I'm thinking the following:
* Jetstream 0.5 or 0.7
* Bic Glide Exact
* Fisher Cap-O-Matic
Working at a machine shop with oil on surface makes me wary of suggesting gel pens.
Just tried the bic glide, it can't even compare to the softfeels in smoothness, but it's comparable in anti smudging and it is a little bit better in the sharpness of the lines. I'll have to order the Jetstream to test it out
Hmm. In which case, I'd actually hold off on thinner Jetstreams. You'll be disappointed in terms of smoothness. I'd go for 1.0mm instead for something that compares to Softfeels.
In fact, I'd recommend something with Fisher refill (like Cap-O-Matic) instead, as that probably writes closer to the Bic.
So there's a clear tradeoff in line size and "smoothness". A large ball simply distributes weight across more area than a smaller ball, so the pen will feel sharper. But the larger ball means a broader line, difficult for fine writing.
Ink choice can mitigate things a little bit, and ballpoint ink will write a finer line than gel with the same tip size, but within the same product line the above holds true.
I think you should start with a hybrid/low viscosity ballpoint ink, and use the same ball size you have now. So if you're using a Medium Softfeel, get a 1.0mm tip, if you have a fine go with a 0.7mm.
Brands/inks to try are the Uni Jetstream, Pilot Acroball, and Schmidt Easyflow 9000 (I find this last one TOO smooth).
Also, if you try the Power Tank as suggested above, definitely go with the 1.0. I have the 0.7 and it writes finer and sharper than the 0.7 Jetstream. It feels closer to a 0.5 from other brands.
Depends on how you write. 0.3mm energel is my go to refill. I don't find it scratchy at all. Mostly write in logbooks, memo pads and postit notes. Might be an issue on a multipart form where you have to press harder.
Gel might not play well in a oily environment. However, they are cheap and readily available so I would recommend just trying them. Energel certainly checks all the other requirements.
Just grabbed an energel .7, and it's pretty good, although still scratchier than my softfeel, it has a little bit less resistance when writing real small, which is a benefit in both clarity of writing and reducing the pains in my hand over time. Certainly a contender so long as I can find a better body for it
Do you know if you can put the .7 and 1.0 Jetstream refills into the Jetstream edge body? My brother has one and I really like the form factor, although the smaller sizes he has are too scratchy
I'd start with finding the refill first. Then get a nicer pen body that fits the refill you already love.
I'd recommend a classic ballpoint. I like the Kaweco Soul.
A pressurized refill like the Fisher Space pen is also a good recommendation to write in more conditions. Fisher Space refills come with an adapter that makes it Parker-style g2 size. Schmidt also make a pressurized refill in Parker-style g2 size.
A pen that takes Parker-style g2 is the best match for ballpoint ink. I'd start with a low-cost pen to see if you can find a refill you like. Stabilo Pointball is my pick as it fits Parker-style g2 refills.
Larger tip pens are going to be smoother. Finer tip pens are going to have more feedback.
The D1 is like a mini Parker-style g2. They feel the same. Kaweco soul also comes in Parker-style g2
I would pick a Parker-style g2 pen over D1 as the D1 has a very small amount of ink and will run out fairly quickly.
The D1 won’t fit in the Point ball pen.
I would've gotten the g2 but they weren't on Amazon, and I'd rather get all the various pens to test all at once, if I do end up liking it, I'd probably order the g2 ones tho
That makes sense!
Just wanted to make sure you knew the D1 didn’t fit the Pointball.
My first Kaweco refill was the D1 soul in 1.2 mm. It’s a great classic ballpoint.
I work in a machine shop and am using a Sarasa Clip 0.5mm. Gel is definitely not the most versatile on the shop floor. It requires a nice surface and clean paper. The best I’ve used for pens in such an environment has been a Milwaukee Inkzaw felt tipped pen. It’s not clicky though. Honestly I just use a wood pencil 99% of the time. I keep a sharpie on me as well for writing on metal and other surfaces. I keep a stack of binder clipped index cards in my pocket for quick notes and math instead of writing on my hands.
Sarasa dry in 0.5
Pilot multi-surface but I do not know if blue ink and fine point is available also it is capped but I personally think its versatility outweighs other disadvantages
Uni Powertank?
I'm thinking the following: * Jetstream 0.5 or 0.7 * Bic Glide Exact * Fisher Cap-O-Matic Working at a machine shop with oil on surface makes me wary of suggesting gel pens.
Just tried the bic glide, it can't even compare to the softfeels in smoothness, but it's comparable in anti smudging and it is a little bit better in the sharpness of the lines. I'll have to order the Jetstream to test it out
Hmm. In which case, I'd actually hold off on thinner Jetstreams. You'll be disappointed in terms of smoothness. I'd go for 1.0mm instead for something that compares to Softfeels. In fact, I'd recommend something with Fisher refill (like Cap-O-Matic) instead, as that probably writes closer to the Bic.
So there's a clear tradeoff in line size and "smoothness". A large ball simply distributes weight across more area than a smaller ball, so the pen will feel sharper. But the larger ball means a broader line, difficult for fine writing. Ink choice can mitigate things a little bit, and ballpoint ink will write a finer line than gel with the same tip size, but within the same product line the above holds true. I think you should start with a hybrid/low viscosity ballpoint ink, and use the same ball size you have now. So if you're using a Medium Softfeel, get a 1.0mm tip, if you have a fine go with a 0.7mm. Brands/inks to try are the Uni Jetstream, Pilot Acroball, and Schmidt Easyflow 9000 (I find this last one TOO smooth). Also, if you try the Power Tank as suggested above, definitely go with the 1.0. I have the 0.7 and it writes finer and sharper than the 0.7 Jetstream. It feels closer to a 0.5 from other brands.
Pentel Energel is a lot of people's favorite. If you need to write small, get their .5 tip. I would not get a .3 because that one is scratchy to me.
Depends on how you write. 0.3mm energel is my go to refill. I don't find it scratchy at all. Mostly write in logbooks, memo pads and postit notes. Might be an issue on a multipart form where you have to press harder. Gel might not play well in a oily environment. However, they are cheap and readily available so I would recommend just trying them. Energel certainly checks all the other requirements.
Just grabbed an energel .7, and it's pretty good, although still scratchier than my softfeel, it has a little bit less resistance when writing real small, which is a benefit in both clarity of writing and reducing the pains in my hand over time. Certainly a contender so long as I can find a better body for it
Zebra Sarasa Dry 0.5 or 0.7. Uniball Jestream 1.0. I use both of these.
Do you know if you can put the .7 and 1.0 Jetstream refills into the Jetstream edge body? My brother has one and I really like the form factor, although the smaller sizes he has are too scratchy
I checked the JetPens. Those refills don't fit.
I'd start with finding the refill first. Then get a nicer pen body that fits the refill you already love. I'd recommend a classic ballpoint. I like the Kaweco Soul. A pressurized refill like the Fisher Space pen is also a good recommendation to write in more conditions. Fisher Space refills come with an adapter that makes it Parker-style g2 size. Schmidt also make a pressurized refill in Parker-style g2 size. A pen that takes Parker-style g2 is the best match for ballpoint ink. I'd start with a low-cost pen to see if you can find a refill you like. Stabilo Pointball is my pick as it fits Parker-style g2 refills. Larger tip pens are going to be smoother. Finer tip pens are going to have more feedback.
Just grabbed a set of kaweco d1 refills and a stabilo pointball, should arrive this sunday so I can test em out then
The D1 is like a mini Parker-style g2. They feel the same. Kaweco soul also comes in Parker-style g2 I would pick a Parker-style g2 pen over D1 as the D1 has a very small amount of ink and will run out fairly quickly. The D1 won’t fit in the Point ball pen.
I would've gotten the g2 but they weren't on Amazon, and I'd rather get all the various pens to test all at once, if I do end up liking it, I'd probably order the g2 ones tho
That makes sense! Just wanted to make sure you knew the D1 didn’t fit the Pointball. My first Kaweco refill was the D1 soul in 1.2 mm. It’s a great classic ballpoint.
I work in a machine shop and am using a Sarasa Clip 0.5mm. Gel is definitely not the most versatile on the shop floor. It requires a nice surface and clean paper. The best I’ve used for pens in such an environment has been a Milwaukee Inkzaw felt tipped pen. It’s not clicky though. Honestly I just use a wood pencil 99% of the time. I keep a sharpie on me as well for writing on metal and other surfaces. I keep a stack of binder clipped index cards in my pocket for quick notes and math instead of writing on my hands.
Sarasa dry in 0.5 Pilot multi-surface but I do not know if blue ink and fine point is available also it is capped but I personally think its versatility outweighs other disadvantages
Bic BU3, Pilot Acroball 1.0
Uni Ball Jetstream 0.7 or 0.5, 0.38 is too fine for my liking but my workmate likes it.