Originally Posted by
Ryanardo_daVinci
I like a good pen.
Specifically, rollerball pens like a Lamy M63 or a Parker Gel.
Without exception though, when I take them on a plane, the ink flow becomes very inconsistent, and no amount of holding it vertically, writing/scribbling for long periods of time etc allows it to recover - if I want to carry on silky smooth gel rollerball writing, I need to buy a new refill.
I fly about 8 times a month, so replacing the refills in my favorite pens is very impractical, I also can't take new refills with me when I travel because they will suffer the same fate.
The problem seems fairly obvious in that the pressure changes of flight cause the problem, but I can't believe that the manufactures ignore this problem. I've contacted both Parker and Lamy and neither could offer much advice.
So, FT community, can you help me:
1) Am I the only person in the world that experiences this problem so regularly?
2) If not, does anyone have any tips for reviving a refill that has been on a flight.
3) Does anyone have any recommendations for gel rollerball refills that are more pressure resistant than the two mentioned above.
4) Should I just get a fountain pen?
Thanks,
Do you have the issue using these pens while in-flight, or only after arrival? If the latter, I'm guessing that as atmospheric pressure increases when descending, the ink is forced back from the ball assembly at the writing tip leaving it with a small air gap between the ball and the tip.
Have you tried holding the pen by the opposite end and "shaking it down" much like you would an old mercury thermometer? Alternately, attach the pen securely to a foot or two of string and twirl it overhead quickly for 15-30 seconds?