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Parker refills UK 2025: Fountain pen vs. ballpoint vs. rollerball: Which one should you choose? We’re often asked what the differences are between writing with each of these different types of pen, from how they write to the different pen nib types that are available. To help you understand the differences and to make the right choice for you and your writing needs, here’s a brief guide to each style of pen. True fountain pens use bottled inks and generally have a piston-type mechanism that draws the ink through the pen from the nib. Cartridge pens use disposable ink cartridges and cannot use bottled inks. Fountain pens fitted with a converter use both cartridges and bottled inks. Find more details at ten popular parker pens.

Rollerball pens unite the greatest features of ballpoints and fountain pens into one convenient writing instrument. Water-based or gelled ink ballpoint pens offer the durability and convenience of fountain pens without sacrificing the pleasant writing experience. The pen tip is a diameter ball between 0.5 and 0.7 millimeters. A fountain pen is a type of pen that employs a metal nib to deposit water-soluble ink onto paper. It’s different from traditional dip pens since it doesn’t require you to refill it from an inkwell constantly; instead, it has an ink reservoir built right into the pen. Because of gravity and capillary action, the pen takes ink from the reservoir to the nib and deposits it on paper.

High-quality pens often come with intricate designs and craftsmanship that make them a joy to own and use. Many pens feature elegant finishes, unique colors, and ergonomic designs that enhance the writing experience. When you give a pen, you are not just offering a tool; you are presenting a work of art. Consider the difference between a mass-produced pen and a handcrafted one. A well-crafted pen embodies quality and care, reflecting the thoughtfulness of the gift. Brands like PenShop offer a range of beautifully designed pens that make for stunning gifts, showcasing your appreciation for the recipient’s individuality and taste.

Picking up this pen after an interval, is always a joy. Its contours and weight all suggest quality, although in terms of Parker’s range of fountain pens, it might be ranked as entry level to the upper echelons. Unusually, it was available with a choice of steel or gold nib. On re-inking the pen recently I found in the following days, that the pen always left an inky stain on my second finger where I had rested the pen – rather like a smoker’s finger. Despite wiping the section carefully, this continued. I deduced that the ink was coming from behind the flared metal ring at the point where it meets the black resin section. Initially I thought that perhaps the ring had not been glued and sealed sufficiently such that ink would get trapped behind it when dipping in an ink bottle. To investigate, I flushed the pen and then unscrewed the nib and feed unit. The nib housing simply unscrews from the section. To my surprise, the metal ring then came off the section: it was not glued on at all. (Note: if disassembling a pen over a basin, be sure to have the plug in). Parker nib disassembled. Note that the metal ring is not glued into place. Note also that the rubber O ring sits on the back of the nib housing.

All fountain pens listed on The Pen Shop website are supplied with a medium range nib. To arrange an alternative nib for your pen, please call us on 0191 232 3853 or email us on sales@penshop.co.uk and we’d be delighted to help you. It’s worth noting that, as a rule, cartridge pens use cartridges that are unique to their brand. For example, Montblanc, Parker, Waterman, Cross, Lamy and Sheaffer all manufacture cartridge pens, but none of their cartridges can be used between the different brands. When was the last time you looked for bottled inks? If you’re buying a fountain pen for the first time in a long time, we think you’ll be delighted with the range of modern inks we stock. Modern inks are low in chalk to give a brighter colour on the page ­– and they’re available in a wide range of vibrant shades.