EDC Pen Ink Refills: Parker, FisherSpace & Pilot G2

Here are a few of my thoughts on some common EDC pen ink refills. I hope it is informative!
Fisherspace Pen - Bullet
Machine Era Pen - Original Brass
Urban Survival Gear -TiScribe Bolt v2

[@brianveatch3257]

Each refill has its place. It is important to know the difference between the ink in these refills. The Fisher is pressurized ballpoint ink which is oil-based. This makes for better writing on poor surfaces, less smudging, but more skipping. The Parker Gel and Pilot G2 are both gel inks that are water-based. This allows for better flow, less skipping, but more smudging. The Schmidt uses a hybrid ink which is supposed to be a mixture of the two.

[@johncacey]

Thank you for the good info!

[@ashtonleathery7238]

Yup, thanks

[@K3zz21]

I'm getting tons of smudging on my spacepen refill

[@Jennifer-wr9si]

is the Fisher considered best/smoothest oil-based refill?

[@Tailslol]

Quink flow and bics tend to be smoother oil based pens

[@neeksthecuz]

A good alternative to Fisher refills are the Uni Powertank refills. Boasts the same qualities as the Fisher refill (it’s also pressurized) but lays down lines more consistently and feels better to write with. A Zebra F701 and a Powertank Smart Series refill (make sure it’s metal barrel version, available on Jetpens) fit perfectly together, no mod necessary, and gives you an all-metal, write-anywhere pen for only ~$15.

[@johncacey]

Thanks for the info!

[@Ord3ith]

John-I strongly recommend you try a Uniball 307 refill in the TiScribe. In my opinion, the 307 (and older 207) Uniball refills are even smoother to write with than the Pilot G2. I never cared much for the Parker-style refills.

[@johncacey]

Thank you for the info!

[@calebwhite6173]

Found the same problem with the fisher space pen refill as I put it in the Parker pen. Other problem was the tip was wobbly in the top of the pen and didn’t have the exact fit like the Parker pens are designed for. Thanks for the review! My favorite so far is the Parker gel. It helps me write very quickly. No issues with skipping at all that I’ve seen. Puts it down dark and very satisfyingly.

[@johncacey]

Thanks

[@josephmarchitelli8138]

Great review, I couldn't agree more about the Schmitt refill, never understood why so many people like them. I find the unibal micro refill to be great in the machine era pen which is a wonderful edc pen.

[@johncacey]

Thanks

[@gokhanersan8561]

The first honest review I heard about all three refills. Both Fisher and Schmidt skip, in my experience . Haven’t tried the Parker Gel yet.

[@johncacey]

Thank you!

[@davidjagger3475]

Try the Uni Jetstream G2 Black 0.5 or 0.7mm refill. It is simply the best pen refill I have ever used ….

[@gokhanersan8561]

@@davidjagger3475 is it the SRX-600? www.jetpens.com/Uni-SXR-600-Jetstream-Ballpoint-Pen-Refill-0.5-mm-Black/pd/25439

[@michaellandmann2973]

Yes that's the correct one

[@michaellandmann2973]

I have the schmidt easy flow 9000 in blue and it doesn't skip, you should try ordering some. I've noticed that most blue inked ballpoint pens seem to skip less in general than black ones. The basic parker ballpoint refill in blue skips a bit, but I just ordered a black one and it skips like crazy. Probably why most parker jotters seem to almost always come with either blue ballpoint or black gel ink.

[@johncacey]

Thanks for the info.

[@Pardeepangaria]

Hi , i know it's been 2 years I use easyflow 9000m. It doesn't skip, not at all it's really smooth. Sometimes too smooth. It's pretty dark too. I have a fisher too. But that's a different story. I use 9000m in my parker jotter and it has been a treat to use. The only complaint i have with it is drying time, it can smudge otherwise. I write a lot due to college and again I like to write. And I can write all day with it. Maybe they have improved it or whatever. But just sharing my experience.

[@johncacey]

Thanks for sharing! Yes I have switched to G2 cartridges mostly now.

[@nealhamamura4263]

I don’t like how the gel pens smear

[@johncacey]

With some ink, yes that can be an issue.

[@furiousseasons1]

Accumulated a bunch of Easyflow cartidges that came with various pens. One worked properly, and from that cartidge I could see why people sometimes rave about Schmidt. But dang, one out of however many doesn't bode well for quality control 😁

[@johncacey]

Ya people love them but it just wasn’t that great to me!

[@bcguitarteacher7328]

How do they smudge¿ I need to know because a travel pen needs to write on slippery surfaces like card and shiny are boxes…

[@johncacey]

Sadly, I do not have all of these ink cartridges to get you that answer. I have switched to mostly pilot G2 at this point. Maybe somebody on here will be able to help out with that question.

[@GothicDragonX]

2 refills I do like is Uni JETSTREAM SXR-600-05 or 07 it's a hybrid ink. It is a Parker G2 style cartridge. 2nd favorite is the SCHMIDT Refill P900 F (can be a pain to get it working, but when it writes, it just glides so well. For that reason, Uni JETSTREAM is certainly for EDC extremely reliable in for me at least.

[@johncacey]

Thanks for the info!

[@GothicDragonX]

@@johncacey You're welcome, Sir, and thank you for the video, keep it up. :)

[@ColdComrade]

Thanks for this video I’m going to use the Parker gel instead of the easy flow in my Refyne ep 1.

[@johncacey]

Your welcome

[@johncacey]

The silver pen is the Urban Survival Gear TiScribe Bolt.

[@abehaile2659]

Excellent review 👏🏽 thank you! Comparing to a G2 for reference was so helpful 💡I tend to press hard & I've always found G2's to be too inky for my liking in professional documentation. I'm really looking fwd to trying the Schmidt 9000 M which comes stock in my first expensive pen purchase ever-- Tactile Turn Short 🤓🥳

[@johncacey]

Your welcome!

[@johncacey]

The short should be a great pen!

[@MartinGonzalez-sl2kj]

Am currently loving the sharpie gel-s pens ❤

[@johncacey]

Thanks!

[@matteusmauritz]

But the Parker Gel feels scratchy, and writing on nicer ("rougher") paper it kind of catches the paper and starts doing little clicking noices which are extremely annoying. The ball feels loose. And I agree with the skipping of Easyflow. And it's hard to make sharp dots with it. They always get like little brush strokes. I'm still looking...

[@johncacey]

I have settled on the Pilot G2!

[@CVNTGETENOUGH]

I just ordered a Zebra F-701 (haven't received yet) but I want a smooth fine point in blue. I've loved the papermate inkjoy but the dirt made the click stick or not click. What's your favorite ink refill?

[@johncacey]

I have switched it up and use the Fisher Space or the Pilot G2 refills.

[@1598hi]

Have the Machine Era pen. I love it. Sadly I stopped using it because I did not know brass still contained lead until after buying and using the pen for some time. Been in the market for a new edc pen that takes a g2 bold cartridge.

[@johncacey]

They also make a stainless option.

[@cledec]

it's made out of lead-free brass, according to their website

[@dallasjones7984]

I got a Parker hotter a few months ago because everyone always raves about them and it came with a gel insert. Literally the worst pen I have ever used. The writing is SO inconsistent and it’s constantly just stopping in the middle of a letter and then picking up at the end of the letter and not just once it will do it CONSTANTLY. Not to mention it’s too smooth, I find it really uncomfortable to write with because I feel like it’s just going to slip out of my hand. I hate it

[@johncacey]

Sounds about right, that is why I am a G2 guy now lol

[@dallasjones7984]

@@johncacey​​⁠​⁠yea that’s my preferred ink but I feel like I can’t seem to find many nice pens that aren’t like $100 or more. I’ve looked into that Grafton by Everyman but I feel like I see a lot of people have issues with it. You have any other suggestions? I want one that’s decently nice but that isn’t going to break the bank. And preferably that doesn’t have a cap.

[@johncacey]

@@dallasjones7984​​⁠Hmmm, well my fav has a cap but you can check out Machine Era. A lot of them like you said, run close to $100. The Ti scribe and the Tactile turn are other ones that I am familiar with. Honestly, I have pretty much settled on the two pens in this video and haven't really felt the need to look for anything else.

[@dallasjones7984]

@@johncaceywhich on is your favorite that has a cap? I guess I’m not opposed to it but I just think it’s easier if I only Have 1 free hand or something

[@johncacey]

@@dallasjones7984Machine Era Pen in Stainless

[@squintygreeneyes]

thanks for the video. do you happen to know what gel refills would fit the fisher space pen ag7 (clicker)? i cant seem to find anything anywhere

[@johncacey]

Good question, all I see is the original Fisher refill. The parker refills are too wide to fit in my space pen.

[@squintygreeneyes]

John Cacey Do you happen to have one of the clicker pens? if you’re talking about the Fischer bullet pen, u can use zebra jk refils cut down for that.

[@johncacey]

@@squintygreeneyes You are looking at my current EDC pens lol. These 3 cover my different use cases for now.

[@aaron6841]

A G2 Parker style refill should fit the fisher

[@LilLWH]

So I'm confused. Are you saying that I could use the Parker refill in a fisher space pen?

[@johncacey]

Sorry it was confusing, no they are just a bit to tall for the fisher bullet pen.

[@ayat5483]

which pen would be the best pen for students. As a student, I really want to buy for me.

[@johncacey]

My favorite carry pen is the Machine Era but the Tiscribe bolt would also be a great one. Either of those.

[@semkoot8315]

The biggest problem the Schmidt easyflow refills have is the quality control

[@johncacey]

Thanks for the info

[@readyme]

I really like the Machine Era pen...I just don't like the G2 cartridge. Are there other options that fit in the Machine Era?

[@johncacey]

To be honest I’m not sure. At first I was not a fan of the G2 pens due to their size but I always like the cartridge.

[@brianveatch3257]

Any refill in the Pilot G2 size. Many rollerball sizes will also work. I really like the Pilot Juice refills for my Pilot G2 size pens (such as m=Machine Era or Tactile Turn standard size).

[@bigmarkymark9669]

G2 gel vs zebra gel?

[@johncacey]

I'm not sure if I have that ink to do a comparison, but I can tell you that the pilot G2 has become my number one go to. I honestly don't care to look for any other cartridges at this point. It does everything that I want to do and it is super common and easy to find. I would say that the quality and the commonality are what make it my personal favorite.

[@bigmarkymark9669]

@johncacey ok then I recommend trying it. Was my favorite for sure. Zebra gel.. cheap enough to try. But thx

[@johncacey]

@@bigmarkymark9669Thanks

[@danielgonzales8428]

Does the pilot gel fit in the bullet space pen like the one you have?

[@johncacey]

The space pen only takes the space pen cartridge. The Pilot gel does not fit.

[@aaron6841]

@@johncacey actually space pens can take G2 styles

[@johncacey]

@@aaron6841 Do they need to be trimmed?

[@aaron6841]

@@johncacey they should fit the fisher cartridge comes with a white adapter for Parker G2 style pens

[@Mayank_Maximum]

Still tbh i like pilot v5 rt most or even more so brt, easily replaceable and easy to use and for v5 rt anything works innt

[@johncacey]

Thanks, good info.

[@nickpharand]

Can you put a fisher space pen refill in the machine era pen?

[@johncacey]

No, not unless you added a spacer or something to fill the void at the back.

[@johncacey]

I would not recommend.

[@thomashardy9994]

I bought a Parker two pack ink cartridges from an office supply store and both were completely dried out.

[@johncacey]

Well that stinks!

[@thomashardy9994]

@@johncacey Yes. In retrospect I should have just returned them. Have you tried the Schmidt p8126 /8127? They’re water based inks that dry pretty quickly and are quite saturated, and fit Parker type pens. Another good platform is the Pentel Energel, Alloy ($8) and philography pens ($15-25). I like them because they are metal and take several refills...energel, zebra sarasa, uniball, Uni signo.

[@johncacey]

@@thomashardy9994 No I have not tried those sorry.

[@kaziaburousan166]

What is the pen name shown in 5:02 ?, The sliver click one?

[@johncacey]

Urban Survival Gear, TiScribe-Bolt

[@kaziaburousan166]

@@johncacey thanks man

[@martintanz9098]

Interesting. I strongly disagree with your reviews. I would say I prefer the Fisher space pen refill, the parker ballpoint refill is a close second. I also used a Schmidt 900 refill for a long time that that was pretty good. The refill I hate is the the Pilot G2 that came with my Machine Era pen. Feels wet and slippery and doesn't suit what I need out of a pen ink at all. I bought a Monteverde ballpoint refill hoping it would be the same size as the Pilot G2. It wasn't, but fortunately, I figured out a hack, taking a plastic adaptor for a Fisher Space pen and cutting it to size that that seems to work, so now I have an EDC pen I can actually use with a ballpoint refill. So to put a fine point on this review, I like ballpoints, and strongly dislike the Pilot G2.

[@johncacey]

And that is fine.

[@freddenstman8773]

I don’t have skip problems with thr Easyflow

[@johncacey]

Interesting

[@jeremysimon382]

Good content!

[@johncacey]

Thanks

[@waynegreen7634]

I would definitely say try Jetstream srx 600

[@johncacey]

Thanks!

[@williamneal9076]

Parker Gel, ... meh, when again, it works, great. Please try the TOO EXPENSIVE from JetPens, the Uniball version. Probably the nearest for you to the dependable deal.

[@johncacey]

Thanks

[@williamneal9076]

It GLOBS, buddy. Simple. It GLOBS.

[@johncacey]

LoL

[@williamneal9076]

They call them G2, and I do NOT know why. The Schmidt, when it's working, IS great. But, it does NOT always do the "trick".

[@johncacey]

Thanks

[@Jennifer-wr9si]

'I mean, it writes...'

[@johncacey]

:)

[@jeffsale1490]

Your review is super confusing. What you are calling "Parker refills" are (apart from, yes, being referred to as "Parker-style") actually G2 refills. NOT to be confused with the gel pen that Pilot makes which is CALLED the G2. These are not synonymous, these are not the same things, and therefore, someone like myself who is watching you scribble with the Machine Era pen, for instance, has no idea what is actually in it when you are saying it's a G2 refill -- all of the refills you were showing up to that point (the Schmidt and the Parker Gel) were G2 refills, so you can see how this would be confusing.

[@johncacey]

You are correct sir. I guess I refer to the G2 refill as the one found in a Pilot G2. Pilot G2 refills are in both the Mechine Era and TiScribe Bolt.

[@abehaile2659]

@@johncacey it wasn't confusing to me 🤷🏽‍♂️ it was very helpful. The Schmidt and Parker shown are NOT G2 refills (i.e., they fit smaller pens than "pilot G2" sized pens). Not sure what Jeff is confused about. Keep up the great work