Review: Pentel Hybrid Gel 0.7mm

There is a huge group of pens that fall into the "similar to the Pilot G-2" category, and the Pentel Hybrid Gel is one of them.  It looks like the G-2 and feels like the G-2, but there is just something about the performance of the pen that makes it fall short of the category leading G-2.

The barrel design of the two pens is very similar, with only the grip and translucent plastic clip (instead of solid) being the immediately noticeable differences.  The Hybrid is comfortable enough to write with, but the line sharpness and cleanliness doesn't stack up as well against it's peers.  There is also a bit of a rattle in the tip when writing - one of my major pet peeves.  This pen is good, but it doesn't differentiate itself from the crowd enough to warrant consideration for everyday use.

Click here for the XL review.

Review: Pilot Fure Fure BeatNic 2 Color 0.7 mm Ballpoint Mutli Pen + 0.5 mm Pencil

If you are a ballpoint pen fan and a multi pen fan, you need to find a way to come up with the $15 and order this Pilot Fure Fure BeatNic multi pen + pencil.  It is just that cool!

Right out of the package, this was an impressive beast of a pen.  I actually thought it was going to be too heavy, but it has prefect balance when writing, even making writing with the ballpoint cartridges feel effortless.  The overall design has me just staring at it from all angles because it is so beautiful.  The silver accents really pop against the shiny black plastic barrel, and the clip is spring loaded so that it can attach on to larger items than your shirt pocket.

While I wish the black ballpoint ink was a shade darker, it writes very cleanly and solid.  No skipping or gunking up to be found.  The red is a nice color as well, and while I'll get the least use out of the pencil, I was happy to see that the shaker mechanism in this multi pen works just like a single cartridge mechanical pencil.  The large eraser is found under Darth Vaders' helmet (no wrinkly old Anakin to be found) and works like a champ.

The Pilot Fure Fure BeatNic isn't for everyone, but I like it much much more than I thought I ever would.

Click here for the XL review.

Product Links:
Pilot Fure Fure BeatNic 2 Color 0.7 mm Ballpoint Mutli Pen + 0.5 mm Pencil from JetPens
Large Idea Journal from Doane Paper

Update: Thanks to Thaigo in the comments section for reminding me to test out the Uni Style Fit refills in this barrel.  They fit perfectly, making me like this pen even more!  The Pentel Sliccies refills do not work in this barrel though.

Ink Links

-- Reynolds 432  (Bleistift)

-- Tools of the Trade: Tiny Notebooks  (Does This Pen Write?)

-- Vintage Esterbrook & Waterman Ideal  (Without Ink)

-- New Clairefontaine Graf it Sketch Pads – Have you tried them?  (Rhodia Drive)

-- Where Have All The Pen Stores Gone?  (Fountain Pen Restoration)

-- Featured Pen - Mabie Todd Swan SM 205/86  (Whatever)

-- In Praise of Handwriting  (Notebook Stories)

-- O’BON Pencils Made from Recycled Newspaper  (Office Supply Geek)

-- Top 10 of 2009. #10  (Good Pens)

-- Muji Fountain Pen  (Pocket Blonde)

-- Scribe's Tool of the Year 2009  (The Critical Scribe)

-- Fountain pen ink meets watercolor paper. And water.  (Leigh Reyes)

-- Converse All Star Sneaker Pencase - Wearable Too, If You Insist  (Scription)