Schneider Slider Memo XB 1.4 mm Ballpoint

It is good to get out of your comfort zone on occasion. My happy place is with 0.4 mm gel ink pens, and when I wander too far to the left or right of that midpoint in my spectrum I increase the chance of being disappointed. So when I say that the Schneider Slider Memo XB 1.4 mm ballpoint is out of my wheelhouse you can see just how far out it really is.

I mention all of this because I often don’t give pens similar to the Memo XB a fair shake. Good pens come in all shapes and sizes and this is a very good pen. I have always been impressed with Schneider’s ballpoint ink and this one continues the trend. It is smooth, dark, skip free, and for a tip this wide, surprisingly clean.

The barrel design is equally as nice. I’m not sure who actually came up with the design first between Schneider and Stabilo (there have some awfully similar designs) but the Memo XB is well done. The slick plastic surrounded by a rubber coating gives it a great feel in the hand.

I picked this up at Office Depot for $3 a couple of months ago and I’m glad I did. While it won’t land on my Top 5 list anytime soon, it is a nice option to have.

What pen out of your comfort zone have you tried and liked?

Zebra Airfit LT Ballpoint Review

I reviewed the first incarnation of the Zebra Airfit many years ago and it is one of those pens that has stood the test of time. Granted, I don’t use it as often as some of my other more recent purchases but has a sturdy design and is great writer. It even takes Zebra Sarasa Clip refills as an added bonus.

The Zebra Airfit LT Ballpoint is the latest addition to the Airfit line. It is designed with the female writer in mind, but the way it is built it would suit anyone. The barrel diameter is noticeably smaller when compared to the original, but that just makes it normal-sized while the original is over-sized. I found it very comfortable to hold and write with.

Ballpoint ink cartridges tend to be all over the board performance-wise and this one has to be near the top of the list. I never expect ballpoint pens to perform well but the Airfit cartridge sports a tight, clean line that I compare to the Pilot Dr. Grip. I enjoy writing with it very much.

The Airfit grip features a cushion of air between the grip and the barrel for added comfort. I like it because it is not too soft (like the Uni-ball Alpha Gel can be) nor too firm like the Dr. Grip. It is just right.

If you are looking for a good quality, comfortable ballpoint pen then the Airfit might be just right for you too.

Milan P1 Touch Ballpoint and Guerrero Notebook Review

I am very lucky to have made some great friends over the years here at The Pen Addict. This review includes products from two of my favorite world-travelers: Carmen sent me the blue Milan P1 Touch she picked up while in Spain last year, and Hen from Rad and Hungry sent me the black Milan P1 plus a Guerrero Notebook from the STMT X Spain Kit, the final kit from last year’s world tour. Hooray for Spain!

The Milan ballpoints are very nice to write with. The barrel is coated in a very thin rubber which provides a good gripping surface and the entire pen feels solidly constructed. I thought I was going to prefer writing with the blue ink more than the black, but the opposite was actually the case.

Both inks are smooth, but when compared to each other the blue comes out looking very streaky. The black is one of the darker ballpoint inks I have used, almost making me think it is a hybrid ink like the Pentel Vicuna. It is that dark.

The Guerrero Notebook is a nice paperback that looks ideal for schoolwork. Do any of you remember the blue books from school that you had to take your essay exams in? They are a lot like that. The paper is nice and smooth and is set up well for note taking or writing practice.

I don’t travel to Spain very often (ok, never) but these pens and notebooks would be worth picking up if I did. You should give them a try if you ever have the opportunity. Milan does have a small presence in the US so some of you might be able to find their products locally.