Like Pat said. Permanent refers to the ink. Felt is what the tip is made of, at least on the larger Sharpies(and imitations). The finer Sharpies etc. have a kind of porous, fibery tip. I wouldn't call it felt but it serves the same function.
Jeb, thanks for the kind offer but those "dip in the ink" pens are what I'm trying to avoid. That and the shipping to BC would probably be more than what the pens would cost.