Editing Ballpoint pen (section)

==Types of ballpoint pens==
[[File:4 Bic Cristal pens and caps.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bic Cristal]] ballpoint pens shown in four basic ink colors]]
[[File:Jinhao 182 twist action ballpoint pen disassembled.jpg|thumb|right|Twist action ballpoint pen with large capacity G2 type refill. Model: Waterman Stainless Steel]]
[[File:Ball point pen refills en.png|thumb|right|Commonly used ballpoint refill types (diameter and length given in millimeters)]]
Ballpoint pens are produced in both disposable and refillable models. Refills allow for the entire internal ink reservoir, including a ballpoint and socket, to be replaced. Such characteristics are usually associated with designer-type pens or those constructed of finer materials. The simplest types of ballpoint pens are disposable and have a cap to cover the tip when the pen is not in use, or a mechanism for retracting the tip,<ref name="bpp encyc"/> which varies between manufacturers but is usually a spring- or screw-mechanism.

[[Rollerball pen]]s employ the same ballpoint mechanics, but with the use of water-based inks instead of oil-based inks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ballpoint vs. Rollerball – What's The Difference? |url=https://unsharpen.com/ballpoint-vs-rollerball/ |website=Unsharpen.com |access-date=29 August 2020 |archive-date=23 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923130924/https://unsharpen.com/ballpoint-vs-rollerball/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Compared to oil-based ballpoints, rollerball pens are said to provide more fluid ink-flow, but the water-based inks will blot if held stationary against the writing surface. Water-based inks also remain wet longer when freshly applied and are thus prone to "smearing"—posing problems to left-handed people (or right handed people writing [[right-to-left]] script)—and "running", should the writing surface become wet.

Some ballpoint pens use a hybrid ink formulation whose viscosity is lower than that of standard ballpoint ink, but greater than rollerball ink.<ref name=":0" /> The ink dries faster than a [[gel pen]] to prevent smearing when writing. These pens are better suited for left-handed persons. Examples are the Zebra Surari, [[Uni-ball]] Jetstream and [[Pilot (pen company)|Pilot]] Acroball ranges.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-08-20|title=Hybrid Ballpoint Showdown|url=https://www.wellappointeddesk.com/2013/08/hybrid-ballpoint-showdown-and-giveaway/|access-date=2021-02-11|website=The Well-Appointed Desk|language=en-US|archive-date=1 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301045128/http://www.wellappointeddesk.com/2013/08/hybrid-ballpoint-showdown-and-giveaway/|url-status=live}}</ref> These pens are also labelled "extra smooth", as they offer a smoother writing experience compared to normal ballpoint pens.

Ballpoint pens with erasable ink were pioneered by the [[Paper Mate]] pen company.<ref name="Erasable"/> The ink formulas of erasable ballpoints have properties similar to [[rubber cement]], allowing the ink to be literally rubbed clean from the writing surface before drying and eventually becoming permanent.<ref name="Erasable"/> Erasable ink is much thicker than standard ballpoint inks, requiring pressurized cartridges to facilitate inkflow—meaning they can also write upside-down. Though these pens are equipped with erasers, any eraser will suffice.<ref name="Erasable"/>

Ballpoint tips are fitted with balls whose diameter can  vary from 0.28&nbsp;mm to 1.6&nbsp;mm. The ball diameter does not correspond to the width of the line produced by the pen.   The line width depends on various factors like the type of ink and pressure applied. Some standard ball diameters are: 0.3&nbsp;mm, 0.38&nbsp;mm, 0.4&nbsp;mm, 0.5&nbsp;mm, 0.7&nbsp;mm (fine), 0.8&nbsp;mm, 1.0&nbsp;mm (medium), 1.2&nbsp;mm and 1.4&nbsp;mm (broad). Pens with ball diameters as small as 0.18&nbsp;mm have been made by Japanese companies, but are extremely rare.

The inexpensive, disposable [[Bic Cristal]] (also simply "Bic pen" or "Biro") is reportedly the most widely sold pen in the world.<ref name="Phaidon">''Phaidon Design Classics- Volume 2'', 2006 Phaidon Press Ltd. {{ISBN|0-7148-4399-7}}</ref><ref name="Humble">[http://www.moma.org/exhibitions/2004/pdfs/humble_checklist.pdf ''Humble Masterpieces''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020152134/http://www.moma.org/exhibitions/2004/pdfs/humble_checklist.pdf |date=20 October 2012 }} – [[The Museum of Modern Art]] New York, 8 April – 27 September 2004.</ref> It was the Bic company's first product and is still synonymous with the company name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/BIC-Corporation-Company-History.html|title=BIC Corporation – Company History|publisher=Fundinguniverse.com|access-date=17 August 2011|archive-date=25 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525074127/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/BIC-Corporation-Company-History.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bicworld.com/en/bic-group/history/ |title=History |publisher=Bicworld.com |access-date=17 August 2011 |archive-date=8 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208012638/http://www.bicworld.com/en/bic-group/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Bic Cristal is part of the permanent collection at the [[Museum of Modern Art]] in [[New York City]], acknowledged for its [[industrial design]].<ref name="Bic Cristal in MoMA collection">{{cite web |url=http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=82141 |title=Décolletage Plastique Design Team. Bic Cristal® Ballpoint pen. 1950 – MoMA |access-date=30 March 2017 |archive-date=30 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830234749/http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=82141 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Humble"/> Its hexagonal barrel mimics that of a wooden [[pencil]] and is transparent, showing the ink level in the reservoir. Originally a sealed streamlined cap, the modern pen cap has a small hole at the top to meet safety standards, helping to prevent suffocation if children suck it into the throat.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bicworld.com/us/pages/faq/ |title=BICWorld.com FAQ – BIC World |access-date=5 March 2013 |archive-date=20 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820220633/http://www.bicworld.com/us/pages/faq/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Kugelschreiber Buche gestockt.jpg|thumb|Designer created ballpoint pen with case made of wood showing [[Wood-decay fungus#Induced fungal decay|induced fungal decay]]]]
Multi-pens are pens that feature multiple varying colored pen refills. Sometimes ballpoint refills are combined with another non-ballpoint refill, usually a mechanical pencil. Sometimes ballpoint pens combine a ballpoint tip on one end and touchscreen stylus on the other.

Ballpoint pens are sometimes provided free by businesses, such as hotels and banks, printed with a company's name and logo. Ballpoints have also been produced to commemorate events, such as a pen commemorating the 1963 [[Assassination of John F. Kennedy|assassination of President John F. Kennedy]].<ref name="bpp encyc"/> These pens, known as "advertising pens," are the same as standard ballpoint pen models, but have become valued among collectors.

Sometimes ballpoint pens are also produced as design objects. With cases made of metal or wood, they become individually styled utility objects.