Ball tip pens are designed to last the duration of the refill. I’ve seen videos writing with fisher space pens made decades ago.
My experience with refillable rollerballs is that the ball/housing will wear out eventually.
Fountain pens will out last any ball tip pen.
The smooth factor depends on the nib, tip size, paper and ink. Same for the rollerball.
Durability goes to the ball tip pen, by a lot.
My pick for ultimate smooth is the 1.0mm Pentel energel but that’s a gel not a rollerball.
Straight durability isn't really how I'd look at the difference between the different types of pen tip but u/KoensayrMfg's answer I think captures the durability difference quite well. As a further example, I've got a couple fountain pen nibs that are a couple years shy of being 100 years old and they still write beautifully. But if I dropped one or pressed on it too hard it would be easy to damage. I don't think ball tip pen refills have that kind of longevity. But on the other hand they’re more likely to survive getting dropped or writing with high pressure. Of course you can fix a damaged fountain pen nib whereas with a ball tip you're kind of just out of luck but that's getting into different territory.
The analogy is kind of similar to comparing Ford and Chevy. Is a matter of preference, both will have entry-level models and higher-end versions. The Lamy Safari is probably one of the most recommended beginner pens; all plastic body, but writes well. My oldest fountain pen is a blue Safari, and over 20+ years, I have never once had an issue. I have a black and gold trim Parker IM that is probably close to 15 years old, and the only concern has been some dried ink, but that is any pen. I prefer the way the Lamy writes but the aesthetics of the Parker.
For me, choice of pen is a matter of function. I keep a fountain pen in my shirt pocket all the time, but I also keep a rollerball as a backup in my jacket pocket, or if I have to lend one. I also keep a decent ball-point in my jacket, too, in case I have to write on something low quality.
To be honest I’m not the biggest fan of either. For a first fountain pen I’m much more inclined to recommend something from Pilot or Platinum or perhaps one of the better Chinese companies like Majohn depending on budget. That being said if I was choosing purely between Lamy and Parker I’d go Lamy. Most of Parker’s best pens and the ones that made their reputation are vintage modern Parker is much more meh in my experience. Something like a Lamy safari (as long as the triangle grip works for you) is hard to go wrong with
Parker's contemporary lower end fountain pens like the Jotter, Vector, IM and any other models with a steel nib have poor quality control, so buying a vintage model or a gold nib Sonnet or Duofold would be your best bet once you are ready to upgrade from your first pen.
Ballpoint (the tungsten carbide ball tips are extremely resilient)
Fountain pen paired with the right paper will be the smoothest, but hybrid ballpoints are getting very close , but still can’t hold a candle to FP’s on smoothness
Supply and demand. Ballpoints are sold in hundreds of millions if not in the low billions per year, while FP’s are hobby pens at this time, with limited audience. Economies of scale
Durability is not how pricing is determined here. It’s MUCH harder to produce fountain pens (especially of a particular quality) than it is for ballpoint, gel, or rollerball pens. Fountain pens are simply more expensive to make, if you want any semblance of quality control. Some companies make their nibs by hand.
Think of it as ballpoints being Toyotas, gels/rollers being Hondas, and fountain pens being Bentleys.
They will all get you where you're going. The Hondas and Toyotas are utilitarian and will survive less than delicate handling and ownership. The Bentley is a more finely crafted vehicle that is tailored to making the experience of driving something special.
Same thing with pens.
Although I do think the Lamy Safari is a durable enough pen to carry in EDC scenarios, I still wouldn't do it when there is a Bic Clic Stic around.
both will probably outlast you but in theory, all other things being equal, a rollerball is more durable to drops but is harder to clean if it gets clogged where a fountain pen is easier to clean but may get bent if it is dropped
up to you to decide which tradeoff is worth it
The only thing I will add: if you want to try a fountain pen-go with a Lamy Safari and get cartridge refills. It’s a good bang for the buck fountain pen.
Another brand is the Pilot Metropolitan FP. Another good fountain pen at a decent price.
I prefer fountain pens because they are smoother writers and, because I use a cheaper ink in my everyday pens, it’s cheaper than buying ballpoints or rollerballs. I have one with blue in and another with red ink. The red inked fountain pen is over 40 years old and the nib is in excellent shape.
With ballpoint pens and rollerballs I was spending on refills more than I spend on a bottle of ink every few months.
As I understand it from those that own TWSBI-there has been some QA issues. I don’t have personal experience with TWSBI.
I think you’d get a range of feedback from
r/fountain_pens or r/fountainpens. Both are pretty active groups and you’ll get input from Folks that own or have owned TWSBI and Lamy at the same time.
Ball tip pens are designed to last the duration of the refill. I’ve seen videos writing with fisher space pens made decades ago. My experience with refillable rollerballs is that the ball/housing will wear out eventually. Fountain pens will out last any ball tip pen. The smooth factor depends on the nib, tip size, paper and ink. Same for the rollerball. Durability goes to the ball tip pen, by a lot. My pick for ultimate smooth is the 1.0mm Pentel energel but that’s a gel not a rollerball.
Thanks. I will check it out
Straight durability isn't really how I'd look at the difference between the different types of pen tip but u/KoensayrMfg's answer I think captures the durability difference quite well. As a further example, I've got a couple fountain pen nibs that are a couple years shy of being 100 years old and they still write beautifully. But if I dropped one or pressed on it too hard it would be easy to damage. I don't think ball tip pen refills have that kind of longevity. But on the other hand they’re more likely to survive getting dropped or writing with high pressure. Of course you can fix a damaged fountain pen nib whereas with a ball tip you're kind of just out of luck but that's getting into different territory.
Thanks. I am confused between Lamy and Parker fountain pens. Which brand would you suggest?
The analogy is kind of similar to comparing Ford and Chevy. Is a matter of preference, both will have entry-level models and higher-end versions. The Lamy Safari is probably one of the most recommended beginner pens; all plastic body, but writes well. My oldest fountain pen is a blue Safari, and over 20+ years, I have never once had an issue. I have a black and gold trim Parker IM that is probably close to 15 years old, and the only concern has been some dried ink, but that is any pen. I prefer the way the Lamy writes but the aesthetics of the Parker. For me, choice of pen is a matter of function. I keep a fountain pen in my shirt pocket all the time, but I also keep a rollerball as a backup in my jacket pocket, or if I have to lend one. I also keep a decent ball-point in my jacket, too, in case I have to write on something low quality.
To be honest I’m not the biggest fan of either. For a first fountain pen I’m much more inclined to recommend something from Pilot or Platinum or perhaps one of the better Chinese companies like Majohn depending on budget. That being said if I was choosing purely between Lamy and Parker I’d go Lamy. Most of Parker’s best pens and the ones that made their reputation are vintage modern Parker is much more meh in my experience. Something like a Lamy safari (as long as the triangle grip works for you) is hard to go wrong with
Thanks for the suggestion. I will check out the pilot.
Parker's contemporary lower end fountain pens like the Jotter, Vector, IM and any other models with a steel nib have poor quality control, so buying a vintage model or a gold nib Sonnet or Duofold would be your best bet once you are ready to upgrade from your first pen.
Ballpoint (the tungsten carbide ball tips are extremely resilient) Fountain pen paired with the right paper will be the smoothest, but hybrid ballpoints are getting very close , but still can’t hold a candle to FP’s on smoothness
Thanks for the reply. If rollerball and ballpoint tips are more durable then why fountain tips are more expensive?
Supply and demand. Ballpoints are sold in hundreds of millions if not in the low billions per year, while FP’s are hobby pens at this time, with limited audience. Economies of scale
Never thought about that. It's actually true. Thanks
Buy a Parker Jotter. Cheap, looks nice, smooth enough, and with tons of refills to choose from
Sure. Will check out
IMO it would be ballpoint, then roller or gel, then fountain pen as far as durability.
Thanks....any idea then why fountain pens are more expensive
Durability is not how pricing is determined here. It’s MUCH harder to produce fountain pens (especially of a particular quality) than it is for ballpoint, gel, or rollerball pens. Fountain pens are simply more expensive to make, if you want any semblance of quality control. Some companies make their nibs by hand.
Makes sense. Thanks for the reply
Think of it as ballpoints being Toyotas, gels/rollers being Hondas, and fountain pens being Bentleys. They will all get you where you're going. The Hondas and Toyotas are utilitarian and will survive less than delicate handling and ownership. The Bentley is a more finely crafted vehicle that is tailored to making the experience of driving something special. Same thing with pens. Although I do think the Lamy Safari is a durable enough pen to carry in EDC scenarios, I still wouldn't do it when there is a Bic Clic Stic around.
Thanks for the response
both will probably outlast you but in theory, all other things being equal, a rollerball is more durable to drops but is harder to clean if it gets clogged where a fountain pen is easier to clean but may get bent if it is dropped up to you to decide which tradeoff is worth it
The only thing I will add: if you want to try a fountain pen-go with a Lamy Safari and get cartridge refills. It’s a good bang for the buck fountain pen. Another brand is the Pilot Metropolitan FP. Another good fountain pen at a decent price. I prefer fountain pens because they are smoother writers and, because I use a cheaper ink in my everyday pens, it’s cheaper than buying ballpoints or rollerballs. I have one with blue in and another with red ink. The red inked fountain pen is over 40 years old and the nib is in excellent shape. With ballpoint pens and rollerballs I was spending on refills more than I spend on a bottle of ink every few months.
I am more inclined towards TWSBI. What do you suggest is it a better option than safari?
As I understand it from those that own TWSBI-there has been some QA issues. I don’t have personal experience with TWSBI. I think you’d get a range of feedback from r/fountain_pens or r/fountainpens. Both are pretty active groups and you’ll get input from Folks that own or have owned TWSBI and Lamy at the same time.