Parker pens in the UK today: Most fountain pen manufacturers issue their new pens with a medium grade nib. There is no industry standard to define the specific width of a medium grade nib, and so nibs will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Medium grade nibs are generally suitable for the majority of people who choose to write with a fountain pen. However, alternatives are available. People who have small handwriting can struggle to write with a fountain pen whose medium nib will be simply too broad for their penmanship. The problem? When they form the letters e, a, and o, the letters will look the same, while the circular elements of the letters d, p and b will fill with ink. Exchanging this person’s medium nib for a fine grade nib will transform their writing experience and allow them to write with the definition and the style that only comes from writing with a beautiful fountain pen. Read additional details on parker pens.
Uncover the wide variety of pen types with our detailed guide. From the daily essentials to specialty writing instruments, this guide illuminates the distinct features and uses of 14 different types of pens, catering to a spectrum of writing needs and preferences. For many, the reliable ballpoint pen is the preferred option. It uses an oil-based ink dispensed by a tiny spinning ball-bearing included in the design. This one-of-a-kind mechanism controls ink flow for dependable writing every time.
Personalized pens are especially meaningful for milestones like graduations, weddings, or significant birthdays. They serve as a constant reminder of a special moment, making the gift even more memorable. Pens have a rich history that dates back thousands of years. They have been used by great thinkers, artists, and leaders to record their thoughts, ideas, and dreams. When you give a pen, you’re not just gifting an item; you’re passing on a legacy of writing and expression. Encouraging the next generation to embrace writing is essential. Gifting a pen to a child or young adult can inspire them to explore their creativity and develop their voice. It serves as a reminder that their thoughts and ideas matter, promoting a culture of expression and communication.
The Parker fountain pen might not be perfect, but mine holds a special place in my heart. Parker’s distinctive nib imprint and the “tunnel entrances” Parker cap ring. I first purchased one of these, in the pretty lilac colour with 14k gold medium nib, from Harrods in November 2019. It was an impulse buy, for which my conscience later suffered and I took it back a few days later. The story was told in my brief encounter post, for those who like fountain pen love stories. At home, I filled it with Diamine Conway Stewart Tavy, my go-to blue black, which immediately became its forever ink. A feature of the pen is the clicky piston filler which sounds and feels like winding a mechanical watch. You cannot see how much ink the pen is holding but can measure it by slowly ejecting the ink again and counting the drops. I am not sure whether purists call this a piston or a captive converter filler. I recall watching a short video from Parker, proudly showing the patented new filling mechanism on its own, and explaining the various different materials that it comprised, (as related in my brief encounter post) but unfortunately I can no longer locate the video.
Ballpoint pens manufacturers supply their pens with a medium grade point in either blue or black ink. The most popular colours for ballpoint refills are black and blue. Red and green are common alternatives. A key difference between rollerball and ballpoint pen types is the ink the two pens use. Rollerballs use water-based ink, which can easily smudge, while the oil-based ink in a ballpoint pen dries quickly. Oil-based inks, then, are harder to smudge on the page – but ballpoint ink leaks and spillages can be difficult if not impossible to remove. Ballpoint pens work when the small ball bearing at the tip of the nib is rolled onto paper. The casing of the ball bearing is so tight that the rolling motion creates friction, and it is this friction, which makes the ink inside the pen flow onto the paper.