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Meryl's Notes Blog

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Writing Pens

Friday, September 15th, 2006 at 8:41 AM Category: Meryl's Notes Blog 6 comments

Do you ever have a time when you’re using a pen (not that we use a pen very often) that just feels right and helps you write better? For a long time, my favorite was a cheap-o PaperMate stick pen with a blue body, blue ink, and medium point. I bought it in bulk and most of them didn’t work. Gave up on the pen.

The cheap-o (when it works and doesn’t leak — it was a bad leaker) contains a roller that feels smooth not scratchy like some fine point pens and felt tips. I prefer blue to black ink because it’s more readable. Not long ago, I discovered PaperMate’s X-Tend (click image to view larger), a pen that feels comfortable without having big bulky grips. Got a set in various colors. Should get these in blue and put them in places around the house and office so I grab one every time. But why spend money on pens when you’ve collected a gamut over the years? Events, service people who encourage we keep the pen, giveaways…

We have three lefties in my childhood family out of five. In my current family, I’m the only lefty. Every one in my childhood family has a lovely distinctive handwriting style except me. Unfortunately, that doesn’t apply to my current family where three of us write messy. There’s still hope for the younger two.

I’ve kept a journal since 1989 and always vow to write neater, take my time — and I never do especially since it takes little time for my hand to cramp — so I write fast to get everything down before the hand quits. I use the X-Tend, but even a nice pen can’t help you write better. I know I said the opposite — but I meant that I write a little better than I would had I used a scratchy or uncomfortable pen.

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6 comments

Posted by Michael A. Stelzner on September 15th, 2006, 6:46 PM
I am a fan of PaperMate Medium Point blue. I also use Bic Atlantis colored pens for editing.
Posted by Meryl / @merylkevans on September 15th, 2006, 7:03 PM
Here is the Atlantis for those curious like me.
Posted by Dawn Goldberg on September 16th, 2006, 6:51 AM
My favorite pen (simply because my writing looks better with it) is a Pentel fine point. The fine point is definite plus to better handwriting for me.

I used to like rollerball pens, but I guess I grew out of them. A ballpoint pen, like the Pentel, seems to glide more smoothly and doesn’t go out on me (my problem with the rollerballs – I’d be writing, and all of the sudden nothing would come out. Then I’d have to doodle on a scrap piece of paper, and the ink would come).

I’ve never used one of those expensive pens – any use in those?

Dawn
Posted by Meryl / @merylkevans on September 16th, 2006, 8:35 AM
I got a couple of what I guess you consider “expensive pens” as gifts, but they never last long in my purse because they’re too heavy or the ink doesn’t flow well. Right now, I have a pen and pencil set that I got after five years with a company and they’re still in my purse even though they’re heavy and their color is rubbing off. I should switch them out.
Posted by Sam Grumont on September 18th, 2006, 6:52 PM
I love pens and my favourite is a LAMY Safari fountain pen. I have heaps of fineliner and rollerball but it’s the Lamy for me. There is something sensous in holding a good fountain pen as the ink flows through the nib.

It’s not really expensive.

Sam
Posted by Meryl / @merylkevans on September 18th, 2006, 8:15 PM
Not familiar with LAMY, but they look nice — kind of a business casual look of fountain pens.