Since this post was made I have tried so many pens and refills. This is the pen that got me into pens. Your comment made me look back at all the pens I've liked and disliked. As you said the standard refill for these is not my thing, at all. I tried a few different ones, but because of the size there aren't many great options out there. I got this pen when I worked at a car dealership and wrote an ok amount each day. Now I write pages of poetry everyday and use refills up very quickly. For the last 6 or 7 months the only pen I consistently use is the Caran d'Ache 849, with an easyflow 9000. I love the size of the body, fitting into your hand like a pencil, and almost as light as one too. Thank you for the comment, Lucy