Comparing Fountain Pens to Other Writing Instruments: Pros and Cons

Fountain pens have a long history, dating back to the 16th century. They have evolved and are used by well-known authors such as Ernest Hemingway and Mark Twain. Today, fountain pens are used by many people as the source of writing instruments for both everyday writing and artistic activities like calligraphy. They have become stylish staples that aims to express one's personality. These pens may not be the most popular writing instrument at this moment, but they still got the hearts of many!

In this article, Cityluxe will be comparing fountain pens to other types of writing instruments to help you decide the perfect pen that would be the best fit for you!

Fountain Pens

 Fountain pens are expensive, but they have several benefits that make them a worthwhile investment if you're looking for top-of-the-line writing instruments. They can be used by both beginners and advanced writers, making them ideal for writers of all skill levels. Aside from that, these pens are a great way to improve writing and hand-eye coordination. Perfect for people who prefer cursive writing and are willing to spend more since most pen collectors buy fountain pens. Fountain pens are pieces of art that go beyond just writing, serving as a creative outlet.

Instead of using liquid ink cartridges or ballpoint refills, they have an internal reservoir filled with liquid ink, which flows through a narrow channel into the nib as you write on paper. Since this process does not involve any moving parts inside the pen, it does not require any maintenance. This means that fountain pens tend to last longer than other types of pens over time, as the only thing that could wear out inside them is the rubber O-rings, which are usually not visible.

Pros of Fountain Pens

• Arguably smoothest writing instrument
• Highly inky, great for cursive writing (best for calligraphy!)
• Inks have a huge variety of shades, varying from matte to shimmery

Cons of Fountain Pens

• Not as easy to use as a ballpoint pen
• Might be more expensive than a regular pen

READ: Top 10 Fountain Pens to Buy in 2023

Recommended Fountain Pen For Beginners 

Lamy Safari Fountain Pen

The Lamy Safari fountain pen is a great choice for beginners due to its sturdy plastic body and comfortable grip, making it easy to hold and write with. Additionally, its nib is both reliable and smooth, making the writing experience enjoyable for those new to fountain pens.

Kaweco Perkeo Fountain Pen
The Kaweco Perkeo Fountain Pen is an affordable option for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Its classic design, ergonomic grip, and medium nib offer a smooth writing experience. This pen is made of high-quality plastic that feels comfortable in your hand and comes in a variety of colours!

TWSBI Eco Fountain Pen
TWSBI Eco pens are an everyday companion for beginners, experts, and everyone in between to those who love using fountain pens. The "Eco" in TWSBI Eco stands for Economical, providing the same high-quality piston filler at an affordable price. The fountain pen features a sleek, transparent barrel and a hexagonal screw-on cap that can be posted securely on the back of the pen.

Ballpoint Pen

Ballpoint pens have been around for decades and have been widely used ever since. They gained immense popularity among the masses because of their numerous benefits. These pens use thick, oil-based ink dispensed through a small ball bearing at the tip. The ink dries quickly and is water-resistant, making it suitable for everyday use, including writing on glossy or coated paper. From teacups to notebooks and books, there is a pen for every occasion that will look good at home or in the office.

If durability is your top priority, ballpoint pens with their metal tips are a better choice as they retain their shape over time, whereas plastic tips tend to wear down more quickly.  If you want a writing instrument that is easy to use, has great ink flow, and produces a consistent line width, a ballpoint pen would be the right choice for you!

Ballpoint pens are much easier to use than fountain pens. They do not require flushing with water and refilling with ink after each use. Ballpoint pens are better for writing on rough surfaces and in harsh weather conditions, but they are not as smooth and comfortable to use as fountain pens.

Pros of Ballpoint Pens

• Easy to use
• Long Lasting
• Convenient and durable

Cons of Ballpoint Pens

• Scratchier writing compared to fountain pens
• Difficult to do any calligraphy

Rollerball Pen

Rollerball pens: Simple, yet impactful. These pens were created to bridge the gap between ballpoint and gel ink pens. While they can vary in terms of ease-of-writing, rollerball pens are generally accepted as being smooth and easier to write with than ballpoint pens. Many people prefer the feel of rollerball over other types of pen because it requires less pressure on your hand when you write with them.

A good way to decide whether you should buy a ballpoint or rollerball pen is to think about how often you plan on using it. If this will be a daily writing tool, then go with the rollerball version. If not, then either one will do just fine!  The ink dries faster than ballpoint and is less smudgy. However, the ink can take longer to dry on glossier or coated paper and can bleed through thin paper. Rollerball pens typically have a shorter lifespan than ballpoint pens because the ink dries out more quickly. It's important to note that the drying time can vary depending on the type of paper and the specific brand of rollerball ink being used. Some rollerball ink can take longer to dry than others. Ai

• Smoother writing than ballpoint and gel
• Great for handwritten notes
• If you want a pen with a smooth ink flow, choose this type of pen.

Cons of Rollerball Pen

• Dries faster than a fountain pen if not used often

Gel Pens

Gel pens are a unique writing instrument. They have thicker ink than other pens, which makes them ideal for writing in small spaces and on glossy paper. Gel pens are also good at drawing because they can produce bold lines that stand out against the page. Additionally, many gel pens have a comfortable grip and come in a variety of colours and tip sizes. However, gel ink tends to bleed through thin paper (such as copier paper) and cannot be erased easily because it is not water-soluble like ballpoint ink. If you plan on using your gel pen on rough surfaces or papers with low opacity ratings--or if you want to erase what you've written--you should consider using another type of pen instead!

Pros of Gel Pens

• Bold, vibrant colour
• Smooth lines
• Smudge-proof and fast-drying

Cons of Gel Pens

• Expensive compared to traditional pens
• Limited ink options
• May bleed through paper

All writing utensils have pros and cons

The most important thing to remember when comparing fountain pens with other writing instruments is that no single pen will be the best for everyone. While one person may love the feel of a rollerball pen and another might prefer using a gel pen, it's important to consider what you value in your writing instrument. Fountain pens are often more expensive than ballpoints or rollerballs, but they also offer a unique experience that can't be found with other types of pens. Ballpoints are generally less expensive than fountain pens and come in many different styles--including retractable models--so they're great if price is an issue for you. Rollerballs are somewhere between ballpoints and fountain pens on both ends: they tend to cost less than fountain implements but still provide some benefits over traditional ballpoint designs (such as smoother ink flow). Gel pens fall somewhere between these two categories; while their price points aren't quite as low as standard ballpoint models' prices (usually ranging between $5-$20), many gels offer better quality than standard ballpoints while still retaining some flexibility in terms of style choices available at different retailers."

Final Thoughts

To sum up, writing instruments are like any other product on the market. There are pros and cons to each one, and it’s important to know what those are before making a purchase. Fountain pens offer many benefits over ballpoint pens, rollerball pens, or gel pens—but there are also some disadvantages associated with using them. If you’re looking for an alternative way of writing that feels more natural than using a computer keyboard, then fountain pens could be just what you need!

Which pen do you prefer to use? Ballpoint, rollerball, gel or fountain pen? Leave a comment below!