Review: Zebra NuSpiral 0.5mm Mechanical Pencil

I'm not going to go as far as calling it a fatal flaw since we all see things through our own filters, but with my anal-retentive and sometimes overly picky views, I have a bad problem with the new Zebra NuSpiral mechanical pencil.  The grip area on this pencil is contoured, which is considered a feature of its ergonomic design.  This is a problem, because as all pencil users know, you need to rotate the pencil around as the lead flattens to maintain a sharp point.  That is all well and good, but don't design the grip so that it is made for only holding in one position.

If you couldn't tell, this is a big pet peeve of mine.  This particular grip is soft enough to where it is usable, but it is just too annoying to be rotating the pencil to get a sharp point and have your fingers end up on the ridge of the grip.  This design can work on a pen, but it is no help at all on a pencil.  Even the swirl of the barrel pokes you in the hand differently as you rotate it around because is is not cylindrical in design.

This pencil is part of the new product line for Zebra in 2010 and was provided to me by Zebra.  From what I am hearing, most of the new pens and pencil I have been reviewing from them will be on the shelves in early summer.  I was in Staples this week and haven't seen any yet, but I will keep an eye out and post when they are available.

Click here for the XL review.

Ink Links

-- Zebra Tect 2way 1000 0.5mm  (The Pen Collector)

-- I have a minor obsession with notebooks  (Lo-Fi, Hi-Fi Me)

-- Uniball Power Tank Smart Series Pen for Hot and Cold Weather  (Office Supply Geek)

-- Anyone tried the Uni-Ball Fanthom yet?  (Office Supplies News)

-- Drawing and Painting  (Drawing With A Squirrel)

-- The Exaclair Writers’ Project  (Quo Vadis Blog)

-- Review: Scribe Notebook  (Notebook Stories)

-- Muji Gel Ink RT (Steel Blue)  (Pocket Blonde)

-- The Dance of the Falcon  (Greasemonkeyhands)

-- New and improved Rhodia Webbie 3.0  (Rhodia Drive)

-- Paper Mate PhD Ultra Mechanical Pencil Review  (Dave's Mechanical Pencils)

-- bullet pencil prawn  (10engines)

-- Pentel Energel Alloy Retractable 0.7mm  (Pens'n'Paper)

Review: Uni-Ball Jetstream Color 0.5mm Orange

I broke out the pink last month, and as my friend the Office Supply Geek did earlier this week, it is time to break out the new-ish Uni-Ball Jetstream Color Series 0.5mm Orange pen.  Before you read any further, head on over and read his review if you haven't done so already.  Go on, I'll wait.

Done?

Ok good, because I pretty much agree with everything he says.  Like I mentioned in the pink review, if you have never used an 0.5mm Jetstream, you may be in for a bit of a surprise.  The line is obviously very fine, and a little scratchy.  I happen to love it, but if you are used to the smooth, free-flowing writing of the 1.0mm Jetstreams, this one is in a completely different area code.  My only wish for this pen is that the cartridges were made the same size as the traditional Jetstreams so that I could swap these cool colors out of the funky barrels they reside in.

The not so subtle "Love Goes Home to Paris in the Spring" by the Magnetic Fields gets my vote as one of the top breakup songs ever.  Lead singer Stephin Merritt is a bit of an acquired taste, but once the acquisition is complete, you are hooked for life.  Merritt has a great talent for songwriting, and I am a huge fan.  In fact, as the Office Supply Geek can attest to, I use the name "Magnetic Fields" for some of my fantasy baseball teams (I'm kicking his butt by the way :).  Enjoy the video below:

Click here for the XL review.