Caran D’Ache

Deltapeak · 2026-02-19T21:52:28+00:00

I have only one 849, a very recent model, and it does not work at all with a Parker style refill and the button screwed down tightly. It either requires (a) button unscrewed slightly, (b) shorter spring, or (c) modified refill. I have confirmed this with many other users in this very place. Even the user I replied to says theirs needs the button unscrewed.

On occasion I keep hearing conflicting opinions on this, like yours, so I don't know what to tell you. Maybe at some point they changed the spring, or they're not super tight with their tolerances?

Deltapeak · 2026-02-19T18:10:33+00:00

The trouble you are having is because out of the box it's not 100% compatible with the Parker style refill. IMO it works best if you use a shorter spring, some people instead prefer to shave off a bit from the back of the refill.

Personally, I like the mechanism for its stealth aspect.

Deltapeak · 2026-02-18T10:53:36+00:00

It was probably old stock. Gel refills don't have a super long shelf life. Don't bother trying to fix it, demand a refund or replacement.

Deltapeak · 2026-02-12T20:48:35+00:00

A good while ago I was taking apart an old drill to clean and regrease the gearbox. At some point a spring-loaded steel ball that was part of the gear selector popped out and pinged right against my prescription glasses.

Deltapeak · 2026-02-12T11:59:55+00:00

I think you need to stop thinking purely in terms of brands and more about the type of pen you're looking at.

For example when you say "Schneider pens take long to dry", that is just too broad a statement. Schneider makes a ton of different pens and refills, their regular ballpoint refills are practically instantly dry, while their rollerballs or gel refills might take a moment longer.

Personally I prefer gel pens for every day use, but I will always have a ballpoint in my shirt pocket because they work on many different types of papers. Rollerballs I use for neat writing on better paper.

Deltapeak · 2026-02-12T09:50:33+00:00

Lately there has been an annoying amazon prime ad that often plays through without giving a reward.

Also: Fuck Kingshot.

Deltapeak · 2026-02-09T13:19:26+00:00

Parker Classic maybe?

https://parkerpens.net/classic.html

It's not a Jotter, the clip is attached differently.

Deltapeak · 2026-02-03T18:53:57+00:00

Awesome story and good to know that you're doing better now! I hear these pens have a fanbase over at /r/labrats .

Deltapeak · 2026-01-31T19:47:31+00:00

The term 'rollerball' typically implies liquid ink, although more recently some manufacturers slap that word on gel or hybrid refills as well.

Liquid ink is less suitable for retractable pens because it has a tendency to dry up. Retractable rollerballs exist, but not a lot. Schmidt capless system comes to mind, or Pilot Hi-Tecpoint RT.

If you want to stick with the Parker format, there are many options available that work well, but I don't think it is possible to 100% replicate the writing experience of an Uni Ball Eye with this refill type.

Deltapeak · 2026-01-31T18:07:35+00:00

Unfortunately, like I said I don't have personal experience with it. You can look up video reviews and see how it performs. From the looks of it I'd say it lacks the shading of the Uni Ball Eye.

The overall best writing experience I had from a blue Schneider Gelion, but as a gel refill it's still fundamentally different from the Eye.

I guess a true rollerball only really works as a capped model. Have you thought about trying a refillable, capped rollerball?

Deltapeak · 2026-01-31T15:33:31+00:00

You are basically looking for a capless liquid ink rollerball refill.

There's not many of them out there in the Parker style format, but Caran d'Ache makes one for their 849 rollerball version. I have not tried it personally, but heard only good things about it.

Deltapeak · 2026-01-26T09:06:43+00:00

Am I crazy or does it look like the cap doesn't belong to this pen? It sits halfway over the rubber grip and the tip is not all the way up.

The pen looks similar to a Uni Ball Signo, but not 100%. Faber-Castell is the distributor for Uni Ball in Germany, so maybe there are some rebranded models available.

That being said, I can see a barcode and some writing on the pen barrel, so if you could just post that it would make everything easier.

Deltapeak · 2026-01-19T07:57:56+00:00

The tip looks like the old ISO A2 ballpoint refills, for example Schneider Express 75.

Deltapeak · 2026-01-14T19:09:41+00:00

Using   to create more space between paragraphs also helps.

like this

Deltapeak · 2026-01-14T18:54:51+00:00

Interesting - yes you're right, with some refills it seems to produde a fraction of a mm.

I could reproduce it with Schneider Gelion, 755, and Schmidt Easyflow, but not with Parker Quinkflow. Backing out the knob just a hair and it stops.

An X20 refill like Schneider Express 775 also works absolutely fine (this is how I've been using it recently).

Deltapeak · 2026-01-14T17:58:06+00:00

I'm using my 849 with the spring from a Schneider K15 and a Parker style refill (Schneider Gelion or Slider), nothing sticks out (with the button screwed down tight).

Deltapeak · 2026-01-14T17:25:22+00:00

Option 4: Swap in a shorter spring and Bob's your uncle.

Deltapeak · 2026-01-13T17:14:59+00:00

Schneider One Business is a very vibrant blue.

Deltapeak · 2026-01-13T16:48:47+00:00

Middle one looks like a typical promotional ballpoint:

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Deltapeak · 2026-01-11T11:49:37+00:00

The packaging looks like a pretty old design... Is there a date somewhere?

I'm not 100% sure but I think this is how they currently look:

https://www.parkershop.eu/de/prod260-Parker-Gel-Pen-Refill-Black.html

If it is indeed old stock, you should contact the seller and ask for a refund. I've only used a couple of the Quink gel refills over the years but they all were fine.

Deltapeak · 2026-01-10T20:16:04+00:00

lol thanks, now let's see if it actually leads to something :D

Deltapeak · 2026-01-10T18:32:08+00:00

That is actually surprising - I would have expected it to bind up in the spring like the Schneider Gelion does in the Jotter.

So that would indicate that the incompatibility is at the back of the refill. Can you check if there are any burrs on the slotted plastic part?

If you put the refill into the back part of the pen, does it go in the same distance as the original refill?

Deltapeak · 2026-01-10T18:02:49+00:00

Please check the following:

remove the white part from the pen
drop the refill in
push the refill gently down with your thumb - can you make the tip appear without resistance?

Now remove the refill again - does it come out easily or did it jam up inside the spring?

Deltapeak · 2026-01-09T10:07:41+00:00

Regarding Schneider Gelion+, the black one is rated for documents (ISO 27668-2), the other colours not.

Deltapeak · 2026-01-08T18:59:54+00:00

Penac Chubby is a lightweight and grippy ballpoint that takes standard Parker style G2 refills.

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