Mont Blanc: Rollerball VS Ballpoint

[hennabav]

So I've been debating between getting a Mont Blanc Classique Rollerball vs a Ballpoint. I've tried out both and I personally love how the RB writes...the color is much bolder and smoother. The BP to me writes more like a regular pen and the color is not as sharp. But I've heard that the RB's ink dries out really quick. I don't write very often and that is one of my major concerns. How long does it take for the ink to dry up without use? I would love to hear people's thoughts. Also, what are your opinions between the two? Are there ink that makes the BP write smoother and darker?


Jon

[jamesbondOO7]

Rollerball is very nice but lasts for about 3 minutes and then is dry. Unless you can afford the consumption and the hassle of having to carry 25 refills with you all the time, go for the ballpoint.
Oh, and when not in use, it might last a couple of weeks I think.
I have 2 or 3 rollerballs but never use them.

[ac001]

I love the way the Rollerball writes as well. I gave my late father the rollerball 164 (which I now have) and I do not use it often because they do run dry quickly. I have 3 other Watermans and two Mont Blancs (Black Mystery Starwalker & Boheme Bleu) and they are all ballpoint. My 2 cents.

[hennabav]

So if I get a RB, I can't put a BP ink in it correct? Meantime they don't change interchangeably among the two.

[Rebel]

Of the two, I prefer the ballpoint.

[Zed Homme]

I prefer the rollerball. The ink is darker and the pen writes smoother with a lot less effort. I've been on the cartridge since the pen was new and haven't had any drying out problems. However, I always recap it when not in use...

That being said, fountain pen is the way to go...

[Numismatist]

Rollerbal for me too, as long as you recap if you intend to leave it alone for a while, I've never had a drying problem.

The writing is much nicer.

[hennabav]

I agree with most here! The writing is definitely smoother and bolder. It's great for writing and signatures as well. So it seems as long as I recap, the ink will not dry out as quickly.

[leemozoid]

Originally Posted by numismatist

rollerbal for me too, as long as you recap if you intend to leave it alone for a while, i've never had a drying problem.

The writing is much nicer.

+1

[TattooedGQ]

Let me throw a curveball into the mix.....

I have a MB Fountain as well as a BP. In the BP i use a Monteverde capless gel refill. It lasts longer than any of my RB's and lays a nice dark line.

[GerardoG]

I have been using a RollerBall for over 15 years, love it.

[chasbo9]

I have both and prefer the rollerball.

[hennabav]

I agree with what has been said by most. I definitely love the RB much more than the BP. It writes so much smoother. So RB it is!!

[Lion]

Check out the fountain pens.....ever since I started using them(and really enjoying myself)I have not gone back to my MontBlanc rollerballs!!!

[TswaneNguni]

Ballpoint ....Le Grande with broad ballpoint refil .Best writing ballpoint
Rollerball ... Le Grande blue ink rollerball M refill.The blue writes better than the black IMO

[gmh1013]

I had a Rollerball LeGrande that I lost and It dried out about every month....
I have a classic BP Bordeaux thats 21 years old and only had to replace it 3 times...
and I use the BP all the time...I have nothing but praise for it.
I vote BP

[Thurnau]

Originally Posted by hennabav

So if I get a RB, I can't put a BP ink in it correct? Meantime they don't change interchangeably among the two.

Correct. The refills are not interchangeable between RB and BP. Fine liners and RB are interchangeable.

[DatejustRyan]

I use my MB RB everyday. IMHO, the ball point writes like a Bic. It all comes down to personal preference, but I couldn't imagine spending that kind of money on a ball point.

[TopNotchChach]

i love the twist feature of the ball point.

still in debate on getting a classique bp and using monteverde gel refills.

can anyone speak on that combo? thanks

[rolio]

I have both: a MB ball point=15 yrs; Pelican RB=5 yrs. Each serves its purpose, and, like our children, I love each equally well. The MB gets most use daily, and the RB gets used for special cards, letters, business correspondence, etc. When undecided, buy both.

Cheers!

[orfew]

I vote for both. I have 2 MB generation rbs, an MB Boheme platinum RB, an MB Scenium fineliner, an MB Meisterstuck Ballpoint, 144 FP, 147 FP, an a Meisterstuck pencil. I use all of these but the most common in my rotation are the 144 any rollerball, and the BP.

[DWBOD]

I'm not much of a pen guy, and have never posted in this forum, but I do own several pens. I purchased the Mark Twain pen a few months back in the Ballpoint version, but use it most of the time with a monteverde rollerball refill. When I use the pen regularly on a daily basis, the ink will last about two weeks before it runs out. So in my opinion, buy the BP version and use refills of whatever you like.

Best,

Doug

[stiusa]

In the last 10 years, I always had a MB rollerball sitting on my desk, and when it is not in use, it goes back to my MB pen stand with the tip facing down. Never had any problems with the ink drying out. I use it occassionally, and will only replace the ink when it runs out, which is usually more than a year. I did notice that the aftermarket rollerball ink refills will dry out, but orginal MB has no problems. I have a small collection of different MB pens including ballpoints and fountains, but I prefer the rollerball for daily use.

[hennabav]

Finally bought a MB Classique Rollerball. I love it!!

[theken]

Originally Posted by TopNotchChach

still in debate on getting a classique bp and using monteverde gel refills.

can anyone speak on that combo? thanks

I use this combination everyday and it works perfectly for me.

[masterserg]

Love the RB. Also, it is interchangeable with the fineliner (at least on Meisterstuck and Starwalker).

[rkot07]

I have both, I prefer the RB, always cap it when not in use. After reading the post just bought monteverde gel refills for the BP. Lets see how it writes.

[greg325i]

Originally Posted by hennabav

So if I get a RB, I can't put a BP ink in it correct? Meantime they don't change interchangeably among the two.

I frequently swap between the two. MonteVerde makes refills that allow a RB in a BP pen, and vice versa. You can also choose from more colors than sticking with purely MB refills. I prefer Blue-Black, which is a dark navy.

[rkot07]

Originally Posted by rkot07

I have both, I prefer the RB, always cap it when not in use. After reading the post just bought monteverde gel refills for the BP. Lets see how it writes.

So I did receive my monteverde gel refill for the BP and I love it.I love the look of the BP mixed with the ink of the RB. Great combo

[TopNotchChach]

i will be getting one soon. mosco, here i come!