Review: Pentel Energel Deluxe RTX, Gel Ink, 0.3mm

by AndrewNovember 11, 2015November 11, 2015

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

Colors Review: Pilot G-2 Metallics (Gold and Pink)

by AndrewNovember 9, 2015November 1, 2015

I found the gold and pink Pilot G-2 Metallics in a two-pack, separate from the blue and silver version I reviewed previously. And just like the blue/silver Metallics, these colors are supposedly infused with “micro-metallic pigments” to give the ink a nice shine on the page. I have to say, these colors do look good.

The pink is kind of what you’d expect, a standard pink with a metallic sheen. The gold, on the other hand, has almost a caramel-tint to it that looks really great. Just like the original Pilot G-2, they do a good job of not bleeding, but be warned that they are heavy smearers.

While the Metallics aren’t a great option as a writing pen, these colors are definitely fun to play around with. I intend to snatch up any more that come out. Hopefully a dark red is on the horizon.

A Field Notes Dilemma

by AndrewNovember 6, 2015November 2, 2015

At first glance, Field Notes are simple, 48-page notebooks that fit into your back pocket. They’re good quality, relatively durable, and disposable – a great notebook for grocery and “to-do” lists. But through clever marketing and amazing design work, they’ve also become collectors’ items, and I’m afraid to say that I’ve totally bought into it.

At this point, I probably won’t ever need to buy another set of Field Notes again in my life. Yet I’m always compelled to shell out another $10 for the next limited edition. To see why, just take a look at the promotional video for the Fall 2015 (“Shenandoah”) Field Notes where a narrator reads an excerpt from Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia over beautiful images of North American forestry. Instead of a commercial, it looks more like an outtake from BBC’s Planet Earth.

So, of course, I bought the Shenandoah edition. I couldn’t help myself. I even purchased a quarterly subscription to Field Notes, so each limited edition will arrive at my doorstep with the changing of the seasons.

Unfortunately, this leaves me in a bit of a dilemma: what the hell do I do with all these notebooks? Use them? Sell them? Give them away? Or just save them in the original packaging to watch them collect dust on my shelf?

Ever since field note began printing limited editions in 2008, some of them have become very rare, and it’s not unusual to find these editions going for hundreds of dollars on eBay. But, as the great Beanie Baby crash of the late 90s might suggest, it’s probably a pipe dream to think that they’ll retain that level of value. Selling off my collection in the future is not something I’d ever pin my hopes on.

As far as I can see, they don’t do any good wrapped up in cellophane either. That isn’t to say I don’t plan on saving any (I’ll run out of things to write before I can open them all), but I would never be willing to pay so much money that I’d be uncomfortable writing in them.

I know this means I’ll never have a complete set, but I’m okay with that. I don’t need to be able to say, “I have them all!” I’d rather say, “I’ve used them all” – but that’s a different sort of challenge. And if I find anybody who appreciates these little notebooks like I do, perhaps I’d pass along one or two spares (as long as they’re not left to collect dust a shelf!).

Used Field Notes Shenandoah — My used Shenandoah Edition of Field Notes

Review: Zebra Sarasa, Gel Pen, 0.5mm

by AndrewNovember 4, 2015November 4, 2015

The Zebra Sarasa, like the BIC Velocity Gel and the Pilot G-2, is a gel ink pen with a clear barrel and black trim. It’s a style of pen which I call “premium plastic,” a very standard (and somewhat boring) design found on most store shelves. It is, however, still an upgrade from the average pen found in the office supply closet.

The Sarasa is a nice pen overall. It smears only a little, writes consistently, has a comfortable grip, and a rich dark ink. At the end of the day, it’s a pen that will get the job done.

Still, the Sarasa just isn’t a pen that stands out along side a sea of similar options. There’s really no reason to go out of your way to get one. And if you find it on a store shelf next to a Pilot G-2, then you might as well pick out whichever one is cheaper.

Extra Links

Art Supply Critic pronounces it an “alright pen.” If you dislike the grip on the Pilot G-2 and you don’t want to spend a ton of money, he suggests the Sarasa.
Ed Jelley reviews the Sarasa in a couple different colors, and he really likes it. He gives it a 100% recommendation.
On the other hand, The Passionate Penman doesn’t have as many good things to say about the Sarasa.

Colors Review: Paper Mate Liquid Flair, Assorted Colors, Medium Point

by AndrewNovember 2, 2015November 1, 2015

Although I didn’t like the Paper Mate Liquid Flair for writing, it turns out that it’s a pretty great pen for drawing and coloring. It’s comfortable to hold, and the medium, felt tip does a great job at filling in areas. Though smearing and bleeding can definitely be an issue, it might be worth the trouble for some of the bright and vivid colors.

This set comes with seven colors (plus black): blue, red, green, pink, orange, turquoise, and purple. Some of the colors almost look like highlighters, which isn’t something I tend to like. But the red, blue, and purple are dark and vivid – great colors.

If you’re doing detailed work, this might not be the pen for you – the medium point and the smearing issues would make it less than ideal for that application. But for general coloring, it does a great job. Each pen also has a different design on the barrel, which is a nice touch.

Pens and Junk

A blog about pens… and other junk