Tombow ULTRA

Among sub-$50 ink pens, the Tombow ULTRA stands out as the equal of pens costing 2-8 times as much. Tombow specializes in smooth liquid-ink rollerball pens that don't skip or blot, and are one of the only makers to offer your choice of medium (0.7mm), fine (0.5mm), or extra-fine (0.3mm) points.

The latter is fine enough for multiple carbons (remember those?), but not so fine as to scratch through standard paperstock. Tombow refills are reasonably priced when compared to Cross, Schneider, Mont Blanc, and Parker.

In addition to black, blue and red ink, multiple shades of the latter two colors are offered. If one examines some of the pen makers in the Far East (Namiki, recently bought by Pilot Pen Co. is one example), one can clearly see that Japanese craftsmanship of, and appreciation for fountain pens, fine ballpoints and rollerball pens is the equal to any of their Swiss, Italian, German, or American competitors. And Tombow is very affordable.