Parker ballpoint pens in the UK: Fountain pen vs. ballpoint vs. rollerball: Which one should you choose? We’re often asked what the differences are between writing with each of these different types of pen, from how they write to the different pen nib types that are available. To help you understand the differences and to make the right choice for you and your writing needs, here’s a brief guide to each style of pen. True fountain pens use bottled inks and generally have a piston-type mechanism that draws the ink through the pen from the nib. Cartridge pens use disposable ink cartridges and cannot use bottled inks. Fountain pens fitted with a converter use both cartridges and bottled inks. Find extra info at rollerball pens parker.

Ink pens with a spring-loaded mechanism allowing the user to retract and extend the pen tip are called click pens or retractable pens. A click pen serves mostly practical and practical purposes. The click mechanism in a retractable pen makes it possible to write without ever taking the cap off. Modern times call for modern tools. Typically, this pen is used to describe an extremely slim and long staff, not unlike a modern ballpoint pen. The heavy curve of many styluses makes them more comfortable to hold. Stylus pens are designed for traditional writing (e.g., pottery) and touchscreens to navigate or provide more precision.

High-quality pens often come with intricate designs and craftsmanship that make them a joy to own and use. Many pens feature elegant finishes, unique colors, and ergonomic designs that enhance the writing experience. When you give a pen, you are not just offering a tool; you are presenting a work of art. Consider the difference between a mass-produced pen and a handcrafted one. A well-crafted pen embodies quality and care, reflecting the thoughtfulness of the gift. Brands like PenShop offer a range of beautifully designed pens that make for stunning gifts, showcasing your appreciation for the recipient’s individuality and taste.

The Parker fountain pen might not be perfect, but mine holds a special place in my heart. Parker’s distinctive nib imprint and the “tunnel entrances” Parker cap ring. I first purchased one of these, in the pretty lilac colour with 14k gold medium nib, from Harrods in November 2019. It was an impulse buy, for which my conscience later suffered and I took it back a few days later. The story was told in my brief encounter post, for those who like fountain pen love stories. At home, I filled it with Diamine Conway Stewart Tavy, my go-to blue black, which immediately became its forever ink. A feature of the pen is the clicky piston filler which sounds and feels like winding a mechanical watch. You cannot see how much ink the pen is holding but can measure it by slowly ejecting the ink again and counting the drops. I am not sure whether purists call this a piston or a captive converter filler. I recall watching a short video from Parker, proudly showing the patented new filling mechanism on its own, and explaining the various different materials that it comprised, (as related in my brief encounter post) but unfortunately I can no longer locate the video.

If your steel-nibbed fountain pen is not going to be used for some time, we recommend you clean it and remove all the ink from the nib. This will give you the maximum service from your nib. One of the softer metals, solid gold has less ability to bend back into its original shape than steel, which makes it ideal for fountain pen nibs. As you start to write with a solid gold nib, it will begin to respond to the pressure you exert on your pen and begin to fit or ‘bed in’ to your style of handwriting. We recommend that after purchase, you use your gold-nibbed fountain pen every day for at least two or three weeks. After this amount of use, then, your nib will write in this way for the rest of its life.