I decided to try the Zebra F-701 with Fisher refill mod so I went over to Staples to pick up the stuff. Found the Zebra F-701, found the Fisher Space Pen refill, then saw the Parker Jotters. I’ve been a fan of the simple Parker pen designs ever since I saw a Parker 51 fountain pen, and here were a selection of Jotters calling out to me. So I put the Zebra F-701 back on the shelf and ended up getting a stainless steel Parker Jotter and the Fisher refill.
As soon as I left the store, I switched out the stock Parker QuinkFlow for the Fisher refill. Had fun twirling the Jotter all the way home. After writing with it for awhile, though, I realized I wanted a nicer writing experience to go with the nice Jotter, and although the Space Pen’s pressurized cartridge had many advantages over other ballpoint refills, a nice writing experience wasn’t one of them. The ink has that indistinct, inconsistent quality that’s common with ballpoints. I could live with that, but not in this barrel. It was time to go back to Staples and get the pen I went there for in the first place.
Again, picked up the Zebra F-701 and looked at the refills. Nothing looked very promising. I was looking for Visconti or Itoya gel refills since I read they were pretty good Parker-style refills, but I guess that’s not something one just picks up in a store anymore. Eventually, I settled for the Parker gel ink refill in blue, which only came in medium (0.7mm).
Made the switch at home. The Fisher refill went in the F-701 after a minor tweak to allow the cartridge to fit, and the new gel ink refill went in the Jotter. The feel of the F-701 with the pressurized ink cartridge was more right. Of course that refill was more expensive than a Uni Power Tank, but it did feel right at least. The Parker gel ink refill, as I expected, was a little too broad for my writing style. The lines were more consistent, but there were some skipping incidents. There’s also the issue that the gel ink refills don’t last nearly as long as the ballpoint ones. I kept hoping for the writing experience of a Uni Jetstream, but with stylish Parker Jotter barrel. The next step was obvious.
I followed this guide to fit my 0.38mm black Jetstream refill into my Parker Jotter. The process was a little messy and took some time, but it worked. I now have a stainless steel Parker Jotter with the awesome lines of an extra fine Jetstream. Until the ink runs out and I have to mod another Jetstream refill. For now though, I’m happy.
Daryl Marcus