What kind of pens do you use?
Do we prefer Fountain pen or Ball-point pen? Which one is the champion to the users? What is the ideal user-friendly technology for pens? Today's exploration is completely about these questions. It will give us also a evolutional picture in front of us. The effectiveness between the two is also to be analyzed with some standards so that we can come to a summary from our discussion.
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| Pen preference: Fountain Or Ball-point? |
Pen is an important medium for the education.
When human beings start writing, he comes close to it and since then it becomes
a part of parcel in human life. Man grows with time, education and life
activities. Pen also becomes a close companion with him. Pen doesn’t leave him
at all until his death. In our discussion below we will explore the pen’s
evolution, types & comparisons between the main two types: Fountain &
Ball-point.
Historically, during 3200 BC. pen was discovered and since then it’s going to use for writings. Many types and shapes have been used to produced the pens and many types of elements have been used as ink from that evolutionary era. For example:
The Reed pens (3200 BC.):
Reed pens were began in Ancient Egypt
where those were created to write on papyrus. The Ancient Egyptians
first used reed styluses to carve hieroglyphs into tablets made from clay. The
Reed was plentifully available along the Nile in Egypt at the time. The reed
was cut along the length and one end was sharpened as a pen nib. During dipped
into the ink, the channels allowed some ink to be contained in the end of the
pen until it was drawn over the papyrus. The word “paper” is derived from
'papyrus' tree. From the ancient period, Papyrus was probably the most use-able
surface for writing, right up until the medieval period. It took a long period
of transition from papyrus to vellum and parchment. The parchment was
comparatively cheaper to produce at that time.
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| Reed Pen |
The Quill pen:
At around 600 AD this type of pen was
used. Those were made from geese feathers or swan feathers. The later one was
expensive. The end of feather was sharpened to make a nib, then dipped into ink
to write on parchment.
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| Quill Pen |
Introduced in around 1982, this type of pen was vitally produced in Birmingham, UK. It was a bit cheaper than the Quills but functioned similarly as like as Quills.
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| Steel Pen |
The Fountain Pen/ Well-known as “Pilot pen”:
This type was introduced in around 1827. It contains ink inside and the ink passes towards nib which write on paper. An inventor, Lewis Edison Waterman developed the pen. He applied three ink channels towards the nib which ensures friction-less, fine, smooth writing on papers. Pilot is a pen manufacturer of fountain pen in Japan and world widely known for its quality since its inception in 1918.
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| Pictured: Ink sketch of John Hancock by Vanessa Langton with the Leonardo Officina Italiana Exclusive Momento Zero fountain pen in Rosewood/Ebonite with Leonardo fountain pen ink. |
The Ball-point Pen:
Introduced in 1888, the boll-point pen started its journey and the fountain pen were found less important since then. It is durable and widely are being used presently. The nib contains a metal ball that rotate and circulate the ink for write on paper. The ink doesn’t dry-up and therefore no concern for writing.
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| Ball-point pen |
The Current “Tech-Pen” or futuristic pen that takes places as Technology trend:
For the advancement of sciences, we now gradually familiar with ipad,
Apple pencil, tablets, and similar other electronic devices. Those hold a great
change-making capacity to the conventional pens’ types. Who knows, one day we
may see many incredible instances for those in future!
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| Current trends in pen: ipad, Apple stylus pen |
Some of Best Pen Brands that world widely well-known to the writers:
1)
Pilot Pen
2)
Cross pen
3)
Parker Pen
4)
Cello Pen
5)
MontBlanc Pen
6)
Sheaffer Pen
7)
Aurora Pen
8)
Lamy Pen
9)
Papermate Pen
10)
Montegrappa Pen
11) Pelikan Pen
12) Platinum Pen, etc.
Let's compare mainly between Ballpoint Pen and Fountain Pen below:
Both ballpoint pens and fountain pens are popular writing instruments with their own unique characteristics, advantages, and drawbacks. Below are detailed comparisons between the two based on various factors and standards:
1. Writing
Mechanism
- Ballpoint Pen: Ballpoint pens use a
small rotating ball (usually made of brass, steel, or tungsten carbide) at
the tip to dispense ink onto the paper. The ball moves as you write,
releasing a quick-drying oil-based ink. This mechanism allows for smooth,
quick writing without needing to worry about ink spills or smudging.
- Fountain Pen: Fountain pens use a nib
that draws ink from a reservoir (cartridge, converter, or built-in tank)
using capillary action. The ink flows onto the paper as the writer applies
light pressure. Fountain pen ink is typically water-based and flows more
smoothly but can take longer to dry compared to ballpoint ink.
2. Ink Type
- Ballpoint Pen: Uses thick, oil-based
ink, which is quick to dry and smear-resistant. Because of the thicker
ink, ballpoint pens are generally better for writing on various surfaces
without bleeding through the paper. However, the thicker ink can sometimes
lead to clumping.
- Fountain Pen: Uses water-based ink, which allows for a much smoother writing experience. Fountain pen ink flows more freely and with less pressure, but it may smudge more easily, especially on non-absorbent paper. Some inks can also bleed through thinner papers.
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| Anatomy of Pen: Specially, The Fountain Type. |
3. Writing
Experience
- Ballpoint Pen: The writing experience
with a ballpoint pen is typically more rigid. You need to apply more
pressure to write, which can result in hand fatigue during prolonged use.
Ballpoints are known for their practicality and ease of use but lack the
elegance of fountain pen writing.
- Fountain Pen: Fountain pens offer a
more luxurious and fluid writing experience. Since they require little
pressure, they glide across the paper, reducing strain on the hand. The
nib can create varying line thickness depending on the pressure and angle,
offering a more personalized and artistic touch.
4. Maintenance
- Ballpoint Pen: Very low maintenance.
Most ballpoint pens are disposable, meaning you simply throw them away
when the ink runs out. Refillable ballpoint pens are available, but they
are still less hassle than fountain pens.
- Fountain Pen: Fountain pens require
more maintenance. The nib and reservoir need to be cleaned regularly to
prevent clogging and ensure smooth ink flow. Refilling the ink can be
slightly more time-consuming, especially if you're using bottled ink
instead of cartridges.
5. Cost
- Ballpoint Pen: Generally inexpensive
and widely available. Disposable ballpoint pens are usually very cheap,
while even the more luxurious and refillable ones are affordable. They are
perfect for daily use, especially when cost is a concern.
- Fountain Pen: Fountain pens can be
significantly more expensive, particularly high-end models made from
luxury materials. While there are affordable options, many fountain pens
are considered a long-term investment, especially because they are
refillable.
6.
Environmental Impact
- Ballpoint Pen: Disposable ballpoint
pens contribute more to environmental waste since many people discard them
after use. Even refillable ballpoint pens have plastic or metal cartridges
that need to be replaced, though these are more environmentally friendly
than full disposal.
- Fountain Pen: More environmentally
friendly if you use a refillable converter and bottled ink, as there is
less waste. Instead of throwing the whole pen away, you only need to
refill the ink, and the nib can last for years with proper care.
7. Versatility
- Ballpoint Pen: Ballpoint pens are
versatile and can be used on a variety of surfaces, including glossy
paper. Their oil-based ink adheres to most surfaces, making them suitable
for everyday use, forms, and documents.
- Fountain Pen: Best suited for regular writing
on standard paper types. They are less effective on slick or glossy
surfaces, as the ink can smudge or fail to adhere properly.
8. Durability
- Ballpoint Pen: Highly durable for
everyday use, particularly because the ball mechanism is less prone to
damage. Ballpoint pens can be carried around in pockets and bags without
much concern for leaks or nib damage.
- Fountain Pen: More delicate. The nib
can be easily damaged if dropped or mishandled. Additionally, fountain
pens are more likely to leak if not properly capped or if there are sudden
pressure changes (such as in an airplane).
9. Appearance
- Ballpoint Pen: Often simple in design,
though high-end ballpoint pens can be quite stylish. Most disposable
models are made from plastic, and they prioritize function over form.
- Fountain Pen: Known for their elegance
and variety of designs. Many people choose fountain pens as a status
symbol or as part of a luxury collection. They often come in a variety of
materials such as metal, wood, or high-quality plastic, with designs
ranging from simple to ornate.
Who actually wins: A ballpoint pen or a fountain
pen?
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| Pen Comparison: Fountain Pen Vs Ball-Point Pen |
From the above comparisons, we can summarize upon some criteria as below:
- Line Quality.................................... (Champion: Fountain Pen)
- Smoothness for Writing.................. (Champion: Fountain Pen)
- Color and Depth............................. (Champion: Fountain Pen)
- Comfort.......................................... (Champion: Fountain Pen)
- Convenience & roughness of use.. (Champion: Ballpoint Pen)
- Time Span for Ink Cartridges..........(Champion: Ballpoint Pen)
In summary, we should conclude with some decision that ballpoint pens are practical,
low-maintenance hassle, and versatile, making them ideal for everyday use at present. Fountain pens, on the other hand, provide a more refined and
comfortable writing experience but require more care and maintenance cautions. The
choice between the two ultimately depends on the user’s needs, preferences, and
the type of writing they intend to do. But overall comparisons must make the
Fountain pen champion since it excels more qualities than the other one.
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