I’ve always liked Pentel Energel pens. In fact, red-ink Energels are my go-to red pen at work for their sturdy clip, minimal smear, and comfortable grip. However, this is the first time I’ve used the extra-fine 0.3mm Deluxe RTX version, and I’m happy to say that my high regards for the Energel have not been let down.
For most people, the Pilot G-2 0.38mm is the gateway to extra-fine-tipped pens, and, while it’s a decent pen, a lot of people are turned off by its scratchiness (or the feeling like the tip of the pen is literally going to tear through the paper). The Energel Deluxe RTX, with its smoother writing experience, does a much better job of avoiding this problem. And it’s a good pen overall, really: it doesn’t bleed, doesn’t skip, and draws consistent lines.
This Energel even beats out my previous favorite extra-fine-point pen, the 0.28mm uni-ball Signo RT1. While I love the stealth design of the Signo RT1, the Energel Deluxe RTX edges it out in terms of smoothness and richness of ink, and it has a much more durable design overall. So, if you’re looking for a good extra-fine tipped pen, the 0.3mm Energel Deluxe RTX is definitely the way to go.
Extra Links
- That One Pen has a good comparison review of a bunch of different Energel pens and refills. Side note: the Energel refill is compatible with the Signo RT1 pen barrel. So if you’re a fan of the RT1 barrel design, like I am, you can get the best of both worlds by swapping the refill.
- Review at Mightier Than the Sword blog. He shows off 3-other colors, and he also says its a good pen for left-handers.
- Pen Reviews Today has a video review if you want to see the Energel Deluxe RTX in action
Pens and Junk 
Definitely my favorite everyday pen for work, it writes like a dream.
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The Pentel Energel refill will fit inside a Pilot G2 Limited, if you prefer that pen.
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Miserable Pentel EnerGel Deluxe RT pens! Every one of them that I have purchased has catastrophically separated into its component parts–after maybe 50 retractions–except one, and have had to be DUCT_TAPED back together (when I’ve been able to find the spring), because they won’t stay together without it. Which kind of defeats the purpose of the “comfort grip”. If I wasn’t slightly addicted to the 0.7mm needle tip and the ease of writing, I’d be using them for target practice!!
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That sucks. All I can say is that I’ve never experienced those problems, and I use these pens all the time. They’re pretty much my favorite gel pen.
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By the time I have used half the pens , the barrel cracks right at the point where the rubber slip cover meets the plastic barrel. At that point the pen keeps coming apart and eventually become useless. Just bad design or QC.. One or the other, in any event they’re not well constructed.
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Ah, that hasn’t happened to me. Sorry to hear.
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The separation has happened to me also. Torquing it really tight (but not tight enough to break) has helped prevent this, as has using one of my fountain pen cases instead of letting it rattle around my briefcase.
I started with the 0.5mm blue which was meh compared to my fountain pens, now using the 0.3mm black and loving the precision and reliability.
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