The tiny ball bearing that forms the point is the most important part of the pen It is made with more care than any other part. The ball used in a quality ballpoint is not mirror-smooth. Instead. the ball is rough-surfaced. A ball with a pitted surface grips the paper better. It does not skid, even on glossy paper. Today, in quality pens, the ball rides in socket of stainless steel. Stain ess steel resists rust better than the brass used in earlier models