The Pen Addict

Review: Pentel Tradio EnerGel Combo Pen

When I first saw this pen posted on Scription, I knew I had to have it.  I have used and reviewed a traditional Pentel Tradio in the past, but I didn't totally fall in love with it like many hardcore Tradio users have.  But this EnerGel model has changed the game for the better in my case.

The overall design of the Tradio has not changed much from the original, but there are a few upgrades of note.  First off, the barrel is now coated with a very thin layer of rubber, giving the pen a very nice feel to it compared to a standard smooth plastic barrel.  Secondly, the grip area has changed over to the EnerGel swirl style, and while it is not a rubber grip, it does a good job.  Even with those nice upgrades, the main selling point is the addition of the EnerGel ink cartridge.  Widely regarded as one of the best writing gel pens, this is a great combination that Pentel has formulated.

For all of my fawning, there are a couple of things I want to point out.  One, the cap of the pen does not like to stay posted.  I normally write with the cap on, but as I write my hand bumps it and slides it around.  So it is not really a tight fit, and is prone to falling off.  I did order two more Tradios to see if it is just the green one I have, and it might be.  The other two have a tighter fit, so your mileage may vary.  Another item that may throw some readers is that these pens run $8.50 a pop at JetPens.  For a glorified EnerGel that may seem a little steep, but I didn't think it was too bad for a unique pen.

Overall, if you like how the Pentel EnerGel writes and how the Tradio barrel looks, then this pen is an easy purchase.  I am really enjoying mine so far.

Click here for the XL review.

Product links:
Pentel Tradio EnerGel Combo Pens from JetPens
Idea Journal from Doane Paper

Review: Pentel Tradio Stylo + Rollerball

The Pentel Tradio is a very interesting pen to review, and honestly, I'm still not quite sure what to make of it.  The main pen consists of a chiseled felt tip, which is similar to a brush pen, but more firm than any brush pen I have tried (not many).  The ink flows really well, in fact, so well that I couldn't really write the review with it like I had planned.  It just bled through the page too fast.  Instead, I wrote the review with the second cartridge I ordered for this pen, which is a standard rollerball.

I really love the ability to switch the full cartridges in and out of the Tradio barrel at will.  Just a few twists of the barrel is all it took, and I moved them back and forth constantly when I first got this pen.  The rollerball was a pleasure to write with - very smooth and a nice pitch black ink.  I could see using this cartridge the most right now, but I feel this pen is really made for use with the felt tip.  The only issue I had with that cartridge was when one of my strokes went against the grain of the tip which caused a little flick of ink on the page.  That's not too big of a deal since I shouldn't really be moving the pen in that direction anyway.

I'm still dilemmaed on how I want to use this pen.  It cost too much to put it aside, and both cartridges are enjoyable to write and draw with.  Any other Tradio owners want to share their uses for this pen?

Click Here for the XL review.