The Pen Addict

Top 5 Pens June 2010

I never seem to update this list frequently enough, but here is a quick snapshot of the five pens I have used the most over the last couple of months.  Any period of time longer than that becomes a blur, but at least this gives you an idea of what have been my go to pens recently.  Plus it makes me realize that no matter how much I use a pen, I may not have reviewed the exact model I am talking about, so I will work on that as well.

(Click on the photo for a larger view, and click here for the XL photo)

1. Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.3mm Gel Grip Black

This is my everyday workhorse pen - as long as I have good paper to write on like Doane Paper or Rhodia.  This tip size doesn't perform as well on "normal" paper, but I always keep the good stuff handy like any addict would do.

2. Uni-Ball Jetstream 0.5mm Blue Basic Series

Where the Hi-Tec-C doesn't fufill my needs, the Uni-Ball Jetstream 0.5mm usually does.  Quick hit notes and a retractable tip are its specialty, and I love the 0.5mm width, which is admittedly not for everyone.

3. Zebra Sharbo X ST3

This pen really classes up the joint with its sleek barrel design and smooth functionality.  I have this white barrel model loaded up with blue black and mandarin orange 0.4mm gel ink cartridges, plus an 0.3mm pencil cartridge.

4. Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Four Cartridge barrel

I haven't done a proper review of this particular barrel, but it is my new favorite Coleto style.  I love all things Hi-Tec-C, and I use this multi color model when I am working on projects or notes that I need to annotate more than with basic black.

5. Uni-Ball Signo 207 Micro Black

This pen is back in my good graces after falling out a year or two ago.  I felt the micro tip wasn't a consistent enough writer (especially in blue), but I've given it another spin and I find myself using it a lot.

Review: Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.3mm Blue Black

The Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.3mm Blue Black pen is about as simple and as straight forward as it gets.  This is one of those basic pens that I have laying around in a few places so that I always have a pen handy that I will enjoy writing with.  The 0.3mm tip size has become my personal favorite.  It combines an extra fine and sharp line without the scratchiness that is found in the 0.25mm models.

If you have never tried a Hi-Tec-C before, there are a couple of downsides that you should be aware of.  One, it sometimes takes a second or two for the ink to get flowing, but once you get it going, it is fine.  If you do a lot of stopping and starting with the cap off of the pen it can get a little frustrating though.  Two, the 0.3mm and 0.25mm tips do not play nice with cheap paper.  Standard copier paper and Post-It Notes especially.  I stopped even using this pen on those things because the line doesn't turn out as nice as it does on Doane, Rhodia, Clairefontaine, and others.  If you can put aside those two things, this may be your new favorite pen.

Click here for the XL review.

Review: Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.3mm Violet

You would think I would get tired of trying all of the different colors of the Pilot Hi-Tec-C line, but it is just the opposite actually.  I have been in full bore 0.3mm Hi-Tec-C mode for about a month now, and there is no end in sight.  I have ordered colors I haven't used before, reworked the Coleto multi pen barrels that I do have, and just generally used these pens all of the time.

Violet was a color that I had used in the Coleto multi pen in the 0.4mm tip size, but I didn't have a single cartridge model in any size.  I have found over the years that the 0.3mm Hi-Tec-C works the best for me, so I ordered up the Violet from JetPens.  The performance of this pen is unquestionably great in my book, and while the color is very nice, it would move to the top of the list if it were just a shade or two darker.  Regardless, this is a pen that I will use frequently, either as my main color, or in combination with one or two other inks.

Click here for the XL review.

Product links:
Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.3mm Violet from JetPens
Large Writing Pad from Doane Paper

Review: Pilot Hi-Tec-C Putimo 0.4mm Orange

If any pen line needed a five or ten pack of rainbow colors, it would have to be the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Putimo.  Sure, you can buy all types of colors individually, but this is a fun pen, and it would be great to see it packaged for gift giving (although it looks like JetPens is no longer carrying these).  What I like most about this pen is that while it is shorter in length for portability, the barrel width, tip size, and cap and clip size all remain the same.  Is is essentially a half-length Hi-Tec-C, which is just fantastic.

The lyrics at left are from the song "Rose Parade" by Elliott Smith, on of my favorite singer/songwriters.  Smith died tragically by his own hand a few years back, but his music is is still as pertinent - and haunting - as ever.

Review: Pilot Hi-Tec-C Slims Multi Pen

I had wanted to order the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Slims from JetPens for the longest time, but I was a little slow in getting around to it.  What kept me from ordering it months ago was 1. I was a little concerned about the size, and 2. I already love the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Cavalier and wasn't sure I needed it.  As it turns out, the size is less of an issue than I expected, and while I do prefer the Cavalier model over the Slims, the Slims definitely has a home in my arsenal due to its multi pen functionality.

Compared to the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Cavalier, the Slims is approximately 1/2" shorter, and a little bit lighter.  I don't have large hands, but I am always concerned about how smaller profile pens sit in my hand, and the Slims gives me no trouble in that area.  As long as I can get a bit of clearance over the palm rest in my hand I am happy, and the Slims clears that with ease.  The multi pen aspect of the Slims works great as well, with a twist to the right snapping out the black cartridge, and a twist back to the left brinngs out the red.  Standard Hi-Tec-C performance is the norm here, which for some is great, and for others frustrating.  I like the pens enough to where a little priming doesn't bother me because I like the end result so much.

Gun to my head, I would take my Cavalier (as shown in the picture at left) over the Slims, but that is not to say the Slims isn't good pen, and I find myself using it quite frequently.  It always provides a good writing experience.

Click here for the XL review.

Product Links:

Pliot Hi-Tec-C Slims from JetPens

Doane Paper Idea Journal

Top 5 Pens - Fall Update

It has been many moons and many pen reviews since I posted an update to my top 5 pens list.  There is a newcomer in the top spot, and some fresh takes on some old standbys, so there is a little bit of everything in this list.  For those who haven't seen this list before, here is what it is, and what it isn't:

The top 5 list is:  A snapshot of my current favorite pens.  This is not an end-all be-all list, but rather these are the pens I am using the most day in, and day out for the past weeks and months.  At home, at work - pretty much in any situation.  I like the variety that multi pens represent, so they will always have a place on my list, right along side of the finer point single cartridge pens.  This list is always in some state of flux.

The top 5 list isn't:  A one stop shopping list for what pens you should buy.  As anyone who reads this blog knows, pens are a very individual thing.  What is great for me may be terrible for you, and vice-versa.  If you ever have any question about what the best pen is for your situation, please shoot me an email and I can make some suggestions.

The Zebra Sharbo X - Top notch Danny!

1. Zebra Sharbo X

Number one with a bullet.  I have been very pleased with my first Sharbo X purchase.  So pleased that I have already purchased another one, this time with a white barrel.  I love the feel of the pen in my hands.  It is perfectly balanced, and a wonderful writer.  My one wish list item for this pen is to have three ink cartridges instead of two plus a pencil, but I bought some blue lead for each of my barrels and I am much happier with that than the standard pencil lead.  Customization FTW!

2. Uni-Ball Signo DX 0.38mm

The old standby, and I don't see this pen moving out of the top 5 anytime soon.  It is very durable, and has some of the sharpest, cleanest lines around.  The wide range of colors this pen comes in makes it a huge winner in my book.

3. Pentel Slicci 0.3mm

Take what I wrote about the Signo DX above, copy it down here, and that pretty much sums up my feelings on the Pentel Slicci.  One thing about the Slicci that I like better than the DX is that I can use all tips sizes (0.25, 0.3, and 0.4) with ease, while I have a tough time with the DX 0.28 on occasion.  I think the DX barrel is far superior though, so that is what keeps it one spot ahead.

4. Pilot Hi-Tec-C Cavalier

It seems that I always have one Pilot Hi-Tec-C pen on my list, but this time the single cartridge Cavalier replaces the multi pen Coleto model.  I find myself reaching more and move for the black 0.4mm Cavalier because I like the feel of the barrel.  It may be too thin for some, but the weight offsets that nicely.

5. Sharpie Pen RT

The Sharpie Pen always has a place in my arsenal, and the new RT model has taken over for the original.  I really like the new barrel design, and Sharpie was able to keep the performance of the tip intact from vesion one.  Improving the ink colors for the red and blue pens didn't hurt either.

Review: Pilot Hi-Tec-C Slim Knock 0.4mm Orange

I have reviewed the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Slim Knock 0.3mm in the past, and I like this 0.4mm orange model much better.  The 0.3mm was a bit too scratchy for me to use regularly.  Since I consider this a portable pen - meaning I'll just grab it and go, sliding it into a pocket or small notebook - I want it to work right when pen hits paper.  As with many Hi-Tec-C pens, they sometime take a bit of priming to get going, but I haven't found that to be the case at all with this one.  This is one of the better performing Hi-Tec-C pens I have used period, and now I think I am going to have to try the 0.4mm size Slim Knock in a few more colors.  It is a very comfortable writing experience for such a compact pen.

Click Here for the XL review.

I've mentioned on Twitter that I think The New Pornographers are the most underrated band around, but The Mountain Goats rank a close second in my book.  Singer/songwriter John Darnielle tells amazing stories through his lyrics, and his guitar play is a perfect fit.  The list of songs I could suggest goes on for days (he is quite the prolific writer), but "Dance Music" is one of my favorites.  Check out this live performance:

Review: Pilot Hi-Tec-C Muscat 0.3mm

Can you make that out?  No?  Lean in a little closer.  A little more.  Still no?  Yeah, me neither.

I had a conversation a few months back - I can't remember if it was on the comments section here, on Twitter, Flickr, or where exactly - but we were talking about favorite/least favorite Pilot Hi-Tec-C colors.  I mentioned I would review my least favorite color soon, but I didn't want to give it away until I finished.  Well, here it is in all of its glory - Muscat.

If you think the picture is hard to make out, you would be interested to know that it is just as hard to write with.  I honestly had to keep stopping to go back to read what I just wrote because I wasn't able to make it out on the page.  The Doane Paper doesn't help, but the Muscat would be too light even on a plain white background.  And you can forget anything resembling the off white of Moleskine paper - it's as good as invisible ink on there.

But in all seriousness, this really isn't a color I should be writing with anyway, which is my day in and day out requirement for all of the pens I review.  This is a pen that I could see being used by artists and doodlers alike for shading, coloring in, texture, etc.  Just not so much for writing, at least in my book.

What makes pens so great is that we all have our own little individual traits that make us love or hate a pen.  Color, feel, performance, durability, the list goes on and on, and we will all defend our favorites until the end.  Just like the person who I was talking to about what her favorite Pilot Hi-Tec-C color was.  Yep, Muscat.

Click Here for the XL review - where you may actually have a chance to read it.

Battle Royale: Pilot Hi-Tec-C Putimo vs. Pilot Pockel

Two Pilot mini pens - only one will survive.  Who will make it into the backpack to be loved, and who will find themselves in the desk drawer to be lost?  Let's find out!

I have reviewed both of these pens in the past in black ink - the Putimo here and the Pockel here.  I love them both and they both have a lot to offer.  But I carry enough pens around as it is, and I wanted to cut down how many mini pens were in my backpack, so I needed to decide.  The first step, of course, is to order new ones of each in different colors.  That's what any normal person would do when they had two perfectly good ones previously reviewed, right?  RIGHT!

The next step was to compare them side by side, which is shown at left (as always, click on the image to see the larger view, and click below for the really big picture).  They both write great, and in the end, the Putimo wrote a cleaner line and was more comfortable to write with than the Pockel.  The only real issue with the Putimo - which is found in all Hi-Tec-C pens - is that it is sometimes a slow starter.  I left the perfect example of what I am talking about on the page where I wrote "Pros".  That crops up from time to time, even with the cap on, but the end result is nice enough for me to overlook it.

The Pockel is a fantastic mini pen, but the Putimo is the one for me.

Click Here for the XL review.

How I Work - Doane Paper + Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto

I mention frequently on Twitter that I use more than one pen on any given day, so I thought I would post a quick picture explaining why.  I am in the IT field, so most of my writing during the day consists of quick hit notes, and a few planning layouts, like in the picture above.  This is where the Pilot Hi-Tec-C comes in handy.  I like to take my base notes in one color, add or append any details with another color, and sometimes scratch things out with a third.  The colors in use are 0.4mm cartridges of Clear Blue, Apricot Orange, and Blue Black.  It's nice to be able to get this done all with one pen barrel.

This is pretty basic stuff for me everyday.  Sorry for the blown out colors in the photo and the wrinkled paper.  This has been floating around in my backpack for a couple of weeks.