As you may know, I don’t like ballpoint pens.  There are a few that I like, such as the Pentel RSVPs, but they are one of the exceptions.

I received some Softroll refills from the kind folks at Monteverde.  I tried out the blue one  in my vintage Parker Jotter.  One good thing about these refills is that they fit all Parker-style ballpoints, as well as a variety of other brands.  The other good thing is that they don’t act like regular ballpoint points.  Like their name, they roll smoothly and softly across the paper, lessening the normal ballpoint friction and discomfort.  If you like the look of ballpoint ink, you won’t be disappointed.

In short, it still looks like a ballpoint, but flows much better.  I will consider buying these when I need more ballpoint refills.

I don’t like them. They don’t flow well and I think make the hand and arm more apt to fatigue. Sometimes the mood strikes me to use one, but I am picky about the make and feel. Usually I opt for a fountain or rollerball.

I like some rollerballs like the Pliot V-Ball and Pilot Precise. I mostly carry rollerballs with me when I’m out for convenience and also risk-minimization. The risks to which I refer are leakage, loss of a pen, someone else using my pen, taking it or ruining it. Many people do not know how to write with fountain pens and therefore practically no one is allowed to use my prized FPs. I will let others try my Pilot Varsity FPs because at $4 a pop with a fairly sturdy steel nib, there is a low risk of harm.

If you don’t already know, high-end gold nibs will conform to your writing style after a while. If you have a gold-nibbed FP, you might want to think twice about letting others use it, as it may influence the nib.

There is something calming and vintage about a plain yellow pencil.  Just the fact that this style of pencil has been used for decades comforts me.

I do not use pencils very often and I am fortunate to have a few vintage mechanical pencils.  Most of the modern pencils I use are also mechanical.  However, I sharpened a brand new yellow pencil and stuck one of those foam grippers on it yesterday and I am really enjoying its sentimentality.

Sometimes life is most joyous in simple things.

Welcome to my new blog about fountain pens, inks, paper, journals, etc.  I love fountain pens and their associated items for many reasons. Here are some:

– the ease of writing with them; the ink often flows so smoothly from the nib

– the fact that many vintage pens work just as well, if not better than today’s pens

– the quality of craftsmanship

– the beautiful designs and patterns of the pen bodies and engraving on the nibs

– their vintage, yet timeless quality

– the many different ink choices

– the great bottles to house the ink

– the history behind them

I will be writing about pens/inks/paper I like and also reviewing some items. If you have a pen, ink, paper or related item you would like me to review, please contact me at plume dot etoile at gmail dot com.

Thanks for visiting and I look forward to sharing more about pens and ink with you.