A fine writing implement indeed.

[curses]

Behold (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000JTOYLS?tag=b3ta-21) the Bic pen, as featured on Amazon.co.uk. It's not a fancy pen, just one of your run-of-the-mill ballpoints. You know, the one that's got the clear shaft and comes in blue or black. You can find it in any store that sells office supplies, and it's generally bought in bulk.

So what makes this pen so special? The review.

[freemonkey]

The comments to the review are quite positive as well.

[Uthgar the Brazen]

:giggle:

I so totally know what I'm doing next year for Secret Santa! :excited:

[livius drusus]

I dissent! Medium is clearly the inferior point. The reviewer either has never experienced the mellifluous pleasures of the fine point or is a man of irretrievably pedestrian tastes. :snooty:

[Ensign Steve]

You couldn't be more wrong. Medium point is clearly superior to fine.

[livius drusus]

You make me sick, ma'am.:glovslap:

[freemonkey]

While I prefer a fine point over medium, I would not forgo writing if the only point available were medium.

[Uthgar the Brazen]

Sell-out whore!

[livius drusus]

At long last, freemonkey, have you no shame? :sadno:

[Ymir's blood]

You couldn't be more wrong. Medium point is clearly superior to fine.
But would you pay £0.13 for one?

.02 fine for me, thanks. It's so much easier filling out forms in triplicate with one.

[Ymir's blood]

Behold (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000JTOYLS?tag=b3ta-21) the Bic pen, as featured on Amazon.co.uk. It's not a fancy pen, just one of your run-of-the-mill ballpoints. You know, the one that's got the clear shaft and comes in blue or black. You can find it in any store that sells office supplies, and it's generally bought in bulk.

So what makes this pen so special? The review.

Do they make it in red?

[curses]

I believe they do, Yb. I think I've even seen them in green!

[Ymir's blood]

I believe they do, Yb. I think I've even seen them in green!
Oh, I wouldn't be interested in one in green. :sadnod:

[curses]

Butbutbut...what if zombies drip green blood?

[Ymir's blood]

Butbutbut...what if zombies drip green blood?Then we've probably fallen into a Sam Raimi film again.

____This is my BOOM stick!
:zombieflomp:

[Qingdai]

I was, "well served by this particular model" when I was three and stuck the "blue lid" up my nose. One doctor's visit later, and it joined the cabinet of "things stuck up children's noses removed by doctor" for all to see my shame! My shame!:colors:

[ceptimus]

I recently resurrected one of these (in black) that had been left in a drawer for many years. It wouldn't write even after several minutes of trying to scribble on paper and blowing down its back. So I bought out the big guns and held its point in the steam of a boiling kettle - I almost scalded myself so I used oven gloves and tried again. Success! The heat had distorted the barrel and the pen now resembles a banana, but I found this shape quite comfortable to use so I didn't bother to reheat and straighten it. A few people at the office commented on my pen's shape, but I don't mind. Its unique shape means that it's now less likely to be stolen - any potential thief would be scared of using it in view of anyone else, as their heinous crime would then be apparent to all.

[Dingfod]

I prefer the bold statement that a medium point BIC makes, my signature stands head and shoulders above any signed with a fine point BIC. I also prefer black to blue and certainly either of those to black and blue. In my youth I rather enjoyed the sleek styling of the BIC Crystal, with its cap on the opposite end of the pen shaft the assemblage resembles the fuselage of a Boeing 747. I flew just such a pen when I was in the German Army during the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

I take note that nobody has mentioned another potential use for the BIC Crystal, a use I witnessed on a medical-type television drama program. By removing the internals, the ballpoint tip and the ink tube as well as the small plastic end plug, it can be utilized in conjunction with an aptly named penknife to perform an emergency tracheotomy.

[ceptimus]

Okay, so there is some controversy over whether medium or fine is best (personally, I favour medium). The very name 'medium', however, implies that there should be a broad version too - yet I've never seen one. :chin:

Is there a wider version of the Bic crystal than medium? If so, I'd like to try it out.

[freemonkey]

Is there a wider version of the Bic crystal than medium? If so, I'd like to try it out.

I'm sure they don't make one. Because it would SUCK.

I may be a pen-point traitor of medium proportions, but I would never - NEVER - use a Bic with a broad point.

Get yourself a Sharpie, sir.

[Dingfod]

I cannot wait to obtain a Mont Blanc broad point pen refill, which they actually do manufacture. I'm sure a quality pen of such bold stroke will only further enhance my superb penmanship, perhaps use of such would even instill within me a desire to utilize it to communicate with friends, relatives, and other people in a much more personal manner.

[vremya]

I prefer the PaperMate black medium point myself.

[Kyuss Apollo]

Okay, so there is some controversy over whether medium or fine is best (personally, I favour medium). The very name 'medium', however, implies that there should be a broad version too - yet I've never seen one. :chin:

Is there a wider version of the Bic crystal than medium? If so, I'd like to try it out.

They could call it the Fat Ass.

[livius drusus]

I prefer the PaperMate black medium point myself.
Another inferior ballpoint product. Nothing beats the Pilot black fine point.

[BrotherMan]

We all know the One Pen that Rules Them All.

Behold:

http://www.bicworld.com/images_upload/produits/4coul0.jpg

Go cry to your respective mothers, noobs.

[Dingfod]

Meh. Four colors, mediocre quality.

I'm kind of partial to my Parker medium point pen that looks something like this one (http://static.flickr.com/76/210858439_7096475376.jpg).

[curses]

I've always been partial to Pilots as well, precise V5, please, in blue. Extra fine is the way to go with these.

[Leesifer]

I always borrow my BiC pens from work!

[livius drusus]

I've always been partial to Pilots as well, precise V5, please, in blue. Extra fine is the way to go with these.
Finally, a scriptor of good taste! :manhug:

[ShottleBop]

Uniball Vision Elites! In multiple colors!

[Pinecone]

Tich Tich. The obvious need is for both medium and fine point in ones pen inventory.

The fine one, allows one to tend toward verbosity in tight spaces penning upon fine lined paper, and aids ones check registry entries with refinement and precision.
Those without large amounts of brilliance to pen or that average only $6.57 in their banking accounts could find the medium pen alone adequate. :vapours:

But!

Those with only a fine point pen would indeed loose the flourish and richness of life! What is a thin and stingy "Merry Christmas!" against the warm and hearty "Merry Christmas!" one can only find in the broader more artful greeting. Maybe you can't fit $86,352.36 in your check registy with a medium point, but it has heart!

Now! Go out and get yourselves duo properly penniated!! :glare:

[Ensign Steve]

You couldn't be more wrong. Medium point is clearly superior to fine.
But would you pay £0.13 for one?

What is that in American dollars? Like a grand? Because, no. :sadno:

Tich Tich. The obvious need is for both medium and fine point in ones pen inventory.

The fine one, allows one to tend toward verbosity in tight spaces penning upon fine lined paper, and aids ones check registry entries with refinement and precision.
Those without large amounts of brilliance to pen or that average only $6.57 in their banking accounts could find the medium pen alone adequate. :vapours:

But!

Those with only a fine point pen would indeed loose the flourish and richness of life! What is a thin and stingy "Merry Christmas!" against the warm and hearty "Merry Christmas!" one can only find in the broader more artful greeting. Maybe you can't fit $86,352.36 in your check registy with a medium point, but it has heart!

Now! Go out and get yourselves duo properly penniated!! :glare:
You make excellent arguments, Pinecone, but there's one small problem. I keep my check registry in a computer. And if I had 86,352.36, I'd keep it in forty computers.

[Dingfod]

@Pinhead... uh, I mean Pinecone:

If I had $86,352.36, I wouldn't have to retire to a nice cardboard box under the nicest viaduct in town. Hell, I could afford to live in a NEW van down by the river.

[Ari]

I go with Pilots too. I bought some cheap Bics that pretend to be like the good Pilots but they gap when you write with them and it drives me crazy.

[Pinecone]

Ensign! :glovslap:
Dont be :glovslap:
ruining my fine post :glovslap:
by your not needing :glovslap:
a pen :glovslap:
at ALL! :glovslap:

[Pinecone]

@Pinhead... uh, I mean Pinecone:

If I had $86,352.36, I wouldn't have to retire to a nice cardboard box under the nicest viaduct in town. Hell, I could afford to live in a NEW van down by the river.

Just don't park it under Plant Womans window or we will glue you in there with or without a selection of pens! :giggle:

[Ymir's blood]

You couldn't be more wrong. Medium point is clearly superior to fine.
But would you pay £0.13 for one?

What is that in American dollars? Like a grand? Because, no. :sadno:

Ensign Steve's Secret Santa take note, please! :attn:

[Qingdai]

As my wife would say, "will no one think of the children?!"

:lovejoy:

[rigorist]

Just coming back from judging and the contents of the found pen pocket are:

1 Pilot Precise V5 (blue)
1 Uniball Vision Elite (orange)
1 Pilot G5 07 (pink)
1 Magna Tank .05 (black)

I think I like the Magna Tank and the pink Pilot the best.

[Ensign Steve]

All my pens are Skillcraft, cuz I work for the government.

They suck.

[Caligulette]

. The very name 'medium', however, implies that there should be a broad version too - yet I've never seen one. :chin:

No, it means that Sylvia Brown uses them. She's a medium broad.

[Petra]

I have read the review and all your erudite replies, and I am ashamed.

I am ashamed that I have allowed my penmanship to deteriorate to an oversized, childish scribble over the last decade. As my two fingered no thumbs bang on the keyboard approach to both business and personal correspondence improves to almost semi-full participation of my right middle finger when composing letters, I am finding more and more that my graceful cursive is being desecrated by the increasing entropy of my now lost and redundant thumbs.

I only hope that electronics lasts as long as the BiC. :genie:

[Brimshack]

Heh, I always used one hand to type myself, and got rather fast with just the one. Till one day I was in the office where I was working as a teaching assitant and the chair of the department walked in. Out of embarrassment, I went ahead and starting using my left hand. That's how I found I could do that, and it would help somewhat. I still don't type the way you are supposed to. My right hand invades the space that you are supposed to use for you left by a couple key spaces, and I usually have to look at the keys as I type them.

As to my penmanship? It's been known to cause people physical pain.

[Petra]

As to my penmanship? It's been known to cause people physical pain.

Ahhh, yes. I've heard of Vogon poetry. :scared:

[curses]

I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable writing Vogon poetry with a bic. Possibly something one would write with the blood of one's enemies, probably after it's poured out of their ears from hearing the verse.
Oh freddled gruntbuggly,
Thy micturations are to me
As plurdled gabbleblotchits
On a lurgid bee.
Groop, I implore thee, my foonting turlingdromes
And hooptiously drangle me
With crinkly bindlewurdles,
Or I will rend thee in the gobberwarts with my blurglecruncheon,
See if I don't!

[Ensign Steve]

I'm shocked and appalled that you guys don't type properly. Didn't you go to school? You have to look at the keys when you type?! What if you're foruming at midnight and the power goes out? You'll be screwed then.

[Dingfod]

I do not look at the keyboard when I type keyboard.

[Corona688]

We all know the One Pen that Rules Them All.

Behold:

http://www.bicworld.com/images_upload/produits/4coul0.jpg

Go cry to your respective mothers, noobs. I remember that thing. Never could get anything but the red point to work on those pens...

They don't even seem to make my preferred pen anymore. But since all I need is an inkwell to refill it, nyah.

[Dingfod]

For those kind of pens you make your own. Take a chicken feather, or preferably a turkey feather, use your PENKNIFE and cut the quill into a pen point, do not forget to slit the tip upward to create a reservoir for ink, lest ye be writing only one character at a time.

[freemonkey]

I'm shocked and appalled that you guys don't type properly. Didn't you go to school? You have to look at the keys when you type?! What if you're foruming at midnight and the power goes out? You'll be screwed then.

O fof mou uale to[omh in skvoo;. I was a remr;, Pd tje [owrr goes pir wkop;r O.n vorjim YT mifmohjy. O;,, kydt ise ny Vif. Drr? Not svtrwed@

[Ensign Steve]

:lolwat:

[godfry n. glad]

I prefer the bold statement that a medium point BIC makes, my signature stands head and shoulders above any signed with a fine point BIC. I also prefer black to blue and certainly either of those to black and blue. In my youth I rather enjoyed the sleek styling of the BIC Crystal, with its cap on the opposite end of the pen shaft the assemblage resembles the fuselage of a Boeing 747. I flew just such a pen when I was in the German Army during the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

I take note that nobody has mentioned another potential use for the BIC Crystal, a use I witnessed on a medical-type television drama program. By removing the internals, the ballpoint tip and the ink tube as well as the small plastic end plug, it can be utilized in conjunction with an aptly named penknife to perform an emergency tracheotomy.


OOoooo...Ooooo...alternative uses of Bic ballpoint pens.

Hash pipes. It also doesn't matter if they are fine or medium.

[godfry n. glad]

I dissent! Medium is clearly the inferior point. The reviewer either has never experienced the mellifluous pleasures of the fine point or is a man of irretrievably pedestrian tastes. :snooty:

:glare:

Bah!

Be snooty....see if I care, efite snobs. Fine point users' writing is timorous, spidery and feeble, unlike the bold and unafraid script of hearty and lusty medium point users.

[livius drusus]

Lies!!1! My handwriting isn't spidery at all, but it is angular which is why I love the fine point. No blurriness around the edges. :pleased:

[Qingdai]

The BiC crystal is too bumpy. The round stic fine is the way to go. Plus no horrid memories of the pen cap stuck up my nose and it's subsequent removal.

[Corona688]

For those kind of pens you make your own. Nah, it's just a fountain pen.

[Angakuk]

I always borrow my BiC pens from work!

By your use of the term 'borrow', I presume that means that you also return them?

[Chris Porter]

Pfft! My penmanship is so lovely, it's featured in several textbooks. For highly trained writing such as I indulge in, Staedtler Rapidographs are the pens to use. From finer than the finest ballpoint (it's a jewel tip!), to bolder than the most medium of pens, Rapidographs will make a statement in non-smudgable ink, that writes on most surfaces.

They leak and are a royal pain in the butt to clean however. Usually I tend to Parker pens.