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Old 12 January 2023, 03:25 PM   #1
1259
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Cheaper alternative to Montblanc rollerball

I have a montblanc rollerball and it is my favorite pen. I’d like to buy something similar in feel but cheaper so I can have one in my office, house, travel, etc. Can anyone recommend something in the $25-$200 range that fits the bill?
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Old 12 January 2023, 04:22 PM   #2
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Lamy 2000 or something from Kara’s.
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Old 12 January 2023, 06:14 PM   #3
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Lamy 2000 or something from Kara’s.
Thanks for the suggestions do you have a favorite?
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Old 12 January 2023, 11:05 PM   #4
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I must have 50 Tombow Zoom 505 Rollerballs in a large bowl as disposable pens. I like the size but the weight, writing quality, and smoothness is what you’d expect from a $15 pen.
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Old 13 January 2023, 12:24 AM   #5
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Thanks for the suggestions do you have a favorite?
https://karaskustoms.com/product/ren.../#body-options

https://karaskustoms.com/product/ink-v2-rollerball-pen/

I shoot for pens that use either G2 or Schmidt rollerball refills, and with caps that don't post. I like the Lamy 2000, but it's a bit light compared to my Cartier that I've used for the past 12yrs, so one of my Karas typically serves as back-up, whereas Lamy is 3rd or 4th in line.
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Old 13 January 2023, 05:08 PM   #6
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I have a montblanc rollerball and it is my favorite pen. I’d like to buy something similar in feel but cheaper so I can have one in my office, house, travel, etc. Can anyone recommend something in the $25-$200 range that fits the bill?
Please try a fountain pen. A good one.

A 146 might help you. With all the ink possibilities, you might be very delightfully surprised!

Years ago I was RB dedicated as I thought FPs were too "messy".

Lamy is a nice choice to start. But a superb Montblanc or Pelican will give you A sense of quality.
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Old 13 January 2023, 11:23 PM   #7
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Please try a fountain pen. A good one.
I agree with owning a couple of fountain pens, if one likes them, but I find rollerballs a better choice for a typical frantic and abusive day of writing. My fountains tend to be reserved for occasional personal writing.
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Old 15 January 2023, 08:53 PM   #8
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I agree with owning a couple of fountain pens, if one likes them, but I find rollerballs a better choice for a typical frantic and abusive day of writing. My fountains tend to be reserved for occasional personal writing.
I do understand, however, there are FPs that will stand up to even the best RBs or BPs. Research them and you will find the FP that is agorgeous workhorse.
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Old 16 January 2023, 01:30 AM   #9
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Research them and you will find the FP that is agorgeous workhorse.
In my general day, fountain pens are not preferred, so I stick with my workhorse, the Meisterstück Solitaire Blue Hour LeGrand Rollerball. My fountains are only used for intimate writing purposes. For me, this is the method that works the best.

I regret the JKF rollerball and will likely give it to someone else.
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Old 17 January 2023, 04:18 AM   #10
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Following as I'm curious to hear some of the suggestions. The Kara's pens look interesting but don't really grab me.

As to the fountain pen question bit my Pilot Vanishing Point is pretty dependable but in the day to day I'm either about to run out of ink at an inopportune time or paranoid of it leaking if I drop it in my pocket. Curious to hear if Bisquitlips has a bulletproof suggestion.

And I know not what the OP was asking about but as an EDC I love my Fisher Bullet pen. Disappears in my pocket and writes great.
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Old 19 January 2023, 06:34 AM   #11
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I was given this by my dealer. It’s not Mt Blanc but it was free.
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Old 21 January 2023, 01:01 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by cartesian Product View Post
In my general day, fountain pens are not preferred, so I stick with my workhorse, the Meisterstück Solitaire Blue Hour LeGrand Rollerball. My fountains are only used for intimate writing purposes. For me, this is the method that works the best.

I regret the JKF rollerball and will likely give it to someone else.
Good deal!

I have several MB rollerballs and I have found that any rollerball is no better than its refill. And Montblancs refills are, in my experience, horrible. The last 4 I replaced began to skip on the second day. Grrrrrrrrrr!!! I need to find a Japanese refill that will fit it.

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Old 22 January 2023, 02:49 AM   #13
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Good deal!

I have several MB rollerballs and I have found that any rollerball is no better than its refill. And Montblancs refills are, in my experience, horrible. The last 4 I replaced began to skip on the second day. Grrrrrrrrrr!!! I need to find a Japanese refill that will fit it.

I don't recall having any ink issues with the rollerball. I only use it as a basic daily writing tool and coming in at ~70g it feels pleasant in my hand. Other than weight, the cap must be postable. My handwriting is terrible, so nothing to see. I wish you luck finding a Japanese refill.
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Old 22 January 2023, 11:30 AM   #14
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I don't recall having any ink issues with the rollerball. I only use it as a basic daily writing tool and coming in at ~70g it feels pleasant in my hand. Other than weight, the cap must be postable. My handwriting is terrible, so nothing to see. I wish you luck finding a Japanese refill.
Well, I have an old Mont Blanc Rollerball Generation pen and after reading this thread I desided to use it again, however it is out of ink. I purchased a package of the Monteverde fine tip refills. The threaded distal end of the refill looks like a match to my Mont Blanc factory refill. I will soon know of they fit and will follow up on the quality of the ink, not of my hand writing.
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Old 22 January 2023, 01:44 PM   #15
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Have you ever tried Waterman?




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Old 23 January 2023, 01:34 AM   #16
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Well, I have an old Mont Blanc Rollerball Generation pen and after reading this thread I desided to use it again, however it is out of ink. I purchased a package of the Monteverde fine tip refills. The threaded distal end of the refill looks like a match to my Mont Blanc factory refill. I will soon know of they fit and will follow up on the quality of the ink, not of my hand writing.
Looking forward to the update!
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Old 24 January 2023, 12:43 AM   #17
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[QUOTE=77T;12578343]Have you ever tried Waterman?



I have, and while the refills are better than MB, I wouldn't say I like the design of the pen as much. Subjective opinion.
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Old 25 January 2023, 06:09 AM   #18
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OK, I have to say I am very pleased with my purchase of the rollerball refills. I purchased a package of six for $22 off of Amazon. The threads on the refill are plastic instead of the factory MB metal threading, but the refill tip appears to be at the proper length coming out of the gold hub.

Here is the seller’s description I copied and pasted from their Amazon page.

Lanier Combo Pack - 6 Pack - Monteverde® Rollerball M22 Paste Ink Refill Compatible with Most Montblanc® Style Rollerball Pens - Black (Fine Tip 0.6mm)

Here is a picture for everyone.
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Old 27 January 2023, 03:22 PM   #19
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Thank you I will experiment with some of these suggestions. While I like fountain pens, I’m mostly using the pens for scribbling notes. I will give them another try.
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Old 28 January 2023, 06:14 AM   #20
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Have you ever tried Waterman?




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I have this pen and it is nice. Recommended!
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Old 28 January 2023, 06:15 AM   #21
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OK, I have to say I am very pleased with my purchase of the rollerball refills. I purchased a package of six for $22 off of Amazon. The threads on the refill are plastic instead of the factory MB metal threading, but the refill tip appears to be at the proper length coming out of the gold hub.

Here is the seller’s description I copied and pasted from their Amazon page.

Lanier Combo Pack - 6 Pack - Monteverde® Rollerball M22 Paste Ink Refill Compatible with Most Montblanc® Style Rollerball Pens - Black (Fine Tip 0.6mm)

Here is a picture for everyone.
Thanks!
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Old 30 January 2023, 02:19 AM   #22
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I have a couple of Monteverde Impressa Rollerball, about $50. They write really well/smooth, refills are easy to get, and I like the feel in my hand, very balanced weight. IMO their finish and appearance are of a pen considerably more expensive than $50.
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