Rollerball / ballpoint retractable with interesting look

[MurderousCrow]

Hi folks,

Looking for some recommendations please. I'm after a nice rollerball or ballpoint retractable (preferably with a 1.3mm+ point refill available) which has a cool / interesting look & action. Any ideas from The Nib?

Thanks

 

[Rhody]

Lamy 2000
Ballpoint is a click
Rollerball is a removable cap that posts firmly.

 

[AimlessWanderer]

I like the Zebra Expandz for the size change. Beyond that, I'm a bit of a Parker fan.

 

[StuMcB]

I use the Monteverdi one touch rollerball at work and have 4 in total. They take regular ink cartridges or a converters, any ink you want and they lay a fat line down too. My work one has had 1 nib / ball change in 3 years.

 

[tankerjohn]

Retro 51! I like the military/aerospace themed ones, but I they have a design for just about any sensibility.

Retro 1951® | Official Site

Life is too short to carry an Ugly Pen!® | Explore Retro51.com for fine writing instruments and accessories designed to elevate your everyday writing experience for both personal and professional use. Discover the iconic Tornado™ collection - We know there is something for everyone!

www.retro51.com

 

[WetShaveVet]

Lamy 2000
Ballpoint is a click
Rollerball is a removable cap that posts firmly.

I am going to second this. Bauhaus design. Made of nearly indestructible Makrolon. Very cool. Mine are years and years old. The barrels are very smooth now. They were matte when they were new but other than that they are still perfect.

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

Retro 51 has some lookers. Shop around. One of my cigar buddies has one that looks like a cigar.

 

[MurderousCrow]

Thanks very much all for your input. None were far off the mark - particularly the Retro 51 items which are just cool. But I've ordered a Monteverde one-touch tool pen. Couldn't resist the ruler, screwdriver and spirit level, and D1 refills are available with super-broad tips. Went for the yellow.

 

[Rhody]

Thanks very much all for your input. None were far off the mark - particularly the Retro 51 items which are just cool. But I've ordered a Monteverde one-touch tool pen. Couldn't resist the ruler, screwdriver and spirit level, and D1 refills are available with super-broad tips. Went for the yellow.

View attachment 1351401

Looks cool. I like the high viz color too harder to lose
Let us know how it looks and writes. Interested in the d132 refills.

 

[AimlessWanderer]

Thanks very much all for your input. None were far off the mark - particularly the Retro 51 items which are just cool. But I've ordered a Monteverde one-touch tool pen. Couldn't resist the ruler, screwdriver and spirit level, and D1 refills are available with super-broad tips. Went for the yellow.

View attachment 1351401

I have one. A Christmas present from my nieces last year. I think mine is Troika branded, and is a black version. Maybe not a pen for extended writing sessions, but an enjoyable pen all the same.

 

[Rhody]

I have one. A Christmas present from my nieces last year. I think mine is Troika branded, and is a black version. Maybe not a pen for extended writing sessions, but an enjoyable pen all the same.

A pen that’s
On the “level”

 

[AimlessWanderer]

A pen that’s
On the “level”

... to "rule" them all

 

[MurderousCrow]

Looks cool. I like the high viz color too harder to lose
Let us know how it looks and writes. Interested in the d132 refills.

Yep that was what appealed. I'll update when it arrives!

 

[MurderousCrow]

Maybe not a pen for extended writing sessions, but an enjoyable pen all the same.

Yep I can imagine - I'll mostly be jotting notes with it, the keyboard gets the brunt of it for writing extended pieces. Still, I like a pen that looks & feels good and has a decent flow. Hoping the broad tips I've ordered are as nice to write with as the Mexican 1.3mm Bic Cristals I've been using religiously the last few months

 

[AimlessWanderer]

Yep I can imagine - I'll mostly be jotting notes with it, the keyboard gets the brunt of it for writing extended pieces. Still, I like a pen that looks & feels good and has a decent flow. Hoping the broad tips I've ordered are as nice to write with as the Mexican 1.3mm Bic Cristals I've been using religiously the last few months

I do like D1 inserts. The ones I am using in the Troika Tool Pen, and the Zebra Telescopic, are both to my liking. I don't know what brand or tip size they are though.

 

[MurderousCrow]

Quick update - I've had a while with this pen and I'm pretty happy. Merits and demerits:

+ Writes fluidly with the d1 wide tips
+ Comfortable in the hand, at least for note taking
+ Generally well put together

- The pen assembly itself is a push fit only. I'd have expected a threaded or latched connection but it does seem reasonably sturdy
- The clip is a bit flimsy - stamped lightweight steel, and its chrome doesn't match anything else on the pen. Could have done with a nice machined clip to go with the smooth matte stainless on either end.

 

[Rhody]

Quick update - I've had a while with this pen and I'm pretty happy. Merits and demerits:

+ Writes fluidly with the d1 wide tips
+ Comfortable in the hand, at least for note taking
+ Generally well put together

- The pen assembly itself is a push fit only. I'd have expected a threaded or latched connection but it does seem reasonably sturdy
- The clip is a bit flimsy - stamped lightweight steel, and its chrome doesn't match anything else on the pen. Could have done with a nice machined clip to go with the smooth matte stainless on either end.

Thanks for the update. Nice to see its working. Bummer about the clip. I wanted to also mention that I use bic crystal pens at work. They write so wide and wet. Can also be messy like a fp and have tended to leak if not kept upright.

 

[MurderousCrow]

Thanks for the update. Nice to see its working. Bummer about the clip. I wanted to also mention that I use bic crystal pens at work. They write so wide and wet. Can also be messy like a fp and have tended to leak if not kept upright.

I really like the wide tip Bics. Think they're 1.6mm. Never had one leak, but they're a bit narrow in the hand to be comfortable. The Monteverdi is nice & chunky.

 

[Rhody]

I really like the wide tip Bics. Think they're 1.6mm. Never had one leak, but they're a bit narrow in the hand to be comfortable. The Monteverdi is nice & chunky.

I’ve seen a few leak when stored tip side down. I get ink on my fingers typically using them because so much ink is flowing out of that wide body. It’s my go to office pen.