Fountain Pen vs Ballpoint Pen – How to Choose a Luxury Wooden Pen

The basic dilemma faced by anyone wondering how to choose a wooden pen. Is a fountain pen better, or a ballpoint pen? Finding the right answer depends on several factors – from price to practical use and the story you, or the person receiving the gift, will write with the pen. The following lines will help you solve this dilemma and explain the advantages and disadvantages of both types. And whether the final decision falls on a fountain pen or a ballpoint pen, one thing is certain – it will be exactly the right choice (perhaps walnut, oak, or even Greek olive wood).

Before we begin the direct comparison, let me introduce both types of pens individually:

Fountain Pen   The charm of a fountain pen lies in the rich line it leaves behind and the way it glides smoothly across the paper. This happens because the tip of a fountain pen, unlike a traditional steel nib, is fitted with a small hard-metal ball that glides easily on a tiny drop of ink. As is well known, liquids reduce friction, which means you don’t need to press on the pen while writing. The line is also even in width and length and clearly visible. Your hand feels lighter and less strained when writing with a fountain pen, which can be especially helpful for left-handed writers. Thanks to the smooth movement, the entire act of writing feels more elegant and refined.

Ballpoint Pen   Ballpoint pens contain a sealed ink refill that cannot be refilled. However, it can easily be replaced with a new one once it runs out. At the tip of the refill is a small metal or ceramic ball that rotates as you write, transferring a small amount of ink from the refill onto the paper. The ball must be sealed well enough to prevent ink from leaking, yet loose enough to rotate smoothly. At the same time, it must be fixed firmly so it cannot fall out or slide back into the refill. The ballpoint pen was invented as a less stylish but more reliable successor to the fountain pen. After World War II it became the most widely used writing instrument in the world. Its popularity comes from its simplicity, reliability in writing, and relatively low price. Fountain or ballpoint. Luxury. Wooden. Original. Personal. Unique. Which one will you choose?

Factors influencing the choice of a pen:

Price:

You will often hear that ballpoint pens are cheaper than fountain pens. In my case, however, the price is determined mainly by the amount of work invested in the wood, its rarity and its value. That is why both fountain pens and ballpoint wooden pens in my collection are offered at the same price.

Purpose:

According to Machiavelli, the end justifies the means. I believe that when it comes to writing instruments, the means actually defines the purpose. Will your original wooden pen be used mainly for signing documents? Choose a fountain pen, which may not last as long when writing, but produces a more elegant and refined line. On the other hand, if you or the person receiving the pen plan to write longer texts with it, a ballpoint pen will be the better choice.

Which pen writes longer?

Both types of pens differ in the size of the ink refill. While a fountain pen can write roughly ten pages of A4 text, a ballpoint pen can write much longer. In fact, its endurance is often measured not by pages but by the length of the line it can draw – up to about three kilometres. The difference in longevity is caused not only by the amount of ink in the refill but also by the fact that a fountain pen releases more ink while writing.

Refilling ink

Which pen is better when it comes to refilling ink? The answer is fairly simple. Even though it is not always standard (especially for fountain pens), ink can be replaced in both types. High-quality ballpoint refills are available directly on my website, and alternative refills can be found in most stationery shops. With fountain pens you have two options: replace the ink cartridge with a new one or use a converter, which is a type of cartridge that can be refilled repeatedly. One small tip – my fountain pens can hold two cartridges at the same time, so you can keep one spare inside the pen.

History:

If you want to get closer to the way our ancestors wrote, then a fountain pen will probably feel more natural in your hand. Fountain pens were widely used in various forms until the period of the Second World War, when they gradually began to be replaced by the ballpoint pen. However, they were never completely replaced. Even though the ballpoint pen brought greater efficiency, many activities are still more enjoyable when done the traditional way – much like listening to vinyl records after the rise of CDs and streaming services. And unlike music formats, a handmade wooden pen can never be replaced by an app.

Taste:

Each of us is unique and sees the world differently. Therefore, even if we reached a clear winner based on the factors described above when deciding whether a ballpoint or fountain pen is better, it may still not fit our aesthetic preferences. Personal taste always plays an important role. Do not suppress your personality – choose a pen that you feel a real connection with.

Originality:

One of the reasons why wooden pens are becoming increasingly popular is their originality. Every pen you find on this website is a true original. Despite all the differences between fountain and ballpoint versions, this uniqueness is the main quality they share.

Types of wood:

In my collection you will find more than 20 types of wood used to create both kinds of pens. I therefore recommend reading the article How to choose a pen and box, where I explain different properties of wood as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

Summary – which wooden pen is better?

If I had to summarise the main differences in just a few sentences: a ballpoint pen dries faster and can write for much longer, which makes it more efficient. A fountain pen, however, creates a more elegant line, feels better in the hand and makes the act of writing more refined and comfortable. If you are looking for a wooden pen mainly for everyday writing, a ballpoint pen may be the better choice. For many people, however, a fountain pen feels more attractive and leaves a stronger impression when signing documents. Ultimately the final choice always depends on personal taste.

Whether you choose a fountain pen or a ballpoint pen, an expensive one or a simple one, cherry wood or oak – from Michal Čiliak you will always receive a handcrafted original made with passion, created just for you. And on that I would bet my pen.

Michal Čiliak