Rotring Rapidograph Pen - 0.13 mm - Black Ink

If you want super thin lines this is the pen for you (and me). My workhorse for doodling and detail work. Not so good for sketching because of the scratchiness of the needle-like point, though with the right paper you could make sketches happen. The strength of this pen is the cartridge system which gives a nice consistent flow of ink once you get it going. The biggest weaknesses are the cap and body which are plastic and will not hold up to abuse - like keeping it in your back pocket and sitting on it. The barrel is hollow so it will crack if over-tightened. The clip on the cap will come off with repeated use (I superglued mine back on).

This is a pen that requires some care: if you allow the ink to dry out then the point will clog permanently(I have tried using the various cleaning kits/solutions on my dried out points with no results). The good news is that if you draw everyday with it and flush it with water after every cartridge change it will reward you with about 1 - 2 years of faithful steady service. Make sure the cap is screwed on tight after every use - it has a tendency to come loose at the wrong moments.

Don't bother with the Koh-i-noor 0.13 mm (or even the 0.25 mm) - their ink delivery system is terrible resulting in poor/no flow and the tip is even scratchier than the Rotring. This is the best 0.13 mm pen. Ever.

For the past year or so I have been a great fan of Pilot Precise V5 RT pens: loved the ink flow and needle tip. BUT, I RIPPED through them. One day I ended up throwing out 4 pens because they all went empty the same day. I couldn't justify the refill cost, vs simply buying new pens, which really bothered me.
Well, my search is over. The Rotring Rapidograph 0.5mm is the pen I was searching for. Lays down nice dark black ink as I write (which is all I do, I don't draw), feels great in the hand, and the refills are economical. I can get over that I have to take the cap off (vs. just click the retractable Pilot Precise V5).
I have a few more V5's to use up, but this is my new favorite for writing up my patient records. I love my Kaweco fountain pen for correspondence and things I want to have a more personal flare, but this is my new "workhorse".

I used these pens for a good number of years for commercial art classes they are truely workhorse pens because it got to the point they were the only pens i used for everything!they are worth the cost they hold up well the only reason i dont have mine anymore is my ex husband took them