Fountain Pen Shootout Rollerballs That Use Fountain Pen Ink

[@javiersp15]

Conversation between Stephen and Brian: My man!!! My man!!! My man!!! My man!!! and we get a nice video.

[@afarrell870]

These types of pens are often advertised as "Ink Rollers". I used to use these exclusively for taking notes during my degrees, as I wrote too quickly for an ordinary fountain pen to keep up, but didn't want to give up all my lovely inks. They are very nice, and pleasant to use, but the tips do wear out. I went through maybe half a dozen of them during my degrees. Once they've worn out, that's it - game over. It needs to be replaced, no repairs possible, just like a ballpoint/rollerball. If anybody likes these be aware they very much do not last forever, although in practice they do last a long time. The J.Herbin comes in a metal version instead of the clear plastic version (it has an identical tip/section, only the body is different), as well as a normal/full-sized version that comes with/accepts a standard-sized converters. They also do a fountain pen in the same body/style. I've had several and have known a few people who have the ink roller. All of the ones I know of have been at least somewhat scratchy (for both the ink rollers and the fountain pens) Over here the mini ink roller is about £7, and the full sized version ~£13. Also: I left one of their mini ink rollers in water to soak and the metal of the clip inside the plastic rusted, so not all of it is stainless. I got a very cheap (£2-3 off the bay, delivered) Inoxcrom ink roller that is a very nice shape and is all plastic, so can be eyedroppered. Very nice, and for the price it's incredible. Visconti also used to make ink rollers as well - I don't think they still make them, and I never used one as they were too expensive for me at the time, but certainly one of the highest quality ones out there for sure. Kaweco makes an Ink Roller section/version for their Sport series that is the nicest ink roller of all the ones I have tried. Kaweco also sells replacement ink roller tips too.

[@Dosbomber]

Someone at Amazon got some inventory mixed up, and when I ordered a $40 fountain pen, instead I got sent a Monteverde Engage. It happened twice, and I ended up returning one of them, and keeping the other. I just finished the second filling of it, and I'm pretty happy with it's performance, although mine also has that same problem with the button not always working correctly.

[@axionoscar]

The Monteverde Engage is my EDC. I have it filled with smoke Noir for water resistance note taking at work. I like that I can use my favorite inks in a refillable rollerball.

[@josephleong5178]

funny that stephen mentioned rollerballs with no line variation. I'm a student that uses both fountain pens and ballpoints etc., and I stumbled across this ballpoint/rollerball??? by uniball. it is their signature signo DX with the width laballed as "fine". tried it out, and found out that depending on the amount of pressure you put, you actually can get line variation in it, albeit not very large, perhaps from an extra fine to a medium or smth. but it is a very interesting thing idea. however from time to time you can feel abit of spring feedback after writing long sessions with alot of pressure on it.

[@andrewcastillo2822]

My man! I love fountain pens as much as the next enthusiast, but I'm not the type of person to say one type of pen is "better" than another. They're all tools with practical purposes. With that being said good video, and appreciate the demo!

[@sherlockholmes6990]

Nice video. Thanks. I do wish, however, that the video would have addressed the leaking issue that is often expressed about this pen type.

[@Aco747lyte]

A wonderfully informative review - a great shoot-out and again, thanks for your link!

[@bapon85]

I have a question. Can I use pilot hi-techpoint ink which is meant for rollerball, in pilot metropolitan fountain pen? Someone said, that it can clog or corrode or damage the pen in the long run as the ink is meant to be used in rollerball only and that fountain pen inks are completely different. But before hearing this, I used the hitechpoint ink in the metropolitan pen and the result was FANTASTIC. The experience is out of the world. Please let me know your expert opinion regarding whether I can use the hi-techpoint ink in the metropolitan pen safely or not.

[@tomhsia4354]

Pure pens sells a full-sized Herbin rollerball. It's large enough to take a large international cartridge. A full fat Schmidt converter is a bit too wide to fit in the section (I managed to fit a Schmidt K2 with some sandpaper love), a Waterman converter may work, though. Eye dropper conversion is not possible because the barrel has three holes, like the standard Herbin rollerball. P.S. I glued the ring onto the barrel, dunno why they don't do that in the factory.

[@JaredWilliams0109]

I like the idea of a piston filler with a rollerball tip. I'm curious however with how you fill it? Can you fill it with the rollerball tip on it or do you need to fill it first with a fountain pen tip then change the tip to a rollerball? It seems like the rollerball would be too narrow to draw the ink through.

[@mlbumller]

Yes, nothing better when you hear about two of your FB heroes collaborating together to educate us.

[@aidanbernal]

Very accurate summary of the Konrad information packet 😂😂😂

[@Carterofmars]

I've owned a dozen Noodler's rollerballs for years, have cleaned, and there have been no issues whatsoever. Smell is very, very, minimal.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

Very intriguing! Never thought of using fp ink in a rollerball! I haven’t been able to find a pen bbs with a rollerball tip. All the ones I’ve seen are fountain pen nibs. Can you recommend where I can find one?

[@Seefood73]

The penbbs 469 comes with an extra ball tip, and people say they are sold separately in the penbbs Etsy store.

[@archivist17]

Yeah, this hadn't crossed my mind, as I thought the viscosity of rollerball ink was rather different.

[@StorminNorvin]

You talked me into ordering the Monteverde. It is on eBay and some other pen retailers' websites for around $60 USD.

[@leewmlee]

Does a refilled parker rollerball cartridge count as a rollerball that use fountain pen ink?

[@contentconsumer487]

I say it does. What method do you use. I refil my tombow roller balls with waterman ink.

[@leewmlee]

john trice, the method i use is the syringe vacuum method here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKbFpnVoqJKpraM

[@bentheben1145]

The my man thing you did was hilarious

[@manuelb.p.6932]

Occasionally I use the rollerball Ray from Schneider, where you can put a cartridge. Good writer for the quick and dirty writing.

[@davidrowland2850]

they are good pens. Schneider Ray pen schneiderpen.com/en_us/cartridge-rollerballs/ray-onyx-m-4004675126573/

[@bbrachman]

Steve. Having trouble finding the PenBBS 309 with the ballpoint accessory. The 309 is readily available with a fountain pen nib. There are numerous aluminum body PenBBS pens with the ballpoint tip. I wonder if that tip will fit the 309. They are affordable.

[@sbrebrown]

I would assume they would work, because I think they all have the same nib/rollerball units

[@bbrachman]

@@sbrebrown I just ordered the metal body pen in bright blue. Both tip units come with it. It will be interesting to see if the bottle inks flows as well as your demonstration.

[@13noman1]

Like many of us (FP users) I suppose, my daily life calls for something in addition to a FP. I picked up the Monteverde several years ago but found it finnicky in both the click mechanism and the writing so it mostly sits in my storage case; gel pens (mostly pilot) fill my non-FP needs.

[@13noman1]

An update. I was inspired by this video to dig out my Monte Verde "One-Touch Engage", found the click mechanism sticking so I disassembled it and let it soak overnight. The click improved (though not flawless) and after a fill (decent writer immediately) found it to have hard starts after sitting awhile. Now I remember why I had it in storage -- all pain, no gain.; as to be the fussiest pen I have.

[@martinfox2244]

RE the comment regarding switching to the RB for low quality paper. It is still FP ink. Why is the RB tip better?

[@sbrebrown]

Because a number of these rollerballs put less ink on the paper than fountain pens.

[@martinfox2244]

@@sbrebrown Hey! Thanks! Happy 4th. I promise we won't try to invade Canada again. At least for a while!

[@rico_cavalierie]

Q: So, what do you call the second last pen in a review... A: Penultimate!

[@bensmith1383]

And the 3rd last pen? Ante-penultimate

[@thefountainpendesk]

@@bensmith1383 So would the final one be the post-penultimate?

[@markgidman2330]

Do you know where I can purchase the inventory pocket fountain from I carnt find it available anywhere and I really like it

[@shadowmihaiu]

I think I just heard rolling thunder and felt some earth shaking. I have been looking for rollerball pens which use fountain pen ink... thanks for this.

[@jeffreyclayman6922]

What type of fountain pen inks should one avoid if they want to use pens like the Monteverdi Engage or Inventery rollerball that can take fountain pen ink? I realize avoid shimmer but any specific brands or types of ingredients to avoid if one wants to use these pens?

[@tiantuatara]

Thanks, I had thought about this and wondered about the J.Herbin pen. If any, I will go for the PenBBS.

[@davidrowland2850]

herbin is scratchy....pass.

[@ronaldspencer547]

When I practiced law I tried my fountain pen and then rollerball pen. After a few experiences chasing around the floor for the cap of the pen I ended up with a parker IM ballpoint pen which has a huge ink cartridge and you click it to write with it, no cap to lose.

[@Lionhealth001]

Can u pls give me advice for a rollerball which can use many brand of fountain pen ink? I find out many of my rollerball (have refill system) just work with only 1 kind of ink. If I chảnge to other brand ink, it ll be so blurred with some ink and be overflowing too much with some other ink. Thank so much.

[@chhayaveena5843]

can u please list all the pens you have reviewed along wit hthe link to buy them.

[@sbrebrown]

There is a list of all pens I have reviewed on my website, but no purchase links.

[@gabrieldafonseca7663]

Which model is this Penbbs? I was searching for it, but there are many different options. I'm a bit lost in how could I buy it. :)

[@elisabethryder4719]

I've seen a Penbbs 350 sell with a roller ball tip component. I saw one being sold on eBay but would be interested in just buying the component itself. I wish you the best of luck. 🙂

[@ant8457]

Hello, I am having trouble finding the penbbs rollerball tips, or full rollerball pens. Do you know whether they were discontinued?

[@PatrisDev]

My man! I was searching for a pen like that, and ended up with a Super5 pen, which was quite disappointing. I should get a few of those PenBBS tips...

[@wyatt1019]

I was looking at the video and I am trying to find the rollerball adapters mentioned in the video, but I am having no luck finding them anywhere. Do you have any clue where i could find them?

[@sbrebrown]

noodlersink.com/product/18066-konrad-rollerball-tips/

[@peterhofmann8292]

Wonderful video Stephen, these types of pens are interesting and as you mentioned at times you just need something to that is not an FP to write something down. Thanks also to all the people that made the video possible, much appreciated.

[@buckeye43210]

I've purchased the Pilot Hi Techpoint refillable rollerball to test this concept. Their BeGreen also looks promising.

[@samdavepollard]

+ 1 for their BeGreen. Lovely pens. Cheap as chips, no leakage, not only a nice writer but doubles as a very nice drawing pen. That's been my experience, anyway.

[@rickrudge9349]

I was wondering why this wasn’t included with the other pens. Although it uses a cartridge, I’m sure that it could be refilled with a syringe.

[@AlphineWolf]

@@rickrudge9349 the con-40 converter fits

[@ReXeXeR]

So the common belief is that the more you use the rollerball the less scratchy is becomes. Is there any technique the we can employ to advance that process other than use?

[@writein_greenink]

Using a lubricated ink has made mine much smoother. Also storing tip down.

[@ronaldthered6650]

Thanks for the informative video sbre. This one felt old school in a good way.

[@gadeaiglesiassordo716]

I love these kind of pens, the guive you the flexibility of the fountain pen in terms of colors and the good things of writing with a rollerball, like the unnecesity of controlling the angle of writing. It's a shame these instruments are not so well promoted as the normal rollerbals, the ballpoint pens and the fountain pens aprt from that they seem to be a good option environmentaly wise. You never throw away the mecanism and you can manage not to use any disposable plastics.

[@sleepyrhythms6668]

Could you please share if any of these would work well with shimmering inks? And will shading or sheening inks still show their properties?

[@writein_greenink]

I have the J. Herbin one and it does show some nice shading.

[@expond1263]

In japanese... 日本ではこのようなボールペンは趣味のためのもので、学生や子供が使うものもビジネスマンが使うものも、ZEBRAのサラサかuniのジェットストリームです。実際それらが手に入れやすいのです。 そこで私は、使い終わったリフィルを掃除して、そこにインクを注ぐようにしました。使い捨ての箸でエンドキャップをすれば、ある程度は使えるようになります。 もちろん！持ち運ぶとインクが飛び散るのですが😂

[@barbarawest1205]

Well, I almost gave you a thumbs up before watching the video, just for *making* the video! I have been so curious about these pens. I went Googling for the Pen BBS (is it the 350?) rollerball and came across a review from Susan Piggott in which she mentioned the difficulty of cleaning its rollerball unit. Do you have any thoughts or advice about that?

[@sbrebrown]

Yes, it is a bit difficult

[@barbarawest1205]

@@sbrebrown Thanks. I'll do some more research.

[@star_memory]

Very informative, thank you so much ♡♡♡

[@connorbnelson]

Have you tried refilling a Retro 51 rollerball since making this video? I'm curious how well it stacks up against the pens featured. Tempted to get one myself, although I'm worried about leaking seeing that it does not have a capped design (at least for the rollerball). Torn between getting that and the Konrad since I like Noodler's as a brand.

[@27shaqibshaikh75]

How do I buy that PenBBS in India Please tell?

[@AlphineWolf]

Etsy

[@AnzanHoshinRoshi]

Thank you, Stephen, I occasionally use a Noodlers Nib Creaper rollerball. Which I got for Your Man, Brian.

[@Smoker920909]

Extra Fine nib is my Signing on terrible paper go to! But would like to try one of these all the same

[@joshuanorris5860]

I have some pens that are a bit dry that work well on cheap paper. It also helps to use a dry ink as well. Then its possible even with a bold nib :)

[@ccahua]

Would have preferred this as a Serious Rollerballage episode with Azizah of Gourmet Pens, mah man!

[@gregs.2679]

Stephen, thanks for posting this, but one thing that still makes me curious is how long it takes to load ink into a piston filler through the tiny space between the tungsten ball and the surrounding steel tube at the business end of one of these fountain pen/rollerball hybrids?

[@abumpers7834]

@Jonathan Baddeley instead of the 309 you could always go with the penbbs 308.

[@nikunjpapnejja7992]

Nice video. What is the filling system on the monteverde

[@sbrebrown]

Cartridge/convertet

[@nikunjpapnejja7992]

sbrebrown thanks

[@pbpickett7210]

I have been curious about some of these roller pens. On the Monteverde, I suspect that there is a reason why Goulet no longer sells that one. But, that is the one that I am most intersted in. Great shoot out.

[@berryj.greene7090]

Yes I do have a lot of fountain pens. Inevitably some are presentaions that came with a roller ball. I was recently given a slightly different Roller Ball - new to me. A dried up "Bright Moon Roller" which I replaced with a Schmidt 888 which fitted OK. It occurred to me that these - and indeed the Parker could be re-illed in some way. But what sort of ink is in there? You're saying water based fountain pen ink - yeah? Just to say that I do quite like writing with some of them if they are wet enough. Not as interesting as a fountain pen but.... Really surprised at the prices. $73 >> $130 is a bit steep for me!

[@pritamdas5889]

Do a review on Click Aristocrat fountain pen

[@evanmacdonald240]

Used to have a Rembrandt like that. Gave it away

[@lucm6476]

The parts for PenBBS are available on ETSY, that is where i got my.

[@writein_greenink]

Thank you for the video- I like this genre of pens and it's rare to see options in the genre compared. I wanted to step out as a defender of the J. Herbin roller- it's one of my favorites for mess-free writing as a lefty and, for half the price of the second-cheapest competitor, I'm willing to overlook little things like the loose ring. I didn't even mind the slight feedbacky/scratchy quality but then I found that it went away when I 1. stored the pen tip down and 2. used a lubricated ink.

[@greyareaRK1]

I don't suppose there is gel ink for fountain pens? Curious about the Noodler brush pen. I really do wish inks came with permanence ratings.

[@epicturnip]

MY MAN!

[@idipbananasintocoffee]

Great video! I agree with you on Penbbs rollerball, I put the tip in my 456 and it worked well (it was really too wet though, but I used the wettest ink ever). One question though, if you can help, mr. @sbrebrown - my J. Herbin rollerball is really scratchy. Is there a way to make it work smoother?

[@writein_greenink]

If you still have it- I've been using a lubricated ink (noodler's polar green) and it writes quite smooth now. Storing tip down also helps.

[@LordCinnamon]

The inventory looks like the kaweco supra

[@jenn1ferschonberger]

The folks in Goulet chat said they do not carry rollerballs compatible with fountain pen ink any more. Gah. Anyone here know the names of them and where they might be found?

[@colinmartin9797]

I just use the only proper ballpoint on the market when I need one - the Fisher space pen ag-7. Proper credentials, tank solid, reliable, 30 bucks.

[@rafaelpapp]

I sorely miss the ones by Delta. I gave my last one to a friend and then Delta disappeared.

[@jaredhtx]

I agree. I have a delta gallery that I love, plus it's beautiful

[@fredklier]

Do you ever try to reffil a cartridge of a regular roller ball?

[@TheFortKnight]

I have, but it can be a pain. Montblanc rollerball cartridges are pretty easy to refill, but there's no way to know how much ink there is. Most plastic cartridges have a grease plug that you have to mess with. I'm interested in trying out a PenBBS or the J. Herbin after my experiences with refilling rollerball cartridges... -Jeff

[@Addwrite]

As roller ball pens can be a bit hit and miss, may I suggest that those wanting a convenient, general purpose pen try a Retro 1951 roller ball. Although I find the roller ball refills are not up to standard, I do know that the pen can take Easyflow 9000 ball point refills - I am getting some, soon. Maybe in a few weeks.

[@collecter3456]

A good ballpoint is a good ballpoint, a good fountain pen is a good fountain pen, each have their own advantages and writing feel.

[@dsb1763]

So these systems have not died. I was aware of the Monteverdi One Touch, but not the others. I was expecting to see MV’s Speedball and the Newman (aka. Rotary) pen.

[@jacknemo8021]

Eyeballing the Monteverde pen.......soon.

[@christopherarevalo7279]

How's the grip on the Inventery Pocketpen? I bet it's slippery being made of all brass.

[@batemanboi9672]

The inventery pen was exactly what I was looking for, looks like their site is down now… sad

[@jackliu7326]

My man tryna bring my man back

[@MikeG-js1jt]

Apparently inventery does not seem to sell that pen anymore....in fact I saw nothing but bolt action roller-balls??

[@nilcesoares9708]

@MikeG-js1jt | Their Pocket Fountain Pen (PFP) v.02 is apparently interchangeable with the Schmidt PRS rollerball head

[@archivist17]

The Inventory pen is awfully reminiscent of the Kaweco Supra.

[@Detman101]

Ugh...2 month wait on the Penbbs 2 day wait thru amazon on the J.Herbin I'll take the J.herbin.

[@mjartwork]

Ohhh stephen and i thought you were so rugged ooo

[@cesarpaniagua8712]

No Visconti eco rollers? :(

[@StopFear]

I don’t get the dramatization part.

[@jeanneshumaker5255]

Very helpful😃

[@joshuanorris5860]

"If theres no pen meet near you then set one up".... Thats not a bad idea.... Although i might struggle to get a dozen people interested lol :( Although you never know :p it would certainly grown....

[@anrn5303]

i chanced upon on schneider ray pen which is another refillable rollerball pen... and it's cheaper than monteverde engage... :)

[@dariocarafa3788]

I am a fountain pen Maniac I love them I can't get enough but I have found them completely and utterly useless in the real world whenever I try and sign a document or fill out paperwork at a doctor's office or anything where they use cheap copy paper or binder paper or anything that isn't high quality tomoe River type stuff it's completely useless because my fountain pen will either start ripping the paper or bleed all over the place or just cause terrible lines so I've actually started carrying as my everyday carry a ballpoint or rollerball refill pen and I've come to quite enjoy them and for my personal writing in my nice notebooks I use my beloved fountain pens. You're kind of a goofball, also.

[@stevemaass3074]

MaMAN!

[@hughmungus1572]

Mah maan. If needed, I use Ballpoints but I'll look into it.

[@davidrowland2850]

ballpoints should never be used :)

[@billr3654]

I wish he would have written down the brand and model of each pen. I couldn't understand the brand and names as he spoke them sometimes, and I don't think he ever said what model the penbbs was. Did I hear him say something like jayurban, and a funny pronunciation of inventory? Showing a list of the pens under the video would have been nice.

[@sbrebrown]

The pen brands are written down in the writing sample.

[@billr3654]

@@sbrebrown Thanks. My apologies! I did not watch that far yet because I was trying to research the pans first.

[@billr3654]

@@sbrebrown Is the PenBBS a specific model, or just a rollerball tip you add to any of their fountain pens? I'm still a bit confused on that one. Thanks.

[@kmwong1786]

You have sinned 😁

[@giovanniformichelli]

My man...really irritated me

[@dariocarafa3788]

Better libertarian than a liberal

[@manuelpineiromourazos6514]

You monster! Unfollow, unsubscribe & report! Best regards.

[@janeyannachicken9053]

MY MAN!