Comparing the Different Writing Systems - Fountain Pen, Ballpen, Rollerball
Today the most popular writing instruments are fountain pens, ballpens and rollerballs. Although they are familiar, we are less familiar with the differences that divide them. Why use a fountain pen over a ballpen, or vice-versa?
The most popular writing systems are fountain pens, ballpens and rollerballs. What is the difference between them in both form and function?
A Fountain Pen contains a reservoir of water-based ink that it dispenses through a Nib. The ink is drawn to the Nib through a feed via gravity and capillary action. The ink reservoir is usually a disposable cartridge or a piston converter. The reasons that people enjoy fountain pens are; smooth writing, comfort, elegant writing, and pen-collecting. In addition, people find fountain pens have a more personal touch compared to a ballpoint pen or rollerball.
The Ballpoint Pen has replaced the fountain pen as the most popular tool for everyday writing, due to its reliability and convenience. The Ballpoint Pen dispenses a viscous oil-based ink from its tip using the rolling action of a small sphere. The ink dries almost immediately after contact with the paper, preventing smudging. Ballpoint pens are so convenient to use, they are often the instrument of choice for a pocket, handbag or small bag. There have been various innovative designs of ballpens, including the Fisher Space Pen and the ergonomic Yoropen. Some ballpoint pens have more than one color refill, know as multi-color pens.
A Rollerball uses the ballpoint writing mechanism, but utilizes water based liquid ink or gel ink, instead of oil based inks. The rollerball was designed to combine the smooth ink flow of a fountain pen, with the convenience of a ballpoint pen. Consequently, a rollerball requires less pressure to be applied to the paper than a ballpen, and the ink is more brightly colored (due to the larger selection of water-soluble pigments). Rollerball pens usually require a cap to prevent the liquid ink drying out, but a few brands have developed capless rollerballs that use non-drying refills such as the Lamy Swift and Monteverde Jewelria. Monteverde have developed a rollerball that sucks up ink into a piston converter, providing even smoother ink flow, called the Monteverde Mega.
A Fountain Pen contains a reservoir of water-based ink that it dispenses through a Nib. The ink is drawn to the Nib through a feed via gravity and capillary action. The ink reservoir is usually a disposable cartridge or a piston converter. The reasons that people enjoy fountain pens are; smooth writing, comfort, elegant writing, and pen-collecting. In addition, people find fountain pens have a more personal touch compared to a ballpoint pen or rollerball.
The Ballpoint Pen has replaced the fountain pen as the most popular tool for everyday writing, due to its reliability and convenience. The Ballpoint Pen dispenses a viscous oil-based ink from its tip using the rolling action of a small sphere. The ink dries almost immediately after contact with the paper, preventing smudging. Ballpoint pens are so convenient to use, they are often the instrument of choice for a pocket, handbag or small bag. There have been various innovative designs of ballpens, including the Fisher Space Pen and the ergonomic Yoropen. Some ballpoint pens have more than one color refill, know as multi-color pens.
A Rollerball uses the ballpoint writing mechanism, but utilizes water based liquid ink or gel ink, instead of oil based inks. The rollerball was designed to combine the smooth ink flow of a fountain pen, with the convenience of a ballpoint pen. Consequently, a rollerball requires less pressure to be applied to the paper than a ballpen, and the ink is more brightly colored (due to the larger selection of water-soluble pigments). Rollerball pens usually require a cap to prevent the liquid ink drying out, but a few brands have developed capless rollerballs that use non-drying refills such as the Lamy Swift and Monteverde Jewelria. Monteverde have developed a rollerball that sucks up ink into a piston converter, providing even smoother ink flow, called the Monteverde Mega.
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