Review: Sharpie Pen Grip

I have been holding off reviewing the new Sharpie Pen Grip for a few weeks now in an effort to get some good quality writing time with it, and to avoid rushing to judgment about the pen and getting burned like I did with the Sharpie Pen RT.  The RT ended up being not so hot, with the tips on several of mine hardening up in a very short period of time.  Is the Grip the best of the bunch, or is it heading down the path of the RT?

First of all, what is different about this pen compared to the first two versions?  The Grip has just that - a rubber grip.  The original Sharpie Pen had no true grip area to speak of, and even had a very sharp edge around the grip area that was a problem for some people.  The RT, on the other hand, not only added a rubber grip, but based on the barrel diameter, almost made the grip too wide.  The Grip slimmed down the rubber grip area to a more traditional diameter, and the feel is just right (I feel like I am heading into Goldilocks and the Three Bears territory here).

The overall design of the Grip is excellent, with a torpedo shape that isn't as wide as the RT, and again more along traditional pen sizings.  The silver cap and butt end of the pen really pop against the molded black plastic barrel, which is a carryover from the RT, but a great improvement on the paint peeling barrel of the original.  The one thing I don't have nailed down with this pen yet is the feel.  It is so lightweight, yet balanced, it is like no other pen I have tried.  It's almost like you are holding a piece of balsa wood or solid foam to write with.  It is kind of neat, but I can't help but think about the weight of the pen every time I pick it up.

So which is the best Sharpie Pen of the three?  I can tell you which one it isn't - the Sharpie Pen RT.  But I think I still need more time with the Sharpie Pen Grip to see if it can oust the original Sharpie Pen from the top spot.

Click here for the XL review.

Review: Tombow OnBook Clip Friendly Ballpoint Pen

It is the simple things in life that make me happy, and if you couldn't tell by now, a good pen is one of them.  Especially when one that I had zero expectations for really shines.  The Tombow OnBook Clip really impressed me with its comfort, smooth writing, and functionality.

This pen is marketed as a portable pen, made to be attached to a notebook, journal, calendar, or any paper product of your choice when not in use.  When I initially ordered it, I was expecting not to like the flat side of the pen (JetPens calls it "slightly triangular"), but when I tested it out, I was happy that it was very comfortable to write with.  My thumb sat perfectly on the flat side, with my index and ring finger resting nicely on the rounded side of the barrel.

As always, what good is a great looking pen without it performing well when put to the test.  This is another area where I was pleasantly surprised with the Tombow OnBook Clip.  If you check out the XL photo link below, you will see how solid and clean the black ballpoint ink is.  Nary a glob of ink or white streak to be found.  It also didn't take much pressure to put the line down, which is a problem I have with some ballpoints.

Did I mention the barrel color is Cocoa Brown?  I couldn't really pass that up, now could I?  I am very pleased with this pen, with my only minor quibble being the button to retract the ink cartridge.  You click the cap down to expose the cartridge, but then have to click the button on the barrel to retract it back in.  No big deal, but kind of pointless.  I can't tell you how many times I have tried to click the top of the pen to retract it so far.  I'm finally coming around to pushing the button though.

JetPens has much better photos than I could muster of the pen attached to a planner, so check out the full gallery right here.

Click here for the XL review.

Ink Links

-- Redcircle “mixed color” leads  (Bleistift)

-- Should We Just Get Rid of Handwriting?"  (Moleskinerie)

-- BIC Rondo Mechanical Pencil  (Dave's Mechanical Pencils)

-- Review: Monologue and Dialogue Notebooks by Grandluxe  (Notebook Stories)

-- A Few of My Favorite Things  (Pocket Blonde)

-- New Pencil in the Stable  (Dog eat Doug)

-- Top 5 Pens  (The Pen Archives)

-- User Review: Gail Young on the Exacompta Exafolio  (Rhodia Drive)

-- Pentel Roller Ball Pens  (My Supply Room)

-- Derwent Pencils: Charcoal and Drawing  (Palimpsest)

-- Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen Review  (Coffee-Stained Memos)

-- Quo Vadis Habana Journal  (Trains, Pens, and Planners)

-- Moleskine 0.00 Night Limited Edition Notebook  (Inkyjournal)

-- Inside Your Sharpie Pen  (Office Supply Geek)

-- Review: DAKS Simpson Slim Blue Fountain Pen  (The Pen Chronicles)

-- Staedtler WOPEX pencil review  (Pencil Talk)