(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)
In a world that's absolutely full the brim with excellent gel ink, hybrid ballpoint, and fountain pens, it can be easy to look over the humble liquid ink rollerball category. This category isn't as full as its relatives, but there are some really strong contenders to take note of.
One I've been using quite a bit lately is the Tombow Zoom 505. I reviewed the standard model a few months ago, and I was impressed with the build quality and writing experience that the Zoom offered. Today is a similar review, but this one is a special Zoom 505 - the META in Hairline Black.
The shape and feel of the META is identical to the standard Zoom 505. That means it's very comfortable in the hand, it looks more premium than it costs, and the included refill is dark and crisp. The additional cost of the META, however, is due to the increase in material quality.
The Tombow Zoom 505 META features an anodized, brushed aluminum body and cap that is paired with a matte black brass section. The section is also covered in a luxurious rubber grip that makes using this pen a delightful thing.
To quickly recap, the META uses the same refill as the standard Tombow Zoom that I wrote about a few months ago. The refill contains a good portion of ink, comes in several sizes, is affordable, and is also available in black and blue. The refill that came with this META is a bit scratchy, but I'm confident that it's a one-off issue. I have a few other refills for the Tombow rollerball pens, and they don't have any issue with being scratchy. What they do all have in common, though, is the dark, crisp lines that they produce on paper. There's not much that's more satisfying than the lush dark lines that a liquid ink rollerball produces, and the META is no slouch. I love writing with this refill. While it's not the ubiquitous Schmidt P8126/7 refill that we all know and love, it's a pretty close second, and much more affordable to boot.
Now, getting into what makes this pen unique to the standard Zoom, the materials and aesthetic of this blacked-out edition is something I really enjoy. The black brushed aluminum is sleek but still professional. It has an unassuming look while also looking unique, which is a hard line to balance. The logo is a dark color as well, adding to the allure of the pen. When you see it on a desk, you're not really sure what it is, but you are certainly tempted to pick it up and use it for a bit.
The clip on the cap is really strong and also features a matte black finish to tie into the rest of the unassuming theme. Even the cone and grip section are blacked out. If you're a fan of that sick blacked-out look, this pen is entirely in your alley. The only non-black thing on this pen is the refill tip.
Uncapping and capping the pen is fairly easy as long as you line it up correctly. Since the grip section is a rubber material, it tends to stick and drag against the inside of the cap if there's too much of an angle. This isn't a big deal once you practice the motion a few times. Securing the cap on the pen produces a nice tactile "slide and bump" when it's in place, and pulling the cap off feels equally smooth. I can tell there's a specially-designed mechanism inside the cap that accepts the grip and cone perfectly, which means there's a good seal around the open refill when the pen is capped. This prevents it from drying out when it isn't being used.
The cap can also post on the back of the pen, but it produces a metal on metal feeling which puts me off. This isn't a big deal, but I can't help but cringe when I feel it, and I have to wonder if repeated use would leave any markings on the back of the pen body after a while.
Overall, writing with this pen is incredibly pleasing. The refill is crisp and dark, and the grip is cushy and comfortable while also providing a firm place for your fingers to rest while you write. The blacked-out aesthetic is definitely a perk with this model, but it doesn't have that cheesy "tactical" look that some all black products try to achieve. This pen is at home in a military-style bug-out bag, but it also looks equally at place in a suite pocket or leather folio.
At $33, the Tombow Zoom 505 META is a bit more expensive than the standard model, but that extra bit of cash is worth it for me. The all-black look is classy and awesome, and the matte aluminum materials are a big bump for the longevity of the barrel over the standard lacquered version. This makes a great gift or daily carry pen!
(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
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