0.7mm

Review: BIC Gelocity, Gel Ink, 0.7mm

by Andrew

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Let’s be real; the BIC Gelocity is pretty much just a re-branding of BIC’s old Velocity Gel pen. However, there are a few differences worth noting. First and foremost, the refill inside the pen seems to have been updated. The ink flow is no longer as inconsistent, and it runs a bit smoother – and wetter – than the old Velocity Gel. But like its predecessor, the Gelocity’s ink still smears quite heavily.

There are also some minor aesthetic updates. The knock has been turned white, the trim is a lighter gray, and the grip is maybe a tiny bit softer. But beyond that, it’s hard to tell the two pens apart.

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It’s fair to say that it’s an improvement, albeit a minor one, but there’s nothing here that elevates the Gelocity above other mediocre “premium plastic” pens. It’s fine. It’ll do the job. Still, better options are available.

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Review: Everyman Grafton, Gel Ink, 0.7mm

by Andrew

Kickstarter, in my experience, can be hit or miss. Any given Kickstarter project might have a good sales pitch, nifty graphics, and a well produced video, but creating and shipping a final product is a different matter entirely. A good project will meet your expectations, and a great project will exceed them. And I’m happy to say that since I received the Grafton by Everyman a few months ago, I believe that it fits into this latter category. In fact, it’s quickly become the pen I pick up more than any other.

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The Grafton is designed as an “everyday carry” pen, something that can easily be slipped into a pocket or purse without having to worry. To that end, the Grafton does a very good job. Its fully aluminum body, which comes with a black or silver finish, can take a beating, and the ‘click’ retracting mechanism is hearty and reliable. The clip, which is kept in place by a couple of tiny hex screws, is strong, yet pliable enough to easily attach to a pocket.

Inside the pen, a branded 0.7mm gel ink cartridge is included. The ink is dark and smears a bit, similar to what you might find in a Pilot G-2. But if you prefer a refill that can write through dirt and water, I was pleased to see that the Grafton also comes with parts that allow a Fisher Space Pen refill to fit inside the barrel.

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I really like this pen, but that obviously doesn’t mean it’s for everybody (despite the company’s name being “Everyman”). As you can see from my picture, the black finish does get worn with heavy use. I’m actually a fan of this worn look, but it would obviously be bothersome for anyone who likes keeping their pens looking pristine. From a dimensional standpoint, it might also be a bit big for some people. It fits into my pocket nicely, but it’s noticeably longer and thicker than other “everyday carry” pens like the Fisher Cap-O-Matic or the Zebra F-301.

My only complaint is that the threading on the barrel sometimes comes a little loose. It’s not so much that the pen falls apart, but it’s enough that I have to re-tighten it at least once a day. It takes a fraction of a second to fix and only occurs when I’ve been using the pen a lot, but I think that it’s a minor annoyance worth noting. Obviously this hasn’t deterred me at all from using the pen.

If you’re interested in the Grafton, you’ve unfortunately missed the Kickstarter campaign. However, you can now purchase one from the Everyman website for a little more money – $35. It might be a tad pricey for some, but it’s been a worthwhile investment for me. As the packaging insists, it’s meant to be a “Buy-For-Life” pen, so I intend to get my money’s worth.

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Review: InkWorks Captain America Pens, Gel Ink, 0.7mm

by Andrew

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My excitement about the upcoming Captain America movie was obvious when I ordered this set of Captain America gel pens by InkWorks. In fact, I didn’t even care that they were technically made for the last Captain America movie, The Winter Soldier; I just wanted to inject a little Marvel into my day-to-day. Unfortunately, InkWorks puts its focus on style and forgets about usability, so my initial excitement waned as I attempted use these pens to write.

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While I do appreciate the red, white, and blue color-scheme of the dual-designs, it was definitely not worth the $8 I paid for this 2-pack. That said, the pens are moderately functional, as long as you’re okay with ink that tends to blob and skip. The grip is somewhat comfortable, and the clip has a neat wave-y design, though it feels brittle and cheap.

Regardless, these pens would perhaps go over well with kids in grade-school who love superhero movies. And if superheroes aren’t their thing, InkWorks also makes these same pens for The Beatles, My Little Pony, and the NHL’s Ottawa Senators (among others). But if you’re buying these pens for yourself to use,  don’t expect to be marveled by them (ha ha!).

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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: 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.