retractable

Review: uni-ball Signo RT1, Gel Pen, 0.28mm

by Andrew

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Not a lot of all-plastic pens look impressive, but the uni-ball Signo RT1 manages to pull it off with its all-black “stealth” style. It also has a rubber grip section that extends all the way to the tip of the pen, making it very comfortable to hold. And I love the design of its knock retracting mechanism – it has a good thickness, and it attaches to the clip in a unique-looking way, making it really fun to “click-click-click” all day long.

Although writing with ultra-fine pens can sometimes feel like you’re about to slice through your paper, this 0.28mm tip is surprisingly smooth, consistent, and it generally performs very well. Such a fine tip also means that you’re not putting a ton of ink on the page, so smearing is a non-issue, despite the fact that the Signo RT1 uses gel ink.

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While the pen could use a stronger clip and a bit of added weight – it’s a lot lighter than it looks – the barrel design of the pen and the writing experience are top notch. Such a fine tipped pen is not ideal in many situations, but I definitely plan on grabbing this Signo RT1 next time I have to fill out the tiny boxes on a warranty card.

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Review: Zebra F-301, Ballpoint Pen, 0.7mm

by Andrew

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There was a time when the Zebra F-301 was my every-day pen, and having returned to it, I remember why I liked it so much. The steel barrel with the black, plastic trim looks cool. The balance and weight is perfect for its size. And the retracting click mechanism feels substantial and solid. Yes, I’m certainly fond of the F-301, but much like speaking with an old girlfriend, I also remember why I’ve moved on.

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The F-301 is a ballpoint pen, and as such it requires a firm hand to write with. This attribute, combined with its relatively thin and short barrel, makes the F-301 very difficult to write with at any length. It’s great for jotting down quick little notes, but be prepared for hand cramps after more than a full page.

The F-301 is a durable pen, and it will keep well if you want to throw it in your bag, backpack, or car. The fact that it’s slim makes it a great pocket-pen too. But if you plan on writing more than a couple sentences at a time, you’ll want to look for something more comfortable to hold.

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Review: Pilot G-2, Gel Pen, 0.38mm

by Andrew

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According to the advertising, the Pilot G-2 is “America’s #1 selling gel ink pen.” I can’t say I’m surprised by this. Walk into any convenience, grocery, or big-box store, and you’ll find more colors and varieties of the Pilot G-2 than are available for any other pen line. But is it just good marketing or do people buy G-2s because they are actually good pens? I think it’s a bit of both.

The aesthetic design of the pen is nothing to write home about. It’s mostly clear plastic with black trim, a rubber grip, and the G-2 branding printed on the clip in big, bold letters. I have to also point out the ugly, rust-colored blob of gunk at the top of the refill. This gunk – which I assume helps hold in the ink – is clear in a lot of similar pens, but Pilot has chosen to keep and prominently display this odd coloration in the G-2. Maybe it has something to do with branding.

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Beyond that, it’s a decent gel ink pen. It’s comfortable to hold, and this 0.38mm version writes steady lines with little smearing or skipping. While there might be better gel pens out there, I’d be happy to grab one of these off the shelf any day.

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Review: uni-ball Jetsream, Hybrid Ballpoint Pen, 0.7mm

by Andrew

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Do a quick Google search on the uni-ball Jetstream, and you’ll see that it has plenty of rave reviews. It seems that a lot of people cite the Jetstream as their favorite go-to pen, and I agree with a lot of those positive points. The Jetstream is certainly smoother than your average ballpoint pen, smudging is non-existent, and these pens are readily available at your nearest convenience, grocery, or big-box store. But as I’ve been using the Jetstream, it’s been hard to ignore the downsides.

Similar to most ballpoint pens, the black ink is somewhat dull, nowhere near matching the richness you can get with a gel or rollerball pen. And though the Jetstream uses a hybrid ink that is supposed to give consistent flow, I had plenty of skipping occur during my use. On top of that, I find the pen very aesthetically boring.

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The uni-ball Jetstream is definitely a big step-up for people who are used to using the cheap pens found in most offices, and I believe it is probably one of the better options for left-handers who need a quick-drying ink. As a go-to pen, however, I think most people can do better.

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The Wire Cutter dubs the Jetstream The Best Pen. There are a few caveats because they wanted something cheap, easily found in most stores, and with easy appeal to the masses.

Review at Parka Blogs. The reviewer, Kenneth Chin, says the flow issues are much better with the 0.5mm version.

Office Supply Geek’s Review. Included in the review is a short interview with the Senior Brand Manager of uni-ball.

Review: Retro 1951 Tornado, Classic Lacquer Rollerball Pen, 0.7mm

by Andrew

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There’s something about the Retro 1951 Tornado that, even after you’ve only picked it up it for a few seconds, you know it’s a nice pen. Some combination of the sleek shape, the minimalist design, and a good weight and balance makes it a great pen to hold. But what really seals the deal for the Tornado is that it delivers a good writing experience too.

The Retro 1951 refill that comes with the pen is one of the smoother rollerballs that I’ve used, and the black ink has great vividness to it as well. It can smear a bit, but nothing drastic – probably even a little less than an average rollerball.

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One thing to note is that the pen retracts via a twisting mechanism protruding from the top. I have to admit that I’m a bit torn on this aspect of the Tornado. On one hand, it makes the pen a bit different and fun. On the other, it’s a bit gimmicky, and click mechanisms are really the more user-friendly design.

Regardless, I’m quite enjoying the Tornado whether I’m writing with it, holding it, or even just looking at it. Definitely $20 well spent.

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