As someone who enjoys the sound of another person obsessively and rapidly clicking their pen nearby, I would just like to say thank you. As a token of my appreciation, I would like to award you with the medal of clicking. So, if you would be so kind, please DM me your full legal name and address along with several recent photos of yourself from various angles as it will help with the delivery process and not so I can brutally kill you because that incessant clicking sound drives me into a murderous rage. Again, thank you and congratulations.
Got converted to the pilot G-2 club (5) by someone who goes through an ink refill a week with them. They are precise, reliably dark, and silky smooth to write with. I am actively disappointed when forced to write with average pens instead
Had a TWSBI (ECO I think, the 580 is put of my leage IIRC) lovely and with a spring loaded pump, much fun until kids dropped it and bent the nib beyond repay. They are super expensive 🫠 like like a new pen...
2 is probably better for art. The long thin tip is less obstructive to vision, but it's fragile enough that I wouldn't want to lend it.
3 It's a gel pen, which is a good compromise between rollerball and ballpoint in many ways. However, if you can handle the problems of a gel pen, you can handle a rollerball and get better results.
5 (see number 3)
6 The writing equivalent of nails on a chalkboard. I can feel the texture of the paper on my teeth when I write with a felt-tip pen. No cost or performance benefit over other options, to my knowledge. Probably just an outdated technology.
7 The best general-purpose pen in terms of cost per mile. Prone to smudging even years afterward, it's probably the lowest quality and least secure option here. Very easy to wash out, even accidentally with hand sanitizer.
4 is the supercar of the disposable pen world perhaps overshadowed only by the rare disposable fountain pen. Least likely to skip, by far. The specialized ink soaks into paper and becomes insoluble to water, alcohol and acetone once dried. Won't leak on an airplane like some pens. Problems include smearing wet ink and bleed-through. Smearing is mostly a skill issue for right-handed writers. Blotters are always an option, too. Bleed through is about paper quality and technique.
I like them when I need to write on corrugated cardboard. Better than ball points anyway. Don't need as much pressure to write so I'm not accidentally poking through the cardboard.
That's all that comes to mind. I just assume there are other use cases.
I've used several of those uniballs to the last drop. What looks like a G2 would simply be the runner up... After that I've not regularly used a pen that wasn't garbage or a basic bic.
If you've been using those for a long time, I don't suppose you've noticed any change in quality in the last say, 10 years compared to before that? I used to love those pens but the ones I've gotten my hands on recently leak a lot and the writing is inconsistent, which is something I feel like never used to happen a long time ago.
OK good, it's not just me. I wonder wtf happened. As far as I know the company didn't enshittify and I haven't noticed problematic changes from other pens they make.
Right? I'll use 0.7 rarely for flare on a birthday card or something like that, but not for routine use. 1mm is insane. Might as well use a chisel-tipped marker.
.038 need to be used carefully or you will destroy the tip and it will skip a lot. Feel good when not going too quickly and are writing with intention.
They are also terrible for anything requiring multiple carbon copy layers such as waybills or deposit slips. Cuts through the top layer or doesn't reach the bottom layer
2 if it's the same tip size I have at home but something else if it's thicker. My handwriting is not great so thin = more definition = better chance of reading whatever I scratched.
Well didn't intend the larger bold font by using a number sign. Oh well I'm leaving it. Also 4 looks like it's BLX green-black ink which IS a nice colour when you see it in person. I'm just partial to BLX purple-black ink personally
3 and 5 tied for first.
1, 2, 4 tied for second.
7 if there's really no other option.
6 can fuck right off unless there's a very specific reason I need it.
S Gel is just as good as the g2 but black ink > blue ink so s gel for me
the build of the g2 is superior though, but ink > build imo at least the s gel build is tolerable but the clicker is subpar and I'm not too big a fan of the grip
edit: oh shit ignoring ink color g2 obviously. If only for the compatibility of the refills
I think #2 is a v5, nice pen, but the v7 is much better.
If #2 is a v5 then I go for #3, the sharpie s-gel. All solid choices, 6 is a little more niche and most of these can't replace 6, nor can it replace a standard writing implement. 6 is a trick entry
#3 is a fine writing pen, I have to admit. But my heart goes to #5. There's something about that rounded clicker that feels just right against the teeth and gums and tongue and...
The lack of Zebra and Pentel, over representation of Uniball and felt tip, as well as no Fisher narrows the capabilities of the options. The Uniballs are going to smear for a lefty, the felt are going to have the tip degrade and be inconsistent across paper types, the fat pens are more difficult to position the start/stop on the ruler or lettering guide, so the Bic Cristal or the Pilot G2 are the best choices, but I have no experience with Sharpie Gel.
You are a pen God. If I ever have pen issues in the future you are my go to person! Very interesting, especially the left and right hand perspective on ink types.
3 or 5. I need to click the button on top 10 times a second. There's no way I'm giving that up.
As someone who enjoys the sound of another person obsessively and rapidly clicking their pen nearby, I would just like to say thank you. As a token of my appreciation, I would like to award you with the medal of clicking. So, if you would be so kind, please DM me your full legal name and address along with several recent photos of yourself from various angles as it will help with the delivery process and not so I can brutally kill you because that incessant clicking sound drives me into a murderous rage. Again, thank you and congratulations.
Sounds trustworthy to me.
fooled me man, I thought for once in my life someone was thanking me for clicking my pen. I got scolded all the time in class 😭
I wasn't really trying to be mean. Please have a sincere thank you from me for one single click, provided it makes you happy enough to smile ☺️
gets frozen
This and the stupid pocket clip on every other pen there is gonna tear up my hand. see how 5 is rounded? fucking genius
Got converted to the pilot G-2 club (5) by someone who goes through an ink refill a week with them. They are precise, reliably dark, and silky smooth to write with. I am actively disappointed when forced to write with average pens instead
1-7
My handwriting is shit no matter what kind of pen I use.
I'm left handed and stick with the dry ass bic crystal. Everything else smears or just stops working in the middle of a letter.
4 has a quick drying ink that works pretty good for southpaws
I haven't tried it. Thanks for the tip!
Where's my fountain pen? Say Lamy Safari.
These are all newbie pens.
😔
Respect. Although, I prefer a TWSBI 580.
Had a TWSBI (ECO I think, the 580 is put of my leage IIRC) lovely and with a spring loaded pump, much fun until kids dropped it and bent the nib beyond repay. They are super expensive 🫠 like like a new pen...
4 by a wide margin.
1 is good but it skips more in my experience.
2 is probably better for art. The long thin tip is less obstructive to vision, but it's fragile enough that I wouldn't want to lend it.
3 It's a gel pen, which is a good compromise between rollerball and ballpoint in many ways. However, if you can handle the problems of a gel pen, you can handle a rollerball and get better results.
5 (see number 3)
6 The writing equivalent of nails on a chalkboard. I can feel the texture of the paper on my teeth when I write with a felt-tip pen. No cost or performance benefit over other options, to my knowledge. Probably just an outdated technology.
7 The best general-purpose pen in terms of cost per mile. Prone to smudging even years afterward, it's probably the lowest quality and least secure option here. Very easy to wash out, even accidentally with hand sanitizer.
4 is the supercar of the disposable pen world perhaps overshadowed only by the rare disposable fountain pen. Least likely to skip, by far. The specialized ink soaks into paper and becomes insoluble to water, alcohol and acetone once dried. Won't leak on an airplane like some pens. Problems include smearing wet ink and bleed-through. Smearing is mostly a skill issue for right-handed writers. Blotters are always an option, too. Bleed through is about paper quality and technique.
I didn't come to Lemmy to be sold a new pen, but today you've convinced me to try the supercar of the disposable pen world.
With 3 and 5 you're missing out on the click action and the nice finger grip. I love me a good soft finger grip.
4 is so smooooooooth
2 - Pilot Precise v5 plz
Fuck yeah. I buy so many of these because people steal them from me. They're so good I ain't even mad.
5
I'm gonna be chaotic and say that I have no preference unless any are felt tip. I don't want those.
Felt tip hate FTW
They are good for certain things, but they are atrocious as a general purpose pen.
Thanks for the additional perspective. What's their best use case?
I like them when I need to write on corrugated cardboard. Better than ball points anyway. Don't need as much pressure to write so I'm not accidentally poking through the cardboard.
That's all that comes to mind. I just assume there are other use cases.
Fair enough, but if I have to write on cardboard, I'll probably use a giant felt tip like a sharpie.
Really useful when doing artwork because you can angle and bend the thickness really well.
Okay, that tracks. Thanks for the art lesson!
5 is what I write with every day
1,4,5 or nothing.
I gotta know why you selected two uniball rollerball pens and one pilot gel pen but not the pilot rollerball pen.
I've used several of those uniballs to the last drop. What looks like a G2 would simply be the runner up... After that I've not regularly used a pen that wasn't garbage or a basic bic.
#2
If you've been using those for a long time, I don't suppose you've noticed any change in quality in the last say, 10 years compared to before that? I used to love those pens but the ones I've gotten my hands on recently leak a lot and the writing is inconsistent, which is something I feel like never used to happen a long time ago.
Yes I have noticed this.
OK good, it's not just me. I wonder wtf happened. As far as I know the company didn't enshittify and I haven't noticed problematic changes from other pens they make.
I use fountain pens.
3 and 5. The gel ink on 3 is superb, and 5 is smooth, if not with a bit of friction.
Pilot G-2. Obviously.
If i also need to clean my ears? 7.
I fuck with 1, 5 and 6 if they are 1mm. I don’t fuck with 0.7 pens.
0.7 is way too thick. 0.5 is acceptable if there aren't any 0.38 available.
Right? I'll use 0.7 rarely for flare on a birthday card or something like that, but not for routine use. 1mm is insane. Might as well use a chisel-tipped marker.
For me 0.7 is way too thin. I need them thicc ass lines.
.038 need to be used carefully or you will destroy the tip and it will skip a lot. Feel good when not going too quickly and are writing with intention.
They are also terrible for anything requiring multiple carbon copy layers such as waybills or deposit slips. Cuts through the top layer or doesn't reach the bottom layer
5 writes like silk. I really love that pen, especially that chonky boy 1.0mm
2 if it's the same tip size I have at home but something else if it's thicker. My handwriting is not great so thin = more definition = better chance of reading whatever I scratched.
Typically pilot g2. Regular bic at work though. I feel nothing when i lose them
i pick the fountain pen i’m already carrying with the fatass german medium nib and enough ink to last a year between refills.
I will absolutely not ignore the colour of ink
4. The vision elite in BLX ink. Archival quality ink and very smooth point.
That being said I prefer fountain pens to all of these if it's gonna be my one and only
Well didn't intend the larger bold font by using a number sign. Oh well I'm leaving it. Also 4 looks like it's BLX green-black ink which IS a nice colour when you see it in person. I'm just partial to BLX purple-black ink personally
2
Signo 207
As long as its ISO 12757-2 certified i dont care. But would be a hassle if not because if i cant use any other pencil i cant sign documents.
Like think 5 is an eraseable one and in case of 7 ive never seen some certification on the ink tube so they would be ruled out
Number 5, Gimmie that G2, baby.
5 but have a soft spot for 7
3 and 5 tied for first. 1, 2, 4 tied for second. 7 if there's really no other option. 6 can fuck right off unless there's a very specific reason I need it.
S Gel is just as good as the g2 but black ink > blue ink so s gel for me
the build of the g2 is superior though, but ink > build imo at least the s gel build is tolerable but the clicker is subpar and I'm not too big a fan of the grip
edit: oh shit ignoring ink color g2 obviously. If only for the compatibility of the refills
I assumed that OP saying ignore ink color meant we could get it in any color.
But I'm on the fence between S Gel and G2. They're both pretty great, however I agree G2 is much more solid. However as a lefty, G2 smear more
I think #2 is a v5, nice pen, but the v7 is much better.
If #2 is a v5 then I go for #3, the sharpie s-gel. All solid choices, 6 is a little more niche and most of these can't replace 6, nor can it replace a standard writing implement. 6 is a trick entry
#3 is a fine writing pen, I have to admit. But my heart goes to #5. There's something about that rounded clicker that feels just right against the teeth and gums and tongue and...
Wassast?...
No, I've never been diagnosed. Why?...
7
4
3
2, gels take too long to dry and smear.
If #5 is a Zebra Sarasa 7mm gel ink pen, then that's the one.
The lack of Zebra and Pentel, over representation of Uniball and felt tip, as well as no Fisher narrows the capabilities of the options. The Uniballs are going to smear for a lefty, the felt are going to have the tip degrade and be inconsistent across paper types, the fat pens are more difficult to position the start/stop on the ruler or lettering guide, so the Bic Cristal or the Pilot G2 are the best choices, but I have no experience with Sharpie Gel.
You are a pen God. If I ever have pen issues in the future you are my go to person! Very interesting, especially the left and right hand perspective on ink types.
No. 5, tested for more than 10 years.
I hate to be this guy, but Zebra F-301 for life
1 - the typical uniball is pretty reliable NGL
uniball signo UM-151
No Parker pen on the table so ill take a 7
I always bite the end off biros, so that’s a problem.
All of them will run out of ink long before I do, though.
#3 all day any day.
The G2 is good and all but... That S Gel has my heart
None. I use a Legami which has an eraser and looks like a Shiba.
Always have 2 in my pocket.
I don't get the allure of the G2 pilot. I've used so many of them and they are nothing special.
I'll take a box full of Number 7, please. Basic bitch is best.