Gel Ink

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: Baoke Office, Gel Ink, 0.5mm

by Andrew

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From a good distance the Baoke Office may look like an expensive executive pen. In the hand, however, it’s easy to tell that this pen isn’t worth very much money. But don’t let that discourage you, the Office is still a pen that has some worthwhile aspects.

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To start, the Office is reliable. It doesn’t skip or stutter, even when I’ve left it sit with the cap off for too long. The gel ink is dark, and it smears only slightly. But the best thing about the Office is its barrel, which is covered in a soft, almost velvety material – though I’m pretty sure its just some sort of rubber. It makes the pen easy to grip and comfortable to use.

Sure, there are better gel pens out there, and Baoke pens are not easy to get in the States (I bought mine off eBay for about $10 a dozen). So, I’m certain acquiring the Office is not worth the effort for most people. Still, despite the fake-gold trim, I find that I’m actually enjoying this pen.

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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: 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.