Searching for the perfect pen

I don’t think I have THAT high expectations for the pens in my life. I want something reliable, easy to hold, that uses waterproof ink, that’s refillable and (I suppose here is my problem) has a certain something that makes me want to pick it up, hold it, use it, dare I say love it...yes, love it.

I’ve come quite recently to drawing. A health problem has meant I’ve finally admitted that it’s time to stop making large, energetic paintings. Now I make small drawings of the things around me and I like it. I’d like it more if I could find just the right pen. I’ve spent far more on pens than on my fat cat’s not insubstantial food bill these last few months. I have piles of them. None have been quite right.

I started by just going into every art shop and stationers that crossed my path, picking up pens I liked the look of, scribbling quickly on the tiny pads provided for such purposes and then heading to the till. Soon however I discovered lots of what I bought either wasn’t waterproof, ran out quickly or became blocked. None really inspired any deeper emotions in me.

I decided to become more systematic. I searched the web for advice. On the wonderful Danny Gregory’s blog (http://www.dannygregory.com/weblog) I found my first mention of Rotring. He sings the praises of the Rapidoliner. Still ignorant I thought one Rotring would be much like another and so when I couldn’t
find any Rapidoliners anywhere I ordered a bunch of Rapidographs - refillable, waterproof ink, plenty of different nib sizes and nice to look at and hold. I began to wonder if I could fall in love. Often I would pick up one, try to make a mark, only to find the pen was blocked. I felt just a touch betrayed.

Next a Rotring Art Pen. Lovely to look at and hold but again with an unreliable ink flow and doesn’t really like having waterproof ink in it.

Next - joy of joys - I found a few Rapidoliners on eBay. I bought all I could find. Love began to stir. Reliable ink flow. Fabulous to hold. Waterproof ink. What more could I want? NOT the fact that Rotring have discontinued the pen - suddenly it became clear why I couldn’t find them anywhere but on eBay. Ho hum.

So my search continues. I have a glimmer of hope. At the weekend I returned to my obsessive scouring of local art shops and was sold a Staedtler Mars Professional. We aren’t well enough acquainted to be in love yet but who knows what the future holds. Refills seem widely available (perhaps I should buy in bulk), the waterproof ink flows well, it has a nice feel in my hand, and it’s silver finish is reminiscent of my beloved Powerbook. Hmm...

Michael Nobbs is an artist, blogger and part-time ME/CFS sufferer living on the west coast of Wales. You can read his illustrated blog at michaelnobbs.com

Image and words © Michael Nobbs, 2004. All rights Reserved.

Comments

[TPB, Esq.]

This is less for artists, who need fine lines, but the Uniball Vision Elite 0.8 mm bold point is an amazing writing pen. Fast, waterproof, smooth, and with a remarkably ... interesting black/blue color available, the pen has become the only one I am willing to use.

[John]

I've been sketching with Faber-Castell Pitt Artist pens recently. They seems like they might work for you, only they are not refillable. Dick Blick, however, has them so inexpensively that it's okay. The "Fine" is not so fine -- maybe a very very little broader than a 0.7 Pilot G2. The finest point is great for Moleskine sketching. I have not had the chance to try anything broader. Both the ink and the nips are better than those Pigma Micron that Sakura makes. The Pitt ink is actually black:)

Here's the link to Dick Blick's selection: http://www.dickblick.com/zz207/59/products.asp?param=0&ig_id=5061

[Mike]

Someone else mentioned their rules for pens that I liked a lot. Here are some of my new pen rules:

- Never use a pen you can't replace easily.
- Never use a pen that costs too much to replace.
- Use a pen that looks good, writes well, and captures some of the magic of handwriting.
- Use pigmant ink for permancy.
- Use pigment based, waterproof, archival safe, cheap, and easy to find ink refills.

I've used Pilot G2 based ink for about a year now and after trying a lot of different pens I still fall back to it. G2 ink is very easy to find, costs about $1 for a refill, fits Waterman and Rotring fancy-pants elitist pens, and uses archival quality pigment-based water resistant ink. You can buy a box of twelve Pilot G2s with either .5mm or .7mm sized tips for $12. or a pair of them for about $3 at any grocery or drug store.

My daily writing pen is my Waterman Phileas pen. I tried a lot of Rotring pens but I never liked them as much as my Waterman. One can purchase the Phileas for about $30 on the web. It's plastic but very well constructed and easy to write with. If I lost mine, I'd buy another without thinking about it.

I can't speak for artist pens, you guys are in a far different league than I, but for my daily Moleskinning, my Waterman Phileas loaded with Pilot G2 ink is perfect.

[John]

True, the G2 is the best for writing. Sketching with them is just messy.

Apologies for my gross typo: "they seems"? No more commenting pre-morning coffee for me:)

[Paul Kalupnieks]

I picked up my current pen on a recommendation from 43folders... I can't take full credit, but I recommend it to anyone that is looking for a good pen.

Fisher Spacepen. While I only found the "bullet" model at my local Stables, I went to thier website and discovered a multitude of styles and even refills for cometitors.

It truely is the "best pen" I have ever used. I'd prefer a fine-tip design, but the cartrige I have now, medium, is better than even the most expensive Cross and Waterman pens I've tried. Smooth as silk, waterproof, and hell, the design works in no atmosphere at all!

43folders owner, Wizard, has even claimed to have written with one through BUTTER. now that's a claim I'd like to reproduce, save that I'd have to waste some good butter and paper to do it.

So... if you find one of those top-end models that you like the weight and feel of, just order some new spacepen carts. If you're looking for a new pen altogether, browse around thier site. I've got the basic bullet model, and don't thing I'll ever go to anything else.

[Joy]

I ordered a couple of Pitt Pens from Dick Blick and have been using them [almost exclusively] for two months. They have a very nice feel on the page, and there's minimal read-through on Moleskine paper. They're very cheap and come in many colors.

[Mike]

I tried one of those Fisher Space Pens a few days ago. The pen design is very nice but its a ballpoint, not a rollerball. I quickly switched back to G2-based pens.

[Stephen]

"Pen Rules" - Mike, was that me? If so I'm flattered.
"...A favourite pen has to have only three main attributes:
1. One must like the way it writes;
2. It must be identifiable by others as Yours and Special (i.e. it is not a stationery-cupboard issue pen);
3. It must not be irreplaceable or hugely expensive ( It's with you always - what if you lost it ... !? )
Beyond that, it can conform to all your personal tastes in a pen..."
(from the Moleskine Pens thread)

My drawings look like my cat did them, so I write my pictures. At the moment I alternate from a Parker Jotter Fountain pen, a Perraz Space pen with a Parker gel refill, and a cheap Papermate Widemate (I like the barrel, & as it's nearly empty I'm looking for a good refill for this).

[Ric Asbury]

This is for the fountain pen users out there. I found the perfect pen/ink combo. for my Moleskine. I was just recently presented with a Pilot Murex fountain pen as a gift. It's a japanese short pen.(short when capped, full size when posted) They are made of surgical stainless steel with an integral nib. Try Russ Stutler's site at www.stutler.cc for your own Murex. I'm using Noodler's Legal Lapis ink, wonderful blue/green color. It's perfect for the Moleskine paper, virtually no bleed thru. The best part is, when it's dry, it's waterproof. Perfect when I'm at the coffee shop and, gasp, I spill some on my precious notebook.

[Lohr]

Legal Lapis? Tell me more about the color... I tend to use Montblanc Bordeaux or Fahrney's Black Cherry or J. Herbin Poussiere de Lune, each with a hint of purple added...

[Ric Asbury]

I found this color while browsing for a waterproof ink. Noodler's started with black only but, has expanded to more colors. Legal Lapis is an exclusive color to Pendemonium. You can see the color at www.pendemonium.com. The photographs show the ink a little dark. I find it leans more towards the green side. It all depends on your pen's ink flow. Check out Noodler's inks at www.luxurybrandsusa.com. Also try www.swisherpens.com for other special Noodler's waterproof colors.
"If you think it, Moleskine it."

[mike]

The Fisher bullet pen. It's with me when the others are in the drawer.

[Stephen]

I've just come across the "Uniball Signo RT" gel pen. I reckon that they are the best cheap pen I've found (AUD$2.95) in black & blue.

Mine's a 0.7 but there's other sizes. The black is Black & the blue is Blue; they don't bleed on Moleskine paper; they sit low in your shirt pocket; they are not too fat & not too thin; they have a good "grip" that doesn't take over the profile, and they are replaceable.

Do they come in a wooden barrel?

Stephen

[John]

Here here to the bullet pen!

[Michael Nobbs]

Just a quick update to this. The Staedtler Mars Professional didn't work out. The nib wasn't strong enough for me. I'm back using my Rotring Art Pen (actually a new one, an extra fined nobbed one) and am happy to report we are in love. M

[Brandon]

As for making your pen recognizable from all others ... I like using white tape ringed around the middle of the pen. I could recognize mine in a pile of 'em. (okay .. I may be a little neurotic!) (:

[seth]

Bought a fisher space pen. Lost a fisher space pen. I tend to hide things from myself, so bigger would be better - May have to use my Conklin Glider rollerball more often.

[Bill Donohue]

Try a Retro 51 Tornado fountain pen. New it's about $40 and they are great to write and draw in moleskine sketchbooks. I am left handed and have no trouble with this fountain pen. Another good one is a Namiki Vaishing Point with a fine nib. If you got a couple hundred to invest in a pen try a Scheaffer.
Best of Luck...

Bill

[David R]

I am a pen nut. I collect them and use them. I have everything from a G2 rollerball to a MontBlanc 146 with a custom ground calligraphy nib. I, too, have searched for the perfect pen.

Currently, my most favorite for writing and sketching is a refurbished restored Esterbrook J with a 9028 flex nib. It cost me less than $15.00 (USD) on Ebay and just feels good.

I use Sheaffer Skrip or Private Reserve inks. For general work, I use a Rotring Artpen or my Esterbrook. Not expensive, replacible, yet personal. And my Moleskines take my ink perfectly.

As a note, from personal experience, the search for the perfect pen is a lifetime experience (I am almost 60 and have searched since I was 10). Good luck.