Uni Power Tank Eco 1.0 mm Blue Review

Over the years, I have reviewed all of the Uni-ball Power Tank pens that I could get my hands on: the Original, the Smart Series, and the Smart Series High Grade. I had no idea there was an Eco version until my friend Carmen brought one back from Spain and sent it my way.

My first reaction: Wow, that is one ugly pen!

I understand that Uni is going for the eco-friendly look but I’m not sure they pulled it off here. It actually doesn’t look so bad in the picture, but in person it comes off as odd. The brown grip area is what gets me. It is lighter than the brown plastic clip, and grip wear shows up even lighter. That makes for a worn down looking grip before it has had much use.

While it may not win any beauty contests, it is still a decent pen. The blue 1.0 mm pressurized ink cartridge is smooth and dark. The line does have a good amount of white space in it, which is a flaw seen in many ballpoints. I have had more success writing with the 0.7 mm Power Tanks, so that would be my preferred Eco option as well.

The Power Tank line is a great choice if you are looking for a pressurized ballpoint pen. Just know that there are several barrel options, ink sizes, and ink colors to choose from.

Tachikawa Linemarker A.T. Sketch Pen 0.3 mm Review

(This is a guest post by Bryan Gushikawa.)

Tachikawa is a well-known company in Japan that specializes in supplies for comic artists. Their dip pen nibs are legendary in quality and the top names in manga are known to use Tachikawa products. But dip pens are not practical for portable use so Tachikawa released the Linemarker A.T. to give artists a coffee shop/school/outside-the-studio alternative that really works and still gives excellent performance.

The body is a simple plastic barrel with windows to see ink level. The Tachikawa ink cartridges are about the size of a standard fountain pen cartridge, but thicker to hold more ink. The pen barrel can hold two cartridges, so you’ll always have a spare ready. The clip is metal, but anchored into plastic, so it’s not super rugged, but it’s serviceable. The nib itself is the star of this pen and it’s classic Tachikawa quality: smooth, precise and very consistent in line width. How they managed to make a stiff, fine (writes about a 0.45~0.6mm line) nib so smooth is really a testament to their expertise and even though the nib is tiny compared to the rest of the pen body, it will serve you well.

The grip section is simple, finely-ridged plastic and it’s OK for a drawing session, but it’s not really comfortable for extended periods. Likewise, the rather narrow body of the pen can be taxing on larger hands over an extended period of time. However, this pen CAN function as a good daily writer or find use in day planners. The ink is of note because the pen is specifically designed for it and it is very nice, indeed. It has a good, dark black appearance without the shininess of some other permanent black inks and it is waterproof and fade-proof art ink, so that is a HUGE bonus for a daily writer.

If you’re an artist with a sketchbook and a favorite coffee shop, chances are that you already have this pen and are nodding your head in agreement when I say that it’s a very good value for the money. But, if you’re looking for a slim pen that works well, works reliably and comes with durable ink and a smooth action, you can’t allow yourself to pass this one up! Give it a try and you might bring out your inner artist!!!

Staedtler Pigment Liner 0.3 mm Review

If you listen to The Pen Addict Podcast you will hear me constantly referring to the Sakura Pigma Micron that I like to write with. I have always been a fan of this style of art/drawing pen and when the opportunity comes to try out one I haven’t used before like the Staedtler Pigment Liner I jump at the chance.

Why do I like this style of pen so much? Not many pens can provide as clean and sharp of a line as drawing pens do. My writing style is one that works well in conjunction with these pens. That is an important thing to note: Not every pen is going to fit your style of writing. The challenge is finding the one that works best for you.

Comparing the Staedtler Pigment Liner to the Sakura Pigma Micron, they are very similar in many aspects. The barrel size, weight, and feel are very close, and the inks are both dark and have the same archival properties. I do think the tip of the Staedtler is slightly softer feeling than the Sakura, so that is something to keep in mind if you have a heavy hand.

Overall, it is another great option if you like art/drawing pens. Most of the brands in this realm are very similar so try a few out to see which suits you the best.