Uni-Ball Signo 207 Gel Pen Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold! This post contains affiliate links.)

Okay, look. Most of you probably already know the Uni-ball Signo 207, and if you don't know this pen, you should get to know this pen, and here's why.

Sometimes you just need to write something down.

I love all my fancy pens, but I love my basics, too. Gel pens were my gateway stationery to Pen Addict joy, and the Uni-Ball Signo is my favorite gel pen. Which is why, one morn a few weeks ago, I jokingly entered Brad's Twitch stream giveaway for this rainbow set of Signo 207’s. I rarely enter his giveaways, as I'm already spoiled, but I really do love these pens. He did say, upon seeing that I'd won them, that I would have to review them, but the joke's on him, because I already wanted to!

I'll start with my favorite thing about them. The ink. The Signo ink is archival--it's fade-proof, water-proof, and pigment-based, so it shows up bold even in light colors. And there are colors! This set comes in black, blue, light blue, green, orange, red, pink, and violet. Plenty of shades for practical use and for fun color-coded projects. You can even buy the ink refills (available in several tip sizes) to replace those you've inevitably used up, and the pen bodies are well-constructed enough to be refilled and reused.

The pen body is made from a sturdy, transparent plastic in the color of the ink it contains. That makes it easy to grab the color you want from a pen case. The clip is sturdy, but flexible enough to be useful. The click mechanism, which is charmingly in a bubble of colorful plastic, is substantial and satisfyingly fidgety. The white plastic (some models come in other colors) nose cone unscrews to access the refill.

The only pet peeve I have about this particular pen model is the grip. The textured rubber grip is, itself, great. But there's one section of it that's smooth, aligned with the clip. Sensory-wise, that lack of consistency drives me a bit crazy. The texture doesn't match, which is a distraction. Is that a nitpick? You betcha! But it's all I've got.

These pens are also on the more expensive side for gel pens, coming in at about $2 per pen, though price varies depending on where you look. That's not a lot compared to the snazzy pens that share my pen case, but it's more than many other gel pens out there. And worth it, in my opinion.

This is the pen I reach for when I need to write a check, sign a receipt, add some color to my planner, jot a super fast note, lend to a bystander, or do pretty much anything that I wouldn't do with a fountain pen. I particularly love the saturated color variety in this set, which ranges from business to neon--just like I do.

(Uni-ball North America provided these pens at no charge to The Pen Addict.)


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Posted on August 24, 2023 and filed under Uni-Ball, Signo, 207, Pen Reviews.

The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 578 - Business Crush It Vibes

Nope. No FOMO detected. None whatsoever. (Image via Eboya.)

This week, I don’t go to the San Francisco Pen Show. I still discuss it, longingly, going so far as to make a list of what I would do and who I would see upon arrival. Totally normal stuff, right?

Show Notes & Download Links

This episode of The Pen Addict is sponsored by:

Pen Chalet: Click the ‘podcast’ link at the top of the website and enter the password 'penaddict' for this week's special offer, and to get your code for 10% off.

Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door.

Posted on August 23, 2023 and filed under Podcast.

Maruman Reccer B7 Memo Pad Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

No matter what my favorite notebook or paper is at any given point of time, I always need a small notepad or notebook on my desk or wherever I'm hanging out. The most recent memo pad I've kept at my desk is the Reccer from Maruman. This B7 memo pad is small enough to fit anywhere, but just large enough for jotting down quick notes or sketches.

B7 isn't one of the more common sizes, so here's some specs. At just 67x132mm or 2.6x5.2 inches, you can easily throw this little pad in a pocket or bag when you are on the go, but it can also fit in just about any small space on your workspace. The paper is typical Maruman quality and weighs in at 70gsm. The paper is lined with 5.5mm spacing, and the lines alternate between solid and dotted. There aren't any page numbers or spaces for dates, titles, etc. All 50 sheets (100 pages) are perforated for easy removal.

The main reason this little memo pad has been such a hit for me is the paper quality. It's not terribly thick, but it handles ink incredibly well. The paper is smooth and provides a little feedback. There's also minimal show-through on the back side of the page, so both sides are completely usable. I'm really surprised by how little show-through there is for 70gsm paper. It feels and acts more like 80 or 90gsm. Not bad!

The twin spiral top binding is petite, but still strong. The diameter is large enough to make flipping through the pages easy. The bottom corners are rounded off so there aren't any sharp corners to snag on fabric. Overall, this memo pad is an exceptional tool to keep on your workspace, in your bag, or even on your person. It's versatile and easy to carry while also being just big enough to remain functional.

At just $3, the Maruman Reccer is also a great value. Since picking one up, I've learned that I need a few more to stash in different places.

(Vanness Pens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)


Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!

Posted on August 23, 2023 and filed under Maruman, Notebook Reviews.