Category: Notebooks & Pens

The Basics

Color: Black
Size: 0.7mm
Materials: Stainless steel with hard plastic grip
Feel: Light but sturdy

Summary

This is a great pen with a lot of shortcomings. First of all, it’s too short for my giant bear paws. Second, the ink is a bit light for my taste, appearing more as a faded black than the thick, powerful lines of the pens that I’m more accustomed to. That said, the Zebra F-301 has a great feel and looks like it means business, with a sort of old-school engineer type appearance.

Recommended?: Sure
Purchase: Amazon, $3.96 (2-pack)

The Basics

Color: Black
Size: 0.8mm
Materials: Plastic body and cap, metal clip
Feel: Very light

Summary

These pens look great, and they don’t write too bad at all. Like the uni-ball AIR, though, they smear easily. The Vision Elite are better in the regard than the AIR, but it’s still an issue. Despite this, the Vision Elite writes well, doesn’t bleed through, and doesn’t seem to fade.

Recommended?: Sure, I’d still rather buy an AIR.
Purchase: Walmart, $6.97 (3-pack)

The Basics

Color: Blue (Black and red also included in the pack I received)
Size: 0.7mm
Materials: Plastic body and cap
Feel: Light

Summary

I want to like this pen. The color is deep, and the stroke is broad enough without being too thick. My only issue is that it smears too easily and remains wet too long. It honestly writes really well. The issue, however, is that I’m clumsy and careless and end up with ink on my hands often. That said, if this isn’t something you struggle with, you’ll love this pen.

Recommended?: If you’re a careful writer.
Purchase: Amazon, $8.98 (3-pack)

The Basics

Color: Black/Blue (Green is ok, but I don’t care for the red ink.)
Size: 1.0M
Materials: Plastic body, rubber grip, metal clip and button
Feel: Moderate weight, feels “serious” without stifling the creative flow

Summary

I’ve been using the PaperMate InkJoy 700 RT for years! I use it for everything: grading papers, to-do lists, poetry, etc. The ink flow is strong, but these pens last forever! I even wrote a small ode to this pen when I changed out an old one for a new one. For just over a dollar each, these pens last me from nearly four to six months.

As far as the intangibles are concerned, this pen has the perfect weight and balance to it. The click spring is strong, and the sound is excellent. These pens help boost my creativity and make what I write feel official.

Recommended?: Yes! This is my favorite pen!
Purchase: Amazon, $5.29 (4-pack)

Sleek, durable, and surprisingly awesome for $6!

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