The Pen Addict

Sharpie Pen RT Purple - New Barrel Style Review

The original Sharpie Pen has always been one of my favorite pens, so when the first Sharpie Pen Retractable model came out I was very anxious try try it. That anxiousness turned into disappointment very quickly with the various issues that the original RT had, such as the tip drying out (or running out of ink) at a very fast rate. So has the new version of the RT corrected all of the originals flaws? Not quite, but it is an improvement.

The visual differences between the original and new RT are obvious and a nice change on the new model. The plunger has changed from chrome to black, the grip has been streamlined, and Sharpie has added a color ring around the middle of the pen to match the ink color. Every one of those things is an improvement over the original, especially the grip. It is slightly thinner and more comfortable to write with.

From an ink perspective, the jury is still out. I jumped to conclusions with the original RT before they started bricking out on me at an alarming rate. I haven't seen the same issue with the new RT yet, but I haven't been using them as frequently either. One thing I have noticed with the purple ink in the review is that the RT is a shade or two darker than the regular Sharpie Pen purple ink. Of course I couldn't find my original Sharpie Pen to compare it to directly, but it just seems that way.

Overall, the new Sharpie RT is a noticeable improvement over the original. Some of the rattling issues are still present, but the total package is better and if the ink holds up it is a clear winner.

If you want even more details on the Sharpie Pen RT, including a dissection of the barrel, check out Office Supply Geeks great posts on the subject.

Click here for the XL review.

Review: Sharpie Pen Grip

I have been holding off reviewing the new Sharpie Pen Grip for a few weeks now in an effort to get some good quality writing time with it, and to avoid rushing to judgment about the pen and getting burned like I did with the Sharpie Pen RT.  The RT ended up being not so hot, with the tips on several of mine hardening up in a very short period of time.  Is the Grip the best of the bunch, or is it heading down the path of the RT?

First of all, what is different about this pen compared to the first two versions?  The Grip has just that - a rubber grip.  The original Sharpie Pen had no true grip area to speak of, and even had a very sharp edge around the grip area that was a problem for some people.  The RT, on the other hand, not only added a rubber grip, but based on the barrel diameter, almost made the grip too wide.  The Grip slimmed down the rubber grip area to a more traditional diameter, and the feel is just right (I feel like I am heading into Goldilocks and the Three Bears territory here).

The overall design of the Grip is excellent, with a torpedo shape that isn't as wide as the RT, and again more along traditional pen sizings.  The silver cap and butt end of the pen really pop against the molded black plastic barrel, which is a carryover from the RT, but a great improvement on the paint peeling barrel of the original.  The one thing I don't have nailed down with this pen yet is the feel.  It is so lightweight, yet balanced, it is like no other pen I have tried.  It's almost like you are holding a piece of balsa wood or solid foam to write with.  It is kind of neat, but I can't help but think about the weight of the pen every time I pick it up.

So which is the best Sharpie Pen of the three?  I can tell you which one it isn't - the Sharpie Pen RT.  But I think I still need more time with the Sharpie Pen Grip to see if it can oust the original Sharpie Pen from the top spot.

Click here for the XL review.

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.

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.

Sharpie Stainless and Sharpie Pen RT winner

Random.org was thinking big numbers this morning, yanking comment #234 out of the ether:

234 lizmarie said...

Pleeeese pick me!

September 17, 2009 at 06:25 AM

Congrats lizmarie - it must have been all of the extra eeeee's!  Here is what I need you to do:

1. Leave a comment on this post.

2. Email me your mailing address using my email address on the sidebar.

You have one week to claim your prize.

Thanks again to @SharpieWhit and the rest of the folks at Sharpie for providing me with these pens.