Review: SKB SB-1000 0.5mm Ballpoint

The SKB SB-1000 0.5mm ballpoint pen was featured on Cool Tools last week, but I missed it when it was originally posted.  It wasn't long after that post that a reader asked me about the pen and if I had tried one.  I of course hadn't at the time, but I did email SKB and they were nice enough to send me some pens to review at no charge.  Thanks Mariah!

The SKB ballpoint does have a bit of a following in the art world, and is actually referred to as the "James Jean pen" by many (see samples of Jean's artwork right here).  My first impression of the pen was that it is a glorified Bic Stic, but that would be selling the SKB very short.  While the barrel is nothing special - standard clear plastic barrel with a bit of taper in the grip area - the performance of the tip and ink are very nice.

If there is such a thing as a needle tip ballpoint, this is about as close I have seen.  Does anyone remember the old extra fine PaperMate ballpoints?  I used them back in the 80's, but after some quick Googling, I don't see that they are manufactured anymore.  They were likely 0.5mm and came to a needle type tip, at least in comparison to a standard ballpoint.  The SKB does a much better job with tip design.  When the pen hits the page, this pen really stands out.  It lays down a smooth, skip-free line, with a nice, dark black ink, which isn't always easy to find in a ballpoint.  Be sure to see the large writing sample to see how cleanly it writes.

While this pen isn't going to replace the Uni-Ball Jetstream, Zerbra Surari or Pilot Acroball in my arsenal (mainly because of the nicer barrel options), I do find that it writes better than pens like the Zebra Technoline.  For the price ($11 per dozen), it provides a great bang for the buck, and is a very enjoyable pen to use.

Big thanks to SKB Pens for sending me these pens, and for throwing in plenty of extras for me to share with readers of The Pen Addict.  You can find SKB pens on the web at www.skbpens.com, and they also have a Twitter account @skbpens, although there isn't much action there yet.

Click here for the XL review.

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