Most writing today, in the age of digital devices, is typing on a physical or virtual keyboard. But there are still everyday instances when we instinctively reach for pen and paper to save an important idea or information we’ve just received from oblivion.
These are situations where any pen will do. But there are moments that require the writing instrument to make a faithful transfer from mind and heart to paper. When we want our handwriting to reflect what we are thinking and feeling as we write.
Or situations where we see more than functional objects in certain pens; whose beauty launch us into the metaphysical realms, to higher-level experiences that make us want to indulge in the art of living.
In this sense, choosing the right pen is a delicate matter – from the vast offer to find exactly what “materially”, functionally, meets our needs, and “immaterially” reflects our inner beauty.
Whether we’re looking for a writing instrument for frequent, everyday use or for rare occasions like signing important documents, there’s a pen for everyone.
Read below for the features of different writing instruments that can help you make the right choice.
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Ballpoint pen
Ballpoint pens are the most used writing instruments. Thanks also to the fact that they are the most versatile and the most affordable.
They write with the use of a dense, oil-based ink that lasts a long time: even after years without use, in most cases, with a little writing, the pen will continue to write as smoothly as ever.
The way a ballpoint pen works is that its ink, which is a thick paste in the cartridge, is diluted when exposed to friction during the rotation of the ball, which is part of the mechanism of the instrument. By rotating, this metal ball transfers the ink to the paper, which dries quickly.
Choose this tool if your needs are daily, intensive writing because it offers speed and durability, and is the easiest to use.
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Rollerball pen
The rollerball pen is a variation on the ballpoint pen as it uses the same mechanism with a rotating ball to transfer the ink onto the paper.
But with the rollerball, the inks are more liquid based on water or gel, so the paper absorbs them more easily, allowing with less pressure (with the instrument on the paper) to achieve longer, continuous strokes.
The elegant effect of writing with a rollerball (which is especially pronounced on smooth paper) is comparable to that of a fountain pen.
Choose a rollerball if you want what you write to look more decorative, more expressive; and always close its cap after use because the ink it uses to achieve said elegance can evaporate quickly.
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Fountain pen
The fountain pen is the aristocrat among writing instruments, its prestige making it an automatic choice for special occasions.
It offers the greatest scope for creative expression and the most direct sense of interaction with the paper.
It works by making the ink wet the nib with an efficient distribution made possible by gravity and the capillary action. The wetness of the fountain pen is the reason the ink dries more slowly, i.e. the most suitable medium for it is absorbent, heavier paper.
As with rollerball pens, the ink on the fountain pens is water-based, which allows for easy writing, but also means it needs to be refilled more often. Which, for true enthusiasts, is not only not a problem but also a pleasure, allowing them to be more involved in the life of their writing instrument.
In that spirit, to work at its best, the fountain pen requires respect and care from its owner. It does not tolerate neglect, so if it is not used for a long time and ink is left in it, it can dry out and cause irreparable damage.
To achieve the desired effect of writing with your fountain pen, a period of familiarization with its character is also necessary. The trick to achieving the best results is to use it at a low angle, just enough so that the underside of the tip touches the paper.
As soon as you use it, the nib begins to take shape based on your writing style, adding extra comfort to the writing ritual. To avoid the risk of deforming the nib, borrowing these delicate writing instruments is not recommended.
