The Pen Addict

Pentel EnerGel X 0.5 mm Blue Review

(This is a guest review by Brian Draghi. You can follow Brian on Twitter @sketchscape)

I have been using the capped Pentel EnerGel Euro Needle version of this pen with some excellent results. I wanted to try out the retractable version for work to write down quick notes without having to worry about losing the cap. The Pentel EnerGel X retractable pen exceeded my expectations with it's comfortable grip and smooth, quick writing quality.

Needle points make all the difference in the world, and this pen is no exception. At first glance, this pen looks very generic with its disposable plastic body like many office brand pens. Looks are really deceiving here, as this pen's writing quality writing is smooth and works consistently every time. This is also is ideal for anyone with larger hands as it's slightly longer than most plastic body pens and the grip feels just right. It also works quite effectively for any of the left handed writers out there. The ink usually dries in about 4 to 5 seconds without any noticeable smearing on the page.

If you happen to be writing long notes for work or school, then this pen is for you. The EnerGel X has a latex-free Comfort Zone grip that is extremely comfortable for long writing sessions. Your hand smoothly glides across the page without any strain or any noticeable effort needed.  The clip is made out of the same plastic material as the pen body and is sturdy and wide enough to hold effectively in the pocket of your shirt. The top retractable plunger is slightly wider then most pens making it easier to extend and retract.

Overall

I really can't say enough about this pen because it just works perfectly. This is the one pen I would recommend to any college student that prefers taking hand written notes over using a laptop or other device. Personally, I tend to remember my hand written notes better than I would anything typed on my laptop, so something like this pen is ideal. The only thing I would like is if Pentel would make a retractable .35 needle point version of this pen similar to the Euro Needle version. I can’t imagine loving this pen even more but a smaller point would probably do the trick.

Rating 

4.5 out of 5 pens 

Pros

- Smooth writing
- Comfortable grip
- Quick drying ink for Left handers
- Super cheap
- Ideal for larger hands

Cons

- Generic plastic body
- Needs a .35 needle point

#OnePenOneDay - EnerGel, Sakura, Kaweco, Zebra

The #OnePenOneDay project keeps rolling on - here are the four latest pens to make it through the day:

Pentel EnerGel Euro Needle 0.35mm Blue -- This pen got heavy use on its selected project day, and it is just as good as ever. I took three full pages of notes with it, and it performed flawlessly. This is one of the best pens going, and may take over as my most recommended pen to those new to micro tip pens. Watch out Uni-Ball Signo DX 0.38mm!

Sakura Pigma Micron 03 Black -- See, I really do have a lot of these laying around. If it hasn't already, this pen needs to be added into the pantheon of all-time great pens. The performance is great, and the barrel is sleek and comfortable. Still a winner after all these years.

Kaweco Sport AL -- This was a risky acquisition seeing as I am not the biggest fountain pen guy on the block, but wow is this a great pen. In retrospect, I would have bought the blue black ink instead of the aubergine, but even after sitting around for weeks unused, the ink flows from the nib immediately.

Zebra Regal Roller NR5 -- I liked this pen a lot when it came out, and I still like it a lot, but when I was running it through the challenge I was longing for a finer tip. That is not a knock on this pen at all - in fact it still compares well to the Pilot V5 needle - but it is not going to make my heavy rotation.

#OnePenOneDay Project Update

Things have been going pretty well so far with my #OnePenOneDay project. I have made it through several days in a monogamous relationship with my writing utensil of choice, despite the difficulties. I will say that this cannot be an every single day of the year project though - there are just some days where it is not feasible. But on the days that I consider "project days" I am 100% committed to that pen, and that pen only, for the entire day.

Here are some of the pens I have revisited so far:

Pentel Tradio EnerGel Combo Pen -- I liked this pen a lot the first time around (links go to the original reviews), but the cap not staying posted is still an issue. It is hard to beat the EnerGel ink from a performance perspective, but if I am picking up an EnerGel right now it is the Euro Needle.

Uni-Ball Jetstream Sport 0.5mm Blue -- Still one of my all-time favorites. Nice, clean barrel design, great grip, and an 0.5mm tip with performance to die for. Many people believe this pen is too scratchy, but for me, it is almost perfect.

Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.3mm Black (with Grip) -- This is the one pen that I can't get enough of for note taking purposes. The line is super-fine and I love how my handwriting turns out on the page. Yes, there are sometimes startup issues when you first get writing, but one it starts up it is one of the best pens around. (In writing this, I now realize I have never reviewed this exact pen. I'll correct that soon.)

Copic Drawing Pen F02 -- I have no idea what is going on with this pen, but it is frustrating me. I was worried about it from the get go since it had been months since I used it. The ink started flowing well enough right out the gate, and for the few hours following. After that, performance was all over the place, leaving me to wonder if the ink had dried up on the inside.

Sharpie Pen -- A classic pen on top of a classic book. The Sharpie Pen is one of my all time favorites for sure. I always enjoy writing with it, and despite the new barrel styles and colors being introduced, the black ink original is still the best.

Well, that is it for this first round of #OnePenOneDay. I'd love to hear your comments and suggestions for this project, and I'll also take requests for pens you would like me to run through the gauntlet once more. Just let me know below.

Review: Pentel EnerGel Euro Needle-Point Gel Ink Pen 0.35mm Blue

Well, wasn't this a great surprise in the latest JetPens new products upload!  Pentel is already in the sub-0.5mm market with the ever popular Slicci, and the not so popular Technica, but seeing a micro tip show up in the hugely popular EnerGel line is very cool.  After my railing on the industry just a week ago, is there hope for micro tipped pens in the marketplace after all?  Maybe, maybe not, but if this pen is successful, maybe that will lead Pentel and others to push the market a little more.

A little disconcerting is the fact that - like all of the good micro tipped pens - information on the EnerGel Euro is only found on the Pentel Japan site.  So will we see this pen on the shelves in the US?  All signs point towards no, but this is a very straightforward Energel build so I will keep my fingers crossed, because this is a very good pen, and I think it would do very well in the mainstream market.

On the performance front, the EnerGel Euro 0.35mm is top notch.  This pen reminds me a lot of the Uni-Ball Signo DX, even though it is a needle tip.  The barrel feels as sturdy, if not more so, and the writing quality is almost the same.  The 0.35mm tip writes more like an 0.4mm tip, but clearly finer than an 0.5mm.  The ink flow is flawless, the blue in ink a great shade, and it is impressively smooth.

I'll say it until the cows come home, and I'm going to say it again - thank goodness for JetPens.  These pens are available there, although the 0.35mm models are currently sold out.  Keep your eyes peeled though because I bet they will restock quickly for such a nice pen.

Click here for the XL review.

Products used:

Pentel EnerGel Euro Needle-Point Gel Ink Pen 0.35mm Blue from JetPens

Writing Pad from Doane Paper

Top 10 Pen Reviews of 2009

Since this post was such a hit last year, I want to make this an end of year tradition here at The Pen Addict.  The rankings below consist of the top 10 pen review posts for the 2009 calendar year as determined by Google Analytics.  This list isn't my top 10 favorite pens, but rather a snapshot of what was popular over the last 12 months.

Zebra Sharbo X - Pen of the year?

1. Zebra Sharbo X
I had no idea I would like this pen so much.  The price tag is a barrier to entry, but I'm glad I finally broke down and bought one (and then two).  This is a very well made pen, fun to use, and fun to look at.  If you want to strut your cool Japanese pen stuff, then the Zebra Sharbo X is definitely the way to go.

2. Pentel Slicci 0.25mm
As long as I write this blog, the Pentel Slicci will have a prominent place in these pages.  For my money, this is one of the best micro point gel ink pens around.  The 0.25mm model may be a stretch for some, but it is very easy to write with, and the colors really pop off the page.

3. Sharpie Pen RT
One of the two new Sharpie Pen models this year, the Sharpie Pen RT really changed things up from the original.  The barrel is much better, and the rubber grip is a great addition.  I have been running into an issue of late where the pen tip firms up more than the original, so that is something I am going to dig into more soon.

4. Lamy Safari Charcoal/Black EF Nib
Any and every Lamy Safari post is always a huge hit, and this one was no different.  One of these years I am going to get off my butt, buy a converter, and start testing out other fountain pen inks.  Maybe.

5. Uni-Ball Signo 207 0.7mm Needle Tip
It took me FOREVER to come up with one of these pens.  A reader actually sent my my first one, then I finally came across some on the shelf at an Office Max on a trip to Florida.  This is a really cool variation on the Uni-Ball 207, but I wish it was more accessible.  You hear me Uni-Ball?  :)

6. Uni-Ball Jetstream 3 Multi Pen
Jetstream + Multi Pen = win.  I am a big multi-pen fan, and find myself using the Jetstream more and more, so this pen is a no-brainer for me.  Black, blue, and red are the three ink colors, and with some nice barrel colors available and at just $6.00, this pen is a great value.

7. Uni-Ball Kuru Toga High Grade 0.5mm
Along with the Zebra Sharbo X, this is one of my favorites.  This is the only pencil I carry with me on a daily basis, and I have yet to find a reason to carry any other.  Plus, I just like saying Kuru Toga.  And Mount Wannahockaloogie.

8. Zebra F-701
This is a hugely popular pen with the Every Day Carry crowd, and one I was missing out on for the longest time.  The construction of this pen is awesome, with a sleek stainless steel body and knurled metal grip.  If the ballpoint ink cartridge was a little bit nicer this pen could crack my top 5.

9. Bic Triumph 730R
Bic has always been a second tier pen company to me, ranking behind the big boys like Uni-Ball, Pilot, Pentel, Zebra, and others.  But this year, Bic brought a couple of nicer pens to market, including this 730R.  It is a refillable needle tip liquid ink pen, very similar to the Pilot Precise V5.  Good job by Bic on this one.

10. Pentel Energel Multi-Function Pen
This is an interesting pen to round out the top 10.  The Energel is one of the best writing gel inks around, and is nice to have available in in a multi pen version.  I also appreciate the fact that the cartridges are 0.5mm instead of 0.7mm, which is more common in the American market.