In search of the best (cheap) writing instruments, we conducted a very unscientific (totally subjective) survey of the best selling (Japanese made) rollerball pens. So that we were comparing similar pens, we used pens with blue ink and .7 mm or .8mm tips. Our top ten list is as follows:
- Uniball Vision Elite (Bold, .8mm) (UPC No. 67182). Ink Type: Liquid. This pen has a .8mm tip, so is fractionally larger than the others. The Uniball Vision (UPC 60020) (Fine, .7mm) is also a good choice, but is inferior to the .8mm Elite. Price: > $2 each.
- Pilot Precise V7. Ink type: Liquid. Very nice pen. I have had some that seem ink-poor for awhile, then regain their original flow.
- Pentel EnerGel Deluxe (22941): Ink is said to be a blend of liquid and gel. Uses Pentel LR7 refill cartridges.
- Pilot G2 (31299): Ink type: Gel. Uses Pilot G2 refill. Touted as “America’s #1 selling Gel pen.” The G2 is a solid choice, but is inferior to the Liquids above.
- Zebra Sarasa (UPC 46865). Ink type: Gel. This pen looks and feels like the G-2. Price: < $1 each. Also an excellent choice.
- UniBall Signo 207
Pen Types: There are generally three categories of popular pen types used in the USA: Ballpoint; Rollerball; and Fountain. Ballpoints use oil-based ink and dry quickly on the paper; Rollerballs use either Liquid or Gel inks, which are water-based as opposed to oil-based; and Fountain pens use water-based liquid ink delivered through a nib. Although Rollerballs write smoother (and therefore faster) than a Ballpoint, the Ballpoint will last 8 times longer.
Ink Type: With Rollerball pens, users should distinguish Liquid inks from Gel inks. Liquids use dye solute in a water-based solvent, whereas Gels use pigments in a water-based solvent.
Jeffrey Beausay
