Am I right or wrong,

[glenpen]

Do you know better. You can get parker type refills, parker type gel and parker type soft & smooth and yet for slimline just standard bog standard refills.

Glen

 

[Phil Dart]

It's market driven Glen. Very few commercial pens use the cross type - Cross do of course, and pen kit manufacturers and turners seem to regard slimlines as entry level kits - wrongly in my opinion as there are actually some pretty nice ones out there apart from the cheap Chinese kits. But those people who ask where is the cheapest place to get pen kits, instead of asking where is the best place to get pen kits, are unlikely to wish to to upgrade to a Cross type Soft & Smooth. I'm happy to make you some Cross style Soft & Smooths or Gels if you wish, but your problem is going to be making the 20,000 slimlines you'll need to take them.

 

[glenpen]

Thanks Phil.

Well that has answered my question, I don't think I will be taking you up on your offer. I asked this question because last week end at a craft fair I did a survey to see the reaction of people using a Gel Pen. Only 2 people didn't like how they wrote, some didn't like the Sierra and said they much preferred the all wood slimline, hence the question.

Glen

Forgot to ask. Is there an all wood pen kit that could be used with the Gel etc refill.

 

[Phil Dart]

Any pen kit can be turned using wood Glen, and more or less every ballpoint kit out there that isn't a slimline or streamline will take a Parker type refill. Therefore almost all ballpoint pen kits that are not slim line or streamline will take a Parker style gel refill. Here's a link if you want to have a look at them. The geometry is no different to a standard ink Parker style refill - it's just the ink inside that is different, and the mechanics by which the ball and tip dispense it.

Parker style gel ink ballpoint refills from Beaufort Ink

 

[Penpal]

Any pen kit can be turned using wood Glen, and more or less every ballpoint kit out there that isn't a slimline or streamline will take a Parker type refill. Therefore almost all ballpoint pen kits that are not slim line or streamline will take a Parker style gel refill. Here's a link if you want to have a look at them. The geometry is no different to a standard ink Parker style refill - it's just the ink inside that is different, and the mechanics by which the ball and tip dispense it.

Parker style gel ink ballpoint refills from Beaufort Ink

Sage reply I find gel smudges. In spite of the overall sentiments I really like the fine line writing and longevity of cross style refills.

Peter.

 

[Phil Dart]

Sage reply I find gel smudges. In spite of the overall sentiments I really like the fine line writing and longevity of cross style refills.

Peter.

Yes, it takes a bit longer to dry than a standard ballpoint ink, but that's because it's water based not solvent based. But gel ink has it's devotees, and Glen is discovering that it's easy to tap into that niche if they are offered as a choice at the point of sale. I use a gel ink on all my export customs forms for instance - because it writes much more easily on them than a standard ink. But give it 5 seconds and it's dry. You wouldn't expect a fountain pen ink to be dry straight off the nib, and the same goes for gel ink, (although gel is much quicker than FP ink)

 

[Penpal]

Yes, it takes a bit longer to dry than a standard ballpoint ink, but that's because it's water based not solvent based. But gel ink has it's devotees, and Glen is discovering that it's easy to tap into that niche if they are offered as a choice at the point of sale. I use a gel ink on all my export customs forms for instance - because it writes much more easily on them than a standard ink. But give it 5 seconds and it's dry. You wouldn't expect a fountain pen ink to be dry straight off the nib, and the same goes for gel ink, (although gel is much quicker than FP ink)

Hi Phil glad devotees exist for everything,as a devotee I stated my reasons thanks for enlarging onwhat I said the 5 second rule you mentioned was not in evidence for me using a gel fill.. Yes I like gel but it lays down too wet for me.As a word to the original statement refills for Slimlines exist in various standards and width of writing, the balls used and quality. I honour the work, effort and direct result of the exclusive Parker style refills you sell and promote.

Peter.

As an aside whatever pen and purpose the American President uses it lays down a wide line much like a felt tip.Enough to clearly see his signature at a distance.

 

[wm460]

I'm happy to make you some Cross style Soft & Smooths or Gels if you wish, but your problem is going to be making the 20,000 slimlines you'll need to take them.

Thanks Phil.

Well that has answered my question, I don't think I will be taking you up on your offer. .

Why not it will keep you occupied in the coming freezing cold months.