These pens are incredible and I don’t know why anyone would argue that point with me.

Sometimes, a fountain pen is too finicky a utensil for what one wants to do. Quick writing, for example, such as brainstorming or when one is really in to a flow and needs to get all their ideas out. Sure, there are incredible fountain pens out there, but the feel of a rollerball is often so nice and welcome.

Enter: The Herbin Rollerball.

I never ever planned to buy rollerballs because, like ballpoints, they come with such boring black or blue options. There’s not a need, in my opinion, to spend more than $3 for a pen with a little ball bearing in it. If I wanted to write in black ink on any kind of paper known to man, I would use a Pilot G-2.

However, there are some rollerball pens that will take fountain pen ink. The most affordable of which is this gorgeous little pen from the makers of some of my favourite inks: Jacques Herbin.

It takes short cartridges, but one can also finagle a short little Kaweco converter on to them if you try hard enough.

I have had such a good experience with this pen that I have purchased multiple to try different inks. You see, cleaning the ink out to change colours is negative five fun on a scale of 1-10, as these are not easy to disassemble, but they are pretty cheap to buy. I found 3 used for $5 at one point and that was a highlight of my pen-collecting days.

They are smooth, though sometimes a bit squeaky, and I hear there is an additive to help with the lubrication, but it hasn’t bothered me. And I have yet to have one dry out even after months of non-use.

10/10 would recommend.

Ink: Noodler’s Blue Nose Bear
Paper: Black ‘n’ Red notebook