Hexagonal Biros Vs. Bic Ballpoints
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
I would like to bring to the attention of the world an important decision which seems to go unnoticed in our everyday lives. Yes folks, I speak of none other than that of which make of Biro to use. This may seem an unimportant peice of trivia to you, but believe me, this is a vital question that lurks right at the back of many peoples minds, just waiting for the right moment. Please, let me explain before the closest pen latches on to your brainstem and converts you forever.
There are two main types of ballpoint available outside of government offices at the current time: The original hexagonal Biro, and the Bic Retractable ballpoint pen. At first glance these seem to be both equally workable pens, but dont be so sure. I will attempt to show you what the difference is.
The Bic Retractable
This pen is quite small in comparison to most other ballpoints, but still has some style. Placed in a compact moulded shell, with a rounded feel to it this pen is quite nice to hold. It will write smoothly, but does have some bad points.
The Bic retractable is not as robust as some pens I could mention, and will often loose its pocket-holdy-bit. This will not afftect most people however, as it is rarely used to hold a pen in a pocket. The retracting mechanisim is also quite weak and is prone to falling to peices. Put under a strong flame this pen will freeze in what ever mode it was torched in, so if trying this at home make sure that the pen is firmly in the 'out' position. This pen is not refillable.
Pen holdy bits are really annoying. When you get inevitably bored of whatever alleged educational/fun/improving (delete as applicable) activity you are meant to be engaged in at the moment, they provide a sitting target for wandering fingers to (in chronological order) pull,bend and inevitably break off. This has several disadvantages:
outside to be a slightly foolish manner
However, no pen is without advantages, and the Bic Retractable certainly has these. Being relativly cheap and coming in packs of no less than five, it is an expendable pen, so will not matter as much when the retractor gets jammed in. Also stealing of these pens is relatively costless to you, because they come in packs of so many.
The Hexagonal Biro
This is the original Biro, manufactured by the Biro company. This is quite long as pens go, and has a hexagonal shape which will actually sit quite comfortably in your hand. The ends can be removed and the empty tube used as a cannon for small peices of paper. The Biro can be refilled with a repacement tube, although it is often cheapet to buy a whole new pen. The Hexagonal biro is quite robust, and is very difficult to break. (I have never seen this done by accident) Under a strong flame it will smoke and deform but not actually interfere with the working of the pen.
However, it is not all good, as coming in in packs of one, and the price being almost that of a pack of five bic pens, this can be much more costly but this is the price paid for a much better quality pen. Having one stolen can be quite a pain, so be ready either with a spare pen or a counter-offensive.
So there you have it...
Those are the main important differences between the two pens, although I might add that Bic pens will go a fair distance powered by a decent rubber band.1 I do suggest you make your descision of whichsoon before it is made for you by pens of a illicit background.....
