Review: Zebra Sarasa Clip 0.4mm Gray

So are you as disappointed with the Sharpie Liquid Pencil as I am, but still wouldn't mind trying out a lead coloered gel ink pen?  Well, the Zebra Sarasa Clip 0.4mm Gray may be something for you to check out.

I have reviewed a plethora of the Zebra Sarasa Clip pens already, but I keep coming back for more since they are such good pens (try the Viridian Green).  They feel just right in the hand, have a great grip, and have a crisp, clean line from start to finish.  I personally have zero complaints - especially at $1.50 each - but some people do find them to be a bit scratchy.  Unless it is absolutely terrible, that is something that doesn't phase me on sub-0.5mm pens.

The gray ink color is a little light for me, but as I mentioned in the written review, this is one pen that would probably work better on a plain white page as opposed to the grid+lines of my Doane Paper.  It does have a pencil lead quality to the color, so if the Sharpie Liquid Pencil left you high and dry you may want to give this a look.  Just don't attepmt to erase it or take a Scantron test with it.

Click here for the XL review.

Products used:

Zebra Sarasa Clip 0.4mm Cool Grey from JetPens

Writing Pad from Doane Paper

Review: Ohto Pieni Wooden Body Mini Needle-Point Ballpoint Pen

Similar to the Sharpie Liquid Pencil in the fact that it is not a completely unique idea, the Ohto Pieni is still the first pen I have used where the barrel is made in the traditional wood case pencil style.  The sleek design was a definite selling point, as was the 0.5mm ballpoint ink cartridge, but would this pen stand up to the test?

Performance wise, the 0.5mm refill did a nice job, but a decent amount of ink would collect near the tip when writing.  It didn't often transfer to the page, but I did have to wipe off the tip six or seven times when writing the review.  (I'm not the only one that keeps a napkin or the like next to where I'm writing just for that purpose, right?)  Overall it was a good writing experience, but not without flaws.

The wood case barrel is skinny just like a pencil, and while that size has posed a problem for me in the past (see the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleur), this one worked ok because I was able to get a good grip on the hex shape barrel.  It actually ended up being comfortable to write with, and lightweight to boot.

From a design perspective, its great looks are marred by one flaw - the soft wooden barrel is going get dinged and scratched pretty easily, just like a traditional pencil would.  That may not be a big deal to those who go pretty easy on their writing implements like myself, but it would take away from the overall aesthetic of the pen if the barrel started to go downhill.

There are tons and tons of wooden barrel pens available on the market - especially from custom pen manufacturers - but this pencil style is a unique one to me and has been fun to play around with.

Click here for the XL review.

Review: Pentel Oh! 0.7mm Gel

I didn't mean for it to be Pentel week here at The Pen Addict, but it looks like it is shaping up that way so far.  Monday brought a pleasant surprise in the Pentel Selfit ballpoint, and today brings the somewhat disappointing Pentel Oh! gel ink pen.  It isn't a terrible pen by any stretch, but I am having a hard time deciding why this pen exists with the similar yet vastly superior Energel on the shelves.

The best reason I can come up with it that is is a strong back to school push by Pentel.  The price point - right around $1.00 per pen - is very good, and the barrel has a funky design that many students will like, but as I hold this pen and write with it, all I can think about is that this is a cheap Energel.  Normally, that would be a good thing, but it feels cheap in design.  The grip is no great shakes, and the pen clip is super thin and probably prone to easy bending.  The clip on one of mine even had a small spot of rust right out of the package.

Like I said, this isn't a bad pen, but I don't really see the point.  Everything about the Energel looks, feels, and performs better, albeit at a slighty higher price.  Is there such a thing as a gateway pen?

Click here for the XL review.