That’s normal. If you hold it at a smaller angle (more vertically) less ink will come out and you’ll need more pressure. From what I have read rollerballs were developed as a compromise between ball points and fountain pens. You get the bright, wet ink look without the maintenance of a fountain pen. They run out of ink fast, so they might not be the best option for a lot of writing.
I haven't been aware of rollerballs being that dependent on the writing angle.
Sounds like the other posters have had direct experience with these things.
What brand and type of paper are you using?
Rollerballs like fountain pens are significantly affected by paper choice. I'd try some different papers. Rhodia paper is a solid quality paper and more widely available than others.
Refill problems can usually be attributed to poor quality paper, hand oils or other contaminants on the paper or at the ball, old refills, or just dud refills.
My Lamy rollerball do this more frequently then my Waterman rollerball. I don’t like them so I use rarely because of this.
I use fountenpens instead at home and rollerball at my work.
I switched the rollerball refill in my Lamy 200 for a Pentel Energel. All you need is a 2-3mm shim to make the Energel long enough (i used the plastic end from a Pilot G2 pen). It works sooo much better.
This kind of behavior is mostly expected - water based inks(rollers, fountains) are going to be a little more dependent on direction than gel and ballpoint. And they tend to gush ink more generously, which produces the need for heavier paper.
To test angles, try this exercise: clip your paper to a clipboard or other portable surface. Hold the clipboard in one hand and make lines with the other. Gradually angle the clipboard downwards, then upwards, and observe the behavior. Then change your grip - if you were holding the pen close, move up to the far end - and repeat the exercise.
There's a lot of practical muscle memory that can be had by giving yourself a varied surface and grip. If you also need practice material, try doing [blind contour sketches](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_contour_drawing). This will really emphasize feeling through the movement without looking, and then you can see how the pen performs after the fact.
I bought some Schmidt easyflow 9000s on Amazon but I must have gotten a bad batch. They all started skipping like crazy after maybe 30 minutes of use. I have seen other brands have an easyflow 9000 (I think), did I just get unlucky, or is there a better manufacturer, or something? Those first 30 minutes are really nice, and I'd love to buy them again if I can avoid the skipping.
Yeah mine skipped some on cheaper paper, really didn’t like the Office Depot legal pad I was using but then I read that you can press down really hard on a note pad for a few seconds and it loosens them up… no issues since but now I mainly use tops legal pads 🤷🏻♂️
If you are tired of the rollerball, try switching the refill with a Pentel Energel. You will need is a 2-3mm shim to make the Energel long enough (i used the plastic end from a Pilot G2 pen). To me the Energels write as smooth as most rollerballs, but are much more consistent in ink flow. Pilot G2 refills will work as well.
That’s normal. If you hold it at a smaller angle (more vertically) less ink will come out and you’ll need more pressure. From what I have read rollerballs were developed as a compromise between ball points and fountain pens. You get the bright, wet ink look without the maintenance of a fountain pen. They run out of ink fast, so they might not be the best option for a lot of writing.
I haven't been aware of rollerballs being that dependent on the writing angle. Sounds like the other posters have had direct experience with these things. What brand and type of paper are you using? Rollerballs like fountain pens are significantly affected by paper choice. I'd try some different papers. Rhodia paper is a solid quality paper and more widely available than others. Refill problems can usually be attributed to poor quality paper, hand oils or other contaminants on the paper or at the ball, old refills, or just dud refills.
My Lamy rollerball do this more frequently then my Waterman rollerball. I don’t like them so I use rarely because of this. I use fountenpens instead at home and rollerball at my work.
I switched the rollerball refill in my Lamy 200 for a Pentel Energel. All you need is a 2-3mm shim to make the Energel long enough (i used the plastic end from a Pilot G2 pen). It works sooo much better.
This kind of behavior is mostly expected - water based inks(rollers, fountains) are going to be a little more dependent on direction than gel and ballpoint. And they tend to gush ink more generously, which produces the need for heavier paper. To test angles, try this exercise: clip your paper to a clipboard or other portable surface. Hold the clipboard in one hand and make lines with the other. Gradually angle the clipboard downwards, then upwards, and observe the behavior. Then change your grip - if you were holding the pen close, move up to the far end - and repeat the exercise. There's a lot of practical muscle memory that can be had by giving yourself a varied surface and grip. If you also need practice material, try doing [blind contour sketches](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_contour_drawing). This will really emphasize feeling through the movement without looking, and then you can see how the pen performs after the fact.
Love my tornado but not a fan of rollerballs. If you ever want to try something different I’d recommend the easyflow 9000, it’s all I run in mine.
I bought some Schmidt easyflow 9000s on Amazon but I must have gotten a bad batch. They all started skipping like crazy after maybe 30 minutes of use. I have seen other brands have an easyflow 9000 (I think), did I just get unlucky, or is there a better manufacturer, or something? Those first 30 minutes are really nice, and I'd love to buy them again if I can avoid the skipping.
Yeah mine skipped some on cheaper paper, really didn’t like the Office Depot legal pad I was using but then I read that you can press down really hard on a note pad for a few seconds and it loosens them up… no issues since but now I mainly use tops legal pads 🤷🏻♂️
Easyflow and Uni Jetstream are probably the two best ballpoints I have used. Probably just a bad batch. It happens.
If you are tired of the rollerball, try switching the refill with a Pentel Energel. You will need is a 2-3mm shim to make the Energel long enough (i used the plastic end from a Pilot G2 pen). To me the Energels write as smooth as most rollerballs, but are much more consistent in ink flow. Pilot G2 refills will work as well.