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r/pens•
outofcontextcomment

In need of a good pen. Something with a finer point that would help me write (relatively) neatly in a small daily planner...

I've been using the Papermate Profile pens and while I like the feel of it, I think I need something with a finer point. My writing is rather sloppy so when I write in my planner the letters tend to overlap at times. I also tend to write with my pen angled more to the side rather than perpendicular to the page so that also contributes to the overlap as well.

I would also prefer a thicker shaft as thinner ones tend to slip with my grip.

Thanks for any advice I can get!

Posted Mar 25, 2014, 10:12 PM UTC

58
downhillcarver•

Pilot Hi-Tec-C or the American "equivalent" the Pilot G-Tec-C4.

The Hi-Tec-C is better in my opinion, but many say they're the exact same. You can order a box of them from China on eBay pretty easily.

The G-Tec-C4 can be found at your local office supply store.

Hi-Tec-C comes in 0.03mm, 0.04mm, and 0.05mm. Not sure what all the G-tec-C4 comes in, but I know one size is 0.07mm. I prefer the Hi-Tec-C 0.04mm, it's small enough to fill out the smallest forms, but not so small as to be finicky.

4
Mega280•

What's the supposed difference in the 2

1
downhillcarver•

Uhhhh... Y'know, now that you mention it, I'm not totally sure...

The hi-tec-C comes in smaller/finer lines. The hi-tec-C has a thinner cartridge body by just a fraction of am inch, which means that the G-tec won't fit in the metal pens I bought for the hi-tec-C.

I haven't used a G-tec in about two years, but if memory serves me correctly, I personally found that it skipped on occasion and occasionally had trouble starting. I could have gotten a dud though, I never tried another G-tec again, I just stuck to ordering my Hi-tec-C refills from eBay.

1
Mega280•

Hmm and do you know If there is any difference in the regular hi-tech and the macia (might have misspelled that)

2
downhillcarver•

I've never heard of macia and a quick Google search for "macia pen refill" turned nothing up...

1
rohrspatz•

I think you mean Maica, right? I just got a set. :)

They only come in 0.4mm and in 12 colors, but they have exactly the same ink cartridges. I have a handful of Hi-Tec-C's to round out the color selection, and they're literally identical to the Maicas except for the body. So if you really wanted a 0.3mm or 0.5mm Maica, or other colors, you could just buy a Maica and a Hi-Tec-C and switch the cartridges.

0
rohrspatz•

Seconding the recommendation for Pilot Hi-Tec-C's. They're awesome.

And just in case you have Amazon Prime, it might behoove you to know that you can get a 12-color set of Pilot Maica, which have the same exact ink and nib as the Hi-Tec-C, for a ridiculously low price compared to what it costs to get Hi-Tec-C's from JetPens (or anywhere else I looked). They also have a slightly thicker barrel. :)

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