Parker fountain pens in the UK: 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 extra info at https://www.penshop.co.uk/product/parker-sonnet-stainless-steel-gold-trim-ball-pen.
Like traditional ink pens, gel pens consist of a barrel housing the writing mechanism, a cap, and a reservoir that can be refilled with ink. A “follower” of more dense, gelled material – typically transparent – follows the water-based ink at the tip of the ink tube. Ink leakage and reverse flow are key problems the follower helps to solve. The barrels can be made with different designs, with some featuring rubber or plastic finger grips. Nib or pen tip dimensions are between 0.18 and 1.5 millimeters (0.0071 and 0.059 inches).
In the professional world, pens are a classic choice for corporate gifting. They can be given to employees, clients, or partners as a token of appreciation. A luxurious pen not only serves as a practical tool but also as a status symbol, reflecting professionalism and attention to detail. Including a personalized note expressing gratitude can make this gesture even more impactful. Weddings and anniversaries celebrate love and commitment. Gifting a beautiful pen set to a couple is a meaningful way to encourage them to document their journey together. Whether it’s writing love letters, planning their future, or keeping a journal of their experiences, a pen symbolizes the importance of communication in a relationship.
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.