Review: Pentel Hybrid Gel Grip DX Craft Pen 1.0mm Metallic Red

The Pentel Hybrid Gel Metallic is not a pen I would normally purchase or use frequently, but after recently reviewing the Pentel Slicci Metallic Gel Ink pen, I figured what the heck.  I really didn't spend much time with it prior to doing the written review, nor have I spent that much time with it after, but even during that short time I could tell this is a nice pen.

The metallic pens are definitely a niche item, targeted at scrapbookers and other crafty types, so I'm definitely not the target market for this pen.  What I can tell you is that this is a well made pen that performs exactly as it should.  The barrel design is very solid - quite similar to the Pentel Energel.  In fact, this pen is just like a more glittery Energel, and that is a big compliment.

While I may not get a lot of use out of this pen, my wife will be all over it, especially come Christmas this year.

Click here for the XL review.

Product Links:
Pentel Hybrid Gel Grip DX Craft Pen 1.0mm Metallic Red from JetPens
Doane Paper Writing Pad from Doane Paper

Review: TUL Medium Ballpoint

My first TUL pen disappointment.  As great as this pen looks, and as great as the other gel ink TUL pens I have tested perform, the TUL ballpoint just isn't up to snuff.  To make matters worse, the pen barrel is coated with a micro-thin layer of rubber - something other brands of pens do as well - but this one is not good.

I had only recently purchased this pen, pulled it out to write a few lines, said "hmm, not bad", and filed it away in my pen case where I keep the group of pens that I need to review.  When it came time to review it a couple of days later, I removed it from my pen case only to find it coated in lint from the case.  Mind you, this is not a lined pen case, nor did any other pen have lint on it at all, despite the fact they were in there weeks longer than the TUL.  As unfair as it might be, the lint incident totally skewed my perception of this pen.

Since I really couldn't get the barrel cleaned up, I was pretty annoyed when writing with it.  As I mentioned in the written review, the grip is the best part of the pen.  It is just a basic rubber grip, but much superior to the grips on the gel ink TULs.  The diameter is also a bit smaller than the gel, but it still a decent width.  If you absolutely have to have a ballpoint TUL, then go for it - it writes decently enough.  I am far too anal to even try it again.

Click here for the XL review.

Reader Mailbag: Wedding Pen Help!

Pen Addict reader Melanie will be walking down the aisle in the near future, and is looking for help in picking out a pen for her guest book.  For such an important task, I thought it would be best to toss it out to Pen Addict readers for suggestions.  Here are the details:

I'm getting married and am looking for a pen for my guest book.  I want an archival quality black pen, quick drying, that will be easy for guests to write with (won't skip), and looks nice on the outside, too (classy, solid black if possible).  I'd prefer not to pay *too* much money for it.  Most important is that the ink won't bleed or fade over the years.

Any suggestions?

Alright readers - any ideas for Melanie?  Let's hear them in the comments section.