What types of writing pens are there? Pens, ink pens and ballpoint pens. Introduction Line Thickness of Ballpoint Pen Refill

A pen is considered a necessary writing utensil. Such devices are needed everywhere - for work, study and leisure. At the same time, there are different types of pens that differ in design, structure and cost. More details about popular varieties are described in the article.

Classes

All modern types of pens are divided into two large classes: fountain pens and traditional ones. Each of them has its own characteristics. Fountain pens are designs that automatically supply ink to the writing unit. The writing unit can be feathers, balls and fibers. The opposite option is the traditional pen, which comes in the form of a simple refill or nib holder.

By design, the types of handles are:

Among school supplies, pens are one of the most popular products. Typically, ball devices are used, which are convenient. There are many brands of similar products. Moreover, the cost of production is also different. The assortment includes products for every taste.

Liner

This is a type of pen in which the writing unit is presented in the form of a needle. Liners are similar to a rapidograph. These are convenient and functional.

Roller

There is no exact definition of what is considered a rollerblade. It is often classified as a ballpoint pen from European manufacturers. In fact, this is a standard device with different types of ink supply.

Such products are also classified according to the type of coloring composition and the method of ink supply. All devices, excluding capillary ones, have a writing element made of hard and practical material. Their ink has an impenetrable composition. They slowly pass over the surface of the writing element.

Feather version

A pen in the form of a feather is often classified as a traditional writing instrument. A special feature, in comparison with previous options, is that there is no need to constantly use an inkwell. The ink is located inside a special reservoir or inside a cartridge. Fountain pens are refilled with the simplest ink.

Ball

Such accessories are equipped with a writing element in the form of a metal ball. Ballpoint pens do not scratch paper. As the ball rotates, it receives the ink present in the body and then transfers it to the paper. The ink can be placed in a tube ending in a ball-shaped tip (called a refill), or in a special cartridge. The cartridges are usually installed in modern rollerballs.

The ink composition of these products differs markedly from that of feather inks. They are composed of different resins that make them durable and low fluidity. Recently, ink called oil ink has been in demand. They are used in ballpoint pens, and compared to classic ink, the writing element in them has a small diameter. In-demand writing instrument manufacturers create oil pens for their original inks.

Rollerballs have the advantages of feather and ball options. Rollerballs have a ball that ensures smooth writing. And the ink is water-based, making it similar to fountain pens. But even though they are water-based, rollerball ink cannot dry quickly. Rollerballs write in almost any position. Some species are able to function when writing on a vertical surface or in the “end up” position.

Gel

Their ink has a gel-like consistency, which reduces the amount of friction between the ball and the tip and makes writing easier. There are different types of gel pens, differing in colors, designs, and saturation. Such devices are no worse than ball devices in terms of brilliance and depth of color. Ballpoint pen ink is water- and light-resistant compared to rollerball ink. Today, the production of gel devices and inks for them is carried out at an accelerated pace.

Among the writing instruments there are pens with ink supply systems such as ink-reservoir and free-ink. Essentially, they are roller skates. The first type involves the presence of an ink reservoir, which has a fibrous structure used in felt-tip pens. With the ink-reservoir system, ink is used sparingly, but its slow flow makes writing more difficult. And with free-ink, the pen writes easily and smoothly.

Cost and brands

Pen prices depend on many indicators. The cheapest ones cost up to 10 rubles. They can be purchased at every stationery store, kiosk, and supermarket. These are ballpoint pens without a spring with paste as ink. If you need to write a lot, then this is a great option. The most popular types are “927” and Corvina. Such devices are convenient and practical.

The middle price segment includes pens costing from 10 to 30 rubles. There are gel devices from popular manufacturers and products with springs. Well-known manufacturers include Schneider, Pentel, Staedtler.

Expensive pens cost from 30 rubles. They are appreciated by lovers of high quality writing objects. These can be ball-on, gel and ink. Parker products are in demand. Their cost starts from 1000 rubles. These are collectible and designer items. They are used only in rare cases.

So there are a variety of handles. Ball ones remain the most popular, as they are usually used by schoolchildren and students. Many are intended for daily use, while others may only be used on rare occasions, such as designer items.

Younger schoolchildren quickly experience fatigue in their hands, since their hand muscles and finger coordination are not yet sufficiently developed. Therefore, the first-grader’s first tool should not be too heavy and long for a small hand (no more than 13 cm), and have a triangular surface that is easy to grip.

The hygroscopic rubber corrugated stop prevents the fingers from slipping when the handle is often sweaty from tension and effort. A comfortable, soft grip prevents the formation of calluses on your fingers, helps develop writing technique, and even promotes correct posture.

The ink in a ballpoint pen should not be too contrasting, which can distract the student and lead to visual fatigue.

And excessively bright colors of plastic handles are always suspicious of the presence of dyes, which can easily remain on wet children’s palms, causing allergies and absorption of chemical components of paints through the skin.

Ball or gel?

Ballpoint pens

Advantages

• Writes at any angle (and it is still difficult for a junior high school student to strictly maintain the desired position)
• A large number of options on the market - you can choose for every taste and budget
• As a rule, inexpensive, you can buy different ones and experiment

Flaws

• Different ballpoint pens write very differently. The baby will have to get used to each model again
• Cheap models write poorly (requires strong pressure, periodically the color fades, and so on)
• “Greasy” ink may smudge if you run your hand over freshly written paper.

A simple ballpoint pen is an inexpensive, versatile, and common choice.

Gel pens were very popular at one time, but at the same time you can find a fairly limited number of models on the market, and they are all generally similar.

Most often they have a fairly convenient and reliable body, and the nuances can be selected to suit your needs (for example, choose either a rubber gasket or a body with ribs).

Updated: 09/19/2019 00:22:01

Expert: Boris Mendel

*Review of the best sites according to the editors. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Handwriting, despite the widespread use of computer technology, does not lose its relevance: we sign documents with our own hands, and from time to time we fill out questionnaires, receipts and statements. For these purposes you need a pen: gel, ballpoint or fountain pen. It can be either an item of daily use for a schoolchild or office worker, or an accessory that emphasizes the status of the owner. EXPERTOLOGY presents a ranking of the 11 best writing pens for different occasions.

A few points to make the right choice

Just a few years ago, on store shelves you could find standard handles with a relief for resting your fingers or simply in a smooth body. These were suitable for both right-handers and left-handers, but were not particularly comfortable. Today the situation is different, you can choose a handle according to individual requests:

1. Automatic or with cap. The handles, the shaft of which extends by pressing a button, are convenient from the point of view of maneuverability - take it out, press it and start writing. The cap is often lost. On the other hand, regular pens without a button are useful for children with emerging discipline. Pens with caps are more often found in public organizations and pencil cases for junior schoolchildren.
2. Universal or for right/left hand. If such a question did not arise before, today manufacturers take into account the anatomical features of a particular hand and place the thumb rest on the desired side.
3. Gel or ink. A regular ballpoint pen lasts longer, but is unable to write on smooth, glossy or slightly greasy surfaces, unlike a gel pen.

Rating of the best pens for writing

The best gel pens

Pens with a refill filled with ink gel are in demand in a bureaucratic environment: they are used to fill out important documents and forms in banks, office supplies, and are indispensable for school Unified State Examinations. The need is due to several factors: firstly, such a pen writes on almost any surface, including smooth ones, and secondly, the printed icons and letters are thin, clear and easy to read for scanning technology.

The rating opens with a unique gel pen with an automatic opening mechanism, Stabilo Easy gel, created taking into account the anatomy of the teenage and adult hand - curves and stops for right-handed or left-handed people, comfortable grip, streamlined shape. The grip area is made of rubber, which prevents your fingers from slipping during long-term writing. The original Stabilo ink is of high quality, the nib is 0.5 mm, it dries quickly and does not smear on paper, but runs out quickly, especially when used by high school students and students when taking notes.

The Stabilo Easy gel pen can be purchased for the right (R) or left (L) hand in a yellow, blue or purple case for an average of 480 rubles.

Advantages

Ergonomic anatomical body shape;

Option for right-handed or left-handed;

High quality quick drying ink.

Flaws

High price for a pen;

When learning to write, there is a risk of getting dirty with ink.

Pilot Frixion Ball with Erasable Ink

In second place in the rating is the Pilot Frixion Ball gel pen, the ink of which dries quickly after application, but if necessary, can be discolored by intense heat. The option is convenient for correcting documents and letters - no mark is left on the paper, and a special thermoplastic built into the pen body helps to make corrections accurately. The adjustment procedure can be repeated up to several times without harm to the surface. Please note: it is impossible to remove gel ink with an eraser. Any reasonable methods are suitable for heating (hair dryer, lighter from the bottom of the sheet, a heated spoon, etc.); to correct the writing, a temperature of +60 0 C is required. However, to prevent the initial blots from appearing again, documents should not be cooled below -18 0 WITH.

The Pilot Frixion Ball pen will be of interest to schoolchildren and students as a way to transmit notes and messages, as well as office workers for filling out important documents, representatives of various services for encryption, etc.

The shape of the pen body is universal with a round cross-section, available colors: blue, purple, green, red and black. The cost starts from 166 rubles.

Advantages

Thermal correction of the written text with the ability to restore the corrected text;

Line thickness 0.5 mm;

Available in 5 colors of gel in sticks;

The ink dries quickly.

Flaws

The colors are not the most saturated, rather watercolor;

The drawing on the case is erased quickly.

Pentel Hybrid Gel Grip pens provide a quick-drying line that won't wash away with water. Rods with black and blue gel are in demand among schoolchildren, students and office workers, and white ones are in demand among decorators and designers; they are ideal for painting on dark and colored paper.

The shape of the handle body is traditional, equipped with a rubber holder for a comfortable grip without slipping your fingers. The quality of the gel allows you to write easily without effort, achieving a fine line of 0.4 mm.

The cost of Pentel Hybrid Gel Grip handles is from 140 rubles.

Advantages

Fine writing;

Indelible gel ink with dense color;

Classic handle body with rubber grip pad.

Flaws

• Few flowers.

The Best Ballpoint Pens for Everyday Writing

For daily work with papers in the office and notes in educational institutions, ordinary ballpoint pens are more suitable. They got their name for the design feature of the rod: when you press on a sheet of paper, the ball moves away from the edge of the pen, opening the way for ink, which is applied to the sheet by this same ball. Unlike gel pens, ballpoint pens leave a printed mark on the surface, making adjustments to the written text is difficult, and the ink itself is quite durable.

A stylish automatic pen in blue, turquoise, black, lilac or white with an elegant metal clip-mount and a button for retracting the rod, the Faber-Castell Poly Ball XB is convenient for right-handers and left-handers - the grip area with a triangular cross-section reduces stress on the fingers during long writing. The bright ink doesn’t let you down either: it ensures smooth writing and you don’t need to press hard on the pen.

It is worth noting: despite the ease of use and impressive appearance, the line thickness is 0.8 mm - it will not be the most elegant letter, but the line is neat and not smeared.

You can buy Faber-Castell Poly Ball XB in a casing of different colors with a blue rod from 305 rubles.

Advantages

Convenient body;

The line does not smudge;

Uniform ink output;

Different body colors.

Flaws

High price;

Thick line.

The thin and elegant handle in a metal case Berlingo Golden Luxe is equipped with a rotary mechanism with a separating ring of an interesting design, which is echoed by a golden clip. There are no special gaskets or threads in the holder area, but this does not significantly affect the writing quality thanks to the high-quality ink with a ballpoint pen, the result is a neat line with a line thickness of 0.7 mm, which is thinner than that of the leader in the rating.

On the pen in burgundy, blue or black, you can place a company logo or memorable symbols, then the product will be an excellent gift for partners or colleagues; the effect of the gift is enhanced by an individual plastic case.

The cost of the pen is about 212 rubles.

Advantages

Sleek design;

Rotary opening/closing mechanism;

A neat stroke without ink smudges.

Flaws

• There is no designated capture zone.

In third place in the rating is the Zebra F-301 ergonomic automatic ballpoint pen in a black or blue stainless steel case. There is a corrugated pad for the fingers in the gripping area, although it is plastic, but there is still a support. The handle will last a long time - the manufacturer relies on the absence of plastic elements of the main structure, and the steel clamp will not fall off even after years.

A special feature of the Zebra F-301 is a refill with an increased ink volume, which will last for a relatively long time. To buy a pen, you will have to shell out about 200 rubles.

Advantages

Housing – stainless steel;

Individual case;

Finger support at the gripping point.

Flaws

• It is difficult to find original replacement rods.

The rating in the ballpoint pen category is completed by the most budget option – Pilot Acroball. The retractable mechanism is automatic, reusable, and does not jam or wear out for a long time. The color of the plastic case corresponds to the shade of the ink - blue, black or gray. Acroball is one of the most comfortable pens, it is equipped with a rubberized structured finger rest, soft and easy writing is facilitated by high-quality viscous ink, uniformly supplied through the ball to the paper.

The cost of the Pilot Acroball pen is relatively affordable - about 140 rubles; original replacement ink is also not difficult to purchase.

Advantages

Comfortable design and finger rest;

High viscosity ink with dense color;

Relatively affordable price compared to previously reviewed models.

Flaws

• Ink may smear.

The best pens for business people

Pens for businessmen, politicians, senior managers and other important persons are not only a tool for putting signatures on important papers, they are an accessory that can emphasize the taste and status of the owner. As a rule, this is a metal body of noble design, excellent quality ink and a working refill. You have to pay a lot for a representative exterior and quality, but the investment works for the prospect of successful contracts and agreements. Pens are great as gifts for business partners and dignitaries.

The rating opens with the impressive Parker Sonnet Slim Sterling Silver CT ballpoint pen with a silver body covered with cross-engraving. The pen of medium thickness M writes perfectly smoothly and will never smudge. Sonnet Slim Sterling comes with a stylish branded case suitable for gifting and storing the pen.

Buying a Parker Sonnet Slim Sterling Silver CT is not a cheap pleasure; the pen will cost 24,128 rubles or more.

Advantages

Silver case with engraving;

Comes with a presentable case;

Average line thickness.

• Laconic design;

  Classic black case;

  Pleasant color of the gray noble resin body;

  Convenient ergonomics of the case.

Flaws

• Not defined.

Parker IM Premium Black/Gold GT



The status Parker IM Premium Black/Gold GT pen in the budget segment is available in three types: automatic, rollerball (with cap) and fountain pen. The body of each is made of anodized matte aluminum, the tip and clamp are gold-plated brass.

The Parker IM Premium Black/Gold GT pen is both comfortable and stylish, perfect as an accessory to highlight your style, as a gift, or as a tool for signing important contracts and documents.



The only representative of the category in the rating of fountain pens is the French Waterman “Elegance Black GT”, made of jewelry brass (nib), 23 carat gold plated with rhodium plating. The ring surrounding the body of the pen is decorated with an engraving of the Waterman brand, similar to jewelry.

The writing pen is made of brass coated with black lacquer and is equipped with a De luxe piston convector with a two-channel ink supply system from a cartridge. The kit includes 8 replaceable cartridges, sealed with a polyethylene cap, as well as an international warranty card for 8 months, indicating the highest quality of the pen. Everything is packed in a branded case.

The cost of a Waterman "Elegance Black GT" fountain pen is about 50,000 rubles.

Advantages

Jewelry execution of the case and its components;

No ink leakage;

8 replaceable cartridges;

8 month warranty.

Flaws

• High price (determined by the cost of a gram of gold).

Attention! This rating is subjective in nature, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

If you need to give a gift, but the person is unfamiliar to you or you cannot think of an original gift, give a pen.

You can always find a model that matches its status, appearance, price or design. Many people have several working pens - one for signatures, another for cursive writing, some are fond of calligraphy. To understand which pen to choose for a gift, you need to know the parameters and designs of the pens.

Types of handles

Modern pens can be divided according to the type of writing unit into 3 (4) classes:

• Ink
• Ball
• Capillary (liners)
• Rapidograph

In addition to the type of writing unit of pens, the main characteristic is the thickness of the line.

Based on line thickness, most manufacturers divide ink/ballpoint pens into seven main categories with the following markings:

• UF - Ultra Fine
• EF - Extra Fine
• F - Fine
• M - Medium
• B-Bold
• EB(BB) - Extra Bold
• EEB(BBB) ​​- Extra Extra Bold

The thickness of the line depends on the manufacturer and the ink, and sometimes, for example, the thickness F - of one manufacturer can practically coincide with the thickness M of another manufacturer.

Approximate line thickness of German manufacturers:

I will briefly describe the features of writing units.

Ink pens

The oldest type of handle. It started with an inkwell and a sharpened reed or feather. In the 19th century, the “pouring” pen was invented, which, gradually evolving, turned into a modern ink pen.

The ink pen can be divided into three parts:

1. Feeder/feather unit
2. Ink reservoir(disposable or refillable)
3. Pen body with cap

Let's focus on the main part of a fountain pen - the nib and feeder.

For a classic fountain pen with an open nib, this block looks like this

The diagram requires a little explanation. We all know a can of condensed milk. And probably everyone knows the scheme for drinking condensed milk from a can - you need to punch 2 holes, through one of which you need to drink. What is the second hole for? If this is not done, a reduced pressure is created in the jar without air flow and the liquid (condensed milk) stops flowing out of the jar.

An ink pen is usually done a little differently. To simplify the design, the air supply channel and the ink supply channel were combined into one. And the speed of ink flow (and for different types of pens - for example F and B, different amounts of ink are needed when writing) is regulated by the width, or more correctly, the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel. The ink comes from the bottom of the channel and is fed to the nib. Air through the air hole in the pen flows through the channel into the ink container and compensates for the pressure difference. Therefore, the combination of the air intake hole, pen type, and ink/air channel determines the normal flow of ink.

In addition, two more elements of the pen play a significant role in this - the collector in the feeder and... the ink.

The commutator is commonly used in pens with an open nib. Its function is interesting - it is a buffer, a micro-reservoir between the pen and the ink container. These slots hold the small amount of ink that the pen needs to compensate for the writing speed.

Different writing speeds require different ink flow rates. You can “set” a certain average speed, but then when writing slowly the pen will write boldly, at medium speed it will be optimal, and at high speed there will be gaps in letters. In this case, at a slow speed, the collector draws excess ink into its system of ribs, and at a high writing speed, it releases the accumulated ink using the capillary effect.

Ink also greatly influences the character of the letter. Thick ink in a pen with an EF nib just won't let you write, and too thin ink and a B nib can result in blots and very thick lines.

In addition to density, the wettability coefficient plays a significant role, which is regulated by adding certain surfactants (surfactants) to the ink recipe.

And to finish with the pen for now. The body of the pen is made of alloy steel, gold, titanium, and sometimes platinum. In very cheap pens, the nib and pen tip (ball) are made of steel; in more expensive pens, the ball is made of iridium or other hard-to-wear materials.

Ballpoint pens

Ballpoint pens are a military invention, originally used by pilots instead of pencils. As a rule, the writing unit and the ink container are one piece (and in cheap disposable pens, the body and the container are one) and are thrown away after use. We'll talk about exceptions later. A ballpoint pen is a fairly simple object from a mechanical point of view, using complex physical laws. Capillary effect is used to feed the writing unit. The writing unit itself is a combination of a tube and a rolling bearing. Ink is supplied into a thin tube with an internal diameter of about 0.5 mm on one side, and on the other side a small hard ball is rolled in, which scrolls quite freely in its socket.

Ink gets onto the ball, and when we pass the ball over the paper, it rotates and transfers the ink from the tube to the paper. Thanks to special ink and a very small gap between the ball and the walls of the tube, the ink flows in doses and evenly. Now ballpoint pens are divided into 3 classes based on the type of writing unit/ink:

• Ballpoint - classic ballpoint pen
• Gel (Gel rollerball) - gel
• Rollerball - roller

A regular ballpoint pen uses thickened ink, sometimes oil-based. This type of ink and the simplest writing unit are used in cheap disposable and reusable pens. The disadvantage is that the writing is rather “tight,” which ultimately spoils the handwriting and strains the writer.

Gel - uses ink with a gel consistency. Thanks to the new ink, it was possible to reduce the size of the ball, and the pen began to write softer. Sometimes gel ink is combined with a rollerball ink.

Rollerball is the most advanced model of ballpoint pens. The writing unit is spring-loaded; a ceramic ball is usually used (more wear-resistant). The ink used is regular liquid ink. In terms of cost, the pen is comparable to a regular fountain pen, and in terms of writing quality, it is close to it. There are rollerballs into which regular ink cartridges for fountain pens are inserted, but due to their design, such pens can withstand 5-10 refills. Disadvantage - expensive rods.

Capillary pens

Capillary pens and rapidographs are mostly used by graphic artists and draftsmen.

The design of a capillary pen is almost the same as a felt-tip pen and most often comes with a line thickness from 0.05 mm to 0.8 mm. In the body of the pen there is a fibrous material impregnated with ink and with the help of a “wick” (also known as the writing unit), the ink is removed from this material and transferred to paper.

Capillary pens are disposable and not very cheap.

Rapidograph

The rapidograph consists of a tip - a hollow pen, inside of which there is a needle with a weighting agent and a plastic body with an ink cartridge.

Under the influence of the weighting agent, the needle moves up and down while drawing. Since the tip of the needle is rounded, you can easily draw lines in any direction.

According to the standard, line thickness is indicated by color on the body of the rapidograph

Manufacturers of pens make the refills of their pens non-standard, but it seems that it is not customary to think about interchangeability. Now dozens of types of rods of various shapes and sizes are sold in stores. Organizing information about them will be useful for everyone.

Design

All rods are designed the same way: the ball rotates inside a metal groove, one side touches the paper, the other is immersed in a reservoir of ink. If you place the writing unit of the pen on the paper and start moving it, the ball will rotate and transfer ink from the reservoir to the paper. The ball and writing unit are made of corrosion-resistant metal (tungsten carbide), but more exotic materials are also found (for example, ceramic balls).

Types of rods

There are three main types of refills (and ink in them): for ballpoint pens, gel pens and rollerball pens. The rods are filled with ink of different properties.

The refills, called ballpoint pens, are filled with oil-based ink and are viscous and thick. Very liquid ink - in rollerballs; in them, the ink “shimmers” freely inside if you turn the handle. The third type is ink that has a gel structure, found in gel pens.

The rods differ in the size of the ball (usually indicated in the model name, for example, rod to Pilot Frixion ball 0.7). The most common sizes of balls: 0.5, 0.7, 1.0 mm. It is important to remember that a 0.5 mm ball leaves a line of about 0.3 mm on the paper, that is, the line width is always less ball diameter!

What you need to know about pen refills

1. There are dozens (and hundreds) of different types of refills; you need to know exactly which one fits your pen; choosing “at random” most likely will not work.
2. Refills can vary greatly in ink volume: the most capacious record-breaking refills are: Goliath Giant (writes 8000 m), Lamy M16 (6500 m).
3. The markings F, M, B on the rod refer to the thickness of the line that this rod leaves on the paper: Fine - thin, Medium - medium, Broad - thick line.
4. Conventional refills supply ink under the influence of gravity, the working position of the pen is with the writing unit down. For weightlessness, writing upside down, on wet paper, you need a refill with excess pressure (for example, a Fisher Space Pen, Diplomat Spacetec, Tombow XPA refill).

Types (standards) of rods

2. Standard D1, thin refills for multifunctional and compact pens). Length - 6.7 cm.

Manufacturers: Lamy, Kaweco, Diplomat, Visconti, Platinum, Montegrappa.
These refills come in ballpoint refills and come in mechanical pencil refills that allow you to turn the pen into a pencil (Lamy Tri Pen). Sold in a small number of stores. Usually found in getpen. The price range is wide: from 70 rubles to 700 (for branded ones from Montegrappa).

3. Standard G1— rods for rollerballs. Length - 11.15 cm.

Manufacturers: Colibri, Faber-Castell, Ohto, Waterman. The Chinese are also not lagging behind and use this format in Baoer and Jinhao pens. Quite widespread, for example.

4. The company’s pens have their own format Cross, also known as Franklin Covey (a subsidiary of Cross). The format is sometimes called Jumbo.

These refills can be ballpoint or mechanical pencil shaped, allowing you to turn a pen into a pencil.

5. The company’s pens have their own format Caran d'Ache- called Goliath. It is similar to G2 and practically without “finishing” it stands in its place, but at the same time the declared resource is 8000 meters.