I found this article to be helpful, maybe someone else will to 
Why Is My Pen Not Working? How To Get a Ballpoint Pen To Work - Goldspot Pens.
Carry extras. Totally off-topic âStranger thingsâ story: Signing a couple on a Rev. Mtg. Partially thru 1st signature, pen stops writing. Handed him an extra to complete the signature. Next signatureâsame thing happens. Man could NOT get thru a single signature without the pen going dry. BUT, after going thru the 4 extras I had, we went back to one that had gone dryâŠfor half a signature. Recycled those 4 pens, half a signature at a time, thru the whole package. Continued to use all pens involved and never had the problem again until they finally really were out of ink. Apparently the guyâs special power was jinxing ballpoint pens.
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So when they try to blame me for the pen not working, Iâll ask them to try signing with their other hand LOL 
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Iâve noticed that some signers, especially those older, tend to hold the pen at a sideways angle which affects the ink flow. I usually donât point that out, I just hand them another one or try putting something like a magazine under the document to aid the flow.
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I brought that up on a video call with VT SOS Notary Advisors. The advisors didnât show up, but SOS staff did. We discussed a proposed rule that electronic notaries always use the same signature throughout their career as an electronic notary. I mentioned that wasnât a rule for paper notarizations. I pointed out an occasion where I broke my wrist and notarized with my non-dominant hand for about a month.
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I donât like the super inky pens myself but it seems they are the most reliable with signers
thatâs quite a skill being ambidextrous
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Pentel of America âEnerGelâ made in Mexico. I bought a dozen each of black and blue ones, and all of them eventually failed or fell apart. To have a signer say âthis pen stopped workingâ is not cool, and it delays the whole process.
My recommendation? Pilot G-2 .07
clickable, long-lasting, and dependable.
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The challenge of getting the best deal and high quality at the same time is never ending
Goldspot is one of the vendors I buy fountain pen ink and accessories.
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I figured it out!! l I think some pens can actually freeze
in the cold weather. Thatâs why they donât work
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I buy the finetip .7 from Uniball. And signers always ask to keep them. The ink doesnât bleed, and I just love them. Theyâre about seven bucks for 12 at Amazon. Signers really love them also.
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bit off topic
I had one signer that every signature he would accidentally âclickâ the ball point out/in actuator . naturally it was a large package , he just couldnât rotate the pen a bit to stop himself , even his wife was like " come on man" .
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Had 1 guy like thatâonly worse. His procedure was: pick up reading glasses from table, put 'em on, briefly scan docâall the while clickety-clicking pen, apply signature, take glasses off & place on table. Rinse & repeat thru every darn doc he signed. HE is the reason Iâve moved to pens with a cap (pocket the cap; they only get the pen).! NO MORE CLICKERS! 
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I use TUL fine or medium gel pens (the retractable kind) in black or blue, those are some great pens. I have loss count on how many times signers have wanted to keep my âtoolsâ. I always check my pens before heading out for an assignment and I never leave without backups. Even received phone calls from the hiring company, asking if the original documents were copies.
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fun times, that would have made me roll my eyes
this job never gets boring
A notary without a pen is like a carpenter without a hammer.
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I had a signing that involved two attorneys. When I used my fountain pen to apply my signature attorney #1 asked how much my pen costs. When I told him he chimed back stating wouldnât a cheap roller ball do the same thing? I replied that I noticed he drove an Audi A5 and asked if a Toyota Corolla would have gotten him to the signing just as fast? Attorney #2 about fell out of his seat with laughter.
The client said I should have been an attorney, to which I replied I wouldnât qualify since I have a fully functioning moral compass. Long story short Iâm now a permanent mobile notary for the law firm.
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Recall when I first started mobile notary business 2015 searched on above icon on this website and lot of recommendations for best pens. I use Easy Touch Pilot pens now for years and seach for places that have them on sale. Write first time every time and donât smear when scanning. Replenish my stock once a year.
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