What is the Best Pen for Speed Writing?

June 21st, 2009 admin Posted in Frequently Asked Questions Comments Off

calligraphy

I attend a lot of debates and like to take notes, but people tend to speak very fast. As a result, to take notes of the speakers I need to write very fast and I also write very small. I am looking for a pen that's fast, smooth writing and has a thin tip for my small writing.

The best pens to look at will be rollerball or gel pens. They tend to work very well at higher writing speeds, something that a fountain pen generally can't do. Ballpoints can get a bit scratchy at fast speads. Gel and rollerball pens flow really easily over a page. I'd have a look at Uniball for gel pens and Parker for rollerballs, although most pen manufacturers have a rollerball within their range. It really depends on your budget.

You should also consider using shorthand. Try transcribing paragraphs that you read in a textbooks into much shorter lines by using abbreviations and symbols to represent different words to practice.

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What Pen Do You Use at Work?

June 21st, 2009 admin Posted in Frequently Asked Questions 2 Comments »

writing pen

I've nearly finished school and have at a point where I am having difficulties deciding which type of pen to buy for everyday use. I am also going to be studying still so will need a pen that is also good for long essays. At the moment I use a cheap Bic fine for taking notes in class and for my exams.

What I am looking for in a pen:

  • Doesn't bleed through thin notebook paper
  • Has a thin barrel as I find them easier to write with
  • Writes with no skipping, blotches or bleeding
  • Writes nicely when only soft pressure is applied
  • Costs less than $20

From what you have said, a fountain pen sounds out of the question. When writing on thin notebook paper it would blead through, also for that money you are likely to get a cheap pen which may leave blotches. A rollerball will probably also blead through thin paper.

A ballpoint pen is your answer, I would recommend a Parker or Waterman as they have pens within your budget in their lower ranges, yet they have the quality of writing you are looking for.

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What’s a Good Calligraphy Pen for a Beginner?

June 20th, 2009 admin Posted in Frequently Asked Questions Comments Off

calligraphy



If you have never tried calligraphy before, but interested in giving it a try, what is the best pen to start with? What would be a good starter pen for a not-too-confident beginner? And where would I be able to find it?

If you are just going to just dabble with calligraphy to start with then you should get a cheap set with removable nibs. Make sure the set you get includes a nib that's wide. Make sure you always clean the nibs after use, otherwise the ink can harden and make the nib difficult to use the next time.

The best place to find a cheap set is your local stationery store. They should have a selection of pens there for you to choose from. You should be able to pick up a pen with a few nibs and even a guide on calligraphy for not too much, $15-$20.

If it's something you then discover you enjoy, you may well be willing to make more of an investment, but for now I'd keep the first set under or around $30. You can always improve the pen quality later once you become better. Calligraphy can take a while to master, but once you do it will bring hours of enjoyment. You will also find friends and family will be asking for you to write special cards etc. for them.

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Which pen is better for a writer?

March 30th, 2009 admin Posted in Frequently Asked Questions 5 Comments »

rollerball pen
Which is better for a writer, a rollerball fineliner or a fountain pen? I'll shortly be buying my first Montblanc pen. I do a serious amount of writing and am having a difficult time determining whether to buy their new fineliner/felt tip. It has a decent and crisp marker pen feeling and it can accept the standard rollerball refills. Alternatively, ought I side with the time-honored fountain pen, which is what nearly all writers seem to use? How come authors broadly favor fountain pens over the alternatives?
 
The fineliner and fountain pens feel fine in use, however the fineliner gives a marginally darker and heavier inktone to it. The fountain pen is also quite a bit more expensive. Is the Montblanc fountain pen worthy in the long run if I am attempting to become a published author one day? I am looking at the Boheme Platinum Doue as a fountain pen or perhaps the recent Cool Blue Starwalker in the RB/ Fineliner edition.
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Why can’t I use a ballpoint pen to write on the back of photos?

March 30th, 2009 admin Posted in Frequently Asked Questions 6 Comments »

ballpoint pen

I've heard that you shouldn't use a ballpoint pen to write on the backs of photos. Why shouldn't I, does it do something to harm the photograph?

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