The Pen Addict

Pentel Hybrid Gel Roller 0.7mm Review

One of the best parts about running a site like The Pen Addict is that you get to hear from a lot of readers about their favorite pens, pencils, and stationery. Even more fun is when they actually send you their products to try out, like Pen Addict reader Joshua, who sent me this now discontinued Pentel Hybrid Gel Roller. Thanks for letting me give this pen a spin Joshua!

One of the reasons he sent it to me is that he was looking for a pen recommendation to replace this one. The Hybrid Gel Roller is a long, sleek, 0.7mm gel ink pen, and Joshua was wanting something similar. My first thought was the Pilot Choose, which has a similar barrel design, but then it hit me. The Pentel Hybrid Gel Grip at JetPens is pretty much he same pen, but with an 0.8mm tip. That being said, Joshua stepped out of the box and tried a few of the more popular gel ink pens like the Uni-Ball Signo DX and the Zebra Sarasa Clip (I think the Signo DX 0.38mm was his favorite btw :).

So, what are my thoughts on Joshua's Hybrid Gel Roller? It's just average. The ink is nice and dark, but it wasn't near as smooth as other 0.7mm gel in pens I have used in the past. It wasn't scratchy, but it felt like the tip dragged across the page as opposed to gliding like most other similar pens. I did like the length of the barrel when writing, but the overall package just wasn't there for me.

Thanks for sending me this pen Joshua - it is much appreciated! I actually have another user submitted pen review ready to roll on Wednesday, so if you have a favorite pen that I haven't reviewed previously please let me know and I'll try to pick one up.

Review: Pentel Hybrid Gel Grip DX Craft Pen 1.0mm Metallic Red

The Pentel Hybrid Gel Metallic is not a pen I would normally purchase or use frequently, but after recently reviewing the Pentel Slicci Metallic Gel Ink pen, I figured what the heck.  I really didn't spend much time with it prior to doing the written review, nor have I spent that much time with it after, but even during that short time I could tell this is a nice pen.

The metallic pens are definitely a niche item, targeted at scrapbookers and other crafty types, so I'm definitely not the target market for this pen.  What I can tell you is that this is a well made pen that performs exactly as it should.  The barrel design is very solid - quite similar to the Pentel Energel.  In fact, this pen is just like a more glittery Energel, and that is a big compliment.

While I may not get a lot of use out of this pen, my wife will be all over it, especially come Christmas this year.

Click here for the XL review.

Product Links:
Pentel Hybrid Gel Grip DX Craft Pen 1.0mm Metallic Red from JetPens
Doane Paper Writing Pad from Doane Paper

Review: Pentel Hybrid Gel 0.7mm

There is a huge group of pens that fall into the "similar to the Pilot G-2" category, and the Pentel Hybrid Gel is one of them.  It looks like the G-2 and feels like the G-2, but there is just something about the performance of the pen that makes it fall short of the category leading G-2.

The barrel design of the two pens is very similar, with only the grip and translucent plastic clip (instead of solid) being the immediately noticeable differences.  The Hybrid is comfortable enough to write with, but the line sharpness and cleanliness doesn't stack up as well against it's peers.  There is also a bit of a rattle in the tip when writing - one of my major pet peeves.  This pen is good, but it doesn't differentiate itself from the crowd enough to warrant consideration for everyday use.

Click here for the XL review.