The Pen Addict

Top 10 Pen Reviews of 2008

I started The Pen Addict in late 2007, but it was early in 2008 before it really started to take off.  Since the site has picked up a lot of new readers along the way, I thought it would be fun to look back at some of the top pen reviews of the last year.  I pulled the numbers from Google Analytics, and here are the results.  (Note - some of the posts are from the old blog address, so I have linked the original post and comments since the comments didn't make the transfer over to the new site.)

1. Sharpie Pen

Easily the most popular review of the year, the Sharpie Pen spawned 42 comments on the original thread and dozens of emails asking where they can be found.  Fortunately, these pens are now on store shelves almost everywhere, and remain one of my favorite pens.

2. Uni-Ball Signo DX 0.38mm
One of the best all-around micro-tip pens, the Uni-Ball Signo DX is a workhorse.  I probably have a dozen of these now in various colors and sizes.  (Original Post)

3. Pilot FriXion Erasable Gel Ink Pen
The Pilot Frixion is a pen you are either going to love or hate.  For me, it was hate, but for many of you, it was love.  (Original Post)

4. Pilot G-3 0.38mm Black
This is a really popular pen, and I always have a place for it in my arsenal.  It just flat out works.  (Original Post)

5. Muji Gel Ink Pen 0.38mm Black
After hearing repeatedly about this pen, a reader was kind enough to send me this Muji Gel.  It works really well, and the price makes them one of the best bangs for the buck - if you can get your hands on them.  (Original Post)

6. Uni-Ball Kuru Toga Mechanical Pencil
Given enough time, the Uni-Ball Kuru Toga review may take over the Sharpie Pen in the top spot.  It is impressive that this review has only been up for two weeks and is in the #6 spot overall, and #1 since I moved to my new domain.  This is the pencil that took the blogosphere by storm.

7. Zebra Sarasa Stick 0.4mm
The series of pens I have been reviewing from Pen Addict reader Bryan in Japan has been a hit, and the Zebra Sarasa Stick has been tops so far.

8. Uni-Ball Signo DX 0.28mm Brown/Black
Readers told me time and time again to try the Uni-Ball Signo DX Brown/Black, and once I finally did, I loved it.  I ordered the 0.38mm the next day.

9. Lamy Safari
My first foray into non-disposable fountain pens was a hit with this Lamy Safari.  The Lime Green body with chrome clip is a real looker, and I am ready to give more fountain pens a shot in 2009.

10. Zebra Disposable Brush Sign Pen - Super Fine
Brush pens are not my forte, but artists, sketchers, and doodlers alike all sing the praises of them.  This Zebra Disposable was my first, and I can see why they are so popular.

Thank you to everybody who made 2008 such a great year for The Pen Addict.  Here's to another great year in 2009!

Updated Favorite Pens List

It is about time for me to update the sidebar with my current favorite pens.  Nothing has changed in the top three spots, but I'm moving the Pilot G-3 0.38mm into the four spot, and the Sharpie Pen into the five.  They replace the Zebra Sarasa 0.4mm and the Uni-Ball Signo RT 0.38mm, respectively.

Here is how the current top five stands:

1. Pentel Slicci 0.3mm
2. Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.4mm
3. Uni-Ball Signo DX 0.38mm
4. Pilot G-3 0.38mm
5. Sharpie Pen

I'm not sure how long the Sharpie Pen will be there though - I think these new Copic Multiliners I received may knock it off the list pretty quickly.

Labels: Copic, Hi-Tec-C, Pentel, Pilot, Pilot G-3, Sharpie Pen, Signo DX, Slicci, Uni-Ball Signo, Zebra Sarasa

Review: Pilot G-3 Gel 0.38mm Blue

The Pilot G-3 is one of my all-time favorites, and I need to update my rankings on the sidebar accordingly.  I really can't find anything negative to say about this pen.  The ink flow is great and it is really comfortable.  I can use it for any situation on any type of paper and the performance is excellent.  If you want to make the foray into sub-0.5mm gel pens, then this would be a great starting point.

Labels: Pilot, Pilot G-3, Reviews

Pilot G-3 0.38mm Black

This pen is fantastic.  The Pilot G-2 retractable pens are great themselves, but I think this is my favorite of the bunch.  I've seen them around for a while now, but kept forgetting to pick one up.  The 0.38mm tip writes perfectly, and the barrel design is great.  I can't wait to order more of these.

Labels: Pilot G-2, Pilot G-3, Reviews

JetPens Order April 2008

I just had a small-ish order this time, mainly wanting to purchase the super-cool Kokuyo NeoCritz Transformer Pencil Case:

Pilot BeGreen Precise V5 Roller Ball Pen - 0.5 mm - Black
Kokuyo NeoCritz Transformer Pencil Case - Blue
Sakura Gelly Roll Regular Gel Ink Pen - Fine Point - Black
Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Multi Pen Ink Cartridge - 0.3 mm - Black
Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Multi Pen Ink Cartridge - 0.3 mm - Blue
Pilot Drawing Pen - Pigment Ink - 005 - Black Ink
Pilot G-3 Gel Pen - 0.38 mm - Black

More on the Kokuyo NeoCritz Transformer Pencil Case from JetPens.com.....

.....and also from the Super Limited Edition Blog.

Labels: Hi-Tec-C, JetPens, Pen Case, Pens, Pilot, Pilot Begreen, Pilot G-3, Sakura Gelly Roll