Review: Stabilo Point Visco 0.5mm Fine

Stabilo Point Visco

My written review sums up pretty well what I think about the Stabilo Point Visco, and that is I really don't know what to make of it.  If you see this pen on the store shelf and want to try it out because you like 0.5mm liquid ink pens, I reccomend that you don't buy them.  The ink flow is really heavy, making the line nowhere near the width I would expect from an 0.5mm tip.  That being said, if you like the wider line and can keep up with the pace of the ink flow, then you may want to give this pen a shot.  The faux pencil look of the barrel is done surprisingly well.  Combine that with a decent rubber grip and this pen gives a comfortable writing experience.

In the end, the main problem lies in the fact that this pen doesn't bring anything new or improved to the table.  There are dozens of other pens out there that do the same thing this pen does, and they all do it better.

Click here for the XL review.

Posted on October 21, 2009 .

Review: Zebra Sarasa Clip 0.4mm 5-Color Pack

Zebra Sarasa Clip

I've been on a big Zebra kick recently, so I dove in and bought more colors of the Sarasa Clip 0.4mm gel ink pen.  I know it is fall and I should be using more seasonal shades like brown black or purple, but I'm a bright color man pretty much year round.  This set includes blue, light blue, lime green, orange, and pink, all of which are very nice on the page.

Like the Uni-Ball Signo RT, the Sarasa Clip is one of the best bang-for-your-buck pens around.  It writes as nicely as many more expensive pens, and the price point ($2.00) allows you to try many different colors without putting a dent in your wallet.  The lines are especially clean and sharp, and while Zebra is not neccessarily know for being the smoothest pen around, I have never had a problem with the Clip models, where the standard Sarasa seems to be much scratchier.

The light weight of the barrel and very comfortable grip make this a pen that won't tire you out during that two hour lecture or never ending conference call.  In fact, some readers call this one of the best pen grips around (I'm looking at you Der Bingle), and I am hard pressed to argue that point.  This is a vastly underrated pen that will serve you well in just about any situation.

Click here for the XL review.

Product links:

-- Zebra Sarasa Push Clip Gel Ink Pen - 0.4 mm - 5 Color Set from JetPens

-- Doane Paper Idea Journal

Posted on October 19, 2009 .