Stabilo Point 88 Fineliner Marker Pen Ultramarine Blue Review

I have tested and reviewed a lot of pens over the years, but I am always looking for something new to try out. Readers have recommended that I review the Stabilo Point 88 Fineliner for quite some time, and now that JetPens has started to stock them, I finally have easy access to what happens to be a very good pen.

I grabbed two on my initial order - Black and Ultramarine Blue. While I might use black on a more regular basis, I always like to review some of the non-standard colors, and Ultramarine Blue is a winner. According to the color chart on JetPens, this shade falls right in between Turquoise on the light side and Dark Blue on the darker end of the spectrum. If you have ever tried the Uni-Ball Light Blue ink it reminds me of that a little.

Performance wise, there are no issues to speak of. The water-based ink does bleed through the page just a bit, but like I mentioned in the written review, that is the norm for this type of pen, where the Sharpie Pen is the exception. The long barrel is lightweight and easy to hold, and my lines were clean and sharp.

The best part about this pen is that it is only 80 cents, so for less than a buck you can try out one of the 25 colors available. That is a can’t lose proposition in my book.

Sailor HighAce Neo Beginner's Fountain Pen Review

This is a guest post by Bryan Gushikawa.

The Sailor Pen Company has been making pens for a LONG time (100 years!) and have set standards with their Sapporo and King of Pen line. However, all Japanese companies like to have a product line that stretches from budget to luxury and Sailor is no exception, with several of their pens falling into an everyday use range. The real beauty of Sailor pens, though, is that they are ALL excellent writers, no matter what they cost. The Sailor HighAce Neo is part of a budget line of pens that doesn’t sacrifice writing performance, at all. Oriented towards beginning fountain pen users and office professionals, this pen wins high marks on the nib and tight fit and finish.

Smoothness: The Sailor F-4 fine nib is a stiff nail, but it writes VERY smoothly. It’s rare to have such fine tips produce such smooth writing, but Sailor’s experience shines through here. One benefit to the stiff nib is the ability to take a little more abuse in a book bag or survive a drop, as well as press through carbon paper.

Grip and Balance: The grip is smooth and can be a little slippery, but there is enough texture on the barrel itself to stabilize the pen. The balance is good with the pen posted, but the pen is super light, making balance not so much of an issue. The barrel isn’t as thick as a Prera, but it’s average and fairly comfortable to hold.

Ink Flow: Excellent. A perfect 0.4mm line every time, with no skips or blotches.

Build Quality: The barrel is cheap plastic, but the cap, clip and nib are finished metal and very well worked. Not bad for the price, although a dark barrel will hide the cheap plastic finish.

Capacity: Uses Sailor-specific cartridges and can probably fit a Sailor converter (not tested).

Clip: Deceptively strong. Metal, with a good stiffness.

Post: Snaps securely into place with no jiggling. A superior posting system. The cap snaps crisply onto the front, as well.

Overall: I’d recommend this pen because it is an excellent performer in its price range. It’s not flashy and won’t win awards for the cheap plastic barrel, but the nib and feed are wonderful and this pen can be used with Kiwaguro and Seiboku cartridges (if the pen is used daily!) I’d recommend this pen for daily use and office use.

Metaphys Locus 3Way Multi Pen + Pencil Review

I have been fascinated by the design of the Metaphys Locus ever since it showed up on JetPens a few years ago. I wasn’t familiar with the brand, but after a little digging and reading, I learned that Metaphys is essentially a collaborative design shop involving some of Japan’s top design talent. Their goal is to rethink and rebuild common every day objects in innovative ways, and the Locus Multi Pen is the result of one of their projects.

A 2008 Good Design Award winner, the Locus is beautiful to look at. But as with all good writing instruments, performance is where it is at - for me anyway. The 0.5mm ballpoint writes wonderfully, the 0.5mm pencil functions well, and the most unique part of this pencil - the eraser - is incredibly handy. It feels great in the hand, and is a real head turner.

All of that said, there is one kicker - the price. At over $80 you are making a real commitment to this multi pen. The pen I reviewed is one of our test samples at JetPens, so I didn’t come out of pocket for it myself. I’m not sure that I would either, mainly because I have a hard time sticking with just one pen, and therefore the cost would be hard to justify. If you are looking for a unique pen for yourself or as a gift though, then the Metaphys Locus might be just what you are looking for.