Buyers Guide > The Different Writing Systems Explained
Fountain Pen 
A Fountain Pen contains a reservoir of water-based ink that it dispenses through a Nib. The ink is drawn to the Nib through a feed by way of gravity and a capillary action. The ink reservoir usually takes the form of a disposable cartridge or a piston converter. The reasons that people seek out fountain pens are; smooth writing, comfort, elegant writing, academic advantages and pen-collecting. In addition, people find fountain pens have a more personal touch compared to a ballpoint pen or rollerball. Click here to view our range of fountain pens.
Ballpoint Pen 
The Ballpoint Pen has replaced the fountain pen as the most popular tool for everyday writing, due to its reliability and convenience. The Ballpoint Pen dispenses a viscous oil-based ink from its tip using the rolling action of a small sphere. The ink dries almost immediately after contact with the paper, preventing smudging. Ballpoint pens are so convenient to use, they are often the instrument of choice for a pocket, handbag or small bag. There have been various innovative designs of ballpens, including the Fisher Space Pen and the ergonomic Yoropen. Some ballpoint pens have more than one colour refill, know as multi-colour pens. Click here to view our full range of ballpoint pens
Rollerball 
A Rollerball uses the ballpoint writing mechanism, but utilises water based liquid ink or gel ink, instead of oil based inks. The rollerball was designed to combine the smooth ink flow of a fountain pen, with the convenience of a ballpoint pen. Consequently, a rollerball requires less pressure to be applied to the paper than a ballpen, and the ink is more brightly coloured (due to the larger selection of water-soluble pigments). Rollerball pens usually require a cap to prevent the liquid ink drying out, but a few brands have developed capless rollerballs that use non-drying refills such as the Lamy Swift and Monteverde Jewelria. Monteverde have developed a rollerball that sucks up ink into a piston converter, providing even smoother ink flow, called the Monteverde Mega. Click here to view our full range of Rollerballs.
Dip Pen 
A Dip Pen must be constantly dipped in a bottle of ink whilst writing because the pen has no ink reservoir. A Dip Pen usually consists of a metal nib attached to a wooden base, although some dip pens are made entirely from glass. A Dip Pen has an advantage over a fountain pen because it can use waterproof pigmented inks such as ‘India Ink’, drawing inks and acrylic inks. Click here to view our full range of Dip Pens.
