens, Extra Fine Point, Black Ink, Dozen (35334)...](https://www.staples.com/Pilot-Precise-V5-Extra-Fine-Point-Premium-Rolling-Ball-Stick-Pens-0-5-mm-Black-12-Pack-35334/product_205112?cid=PS:GooglePLAs:205112&KPID=205112)** > > Get Pilot Precise V5 Rollerball Pens, Extra Fine Point, Black Ink, Dozen (35334) fast and with free shipping on qualifying orders at Staples. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/9 "2013-02-03T21:12:52Z")
Have you tried a fountain pen? A fine nib will rarely bleed through (though that does depend on the paper and ink). A Platinum Preppy is a good way to try - they cost about $4. Or a Pilot 78g, $10 or so on ebay. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/10 "2013-02-03T21:19:33Z")
> [@tellyworth](#): > > Have you tried a fountain pen? A fine nib will rarely bleed through (though that does depend on the paper and ink). > > A Platinum Preppy is a good way to try - they cost about $4. Or a Pilot 78g, $10 or so on ebay. I routinely use a [Levenger Mediterranean](http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/sheaffer/mediterraneanlarge.jpg). I’ve never had it bleed through paper (I use Waterman ink), but it does take a little time to dry. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/11 "2013-02-03T21:30:43Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I’ve never had it bleed through paper (I use Waterman ink), but it does take a little time to dry. Waterman and Parker inks are pretty good. Noodler’s makes some fast-drying inks, like Bernanke Black and Blue. I use Heart of Darkness in a Preppy for general note taking - it’s very well behaved, no bleedthrough. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/12 "2013-02-03T22:11:06Z")
Another vote for Pilot G2 gel pens. I do a lot of crosswords, etc. and they’re perfect for them. You know, small, fine, careful writing but still wanting to write fairly quickly. They do smudge easily when signing credit cards and you don’t let the ink dry first. So you’ll have to _constantly_ deal with that. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/13 "2013-02-03T22:24:02Z")
I still like Parker Jotters. Staples doesn’t always have them (but they do have the refills). It has a nicely sized reservoir of ink and writes well if kept out of the wash. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/14 "2013-02-03T23:23:56Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I grew up with government-issue [Skillcraft retractable ball point pens](http://www.amazon.com/Skilcraft-Government-Retractable-Point-7520-00-935-7135/dp/B0055KSNYK). Dad used them in the FAA when I was a kid (late-'60s/early-'70s), and I assume he’d used them for 20 years in the Navy before that. No doubt you’ve seen them in the Post Office. Old school, eh? > > I’ve found the Skillcraft pens to be reliable. The SO tried one, and she said she couldn’t get the ink to come out. I’ve never had a problem. I think it’s a matter of scribbling when it’s new, and then they work fine after that. I’ve never had a problem with them. They’re not as ergonomically designed as new pens, and some people might find them a bit narrow. They’re about the diameter of a Bic Stick.I have not observed smearing of the ink, and the ink doesn’t bleed through notebook paper. Definitely my favourite pen. My second-favourite is the Zebra [F-301](http://www.zebrapen.com/products/pen/f-301). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/15 "2013-02-03T23:30:50Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > Definitely my favourite pen. I know, right? I should start wearing my flight jackets more, so I can carry a couple in the sleeve pocket. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jonesj2205](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jonesj2205](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonesj2205)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/16 "2013-02-04T01:40:49Z")
Cross Classic Century Parker Jotter And the F301 - especially the compact, I love how easy that is to stash places ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2013, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/17 "2013-02-04T01:53:53Z")
Another vote for the Zebra. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/18 "2013-02-08T20:00:54Z")
As a result of this thread, I’ve bought a couple of [‘Celedon’ (pale jade-green) Parker Jotters](http://www.melpens.com/Product_Images/000004107.gif). ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/19 "2013-02-08T20:30:37Z")
I like the [Smith & Wesson Tactical Pen](http://www.amazon.com/Smith-Wesson-SWPENBK-Tactical-Black/dp/B0026W4ZW4) myself. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225/20 "2013-02-08T20:38:29Z")
The Pilot G-2 is the pen of pens. If you like the ultra fine Sharpies, try the [Sharpie Pen](http://m.staples.com/Sharpie-Pens/product_SS1039193). Its ink won’t bleed through. It’s a good fibertip pen, similar to Pilot’s Razor. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-pens/649225.md?page=2)