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.

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: uni-ball Signo 207 Assorted Colors (Blue, Red, and Purple)

by AndrewOctober 19, 2015October 8, 2015

This uni-ball Signo 207 color set is best characterized as utilitarian, meant for taking notes but probably not for drawing pictures. Along with black, the set includes three basic colors: a blue and purple, both of which have a fairly standard dark shade, and a red, which is somewhat brighter. They are comfortable to hold and don’t seem to skip or bleed, but they still don’t quite live up to the high standard set by the micro (0.5mm) version of the Signo 207.

While this color set has reliability and comfort, the Signo 207 micro stood out for its professional look and its ability to avoid smearing. By replacing the black grip and silver accents with cheap-looking rubber and white plastic, the professional look is mostly gone. And the smearing is among the worst I’ve seen, especially the blue ink pen.

This Signo 207 color set is not an outright bad set of pens. They’re mostly a disappointment given how much I like the Signo 207 micro. Still, a color set of Sharpie Pens or Pilot G-2s are better options, no matter if you want them for work or art.

Review: SKB Click Ball, Ballpoint Pen, 0.6mm

by AndrewOctober 14, 2015September 27, 2015

The most striking thing about the SKB Click Ball is how much it looks like the uni-ball Signo RT1 gel pen. The all-black design, the shape of the barrel, and even the knock/click mechanism seem nearly identical (click here for a comparison pic). It’s as if the Click Ball is the Signo RT1’s younger brother, albeit one that still has thing or two left to learn.

The Click Ball provides a great writing experience once it gets going: it’s smooth to write with, the ink doesn’t blob up, and there’s no smearing. Getting to that point, however, can be a bit of a struggle. After the pen has been sitting, it seems like the first few words drag on the page, and there are some intermittent issues with ink skipping.

Like SKB’s Soft Ink pen, I’m not overly impressed with the Click Ball. It’s not bad considering that it’s something of an economy-priced pen in Taiwan. To get it in the U.S., however, you’re probably paying more money than it would be worth. And if you just like the look of the pen, you’d be better off with the Signo RT1.

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