Posts filed under Pen Reviews

Sharpie Cosmic Color Permanent Marker Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter.)

Sharpie is a household name--like when you ask for a Kleenex when you need a tissue. When you need a permanent marker, the odds are good you're asking for a sharpie. In the past, I've turned to them more for utility than for fun. I've labeled boxes, school supplies, children's clothing. But now, in this analog renaissance, Sharpie is still doing what it does best, but with a new fun twist.

Now you can get dozens of colors in a variety of tip sizes, and my favorites yet are these Ultra Fine Cosmic Colors. These markers have the ultra fine tips of my favorite fineliners, but with the magical formula that is Sharpie ink. It's quick-drying, permanent, fade-proof, water-resistant, and non toxic. The colors are bright and vivid. This set has Aqua, Boysenberry, Jupiter Read, Navy, and Venus Green. It's a great variety, and the 12-pack has bunches more of these bright, modern shades. Of course, Sharpie ink does have its downsides. It smells awful. Even these teeny tips emit headache-inducing fumes. And, the ink bleeds through most paper. The pigment soaks right through like a hot knife through butter. So these aren't great for any project where you want to use both sides of your paper.

The 5-pack is $6 and the 12-pack is $14 at JetPens, so it's great value you're getting, especially for the quality of these pens. The markers are very well built in the traditional Sharpie grey plastic, with the Sharpie brand logo in black. The caps and endcaps are in the color of the ink, so it's fairly easy to see what color you're reaching for. The caps snap closed and post securely. The one thing I don't like about Sharpie's build is the plastic clip. It's molded as part of the cap. There's no spring to it, just the bend of the plastic. They don't stay clipped to things very well at all, and the clips are prone to snapping off.

Still, they're the best permanent markers I've used, and now that I can get them in fun colors with truly fine points, I'll get more use out of them. There's nothing better than when the best tool for a job is also a fun one.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on January 24, 2019 by Sarah Read and filed under Sharpie, Pen Reviews.

Kuretake Zig Cocoiro Extra Fine Letter Pen Review

What happens when you take a pen I already love - like the Kokuyo Cocoiro - and add in patterned barrels? Well, when those patterns are as fun as these cats, hedgehogs, polar bears, and flamingos, I buy them.

If you aren’t familiar with the Cocoiro model, it is a neat little product. The refills are essentially self-contained units that snap into the barrel sleeve of the pen. This gives you a ton of customization options, not just in looks, but with colors and even types of tips.

This model comes with the black extra fine brush, but you can swap it out for 12 different colors, a longer brush tip, or even an 0.3 mm rollerball, which I reviewed previously.

For writing, the extra fine brush tip size is the way to go. For a comparison, I liken it to the Zebra Disposable Super Fine, which is my favorite. It can handle the pace of writing without taking too much out of the tip. Brush pens are always a race against tip destruction, and this one has held up well so far.

When I laid eyes on the Cocoiro years ago I couldn’t figure out what was going on with this barrel design. In fact, I thought it was ugly. But getting it in hand and seeing how the refill snapped in and out of place I finally got it. The one strange thing about the refill isn’t the design, but rather, the glitter in the plastic body of it. These aren’t glitter inks, but the refill would make you think otherwise.

Speaking of ink, it is not waterproof. I know many artists need that for their work, and this one is not an option if that is a requirement. Also, I find the ink a little dry and light on occasion. Comparing it again to the Zebra Disposable, the black is not as rich in color.

As much as I love the Cocoiro, I cannot give it a no-brainer recommendation because of the price. You can buy the basic body for $2 and add a refill for $2.50, making for a $4.50 base brush pen. The pattern models (I bought Polar Bear and Hedgehog!) run $6 for a body/refill combo. I don’t think that is too much for a fun pen, but I do think it is too much for a workhorse brush pen. At that point, I’m paying the $2.50-$3.00 for Zebra or Tombow disposable brush pens.

I like to have fun with my stationery, and these Cocoiro pens definitely deliver that. They are a pen that make me smile, and I like to keep them around the desk for quick notes with the added flair of a brush tip. For more than that, you may want to look elsewhere.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on January 21, 2019 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Kuretake, Cocolro, Brush Pen, Pen Reviews.

Kuretake Fudegokochi Brush Pen Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter.)

I can't draw or do lettering very well, so brush pens always confound me a bit. I love the feel of the way they write, but I can't wield them the way that artists do, and I certainly don't get the beautiful results. I still reach for them, though. I'm usually writing just for myself, so neatness isn't critical.

The very fine points on these Kuretake Fudegokochi brush pens give me the fun feeling of writing with a brush pen while still allowing me to write legibly. Well, as much as I ever do, anyway. The line varies from .4mm to 1.8mm, and the firm felt tip springs back so that the very fine line is maintained even as the brush breaks in.

The pens are very well made. The body is lightweight plastic. The caps and end caps are the color of the pen ink, the body is in a parchment color with a matte finish, minimal branding in Japanese text, and the grip section is clear, so the ink can be seen moving through the feed. The clip is metal, very sturdy and springy. The cap snaps securely and posts deeply. The grip is not tapered at all, but the cylinder is a good diameter and the pen is light enough that a fancy grip isn't needed.

The ink colors in these blue-black and brown samples are lovely. They're earthy and neutral, but rich in pigment. They do feel a bit dry on the page, but there doesn't appear to be any ink starvation. It may just be the texture of the tip. The ink dries quickly and doesn't smear. I did not see any feathering on Rhodia paper, and there was no bleed-through, even when I pressed the tip to its maximum flex. It is important to note, though, that this ink is not waterproof. So, while it is great for line drawings, it should not be colored over with paint or marker (unless you want smearing and colors to run, which does look cool, if that's what you're going for).

The pens are not refillable, and are a bit pricey at $4.25 a pop. The six-color pack at $20 isn't a bad deal, though, and is something I'd definitely go for if I used brush pens with any regularity (or if I used them with even a small measure of talent). Of all the brush pens I've used just for funsies, these are some of the nicest.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!