How to Choose the Best Ball Point Pens for Your Writing Needs

Regardless of what your teachers told you growing up, choosing the right kind of pen always has a significant impact on your writing. With the current market spoiling us for choices though, it can be difficult to decide on the best one for your writing needs.

Consider the ballpoint pen, for example - a highly popular choice for everyday writing that utilizes a thick, paste-like ink that doesn’t bleed, allowing refills to last longer. Ballpoint ink is also water-resistant and writes well on glossy paper.

However, the ink can also be prone to occasional smearing and ink blobs, which can be frustrating. And while the ink dries quickly, unlike gel pens, you still need to be careful not to smudge your paper.

All said though: how does one choose the best ballpoint pen for their needs? Well, there are several factors to consider in making the right choice, the most important of which are as follows:

Pen body materials

To state the obvious, the materials used to make the pen body - such as plastic, metal, or wood - impact the pen's durability and weight, making it an important aspect to consider when choosing the perfect ballpoint pen.

Grip comfort

Need a comfortable writing experience? Consider the grip type (rubber or soft) and width, as it has a more significant impact than you may think. What’s more, a good grip can also help prevent hand fatigue and cramping, allowing you to write for longer periods.

Pen tip size

Don’t just pick whichever ballpoint pen catches your eye first - instead, take a good look at their tip size. Need one for precise writing? Choose a fine-tipped ballpoint pen. Need one for good drawing and highlighting? Pick one with a bold tip.

Testing pens

Here’s where it gets serious. When choosing a ballpoint pen, it's always best to test it out before purchasing with the following methods: 

• Try the pen out on different types of paper and writing surfaces to see how it performs. 
• Make sure to write for an extended period to see how comfortable the pen feels in your hand and how easily the ink flows.
• Consider the factors that impact ink flow, such as pen angle and paper quality when conducting your tests too.

Ink Color

Black, blue, red, purple, orange, green - ballpoints come in a wide and often surprising variety of ink colors. Simply look at the sheer range of colors the Pentonic Ball pen is available in, for example! If you like the serene feel of blue, go for a blue ballpoint pen. If you enjoy the classic feel of black ink, go for a black ballpoint pen. If you feel your vibrant personality is reflected by the color red, then go for red ink. Have fun! 

Pen Refills

While we often overlook this, it’s always important to consider the availability of refills when choosing the right kind of ballpoint pen. Some pens may be more difficult to find refills for, which can be inconvenient if you need to replace the ink frequently. Look for pens with readily available refills or simply consider purchasing a pen with a larger ink capacity to avoid shelling out too much money.

Pen Type

There are several types of ballpoint pens to choose from, including but not restricted to: 

• Retractable pens: Retractable pens have a mechanism that allows the tip to retract into the pen body, protecting the ballpoint and preventing ink from drying out.
• Capped pens: The classic capped pen has a removable cap that protects the ballpoint and prevents ink from drying out.
• Twist pens: Twist pens have a mechanism that allows the ballpoint to be extended or retracted by twisting the pen body.
• Rollerball pens: While roller pens employ the same mechanics as that of a normal ballpoint pen, they utilize water-based ink instead of oil-based. This makes their ink flow more fluid, albeit susceptible to blotting.

Simply choose according to your convenience!

Cost

Lastly, the cost of a ballpoint pen can vary widely depending on the brand, quality, and features. Consider how often you will be using the pen and how important its performance is when deciding how much you are willing to spend.

Remember - the only reason the proverbial good workman never blames his tools is that he can trust them. Accordingly, be sure to keep the above points in mind when choosing the best ballpoint pen for your everyday use. And don’t worry, whether you’re a student or a professional, or even an artist, there is always going to be a ballpoint pen - particularly a Linc ball pen - out here in India that suits your needs perfectly!