The basic dilemma that arises for everyone is solving the question of how to choose a wooden pen. Is it better filler or ball? Finding the right answer is influenced by several factors, from price to practical use and the story that you, or the recipient, will write with the pen. The following lines will help you solve this dilemma and explain the advantages and disadvantages of both types. And whether it turns out for fillers or balls after the final balance, it is certain that it will be the real walnut.

Before I start a direct comparison of Fountain pen vs Ballpoint pen, I will introduce both types of pens to you individually:

Fountain pen

 The magic of a fountain pen is that it leaves a rich mark and glides lightly over the paper. This is because the nib of the fountain pen, unlike a steel nib, is equipped with a carbide ball at the tip, which slides very well over the drop of ink. 

As you know, liquids reduce friction, so there is no need to press the pen when writing. In addition, the footprint is even in width and length and is easily visible. With a fountain pen, the hand is lighter and less strained when writing, which is an advantage especially for left-handed people, who are at a disadvantage in the right-handed writing system. Thanks to the ease of movement, the whole act of writing is also more graceful and elegant.

Ballpoint pen

Ballpoint pens contain a non-dismantling ink cartridge that cannot be refilled. But once it runs out, you can easily replace it with a new one. At the end of the refill, in the tip, there is a small metal or ceramic ball that rotates during writing and transfers a small amount of ink from the refill to the paper. 

The ball must be sealed so that it does not leak ink, it must be loose enough to rotate smoothly. At the same time, it must be fixed so that it does not fall out of the filling, nor does it fall in the opposite direction. 

The ballpoint pen, popularly referred to as a “pen”, was invented as a less stylish but more reliable successor to fountain pens. After World War II, it became the most widely used writing instrument. It owes its popularity to its exceptional ease of use, reliability when writing and, last but not least, its relatively low price.

Fountain or ball. Luxurious. Wooden. Original. Special. Unique. Which one will you choose?

Factors affecting pen selection:

Price:

As a rule, you can come across claims that ballpoint pens are cheaper than fountain pens . However, the price of my offer is determined by the amount of work done with the wood, its value and rarity. That’s why you’ll find both fountain pens and ballpoint pens listed at the same price.

Purpose:

According to Machiavelli, the end justifies the means, but I believe that when it comes to the pen, the means justifies the end. Is your original to be used for occasional signing of documents? Choose a fountain pen that can write for a shorter time, but more gently and with a more elegant line. And quite the opposite – if you or the recipient plan to use a pen for writing longer texts, choose a ballpoint pen .

Which pen lasts longer?

Both types of pens differ in the size of the ink cartridge. While with a fountain pen you can describe plus or minus ten, a ballpoint pen can do much more. And to such an extent that we don’t measure endurance with it by the number of pages, but by the length of the line that the ballpoint pen can stretch up to 3 kilometers. 

The difference in durability is not only due to the volume of the refill, but also to the fact that the fountain pen lets more ink pass through when writing.

Replenishment of ink in pens (refill)

Which pen is better for ink refills? The answer here is quite simple, because although it is not always the standard (especially in the case of fountain pens), you can comfortably add ink to both variants. 

A high-quality refill for ballpoint pens is part of the offer directly on my website, other alternatives are normally available in stationery stores. And in the case of fillers, you have two options. 

Either replace the old cartridge with a new one, or use a conventor, which is a type of ink cartridge that can be refilled repeatedly. Finally, a secret tip, my fountain pens hold two cartridges, so you can keep a spare one in your original. 

History of Fountain Pen and Ballpoint Pen

If you want to use your pen to get closer to how our ancestors used to write, a fountain pen will definitely fit your hand better. It was commonly used (in various forms) until the Second World War, when its current juice gradually replaced it. 

However, it never completely replaced it, even if the ballpoint pen brought with it, for example, greater efficiency, in short, we still enjoy some types of activities more in the so-called old fashioned way. 

Like it is, for example, with vinyls after the advent of CDs and streaming services (unlike a music carrier, however, no application can replace a wooden pen).

Taste:

Each of us is an original with an individual view of the world. Therefore, even if, based on the factors presented so far, determining whether a ballpoint or a fountain pen is better, I would come to a clear winner, it may not fit our standards in terms of aesthetics. Therefore, your taste always plays an important role. Do not leave behind your personality and spirit and merge with a pen with which you will establish a true inner bond.

Originality:

One of the reasons why interest in wooden pens is growing is their originality. The pens you will find on this page are completely original, which, despite all the differences, is the main feature that unites the ballpoint and fountain pen variants.

Summary

If I had to summarize all the fundamental differences in a few sentences? A ballpoint pen dries faster and lasts longer, so it wins in efficiency. However, the fountain pen makes more excellent lines, sits better in the hand, and writing is more elegant and comfortable. 

Therefore, a ballpoint pen will be better if you are looking for a wooden pen specifically for writing. A fountain pen is sexier for many people and leaves a more significant impression when signing documents. But the final decision is up to the person and his taste because his satisfaction is the most important thing for overall happiness.

That’s why, whether you choose fountain or ball, more expensive or cheaper, cherry or oak, you will always get a lovingly created original that will belong only to you. And I’ll put my pen in the fire for that.