Review: Zebra Sarasa Clip 0.4mm Blue Black

Seeing this exact Zebra Sarasa Clip 0.4mm blue black gel ink pen kick of the Top 10 of 2009 series at Good Pens jarred my memory enough to realize I had one sitting in my backpack just waiting to be reviewed.  I've gone on record in the past about how much I like the Sarasa Clip line of pens, so putting this blue black model into heavy rotation was a no-brainer.

As the risk of redundancy, I'll repeat myself again:  this is an excellent pen.  One of the best bangs for the buck going in the pen market.  There is one issue though.  The Clip version of the Sarasa is not readily found on office supply store shelves, at least that I have seen.  The regular Sarasa models are everywhere, but not the Clip, and there is a definite difference in the way they perform.  The Clip seems to lay down that clean, crisp line that I like.  The regular Sarasa is just that - regular.  Don't get me wrong, it's a fine pen, it's just not the Clip.

The blue black ink is another thing I have been gravitating to more and more these days as well.  I still predominantly use black ink, but I think blue black has eclipsed standard blue as my number #2.  It is available in all of my favorite pens, and I just enjoy writing more when I use it.  And that is what it is all about.

Click here for the XL review.

Product Links:
Zebra Sarasa Clip 0.4mm Blue Black from JetPens.com
Large Idea Journal from Doane Paper

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