I prefer to write with a pencil almost all the time, but my absolute favourite pens are bog standard Bic Cristal (the ones with the rubber grip are even better but not sure you can get them any more). The reason is that I have never in my life picked one up that didn't start writing instantly, no matter how old or battered it is.
Ballpoint pens are ergonomically really bad if you write a lot. The reason many people still use fountain pen is that you just move pen on the paper, no pressure needed. New gel pens get you 90% of that with ease to use almost equal to a ballpoint, their takes longer to dry is the only real drawback.
There are quick drying gel pens. I have some Zebra Sansa Dry’s that are pretty much impossible to smudge.
I have some fountain pens just because I like overly complicating simple things. One good paper, they are awesome. Unfortunately, I’m mostly writing ephemeral notes on lower quality paper so a ball point (or pencil) makes a lot more sense.
The time to dry factor is why I purposely seek out the 0.38 pilot g2. I’m not sure how anyone can stand the default 0.7. It just gets all over your hand and smears the pages.
Like you - I predominantly use pencil. The mechanical "pencil" I always keep on me is actually an Ohto MF-20K3B multi pen - it means I can have a nice black pen as well as a good mechanical pencil.
