Parker-style refills are one of the most popular pen refills and can accommodate a variety of pens. The refill is a sleek usually metal casing that holds the ink in the back and tapers to the pen tip. It can easily be inserted into most retractable pens.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about Parker-style refills including why they are so popular, what pens use them, and what some of the best brands of Parker-style refills are on the market. Additionally, we will direct you to places to purchase Parker-style refills and let you know how long they typically last.
What is a Parker Style Refill?
One of the most common refill styles in the world is the Parker-style refill. It’s large enough to hold a lot of ink while remaining small enough to fit in most pens. It’s roughly 9.8 cm long, with a long narrow tip, a large barrel, and a plastic end piece with ratchet-like grooves. Parker-style refills are often metal, but they can also be plastic.
Parker-style G2 refills got their name because they were originally created by Parker for use in their famous Parker Jotter pens. The size of the refill gradually became a standard in the pen world, and dozens (maybe hundreds) of manufacturers now create pen refills that use these dimensions.
One area of confusion is the fact that one of the most popular pens in the world, the Pilot G2, has a similar name to the refill. But the Pilot G2 doesn’t take a Parker-style G2 refill. Confusing, I know.
What Pens Accept a Parker Style Refill?
Some of the best pens on the market are designed to take Parker Style refills.
Here is a list of some of the best pens that do:
- Parker Jotter
- rOtring 600, 800, Rapid Pro
- Retro 51
- Tactile Turn
- Ohto Rays
- Parker Urban
- Kaweco Sport
- Caran D’ache 849
Many other ballpoint and rollerball pens accept Parker style refills. Many popular brands make parker style pens and manufacture their own refill for the pen.
One great thing about Parker Style pens is the refills have a lot of variety. The most common Parker-style refills you will find are blue or black ink and come in tip sizes of 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm. But there are a lot more options beyond that. You can purchase a pen knowing that you can find a refill that fits your needs.
What Are Some of the Best Parker Style Refills?
If you are looking for the best Parker style refill that money can buy, look no further than the Schmidt EasyFlow 9000. This refill is inexpensive at just $2 per refill and offers different size pen tips. It writes extremely smoothly and comes in blue or black. It’s my go to Parker Style refill.
Here is a list of some of the best Parker Style refills:
- Schmidt Easy Flow 9000 M
- Fisher Space Pen Refill
- Uni SXR-600 Jetstream
- Schneider Slider 755 XB
- Ohto Flash Dry GEl
- Schneider Gelion 39
- Pelikan 337M
Schneider Gelion 39 and Gelion+ are great for those who value gel ink. They cost about the same as the Schmidt refills and feature quick-drying capabilities.
If you want something a little fancier, try out the Fisher Space Pen PR Series. Although these refills are about $7 apiece, they come in a variety of colors and three different tip sizes. What’s more, these refills can withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures, inversion, and can write underwater.
Where Can I Purchase Parker Style Refills?
Since Parker style refills are so popular, they are easy to find. You can purchase Parker style refills from any office supply store including Staples, Office Depot, Walmart, and more. Most of the physical locations as well as their online shopping websites will have various options for Parker style refills.
In addition to office supply stores, websites such as Amazon, stationery supply sites, and bulk office supply sites will also offer Parker style refills for sale. If you are interested in a particular brand, you should visit its website to see who its distributors are. Alternatively, some brands may sell their Parker style refills themselves.
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How Long Do Parker Style Refills Last?
The longevity of a Parker style refill depends on the brand. Fisher Parker style refills are renowned for lasting an exceptionally long time which also speaks to the quality and price of the product. On the other hand, a far cheaper Parker style refill made by Schneider doesn’t last very long at all.
The type of pen a Parker style refill is made for also makes a difference in how long it will last. For example, Parker style refills for ballpoint pens tend to last almost six times longer than a Parker style refill for a gel pen. This is because gel ink tends to dry out faster than the thinner ballpoint ink that is oil-based.
The best way to determine how long your Parker style refill will last is to look at reviews or try out a few different brands and compare them yourself. Then you’ll be able to get a feel for which one works best for you.
Conclusion
Purchasing pen refills is a more sustainable and cheaper way to resupply your writing implements. Parker style refills are the most common and versatile pen refills on the market. They are available for ballpoint, gel, and rollerball pens that have a retractable shell. Parker style refills can come in many different pen tip sizes and ink colors.
There are a variety of brands that manufacture Parker style refills with some of the most notable being Parker, Fisher, Schmidt, and Schneider. Parker style refills can range in price. However, just like anything, the higher the price the better the quality, usually.
More expensive Parker style refills will offer more variety in terms of ink color, long-lasting ink, and can even be able to withstand extreme temperatures and environmental conditions. You can purchase Parker style refills at most office supply stores, online at websites like Amazon, or at stationery stores.
No matter what brand you go with, there is a wide selection of Parker style refills from which to choose!