pen reviews

Review: Pilot G-2 Limited, Gel Ink, 0.7mm

by Andrew

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Pilot has produced many iterations of the popular G-2 gel pen, but the Pilot G-2 Limited is the only one I’ve used that I’d actually consider an upgrade. Rather than simply changing the color or design of the barrel, the G-2 Limited actually uses aluminum parts. This makes for a heftier, more durable pen with a very solid clip.

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In addition to the aluminum, the G-2 Limited has a rubber grip that is noticeably softer than standard G-2’s grip – and it’s also a magnet for dust and dirt. It’s comfortable, but the downside is that this rubber grip will wear down faster than the rest of the metallic barrel. Personally, I tend to prefer a more durable grip with a metallic pen, such as the knurling on the Zebra F-701 or the ridges on the Pentel Energel Alloy RT.

Maybe it goes without saying, but if you don’t like the standard Pilot G-2, then the G-2 Limited won’t change your mind. On the other hand, if you’re a fan of the Pilot G-2, then, at around $10, the Limited might be an upgrade worth getting. And with six barrel-color options (gold, silver, purple, red, gray, and blue), you’re likely to find something that matches your style.

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Extra Links

Review: Ohto Words, Rollerball, 0.5mm

by Andrew

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Expensive-looking pens with classic design features – cigar shaped, capped, gold trim – are often thought of as executive pens, but despite having this classic aesthetic, the Ohto Words rollerball is really more of a mid-management pen. Don’t mistake that as a negative, however. The Ohto Words is actually a good pen, just smaller, lighter, and a lot less expensive than something you might find sitting on top of a CEO’s desk.

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Ohto, a Japanese company established in 1929, has been a major player in the pen market for quite a long time. Often credited with the invention of (water-based) rollerball ink in 1963, their experience as a pen manufacturer certainly shows. The 0.5mm refill included with the Words rollerball, the C-305, is smooth, dark, and low smear – Jetpens even claims it as one of their best-stelling rollerball refills.

The pen itself features an aluminum body, a comfortable, plastic grip, and it can be found in four different colors – black, blue, gray, and silver. It’s a good writing experience overall, and its 15-dollar price tag seems fairly reasonable. If you want a fancy-looking pen without having to spend a hundred bucks, the Ohto Words makes for a decent stand-in.

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Review: uni-ball Power Tank, Pressurized Ballpoint, 0.7mm

by Andrew

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With its clear plastic body and black trim, the uni-ball Power Tank might look like an average “premium plastic” pen, but there’s actually a bit more going on inside the barrel. The Power Tank uses a pressurized ballpoint ink refill, similar to the Fisher Space Pen, the Pilot Down Force, and the Tombow Airpress. This means that, like these other pens, the Power Tank can write upside-down or on rough, wet, and dirty surfaces. But unlike these other pens, which typically cost around 10 dollars, the Power Tank can be easily found for about $2.50 per pen – the least expensive pressurized ballpoint on the market.

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The Power Tank may not be the fanciest or most colorful pen in its category, but, frankly, you get your money’s worth. The ink is relatively smooth and dark, and though the clip and grip aren’t the best, they are certainly adequate. Overall, it makes for a good and inexpensive alternative to other pressurized ballpoints.

If you’re looking for a pen that you can use anywhere – one you can take traveling, for example – then the uni-ball Power Tank is a good option, especially if you’re concerned about losing a nicer, more expensive pen. For two or three dollars, you might treat it better than a ten-cent BIC Cristal, but it wouldn’t be a big deal to misplace it either. And even though I enjoy my Fisher Space Pen, it’s also nice to have a few Power Tanks lying around for whatever grab-and-go situations come up.

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Extra Links

  • A funny review at The Ruminator. A positive review overall, but he doesn’t like the name. On the contrary, I think the Power Tank is a really cool name for a pen.
  • A review at Pen Paper Ink Letter with lots of pictures. I agree with the overall opinion here – I don’t think it would have a place as my “everyday” pen, but it’s definitely a no-brainer if you feel the advantages of a pressurized ink cartridge would be useful.
  • So, uni-ball originally made a capped version of this pen? Legomac has some info on it, but they are apparently very difficult to find. I’m okay with that, as I’d rather have a retractable model anyway.

Review: Zebra Sarasa Clip, Gel Ink, 0.5mm

by Andrew

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The more I use pens with spring-loaded clips , the more I invariably like them. They easily slip on and off notebooks, they stay put when clipped, and the lever gives me something to fidget with during meetings, besides the noisy clicker. That’s why the Zebra Sarasa Clip has been my go-to pen for the past couple of weeks, despite being an otherwise basic gel pen.

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The design of the Sarasa Clip is based on the generic-looking Zebra Sarasa gel pen, and aside from the aforementioned clip, their aesthetic differences are minimal. They both have the design of a typical premium plastic pen with a clear barrel, black trim, and a rubbery grip. Both pens are comfortable and reliable, but without the spring-loaded clip, the Sarasa does nothing to distinguish itself from its competitors.

Still, that spring-loaded clip definitely provides extra utility that may be worthwhile depending on the situation. For example, if you’re a fan of the Pilot G-2 and typically need a pen while out and about, it would probably be worth trying out the Zebra Sarasa Clip. In that case, also check out the Pilot Juice. The two pens are nearly identical, so go with whichever happens to be less expensive.

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Extra Links

  • A review at The Gentleman Stationer mentions that the refill of the Sarasa Clip is better than the standard Sarasa. They do come with different refills – the Sarasa uses the “Zebra JLV” refill  and Sarasa Clip uses the “Zebra JF” refill – and, I tend to agree. The Sarasa Clip’s JF refill seems to be a little darker and smoother. Click for a comparison.
  • Review at Pen Addict. He says that below 0.4mm, the pen starts to feel scratchy (though he doesn’t consider that a bad thing).
  • A review at Daydreamers Welcome shows off different Sarasa Clip colors, but she says that the lighter colors aren’t worth the money.

Review: Pilot G-2 Pro, Gel Ink, 0.7mm

by Andrew

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The Pilot G-2 is such a ubiquitous and popular pen, it’s really no surprise that Pilot has attempted to build on the brand by creating this “upgraded” version, the Pilot G-2 Pro. The G-2 Pro is little beefier: it’s slightly thicker, slightly heavier, and has a larger “clicker.” It’s a nice pen, but at double the price of the standard G-2, it’s hard to find a compelling reason to spend the extra money.

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When it comes right down to it, the G-2 Pro is mostly an aesthetic upgrade. Instead of the cheap, clear plastic of the original, the G-2 Pro comes with a painted barrel. Four color options are available – gray, dark blue, olive green, and maroon. The upgraded design even includes a faux-metal trim. But don’t be fooled; the body is still entirely made of plastic.

For an upgrade like this to make sense, it should give die-hard G-2 users something worthwhile. For example, Pentel produced the Energel Alloy RT, a durable, aluminum version of the popular Energel Deluxe RTX. The G-2 Pro, on the other hand, is more of a paint job. So, unless you’re really itching for a prettier G-2, it’s hard to justify purchasing the G-2 Pro.

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