Recommend me a good rollerball pen around $50

J

jogo21

Joined
Apr 30, 2011
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I recently got a gift card that I'd like to use on a rollerball pen. I know many will say fountain pens are better but are not convenient for me as I'm away from desk often and they also tend to get a little messy for me. With that said I'm looking for an all black pen preferably. I was looking at Retro 51 Tornado in all black matte but have read that color tends to chip easily. I also like the look of the Pilot Namiki Vanishing Point but may need to get a few more cards to afford it. Monteverde Invincia Stealth has caught my eye but haven't seen one in person. Pics I have seen appear to be more on the shiny side but wouldn't mind if someone has any positive experiences with it. The leading contender is LAMY Safari in Charcoal. Most reviews on it tend to be positive and I'll have some money left over for refills. I'm open to any other suggestions. Thanks in advance.
 
for a class one, look at Waterman. For absolute best value proposition, look at Tombo.
 
I use PILOT G-2 gel rollerballs; box of 12 for around $20 lasts me several years, refills are available, and if I lose one, no problem.
 
Rotring Initial rollerball. Solid, nice lines and will double as a fist load device during emergencies. Writes well as well. You can use generic refills to save money.

Sells for under $50 if you look around.

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Tombow Object and Rotring Initial were two pens I was also looking at. I read that the Initial's cap wouldn't stay put. @CWL did you have any experience with this?
 
@knifestuff I read that aluminum casing dents easily and like retro 51 paint chips off. Have you experienced this or heard of this?
 
Does it matter if the cap is seperate? As long as you can live with a seperate cap I would say go with Rotring. Superb manufacture and a smooth flow. Also look at Lamy; I have the 2000 and love it. The Safari and the Swift fall into your price range. Among American companies check out Sheaffer or Cross.

For a poor man's alternative, any ballpoint that takes Parker refills also takes their gel refills, and various aftermarket brands. Not quite as silky as a true rollerball, but not bad at all.
 
I've had no issues w/ dents or flaked paint on my Tombows; use 'em pretty hard. Buddy took his to Kuwait on a deployment for a year and the finish dulled, but never dented or flaked.
I also like Rotrings; they're pretty darn indestructible. Think its the Rotring 300 that has a hexagonal, brass body--you won't break it. Some folks think its too heavy but I like it in my pocket, especially for for an evening urban stroll.
 
jogo21 said:
Tombow Object and Rotring Initial were two pens I was also looking at. I read that the Initial's cap wouldn't stay put. @CWL did you have any experience with this?
Click to expand...

I have both Rotrings Initial and 300. I prefer the Initial for looks, how it feels in hand while writing and if I ever may need to break it on somebody. The cap stays in place fine although can be a bit loose when writing. I collect pens and choose to carry this one with me often.

The 300 came out with a lot of fanfare, but it sucks as a design because it doesn't feel good to hold while writing. The fact that the cap won't stay on during writing or carry is a big negative. Those refills are also hard to find, expensive and run out of ink quickly.

Added: retro 51 pens aren't very high quality and their fountain pens will leak. I bought 2 and won't ever own another one (I collect pens).
 
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