Review: Pilot Acroball 0.7mm Blue

I reviewed an 0.7mm black Pilot Acroball this past summer, and I recently picked up and reviewed the Americanized version - called the Pilot Easy Touch Pro, but I think this blue ink 0.7mm Acroball is the best of the bunch.

Anytime I have reviewed this pen, I always mention how much I like the barrel design.  It has the proper feel and weight, and the grip is fantastic.  Seeing a few of the Pilot G-2 elements in the design, I would love it if the G-2 was updated to this style and grip.  How long has the G-2 been around in its current form?  Even the Pilot G-Knock BeGreen (the eco-friendly G-2) has a better barrel.  Sorry for the digression, but this is simple barrel design done right.

As nice as the barrel is, the writing performance really shines.  Generally with gel or liquid ink pens, I prefer black ink, but with ballpoints and other hybrids, I choose blue more often than not.  The blue ink of the Pilot Acroball is a great color, and lays down perfectly clean and smooth.  I think the only other similar pen I use more is the Uni-Ball Jetstream Basic Series 0.5mm blue.  If that isn't enough, this pen will only set you back $2.25, so if you like the Jetstream, the Acroball is definitely worth checking out.

Click here for the XL review.

Product Links:
Pilot Acroball from JetPens
Idea Journal from Doane Paper

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Review: Pilot Hi-Tec-C Putimo 0.4mm Orange

If any pen line needed a five or ten pack of rainbow colors, it would have to be the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Putimo.  Sure, you can buy all types of colors individually, but this is a fun pen, and it would be great to see it packaged for gift giving (although it looks like JetPens is no longer carrying these).  What I like most about this pen is that while it is shorter in length for portability, the barrel width, tip size, and cap and clip size all remain the same.  Is is essentially a half-length Hi-Tec-C, which is just fantastic.

The lyrics at left are from the song "Rose Parade" by Elliott Smith, on of my favorite singer/songwriters.  Smith died tragically by his own hand a few years back, but his music is is still as pertinent - and haunting - as ever.