Fountain Pen vs. Ballpoint Pen

How Fountain Pens Function

• The ink in a fountain pen is stored in the barrel or body of the pen. From there, the ink feeds into the point at the base of the pen. A mechanism then regulates the flow of ink through the tip of the pen. This mechanism prevents the ink from flowing out too quickly. The tip of the pen is coated with gold, as gold resists the corrosive quality of ink. The split at the tip of the pen regulates the ink flow.

Using a Fountain Pen

• The tip of a fountain pen scratches as it writes, so with every stroke you are making a tiny scratch into the paper and then depositing ink. If a fountain pen is held in one place for too long, the ink will blot, forming a small puddle. If you press down too hard with a fountain pen, you can tear the paper. The interchangeable tips, or nibs, of a fountain pen can create different widths of lines, which is why they are used in traditional calligraphy.

Using a Ballpoint Pen

• The biggest difference between a ballpoint and fountain pen is that ballpoint pens do not have a tip or nib. Instead, the pen comes down to a tiny brass ball that is used to roll the ink smoothly and evenly. The reservoir inside the pen that holds the ink is similar but the distribution of the ink lends itself to less scratching of the paper and ink blotting. Also, a ballpoint pen can be left uncapped for hours or days without the ink drying. The ink used in ballpoint pens contains preservatives, lubricants and synthetic dyes that help to inhibit drying or clotting.

Convenience of Ballpoint Pens

• Today, the ballpoint pen tends to be the more popular pen used. Its ability to write consistently and smoothly outweighs the rigidness of a fountain pen. Also, the ballpoint pen is much less prone to drying and is available in countless styles and colors and geared towards comfort. There is less risk of a ballpoint pen "'exploding" and causing a mess. Ballpoint pens do not cut into the paper, which helps penmanship, and the lighter grip required for a ballpoint pen reduces hand strain.

Value of Fountain Pens

• Fountain pens are seen as collector's items and can be worth quite a bit of money. Pens manufactured by Mont Blanc or Waterman can be worth upwards of thousands of dollars. Ballpoint pens are typically cheap, sold by the dozen and disposable. Fountain pens are favored by those who appreciate the aesthetics of a pen or for use in calligraphy.