Moleskine Pens?

As unhealthy as many people see my obsession with faux-leather over-priced Italian pocket notebooks, its pens that is my secret addiction. I would love to hear what types of writing instruments people use with their Moleskines.

What pens or pencils do you use when writing in your Moleskine?

I have a variety of pens that I use but the ink is almost always the same. Pilot G2 .7mm archival ink. You can pick up Pilot G2 pens for about $1 each. You can pick up a very nice Pilot Dr. Grip Gel at just about any grocery or drug store. There really isn't a need for a big fancy $20 to $50 pen, but there are some real nice ones out there.

I've spent more money than I want to admit on fancy pens by Rotring and Waterman but there isn't any real reason to use anything more than a Pilot Dr. Grip Gel.

So, what type of pens, ink, or pencils does the rest of the Moleskine community use?

Image: pilotpen.us

Comments

[Fazal Majid]

I use a Faber-Castell mechanical pencil, thick lead (1.4 mm). The thick lead makes all the difference, and glides on the paper, and the stubby, cigar-like shape is quite comfortable to hold.

If you like a thinner pencil, try the Yard-O-Led ones (1.1 mm), but they are much more expensive as they are made of sterling silver.

And for me the main attraction of the Moleskine is not the faux leather, but the amazing rigidity of the cover, which makes writing possible in almost every situation.

[Paul]

I usually use the same G2 from Pilot, but I also have a Tombo Object that is nice every once in a while.

[Justin]

I have a Rotring 0.7mm pencil - black with a round barrel - I have not seen anything quite like it. With a matching Fountain Pen.

And a Faber-Castell 2B with a funky yellow/blue sharpener cap.

And a few Lamy Safari fountain pens with blue, black and purple ink. And a titanium Mont Blanc that leaks too much now.

My only concern is that one will get lonely if I don't use it often enough....

[Mike]

I've heard people haven't had a lot of luck with fountain pens and moleskines. I found this to be the case with my Lamy fountain pen so I switched to the Pilot G2 gel inks.

Still, I am considering a Waterman Phileas fountain pen with black ink just for fun.

For pencils I use a Rotring 600 .7mm mechanical pencil for my walk around companion to my Rotring 600 rollerball (with Pilot G2 .5mm gel ink) and at home I use a Rotring Core .7mm pencil that came free with my Rotring Core Rollerball. I may have to pick up one of those Faber-Castell's though.

If I spent the time writing that I do surfing around looking at pens, I'd be Stephen King.

[Justin]

My Safaris have a fine nib and the ink does not usually bleed through the paper. However, I do mostly use the pencil.

I have not really searched for pen-enthusiast sites - are they out there?

[Armand]

Hi Justin:
Penlovers look pretty extensive. There was also some discussion about pens at MetaFilter last summer. Mike Shea should have some more suggestions.

[boxx]

I've been using a Stylist for writing in the ruled notebook. For drawing in the sketchbook i use either a Pilot Better Retractable or a Koh-i-Noor Rapidograph Depending on my mood.

[Justin]

Those Rapidographs look like the ones I used for Tech Drawing in high school. I had an 0.35, 0.5 and 0.7 but think mine were either Rotrings or Staedtlers.

Mmmmm haven't thought about those pens for ages - thanks for the reminder.

[TPB, Esq.]

Because I use my moleskine on the road, I wanted something waterproof and quick-writing. Also, I'm left handed, so I needed something that would not smudge.

I use two pens, therefore. I use the Uniball Vision Medium Blue Waterproof/Smudgeproof Rollerball and the Papermate Flexgrip Ultra Blue Medium ballpoint. I tend to prefer the Flexgrip, because its ink supply lasts longer.

I wish, though, that I could find something with a wider barrel.

[Mike]

I am really far from a real "pen guy". I picked up a couple that I like and some that I don't and really wish I had just stuck to a Pilot Dr. Grip for the most part. If you want to hear the real pen-guys, go to the alt.collecting.pens-pencils.

[Libby Meyer]

I too worship at the alter of the Pilot G-2 pen. I always have at least three with me at all times so I never have to take the chance of having to write or draw with another kind of pen.

[Thomas Roessler]

Mostly Pilot Gel pens, and plain, old-fashioned pencils. (The mechanical ones are reserved for different purposes -- mostly because I prefer soft pencils for the Moleskine, but harder ones for mathematics.)

[Niklas]

I use a Lamy Safari fountain pen - amzingly, since universal wisdom seems to indicate that it's a bad match with moleskines. I have no problems though. The Lamys are a pretty smooth write.

[Fredrik]

I like the "Cross Ion":http://www.cross.com/ionpromo.asp since it fits in any pocket and is very comfortable to write with. Unfortunatly the ink needs some time to dry, so it isn't optimal for Moleskine use.

Lately I've been using a cheap 0.1mm Staedtler pen for sketching and writing. Nice, but not stylish.

[Morgaine]

For my diary I use a pen by Jean-Pierre Lépine most of the time, see: Morgaine Le Faye Net: Blog

[Tej]

I use a Lamy Al-star fountain pen for when I am sitting down and writing, and a cheap Papermate ball point if I am in a bus or car or anywhere I don't have a hard surface. I don't have problems with either.

Model 26 - LAMY AL-star graphit fountain pen

[Michael]

My lovely new chunky black Lamy Safari fountain pen is my choice too. I am having to learn not to write too fast though or else the ink seem to stop flowing every now and again. Perhaps I need to change the cartridge (or just let the ideas come more slowly).

Pleased to have found your site.

[cody]

i use either

these

or these

"le pens"

i've had really good results.

[Mike]

I ordered a set of those Zig Millennium Markers for some color acid-free markers. This site is really starting to cost me money.

Why oh why do I not follow my own advise and stick to Pilot G2s and a wooden pencil?

[boxx]

I used the 'le pens' for a while too, since we stock them at work. I really like them, except for the fact they are not water resistant. The C and Y Stylust i mentioned above. It has the same style of nib and ink, but seems to be more water resistant.

[cody]

i'll have to check those out, it's time for me to get a new pen anyhow.

[Lohr]

I use a Rotring Core fountain pen, fine point (I have very spidery handwriting)and with the J. Herbin "Poussiere de Lune" ink... Since Shaeffer stopped making its burgundy (or bordeaux/granate) ink, Poussiere de Lune, with a few drops of purple ink added, is my favorite notebook ink... The Rotring Core is large-ish, but it writes remarkably well in my notebooks...and rarely bleeds through.

[Pragmatik]

Pilot G2 -- the Extra Fine .05 point. Same for pencils. However, for the more adventurous days, I prefer my Fisher Space Pens, especially the tiny bullet pen. Nothing matches the go-anywhere Geist of the Moleskine as well as the bullet pen. It can survive more than the revered littleb black book, to be sure. It can be baked and frozen.

I loyally get mine at The Writer's Edge. The owner is a really really nice guy, and the way that he does business will amaze you as much as the Space Pen or Moleskine.

[Edelmak]

I am a huge fountain pen fan (see Pentrace.com for a great pen site) and am currently using a Dunhill AD2000, Pelikan M805 or a Nakaya with Private Reserve ink (DC Super Show Blue). Typically a F or XF nib.

[gary]

I use a Pilot Namiki Vanishing Point fountain pen...most amazing fountain pen I've owned. Switched the nib out for a fine point, and i'm wondering if I'll ever write with anything else. Always on the look out for a quality mechanical pencil, but haven't found THE one to use just yet...