Review: Zebra Penpod Mini Keychain Pen

As I delve further and further into all things EDC (Every Day Carry for the uninitiated), I am always on the lookout for cool additions to my arsenal, and the Zebra Penpod Mini Keychain Pen looks right up my alley.  Not only is it compact, functional, and sharp looking, it has a nice little secret upgrade that makes it all the better.

I try to keep my keychain as minimal as possible, so I was hesitant at first to add this to the ring (why I didn't take a photo of it for this post I have no idea - I'll get that done soon).  Luckily, the Penpod is light enough and compact enough that I didn't really notice the extra bulk in my pocket.  To access the pen, all it takes is a quick press and twist from the base, and out pops the pen, while the cap of course remains attached to the keychain.

The standard black ballpoint ink cartridge is really really nice - better than many traditional ballpoint pens I have used.  The line is solid and the pen stays mess free.  The real key to this pen - for me at least - is the off the label refill cartridge that works for the Penpod.  I didn't realize this until reading some of the comments on the JetPens product page, but the Zebra Sharbo X refills fit this pen perfectly.  I have a few extra sitting around, so in went the Emerald Green, and it couldn't have worked any better.

With the five different barrel colors of the Penpod, plus the dozens of Sharbo X refills available, you can customize this keychain pen to your hearts content.  Have fun with it!

Click here for the XL review.

Review: Tombow AirPress Apro Ballpoint Pen

The Tombow Airpress Apro is the little brother to the original Tombow Airpress, which I reviewed back in March.  The original has become my car pen, with its ability to withstand the heat and write in all types of conditions.  I keep it in my console attached to a Doane Paper Utility Notebook, and that combo has worked out great for me.  The Airpress Apro came along a couple of months ago at JetPens, so I figured I would give it a spin as well.

While the original Airpress had a tough, rugged body style, the Apro is made for the indoor workforce.  As JetPens mentions in its product description, the apron/lab coat community such as doctors, nurses, cooks, waitresses, etc. would find this new design much more to their liking.  The barrel design has been slimmed down slightly, and has been smoothed down and shined up a bit.  It also comes in more friendly body colors like this brown (lilac, gray, green, and pink are your other options).

From a writing standpoint, it performs similarly to the original Airpress, which means that while it it not going to compete with the Uni-Ball JetStream for smoothness or depth of ink color, it can handle its own.  With the added bonus of the Airpress technology that is a pretty fair trade off in my book.  If I am allowed one small gripe on this pen it is that I have never gotten used to quiet click mechanism on this or any pen.  I like to hear that good, solid click when I press down, but that in no way impacts the functionality of the Apro.  In fact, it is considered a feature.

Maybe the best feature about this pen is the price.  The Original Airpress checks in at $9.00, while the Apro is on $5.70.  A pretty good deal for a pretty good pen.

Click here for the XL review.

See also:

Review: Tombow AirPress Ballpoint Pen

Review: Fisher Space Pen X-Mark Bullet

Review: Uni-Ball Power Tank Smart Series High Grade Ballpoint Pen

Products used:

Tombow AirPress Apro Ballpoint Pen - 0.7 mm - Brown from JetPens

Writing Pad from Doane Paper

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.

See also:
Review: Pilot Drawing Pen 05 Blue
Review: Sakura Pigma Micron Orange 05