# My Pen Is... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 22, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514 "2012-09-22T17:45:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [September 23, 2012, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/41 "2012-09-23T14:38:29Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > [My Limited Edition Montegrappa Solid 18K Gold Chaos Series Fountain Pen by Fountain Pen and Wristwatch Aficionado Sylvester Stallone](http://blip.tv/OLPresents/penfinished-5711177) (keep watching, it’s really boring at first but the description gets so ridiculous later on). > > No, but seriously I like generic felt tip pens. I just have trouble writing with ball points. I’d really LIKE to write with a fountain/calligraphy pen, but that’s just not gonna happen – I suck with writing with them. (I’d kill to write with a brush though, my handwriting somehow becomes really good with a nice brush and some ink) Have you ever tried writing with an italic nib fountain pen? Or what is called a ‘stub’ nib, which is like an italic but with rounder edges so it is easier to write with? Lots of people who have bad handwriting but like writing really like them, it’s an easy way to make your handwriting classier looking. There are also felt tip art pens that flex like a brush and you can get brush-like effects with them. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/42 "2012-09-23T14:40:22Z")
Pilot Vball extra fine, black. I have to order them on the internet, can’t find them in any store anymore. ---
**Author:** ![RoniaBorkason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9dc877/32.png) [@RoniaBorkason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RoniaBorkason)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/43 "2012-09-23T16:30:37Z")
Depending on the writing surface, a Pilot G2 medium black, a Flair medium black or blue, or a Sharpie (the newish regular pen non-bleeding kind). I love the feel of writing with a good pen. ---
**Author:** ![zhoen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c4cdca/32.png) [@zhoen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zhoen)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/44 "2012-09-23T17:37:56Z")
Recycled bottle pilot ballpoint, clicky with a clip, medium point, blue preferred, black more often available. Or whatever is in the drawer in front of me. I keep one in the pocket for pens in my small purse. At work, one in my pouch, one clipped to the breast pocket of my scrubs. A good clip is important, or I’d drop them too often. No point in anything expensive, since I lose pens regularly to residents. I’ve gotten better about stealing them back. Less important since most of my charting is on computer. Since I do need to make carbon(less) copies on some forms, I do need a ballpoint rather than felt. I also like the better, more colorful, dry erase pens for the whiteboard. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/45 "2012-09-23T18:21:44Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > You can google any of the pens I described and get an image. Or, if you need more info, check out [fountainpennetwork.com](http://fountainpennetwork.com). More about fountain pens than you have ever imagined. About 67,000 members. About evenly divided between modern and vintage users and collectors. It’s a thing. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. I found my Esterbrook in an antique store for $10. I googled, and in general each looked very cool. Each also returned with a variety of looks - like you supplied info about the nib, but the “case” had a lot of varieties (I don’t know the description language of pens). And sure, I know that most cool Collectibles have reasonably priced entry points. Back in the day, I ended up focusing on first-edition books, and have since transitioned over to old acoustic guitars - but pens look like fun. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/46 "2012-09-23T18:52:21Z")
Metal Papermate clickable ball-point, medium point black. I found this pen in 1973 while I was in junior high, and still carry it on me to this day. Must have gone through hundreds of cartridges. Thank Allah they still make them! ---
**Author:** ![KermitTheFrig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/47e85d/32.png) [@KermitTheFrig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KermitTheFrig)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/47 "2012-09-23T20:44:28Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > There are worse things to spend your money on than something beautiful and practical and clever that itself produces beauty. No need at all to explain, **ulfreida**. I’m an artist and I fully understand the importance and beauty of well made pens, brushes, quality inks and paints. I’m pretty sure _I_ would not shell out $200 for a pen, but I know why someone would. That said, my most recent drawing was done with a Sharpie marker and a Staples ballpoint. . . ---
**Author:** ![JpnDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/48 "2012-09-24T05:07:00Z")
[Zebra Sarasa Clip](http://www.jetpens.com/Zebra-Sarasa-Push-Clip-Gel-Ink-Pen-0.5-mm-Blue-Black/pd/6389) is my daily signing/writing ball-point pen. (150 yen) When taking notes or instructing private classes, I use [Pilot Super Puchi](http://www.pilot.co.jp/products/pen/sign_marker/sign_pen/super_petit/index.html) felt-tip pens in black, blue or red. (105 yen) ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/49 "2012-09-24T09:19:24Z")
> [@Atomic\_Mama](#): > > However, I recently discovered the “uni-ball SIGNO 0.18 gel pen” from a Japanese supplier. I hope I can find some more (maybe with red ink!) stateside. > > It’s verrrrrrrrrrrrrry nice. My favorite pen is the Uni Ball Signo DX 0.38mm. I think it’s like yours. I don’t mind the 0.28 either, but I’ve never seen refills for those. I don’t like pens with needle tips, they tend to bend. The pens sold in Australia seem to make broader lines than those sold in Asia. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/50 "2012-09-24T11:22:33Z")
Pilot G2 0.38 mm, black, red, blue. I recently bought a bunch of refills (10 each) of these since they seem to be hard to find in the very fine points. Every place seems to have 0.5 or 0.7 mm, but very few the 0.38. I have three of the G2 Limited bodies (silver, red, and charcoal). The Limited isn’t a limited edition, it’s just a nice body for the G2 gel cartridges. There are several colors, some more expensive than others. List price is $15, but you can get it for less most places; I paid under $12 for each of mine. The body has a very nice weight and balance and I think is a steal compared to other quality pen bodies. Example: [http://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Limited-Retractable-Metallic-31153/dp/B0010NL4BU](http://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Limited-Retractable-Metallic-31153/dp/B0010NL4BU) ETA: The Limited bodies aren’t sold in Japan for some reason. I bought all three of mine in the US. The Japanese Dr Grip bodies aren’t nice at all like these babies. You can get refills here, but fine points do not seem readily available, whereas I found quite a few pens with very fine points in the US. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/51 "2012-09-24T11:38:27Z")
A Twsbi 540 with a 1.1mm stub nib. Black ink, currently, though I also like dark brown and blue inks. I mostly used medium or fine nibs prior to getting the Twsbi, but now I’m sold on stubs. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/52 "2012-09-24T12:33:00Z")
As a designer, I always use a fine, black fibre tip, something like [this](http://www.amazon.co.uk/edding-55-Fineliner-Pack-10/dp/B000I5SBR6/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1348489846&sr=8-13). I’m not brand loyal, but a fine fibre tip is accurate, has consistent ink flow and doesn’t smudge. I loathe ball points, which are splodgy and leave an indent on the paper. ---
**Author:** ![Greekfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@Greekfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greekfreak)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/53 "2012-09-24T14:29:18Z")
Felt-tip Staedler pens. Best thing since sliced bread–you can keep them open for 3 days and they won’t dry out. Triangular design is really comfortable for long writing sessions. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/54 "2012-09-24T14:30:57Z")
I always thought Lance Armstrong should be hired to be the spokesman for the Uni-Ball pens. ---
**Author:** ![Engineer\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc29f/32.png) [@Engineer\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engineer_Dude)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/55 "2012-09-24T14:58:08Z")
Meh…I just get the Bic bens that go on sale for 79-cents or so for a ten pack - get two of the packs and find a coupon off two that will double to a dollar - and get 20 pens for under a dollar. If you go here, Your Pen Is Their Business: > **[Home](https://www.penisland.net/)** > > Pen Island Pens - Home ---
**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:** [September 24, 2012, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/56 "2012-09-24T17:17:14Z")
I’m real fond of the Zebra F-301 and the government ballpoints, but usually I just use whatever’s handy. Last few pens I bought were Pentel RSVPs. Can’t stand rollerballs. They won’t work for me - constantly skipping and blotching. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/57 "2012-09-24T17:32:47Z")
Does the S-pen on the Galaxy Note count? I use it more than any regular pen nowadays. It’s great to be able to jot down stuff and all have it on one device. Plus even [elephants](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBrmaE82uY4&feature=player_detailpage#t=41s)love it. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/58 "2012-09-24T18:42:30Z")
> [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](#): > > [Standard U.S. Government ball point pen](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/17/AR2010041701297.html?sid=ST2010041800259). Being able to convert it into a pellet gun is the best feature. Wow! I want some! ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/59 "2012-09-24T18:59:27Z")
Another Pilot Precise V5 user here. My old office used to use them and I got used to them. Then I changed jobs, was using my last couple from my old job and managed to get the office hooked on them so they’ve started buying them instead of the cheap Papermate disposables. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514/60 "2012-09-25T04:35:14Z")
> [@Engineer\_Dude](#): > > If you go here, Your Pen Is Their Business: > > [http://www.penisland.net/](http://www.penisland.net/) I’d just like to point out that their URL would be excellent for a gay porn site. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pen-is/635514.md?page=4)