Perhaps a shallow sort of question, but being an amateur enthusiast in Australia, just about the only brands i come across in ballpoint are parker and cross! I'm after a nice ballpoint. What are some of the most respected, or prestigious ballpoint brands that write nicely?
All pen makers produce ballpoints. The biggest maker of luxury pens is Montblanc, which offers a huge range of ballpoints. Another German pen maker is Pelikan. More niche brands can Italian - Montegrappa, Omas, Visconti, Delta; or Japanese - Namiki, Platinum, Sailor. These are just some brands off the top of my head.
Most ballpoints will write similarly, majority of ballpoint refills are made by the same makers anyway, so the most important thing is to find one that fits your hand.
While I agree with my friend on this one there are ...........
March 24 2008, 8:29 AM
people who are still amazed by the six pointed white star. Don't get me wrong, I have a number of MB's and am happy with them but they do not hold any magical allure for me. Certainly there are BP's that cost in the thousands of dollars but they do not hold the appeal of fountain pens to me.
A 'prestige ballpoint' - that's a bit like saying a 'prestige hammer' or 'prestige screwdriver'!
If you want something prestigious, throw those ballpoints in the bin and get yourself a proper fountain pen. A $500 ballpoint writes no better than a $1 one.
$300 on a really nice ballpoint pen simply because it's a BP?
Does a high quality pen that happens to be a BP have any appeal to those who are pen lovers?
Is convenience a factor where BP's might be preferable to a FP for everyday use for a physician or accountant, for example?
I sure hate to think that the beautiful Dunhill I just purchased for a dear friend is no better than a BIC.
While I agree that fountains the the stuff of pen 'purists'(much in the way that we are passionate about the difference between mechanical and quartz watches), there is most certainly a place for ballpoints. First of all, as you noted, there are definitely occupations that require ballpoints. Try signing a triplicate prescription for opioids with a fountain pen, and you'll soon be asking your buddy for a ballpoint pen to re-write the script. Further, MOST people (in the USA, anyway) are used to using ballpoints, so if you regularly ask people to sign documents, a ballpoint or roller is a must.
Anyway, ballpoints are by far the most popular form of high end pens sold in the USA. If your friend is a pen enthusiast, then perhaps a fountain is a better choice. Instead, if this is a very kind gesture for someone who may appreciate nice things but is not as into pens as us maniacs, then I think it's fantastically appropriate.
For disclosure, my own collection approximates foutains to ballpoints/rollers ~15:1, but I do own a few ballpoints.
Thanks,
Brian
P.S. Mark, are you familiar with Facom tools? Prestigious enough to prep the Scuderia!
Whether you have wasted your $300 really depends on whether you (or the person who is going to use the pen) like BPs. Opinion is subjective, so whereas I would never spend that much on a ballpoint any more than I would spend $300 on a screwdriver, I am aware that many people would. Good for them.
In my view, ballpoints are just tools, while fountain pens are 'objets d'art'. For some people, it may be the opposite.
May be not, but a $500.- one holds, in many cases, a lot better.
When it feels better in your hand, you're able to write better.
But there is nothing like a good fountain pen, I only use a ballpoint
for some tax forms, documents etc.
Geo
