Review: Copic Multiliner SP 0.5mm Black

Raise your hand if you are part of the "uses drawing pens as your everyday writing implement" crew! This type of pen is actually what started my addiction way back in my youth. It is not a drawing pen per se, but the Pilot Razor Extra Fine has the same type of felt/plastic/porous tip that many drawing pens have, and I bought them by the dozen. While the Pilot Razor hasn't really changed over the years, new pens have taken over for them in my arsenal, mainly lead by the Copic Multiliner SP.

While I have talked about and reviewed various Copic pens on this blog, I have been using this 0.5mm model a lot recently so I thought I would throw out another quick review. If the sleek looking aluminum barrel doesn't have you at hello, then all it will take is a few strokes with the smooth writing tip to have you sold. The pen is lightweight and very well balanced in the hand, and the black ink is very dark, which is a key for me with this type of pen. I haven't done it yet, but the SP is also the refillable Copic model, so while the initial $6+ price tag may be steep, you can continue to purchase refills for the same barrel.

What other drawing pens make for good every day writers?

Click here for the XL review.

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Copic, Drawing Pen, Pen Reviews.

Review: Uni-Ball Signo DX 0.5mm Black

Do you own a Uni-Ball Signo DX yet? If not, why?

This is one of the pound-for-pound champions of all cheap pens, but unlike the Uni-Ball Vision Elite I just reviewed, it is not readily available at traditional brick and mortar retail outlets - at least in the U.S.. I haven't really figured out why though. It is loved universally, comes in a rainbow of colors, well made, and very affordable. Bring this pen to the shelves Uni-Ball!

While I personally grab for the Pilot Hi-Tec-C before the DX, I would recommend this pen to Pen Addict readers first. It is a more consistent writer, and many people prefer the conical tip of the DX over the needle of the Hi-Tec-C. But it really just boils down to preference. I haven't met a DX that I don't like, so hopefully you will find them likable too.

Click here for the XL review.

Products used:
Uni-Ball Signo DX from JetPens
Writing Pad from Doane Paper

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Pen Reviews, Signo DX, Uni-Ball.

Review: Uni-Ball Vision Elite 0.8mm Blue Black

You are a pen addict, right? That's hopefully why you are here in the first place. So, being the good pen addict that you are, when someone else asks you for a pen recommendation, what pen do you choose? For any of us that have tried more than their fair share of pens, that is nearly an impossible question to answer. What is the pen going to be used for? What type of paper? Type of ink? How often? Retractable? So on and so on - the questions are really endless. I run through all of these items with many of the people that email me looking for a recommendation, and that allows me to narrow it down quite a bit, but picking a pen is such a personal thing.

Why all of the rambling on this Uni-Ball Vision Elite review? Because this pen tends to rate positively in pretty much every category across the board. Let me list out a few things:

-- Great barrel design. Classy for work, but functional anywhere.

-- Very smooth writer. The liquid ink just glides across the page.

-- Good price point. These can be found regularly in the $2-2.50 range.

-- Uni-Ball Super Ink technology? Check.

-- Airplane safe? Check.

-- Refillable? Check.

Another big reason I recommend this pen a lot - it passed the mother-in-law test. My mother-in-law is aware of my pen addiction and asked for a few pens recently. I gave her all of the basics - Signo 207, Precise V5, G2, Jetstream, etc. - and the Vision Elite is the only one she asked for more of. If that doesn't say something about the quality of this pen then I don't know what does.

Click here for the XL review.