The Pen Addict

Review: Bic 730RT 0.7mm Gel

Bic really turned the corner last year in the pen design department with the release of the 537R and 730R.  Both were very nice liquid ink needle tip pens that performed very well and looked great to boot.  The Bic 730RT 0.7mm gel kept some of the same design elements as its predecessors, but it doesn't quite cut it in the performance department.

I was able to test out this pen at the Staples writing station recently, and I knew pretty quickly that is wasn't up to par with comparable pens like the Pilot G-2 and Uni-Ball Signo 207.  I purchased it anyway so I could try it out more at home, but it continued to unimpress there as well.  The line is not as clean or as sharp as some of its peers, and it is not as smooth of a writer as well.

While the barrel looks nice, it feels cheap - sort of like Bic's products from years past.  It is lightweight and constructed poorly, with plastic seams visible and an overall cheap feel.  The 730RT is nowhere near the pen that the 730R and 537R are.

Click here for the XL review.

Review: Muji Gel Ink Pen 0.38mm Blue

Muji Gel ink pens are a minimalists dream.  The clean, unmarked barrel is fantastic looking, and the performance of the pen is very impressive for what amounts to an inexpensive ($1.25 a pop) pen.  The only trouble is - and I have mentioned it a couple of times before - they are only available at Muji (in person or now online), or via eBay.  Being the good Netizens that we are, ordering online is no big deal, but I imagine many of you would like to get the pen in your hands prior to making a purchase.  At this price, I don't think you would be disappointed in trying a few of these out.

My favorite thing about the Muji Gel ink pen is how sharp the point is.  That makes for a really crisp line, and the ink flow is great enough that it is not scratchy at all.  I really love this pen, and one day I am going to make it a point to order the remaining colors available.

Click here for the XL review.

Review: Paper Mate Gel

Grab it and it is going to work - that is the feeling I get when I pick up the very simply named Paper Mate Gel.  These were purchased from the closeout rack at Staples for just $1.50 for a 4-pack containing one each of blue, green, pink, and orange.  I picked the green at random to review, but all of the colors write equally well.  The 0.7mm gel ink cartridge is very smooth - surprisingly so in fact.  The barrel design and feel reminds me a lot of the Uni-Ball Signo 207.  I wonder how much of the underlying design is shared by the two companies since their parent company is Sanford (who also has Sharpie, Parker, and Waterman, among others).  Regardless, this pen is well worth the price.