Uni Pi:s And Zebra Mackee Double-Sided Marker Showdown

Markers make my handwriting look awesome. Maybe it's the larger, faster arm movements that are required to keep pace with a wide tipped, fast flowing pen, or maybe it's as simple as the design of the tip itself. Either way, pens like the Uni Pi:s and Zebra Mackee are fun to have around for when you need them.

When you actually need markers like this is the key. These aren't every day writers like the Sakura Pigma Micron. They are task specific, meaning you should know how you will be using these pens before getting started. Both the Uni Pi:s and Zebra Mackee are made to write on many surfaces, such as paper, fabric, glass, metal and more. The oil-based ink allows for this, and makes them water resistant as well.

What sets these two pens apart? Not much to be perfectly honest. They are very similar in design - so much so that I have to find the brand logo on the barrel to determine which one I am using. Each is double-sided, both with fine and extra-fine tips, with the tips on the Zebra being slightly firmer and finer. I doubt I could tell the difference in a blind test though.

The Zebra does have the lone differentiator in the pens with refillable ink cartridges. For a pen like this that is a big deal because you will burn through markers if you use them heavily. The cartridges are a long cylinder with wide openings on each end for good ink flow.

And the ink flow is huge, as you would expect with this type of pen. Any use of these pens on normal paper will result in bleed and feathering. Writing with them is fun, but they are most suited for heavy duty materials like posterboard, fabric, and plastic.

For $2 a pop, the Uni Pi:s and Zebra Mackee both come in a rainbow of colors and will make your inner artist squee with delight. Check them out the next time you have a project that calls for some color.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Zebra DelGuard 0.5 mm Mehanical Pencil Review

The Zebra DelGuard introduces a new lead breakage prevention mechanism to the market by absorbing some of the writing pressure within the internals of the pencil. As with all new products on the market that introduce new features, it boils down to does it work as intended. In the case of the DelGuard, it does.

When I first saw the DelGuard I assumed by the similar looks that Zebra was going for a Kuru Toga type mechanism, but that is not the case. Instead, they built in cushioning inside barrel in the form of a spring and lead pipe that adjusts as you write.

My concern with the DelGuard is that I would feel the mechanism working as I was writing, but that wasn't the case at all. I prefer firm mechanical pencils and it felt as if I was writing with any standard pencil. That's good design. Do your job while not interfering with the expected experience.

I'm a medium to heavy pressure writer and never once broke the lead writing normally. When I increased my writing pressure gradually the lead stayed intact as well. Of course you could push it to the breaking point with extreme pressure or extending the lead too far, but the DelGuard handles everything else admirably.

If you enjoy mechanical pencils and lead breakage is holding you back, then give the Zebra DelGuard a try. At $7.50 it's not exactly cheap but if it can eliminate frustration it may be worth it.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Zebra Sarasa Push Clip Gel Ink Pen Red Orange Review

One of the staples in my vast pen arsenal is the Zebra Sarasa Push Clip. Many of you have seen a Zebra Sarasa at your local big box retailer, and while it is a good pen, it is not the same as the Push Clip model.

The primary difference between the two pens is the sharpness of the refill. For some reason, the refills in the Push Clip model lay down a sharper line than similar sized standard Sarasa models. The edges of the line are cleaner, and that is important to me. It makes for better looking handwriting for sure.

Secondarily, there is more everything in the Push Clip line. The recent stocking of the 0.4 mm Red Orange model at JetPens is a prime example. The full lineup includes tip sizes at 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, and 1.0 mm AND in a rainbow of colors for each size. On top of that, they are retractable, have a nice rubber grip, and a binder-style clip that can fit on small or large items. So, if you want to grab a red orange 0.4 mm retractable pen with a clip, Zebra has you covered.

0.4 mm is the sweet spot for me in the Push Clip lineup. I keep several colors handy in every spot I write at, including both my home and work desks. Red orange gets heavy use at work marking up documents along with blue black, which is one pf my primary writers. I can't say enough positive things about this pen and for about two bucks it is well worth checking out.

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)