Review: Pilot Envelope Address Writing Gel Ink Pen

Who knew that you needed a specific pen just for addressing envelopes?  I sure didn't, but when I saw them flying off the virtual shelves at JetPens (all models are currently sold out at the moment), I figured I would jump in and see what the fuss is all about.

The gist of this pen is that the oil based ink creates very dark lines that dry quickly, and that certainly bears out on the envelope I tested on.  While I think it is made for more serious products that your standard letter envelope - I'm thinking heavier duty packages and small boxes - it worked just fine and didn't bleed like an ultra-fine Sharpie would on plain paper.  I can see this pen sitting on the shipping desk at your office without a doubt.

The barrel design not only looks cool, but is very fun to use.  It is sort of like a blown up Pilot Precise V5 with the shape of the barrel and the needle tip.  I wouldn't mind if Pilot borrowed this design for other pens as well.  At just $1.80/each, I have added the fine point to my own personal shipping station, and will probably try the extra fine and broad once they are back in stock.

Click here for the XL review.

Updated Top 5 Pens List

It is time to make a few updates to my Top 5 Pens list that I keep on the sidebar.  The Zebra Sharbo X remains strong at the top, but an old standby - the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto - has come charging back into the number two spot.  I ordered two limited edition Coleto barrels off of eBay which renewed my interest in that pen, and I have been using them a ton recently.

The Sharpie Pen RT, formerly at #5, no longer makes the cut.  I have had a bunch of trouble with the tip of the pen drying out, which the original never did.  I think I was a little too quick to rank that one, but I did just pick up the Sharpie Pen Grip, and it looks like an improvement.  Taking the final spot is a pen that keeps growing on me, and I find myself reaching for all of the time - the Uni-Ball Jetstream Basic Series 0.5mm Blue.  I love how fine and clean this pen writes, and is a great value for the price.

The full list:

1. Zebra Sharbo X

2. Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto

3. Uni-Ball Signo DX 0.38mm

4. Pentel Slicci 0.3mm

5. Uni-Ball Jetstream 0.5mm

Ink Links

-- Writing Implements. Rabbit's Foot. And a China Monkey.  (Palimpsest)

-- Rhodia 2010 Weekly Planner Giveaway #2  (Journaling Arts)

-- The Quo Vadis Habana Notebook  (Unposted)

-- My new favorite pen (for today...)  (The Blah, Blah, Blahg...)

-- Zebra Sharbo X Carbon Fiber Multi Pen  (Office Supply Geek)

-- Letts A6 Principal daily diary  (Plannerisms)

-- A Graf von Faber-Castell variant  (Pencil Talk)

-- The Sixth Carnival of Pen, Pencil and Paper  (Journaling Arts)

-- Lamy Design - From the Hammock  (Dave's Mechanical Pencils)

-- Doane Paper on the Bonobos blog  (Doane Paprer Feed)

-- MOLESKINE Passions Journals Revealed, Exhibition in 2010  (Scription)

-- Rhodia Stapled Notepad Pimped  (Trains, Pens, and Planners)

-- Featured Pen - Sheaffer Statesman Snorkel  (Whatever)

-- Staples Xeno Pen Hack  (Pocket Blonde)

-- Review: Diamine Brilliant Red Fountain Pen Ink  (Spiritual Evolution of the Bean)

-- The Pen That I Love  (Alsia Bonsignore)

-- User Review: CopyGuru on the New Rhodia Planner  (Rhodia Drive)

-- Which Pens Survived?  (Potentially Percipicacious)

-- the world is turning  (Andrea Joseph's Sketchblog)

-- John has successfully hacked the Zebra F-701  (The Pen Addict - comments section)