One point is that the Parker and Cross type of refills completely replaces the writing head and so by one view it is not really “BIFL” since so much of the unit has to be refreshed (and so not as environmentally friendly) compared to a fountain pen. That being said, for some people the risk of ink all over your hands is not worth or even entirely precludes using a fountain pen, or there may be other circumstances.
For example, at my workplace there is only one approved type of pen that can be used 😢
that’s great - I bet there are some decent options out there, I just think those options are more fragile / more likely to disappear in the future or become incompatible with older pens, etc. whereas fountain pens are going to be fairly immune to the coming and going of companies, etc.
that said, I’m very happy to hear Parker pens have had reliable refills for at least a generation and probably for OP’s purposes that’s a fine pen option (fountain pens do have their downsides)
Overall you are correct.
But standard Parker and Cross can refills have been the same for longer than I’ve been alive. Very easy to get.
One point is that the Parker and Cross type of refills completely replaces the writing head and so by one view it is not really “BIFL” since so much of the unit has to be refreshed (and so not as environmentally friendly) compared to a fountain pen. That being said, for some people the risk of ink all over your hands is not worth or even entirely precludes using a fountain pen, or there may be other circumstances.
For example, at my workplace there is only one approved type of pen that can be used 😢
that’s great - I bet there are some decent options out there, I just think those options are more fragile / more likely to disappear in the future or become incompatible with older pens, etc. whereas fountain pens are going to be fairly immune to the coming and going of companies, etc.
that said, I’m very happy to hear Parker pens have had reliable refills for at least a generation and probably for OP’s purposes that’s a fine pen option (fountain pens do have their downsides)