# Recommend a good pen that always writes **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 20, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352 "2010-07-20T15:25:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/1 "2010-07-20T15:25:11Z")
Can anyone recommend a good type of pen that writes consistently? I’m looking for something inexpensive that works well. Most of the cheaper brands I’ve tried at some point quit on me, or won’t start writing until I work it for a while. Gel or regular ink is fine (I prefer blue, medium-point). I don’t care as much for felt-tips since they’re not as smooth as a roller-type. It seems like a simple device…why can’t they make them work better? I’ve thought maybe if I heat up a not-writing pen it may get the ink and/or ball point flowing better, but results are disappointing. Is there another way to resolve an ink-flow stoppage? Help, I’m desperate !! 🙂 ---
**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:** [July 20, 2010, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/2 "2010-07-20T15:53:22Z")
I’ve been very happy with [Zebra F-301 pens](http://www.zebrapen.com/products/pen/f-301?c=30). I use the black fine point (and it’s the only black fine point retractable I can find) and like that it’s slim – I hate fat pens. It is available in blue medium point. [Zebra has other styles as well.](http://www.zebrapen.com/) ---
**Author:** ![PsyXe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@PsyXe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PsyXe)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/3 "2010-07-20T15:53:29Z")
My favourite ballpoint brand is Pentel. I won’t say it _always_ writes, but I don’t kill them as quickly as I do other pens. The roller-tip with gel ink is the best IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/4 "2010-07-20T15:56:23Z")
Any ball-type pen that is left unused for some time will need some coaxing to get the ink flowing. If this bothers you, I’d recommend a pencil. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/5 "2010-07-20T17:28:09Z")
> [@NetTrekker](#): > > I’m looking for something inexpensive that works well. You get what you pay for. Have you considered something that costs a bit more? I look for the cheapest I can find, and then I buy whatever is cheapest from among all the rest. I’m very satisfied, because my expectations aren’t so high. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/6 "2010-07-20T17:46:20Z")
I usually use fountain pens, but they require some degree of maintenance and care. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/7 "2010-07-20T17:51:32Z")
Since the OP is asking for recommendations, this is better suited to IMHO than GQ. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/8 "2010-07-20T18:07:44Z")
Pilot G-2. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/9 "2010-07-20T18:29:14Z")
Yeah, Pilot G-2 is my favorite pen. You could also try a fiber tip if you write gently enough to keep from damaging the tip. They never have to be coaxed to start writing, but they will run out of ink faster. They’re not so good on duplicate forms, either. The [Pilot Razor Point](http://content.etilize.com/Large/11967015.jpg) or the [Pigma Micron](http://cdn.dickblick.com/items/207/02/20702-2009-2-3ww-l.jpg) (size 05 or 08) work well. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/10 "2010-07-20T18:30:08Z")
I have a Pentel pen that I got from some promotion (it has “Kaiser Permanente” printed on it) and I use it for writing notes at my desk and such. Sometimes it sits for days, capped or uncapped, and I never have a problem with it writing right away. Never have a problem with it smudging, either. I’ve been using it for at least a year, maybe two. Looking at the Pentel Web site, I would say the pen is [the RSVP Fine Line](http://www.pentel.com/catalog_product.php?id=83). ---
**Author:** ![Loisseau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/2bfe46/32.png) [@Loisseau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loisseau)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/11 "2010-07-20T20:33:22Z")
My favorite is the uni-ball Vision, blue ink, medium roller point, waterproof ink. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/12 "2010-07-21T03:02:01Z")
Another vote for the Pilot G2. I used to write a lot when I was working and these pens are great. You can buy them at WalMart for about two bucks. An excellent value. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/13 "2010-07-21T03:08:24Z")
Some people just have bad luck with pens, I’m afraid. Medium point pens seem to help, but I think there’s no solution other than to buy the cheapest pens you can in bulk. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2010, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/14 "2010-07-21T04:50:12Z")
I’ve noticed a drop in the quality of ballpoints. They fail or go dry must faster. Leakage is worse too. I don’t like gel ink. It smears. I’ve started buying Papermate Pro Fit. They are available almost anywhere. I got my last package of Papermate pens at the grocery store. A five pack of medium blue is about $5. I like them better than others I’ve tried. > **[Amazon.com : Paper Mate Pro-Fit Medium Tip Stick Ballpoint Pen, 5 Blue Ink Pens...](https://www.amazon.com/Paper-Mate-Pro-Fit-Ballpoint-1739795/dp/B002R5AESE)** > > Amazon.com : Paper Mate Pro-Fit Medium Tip Stick Ballpoint Pen, 5 Blue Ink Pens (1739795) : Office Products ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/15 "2010-07-21T05:08:38Z")
If you are left handed then rolling ball pens will quit because the ball smushes in. The **Pilot Precise V5** (or V7) will write consistently until it runs dry. The ink is consistent and dries quickly. It is one of the few pens that left handed writers can use. I’ve given them to artists who love them. I am a pen junkie and have yet to find a pen that is better than these for any amount of money. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/16 "2010-07-21T12:07:50Z")
I love the [Fisher Space](http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Space-Pen-Non-Reflective-SM4B/dp/B001NXDFC8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1279713991&sr=8-1) pen for how they write. But the pen case feels cheap in my hand. The pen has never failed me though. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2010, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/17 "2010-07-21T13:42:41Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > If you are left handed then rolling ball pens will quit because the ball smushes in. Would you please explain this? It makes absolutely no sense to me. I would think the ball and its fitting are radially symmetrical and thus left- or right-handed could make no difference. ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/18 "2010-07-21T14:20:24Z")
Thanks for all the suggestions. I just ruined another one in the microwave this morning so I’ll be pen-shopping again soon… ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/19 "2010-07-21T15:22:30Z")
Don’t put pens in the microwave. They have small metal parts that could spark and start a fire. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352/20 "2010-07-21T15:26:54Z")
You eat them raw? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-pen-that-always-writes/547352.md?page=2)