Mechanical Pencils vs Pens

First off, about my 3rd counter-argument in Round 2; I didn't think we were doing counter-counter arguments. If so, then I still think pens get scratchy, and I still think this is inefficient because if you were in a place where you can't just scribble, such as a business meeting or an important test, then you'd be stuck. Counters: 1. These so-called "universal" refills are universal for the brand that they state, not all pens. For example, your first link is selling Cross universal refills, not refills that are universal for all pens, just cross pens. Even D1 refills don't fit every pen of a certain diameter, only the ones that have chosen to be compatible with D1. Mechanical Pencils on the other hand have lead which can fit ANY pencil with the diameter of the lead. 2. Ha! This made me laugh... You need to be an "experienced pro" to have different lead hardness's? It benefits everyone. If you use a mechanical pencil to write, you get a HB lead, or B if you like it a little softer. Sketchers/artists use darker, softer lead. Architects and engineers typically use very hard, light lead. I could go on and on... And lack of different kinds of ink doesn't make it easier. It's already hard enough already for those who may be slightly uneducated to pick the right ink for the right pen, but also they usually have a standard lead in stores. Are you trying to say that pencils are for people who want more choice in there lives, not just sticking to one, boring ink? 3. Look; Mechanical Pencils are for, and are use by, well educated people; engineers, artists, writers, and journalists to name a few. Not only do well educated people know how to have a job like the examples I just gave, but they also know how to own a precision instrument like a mechanical pencil. Going back to one of your earlier arguments, this is why pens are the standard; pens are a basic point-and-shoot, but aren't good for much else. Oh? I'd like to here your anecdote of a mechanical pencil "breaking", a photo maybe. I didn't say pens do rust, I said they are capable of rusting, since the ink is wet and a liquid. Mechanical Pencils only break if A) You're uneducated and do not know how to use anything other than a point-and-shoot pen or B) You have a 10 cent mechanical pencil or C) You threw it at a wall. They do not just break. Yes, a cheap, crappy mechanical pencil will break, just as a cheap, crappy pen will. Arguments: 1. It is much easier to refill a mechanical pencil with lead than a pen with ink. Ink can get everywhere while replacing, lead stays clean. You can also share lead refills, by snapping some off. Ink though, you can't. 2. Lead has erasability and permeability(and I'm assuming you agree to this, as you didn't refute my rebuttal to your argument about "pencil not being permanent"), while pen is just... Permanent. Yes, there are erasable pens(Pilot Friction, etc.), but when they are erased they leave marks all over the page, and the ink is crappy. 3. Pen always ends up messy and horrible. It smudges, so it's terrible for lefties. The ink skips. I could go on and on and on... Pencil on the other hand, doesn't smudge, atleast mechanical pencils don't. I still stick to my argument that it's always smooth to write with, while pen is only when you just get it fresh out the packet, and even then sometimes it's scratchy. Almost time for a conclusion!