pen 141: eberhard-faber felt tip pen

while i would like to say that i had an amazing story to go along with today's pen, the truth is that last week i voted, and the pen i was using may or may not have somehow found it's way into my pocket unnoticed, only to be or not to be discovered later that day.

see, i have this problem, i tend to walk off with pens without noticing. it's not that i'm trying to steal, but that i pretty much always have a pen on my person and putting one in my pocket is as second nature as, say, locking the door to one's dwelling or vehicle. it is completely auto pilot.

i also wish i could say that this pen was worthy of the risk the state of California's ire and possibly broke some overreaching law, but it isn't

this pen is a medium, felt tipped pen. it doesn't stand out in any way, i could be used for inking, or writing, it is on the lighter side of black in terms of value, but it is a one value type pen. i am not generally a big fan of felt tipped pens, they seem to wear out rather quickly, they can bleed and, in this case, was not sealed properly for a few hours and dried out completely. i probably could have spent a little time and water, and see if i could get this pen back to drawing shape, but when it is all said and done, i could just as soon used one of the many pen 43 paper-mate flair's that i don't particularly care for but seem to reproduce while i am out of the office. seriously where the hell are those coming from?

pricing:

amazon.com: 

$13.00+s/h (twelve pens)

websites:

www.eberhardfaber.de (pen not listed)

www.amazon.com

what they say:

amazon.com

• Ultra-durable point.
• Water-based ink.
• Large ink reservoir.
• Pack of 12

pen 136: infinity permanent marker

today's pen is the infinity permanent marker. this pen is analogous to the sharpie fine point permanent marker sharing a few common features and fill the same roles.

to begin, both pens are permanent, the infinity doesn't have the same kind of bleed as the sharpie, not noticeable in the bleed out, and minimal on bleeding though the page. like the sharpie it has a felt tip that starts out with a god tip but  wears down to a blunt nub with very little use. these pens are not sold separately, at least not that i've found, so if you want one, you more or less have to buy a set, which range in different size groups at different prices. there are around 26 colors, which is a good selection of color, thoughtful too as there are colors one might not expect to see in the lower end marker brands.

lastly they smell funny, like formaldehyde - it reminds me of what the morgue smelled like in anatomy class when we went to the medical college to draw... well parts of human bodies.

overall i would say that these pens are so close to being sharpies that i would recommend that you just buy a sharpie. if you have kids and don't really care how they are used or treated, these might be a good pen for that.



pricing:
wallgreens (retail): $11.99
boarddudes.com: $18.99+s/h (26 pens)

website:
www.boarddudes.com

what they say:

With unrivaled design and technology, these acid-free Infinity permanent markers add vivid brightness, making anything you write pop off the page. Triangular grips allow your fingers to use less pressure while writing – promoting great control and amazing comfort.  This ultimate value pack includes 26 bold colors including Neon and Metallic markers, making it perfect for note taking, drawing, letter writing or even creative scrapbooking.   

Key Features:
• Ultimate Color Pack includes 26 bold, bright, neon and metallic colors
• Triangular grip for comfortable writing
• Heavy-duty clip won't snap off
• Durable, acrylic tip design delivers long-lasting, permanent ink
• Writes clearly on light and dark surfaces
• Quick drying, acid-free, and fade resistant–ideal for scapbooks, arts & crafts, school projects, and more
• Quality Guarantee

pen 130: sanford 20/20

today's pen is the sanford 20/20 easy-to-read felt tip poster marker.

having never heard of this pen before in my life i was curious, it was labeled "easy-to-read" i figured it would be a good fine tipped pen that would be useful for inking.

i was wrong.

this pen has a felt tip that has little firmness, it has a soft inconsistent line and is a poor second to other brush tipped pens i've reviewed here. the ink doesn't bleed out or through and is not all that dark, it kind of seems like someone created this pen to sell to people like me who don't know any better, and the medical profession.


when you consider this pen is made by the parent company of sharpie and paper mate pens it makes me wonder why this pen was created in the first place. this is a dark stain on the rubbermaid corporation.

i am considering melting this pen with a lighter after i finish typing this, i hate it so much.

to the point... the 20/20? don't bother.

pricing:

placerville news company (retail):around $3

amazon.com:$9.95 (single pen) +s/h

www.visionaidsystems.com

$1.93 (single pen) +s/h
websites:

www.amazon.com
www.visionaidsystems.com

what they say: 
amazon.com

• Dries almost instantly
• Designed to not bleed through paper
• Bold tip makes reading and writing easier to see
• Useful for many tasks
• Perfect for someone with low vision

pen 129: sharpie stained

much like pen 95, today's pen, the sharpie stained is a brush pen that allows you to lay ink down on paper with the flexibility of a brush as opposed to the standard plastic and felt tipped versions that we all love and know so well.

as i mentioned in yesterday's review, the sharpie stained brush tip pen is the the latest step in pen evolution, the liquid ink is dark, flows flawlessly, doesn't bleed, while the brush tip allows for lovely organic lines. the brush also allows for line width variation, much like a paint brush and is capable of filling in large areas of black while still being useful when inking detail, especially on medium and larger format pieces.

while i don't usually this pen as a drawing pen, i do use them for inking, and most importantly, this pen can ink over acrylic and latex paint without drying out the tip, something that happens with most of the permanent markers that i've used for inking detail on paintings.

the only downside to this pen is that i can't seem to find individual pens for sale. as an inking pen, i really only need black, and i've had to buy two sets of four pack assorted colors for the on pen that i wanted out of the quartet. still, this is the only pen that i have found that can draw on any surface with no issues whatsoever, aside from using these pens so often that i have gone through several pens in that last year or so.

still, i highly recommend this pen, it is extremely useful and is a wonderful tool to have in any pen drawer, coffee mug  or pencil box.

i love this pen so much that if you buy one and are unhappy with the results, i will trade you an original drawing for the pen.

pricing:

wallmart: (retail)
$5-$6 (4 pens)

target.com: 
$9.95 (8 pens) +s/h

website:
www.sharpie.com
www.target.com

what they say:

sharpie.com

• You Stain it, You Own it.
• Brush tip fabric markers let you start a line of your own design.
• Developed for optimal performance on most fabric surfaces.
• Fabric ink. Brush tip.
• Available in eight vibrant, bold colors.
• Wash without worries. Ink resists fading on most fabrics.

target.com

• Make your mark on the world with Stained fabric markers. Developed by Sharpie, these permanent markers have 8 bright colors that are designed to work on most fabric surfaces. Your creative doodles will be fade-resistant during most normal washing cycles, so draw your creations without worry.
• Style and color assortment may vary
• Number of Pieces: 8
• Ink Color: Green, Blue, Red, Orange, Pink, Purple, Black
• Features: Fadeproof, Durable Tip, Quick Drying, Contoured Grip
• Manufacturer's Suggested Age: 5 Years and Up
• Dimensions: 7.25 " L x 7.65 " W

128: liquid sharpie

i wish i could remember where and when i bought this pen, i'm fairly sure it was back in college and that would suggest that i would have gotten it at walgreens or rite aid.

as near as i can figure this pen has been discontinued, or perhaps, rather that i evolved into the current stained brush tipped sharpie pen line.

i was unable to find anything about these pens after a quick check around the internet, that it would be discontinued, well, that doesn't surprise me, it seems that they always discontinue the best pens.

go figure.

this particular sharpie seems like it was a missing link between the traditional sharpie and the newer models that use ink that is bleed free and brush tip liquid ink pens that work really well for painting on all sorts of different materials.

the liquid sharpie has a solid body, a window to the ink reservoir, a slightly stubby version of the fine point tip, and smells more like rubbing alcohol than the chemically smell we all love about our sharpies.

the ink doesn't bleed the same way the standard pens do and it seems to go on smoother, giving the lines a nice velvety look.

if you have a chance to buy one of these pens, do so... buy two actually and send one to me, i'll send you a drawing in return.


pricing: n/a

website: n/a

what they say: n/a

pen 127: sharpie super twin tip

 today's pen is the bigger version of yesterday's twin tip sharpie. the sharpie super twin tip does not leap tall buildings, outrun a bullet or have x-ray vision, but at two dollars, you do get a nice larger fine tip and chisel pen for around half the cost of buying them separately.  like pretty much every sharpie i've talked about on this blog, these pens are well made, dark, prone to bleeding and are priced to ensure that running out of ink and having to buy a replacement won't break your wallet. so the benefits are similar to yesterday's, it is two pens in one, makes for less to carry around, and the drawbacks are more or less non-existent, at least in terms of the twin tip feature, the usual drawbacks for sharpies do do apply as it is just the nature of these pens.

all in all i am happy with this pen, and have used more than a few of these up over the years and still i go back for more.

as far as this pen being something that i would recommend... yes, yes , oh, and yes. buying this pen is money well spent.

pricing:

target:
(retail) around $2 (single pen)

staples.com: 
$2.49+s/h (single pen)
$6.79+s/h (three pens black, blue, and red )

website(s):
www.sharpie.com
www.staples.com

what they say:

sharpie:

Two tips in one.

• Increased functionality with both Fine and Chisel tips in one marker
• Permanent on most surfaces
• Fade and water resistant ink encourages multiple project uses
• Quick-drying ink
• Large ink supply extends product life
• AP certified nontoxic formula
• 3 assorted colors to make your marking unique

staples.com

• Features a fine point for thin, detailed lines on one end and a chisel tip for both broad and fine line widths on the other end
• Durable, long lasting points allow you to write on almost any surface
• Set of 3 markers include 1 each of: black, blue, red
• Features a fine point for thin, detailed lines on one end and a chisel tip for both broad and fine line widths on the other end
• Durable, long lasting points allow you to write on almost any surface

pen 126: sharpie twin tip permanent marker

today's pen, the sharpie twin tip permanent marker, is the perfect pen when you have limited space and need different sized marker that are easily available for use, two pens in one?

 genius.

this pen basically basically speaks for itself, it is a fine and an ultra fine sharpie all in one. these are great for when you are on the go, in your pocket. in your purse or backpack, or glove compartment. 
these have an added benefit of easily swapping between the two without the digging around for the other. 

other than that, this pen performs just as well as the two individual pens it replaces. if you find yourself going back and forth on between these pens often, you might want to look into checking this pen out.

so yes, awesome pen, i recommend.

pricing:

target.com: 
$5.97 (three pens) +s/h

amazon.com: 
$0.01 and up (single pen) +s/h

$14.94 and up (twelve pens)+s/h

websites:
www.sharpie.com
www.target.com
www.amazon.com

what they say:

sharpie.com:

Dual degrees of precision.

• Increased functionality with both Fine and Ultra Fine tips in one marker
• Permanent on most surfaces
• Fade and water resistant ink encourages multiple project uses
• Quick-drying ink
• AP certified nontoxic formula
• 10 assorted colors to make your marking unique

target .com

• Number of Pieces: 3
• Ink Color: Black
• Features: Durable Tip, Water Resistant, Quick Drying, Pocket Clip
• Dimensions: 3.8 " L x 7.4 " W

amazon.com

• Experience two markers in one with the revolutionary twin tip permanent marker
• Features a fine point tip for thin, detailed lines on one end and an Ultra Fine point tip for even more precise writing on the other end
• Quick-drying ink is waterproof, smear proof and fade-resistant
• AP certified non-toxic
• 1 Black Marker

pen 125: sharpie rub-a-dub fine point fabric pen

there was a time when, if you wanted to write on your shirt, or shoes, or backpack, your choices were pretty limited, especially on things that would be washed on a regular basis. these awesome alterations to your wardrobe were short lived, at best, and required constant touching up to keep it nice and dark, eventually the designs would fade and it just looked old and cheap and meh.

today's pen, the sharpie rub-a-dub fabric marker, has kinda changed that.

this pen is basically a sharpie fine point pen that was specifically made to be used on fabric, somehow they figured out a solution to the pen snagging on the fabric and creating irregular lines and blots where the fabric bunched up under the tip, this is even more noticeable when using the pen on paper,
it has a very smooth glide. the ink seems to stand up to the rigors of machine washing, at least better than the regular counterpart, and is basically identical in pretty much every other way.

if you are going to be working with fabric, i would say that you should get one of these pens as opposed to the regular model. they rent really all that expensive and they do seem to work way better with those types of mediums.

so yes, i like.

pricing:

wallmart.com: around $2.47 (two pens) +s/h
amazon.com: $1.34 and up (single pen) +s/h

website(s):
www.sharpie.com
www.walmart.com
http://www.amazon.com

what they say:

sharpie:

You'll be glad it all doesn't come out in the wash. None of it does, in fact.

• Marks permanent on cloth
• Perfect for marking fabrics and synthetics
• Stays permanent through washing and dry cleaning

wallmart

• Pre-Consumer Recycled Content Percent [Nom]: 0 pct
• Post-Consumer Recycled Content Percent [Nom]: 0 pct
• Total Recycled Content Percent [Nom]: 0 pct
• Global Product Type: Markers-Permanent
• Tip Type: Fine
• Compliance, Standards: AP Certified Nontoxic
• Marker Type: Permanent
• Ink Types: Non-Washable

amazon:

Permanent on cloth&mdashink stays through washing and dry cleaning. Great for marking clothing, camping gear and bedding. Durable fine-point tip produces thin, detailed lines. Marker Type: Permanent Color(s): Black.Unit of Measure : Pack

pen 124: sharpie mini fine point

so what is with this tiny pen i've been seeing on people's keychains? it's today's pen, the  sharpie mini fine point permanent marker, that's what.

i have own a few of these little wonders, they are roughly half the size of the regular fine point marker, but boast the same sized tip. these pens are useful in that they are more or less wearable, are discreet, and performs the same as it's larger counterpart.

so yeah, instead of repeating myself from yesterday, i suggest that you look at the sharpie fine point from yesterday, everything i talked about there applies to this pen as well.

as a person who tends to carry a mobile office around with me, the size and portability of this pen appeals to me. i tend to have a pen on me at all times, however, for those that i haven't, this pen, attached to my keychain saved me from having to memorize names, numbers, etc.

the one drawback to this pen is the detachable tip clip. i have nearly lost this pen more than a few times, and it was just luck that i noticed it. i have solved that little problem by crazy gluing the tip clip to the cap of the marker and so far this seems to have solved that minor flaw in this pen's design.

since these things are as good as the original, and inexpensive, i recommend anyone who likes working with sharpies look into getting one of your own.

pricing: 

wallgreens (retail) $.99 (single pen)
amazon.com: around $1.99 (single pen) and up.
websites: 

www.sharpie.com
http://www.amazon.com

what they say: 

sharpie.com

• Eye-catching mini markers in funky fashion patternsTake it anywhere for tasks on the go
• Cap clip easily attaches to key chains, golf bags, lanyards and more
• Permanent on most surfaces
• Quick-drying ink
• AP certified nontoxic formula
• 8 bold colors

amazon.com

• Portable fine tip marker in half the size
• Take it anywhere for tasks on the go
• Cap clip easily attaches to key chains, golf bags, lanyards and more
• Permanent on most surfaces, Quick drying
• Lenth: 3 1/2 inches

pen 123: sharpie fine point permanent marker

okay, so this is kind of embarrassing, today's pen, the sharpie fine point permanent marker, is a pen whose review is long overdue. part of the reason that it has taken so long to get here is that i assumed that i had reviewed this pen way back in the beginning. this pen is such an important part of my "artistic tool box" that i use it practically everyday. i guess it was hiding in plain sight.

the sharpie fine point marker is a solidly constructed pen, it is made of durable plastic, the clip on the cap is not easily broken, the tip is a fiber tip that comes to a nice fine point. these pens bleed, through and out, there is almost an "art" to drawing or inking with these pens, where you have to anticipate the bleed and make it work to your advantage. while this pen can be used for detail, i mainly use these for outlining, inking over pencils or working larger format pieces. i have noticed that these pens lose their tip pretty fast, even when pressing lightly these pens will get dull, historically i have found that i have gotten around three of four uses out of them before i retire them to inking large area fill pens, where the blunted tip isn't so much of an issue.

these pens tend to last fairly long, and this is really the only pen that i have used to the point of bleeding it dry on a consistent basis. the saving grace of these pens is that it is a well made pen that costs next to nothing to buy and can be found everywhere.

this pen is perhaps one of the most versatile pens that i have used. they will draw on nearly everything any surface and even over acrylic for a short amount of time, for whatever reason drawing over dry acrylics tent to dry the tip out pretty fast.

overall, this is a great pen, if you are looking for a jack of all trades that won't break your wallet, this pen is the pen to use.

pricing: 

price range varies, these pens are also available at dollar tree, for example.

sharpie.com 
$1.45 (single pen)+s/h
$6.99 (five pens) +s/h

website:
www.sharpie.com

what they say:
sharpie:

• The original pen style permanent marker.
• The Industry Standard
• Permanent on most surfaces
• Fade and water resistant
• Quick-drying ink AP certified nontoxic formula
• 25 assorted colors to make your marking unique

pen 121: bic mark it super duty 4x4 grip

today's pen is the robust bic mark it super duty 4x4 grip (tank) permanent marker. i don't remember exactly when and where i bought this, i know it was while i was living in san francisco while i was in college, and i think i might have gotten it at a walgreens or rite-aid as they were two of the closest stores to that apartment. as for how much i spent on it, again, i don't remember, but i can't see myself spending more than $6. what i do remember is that i loved this pen, i loved i so much that, while it lasted a good six years, at the time of this review, i basically ran it into the ground. sadly, this pen is dead.

i have looked for this pen off and on over the years and have yet to find another, the only reason that i don't think that it was discontinued is that it lists the pen as available on the bic website. i have tried amazon and, well amazon and was able to find only one for sale, and that was used... and green.

so, the body is incredibly tough, it's made from a solid plastic body, covered with a thick rubber grip, it comes in two different tip types, bullet and chisel. the years of heavy use eventually took their toll, the tip was more or less a mop like brush  than a bullet, but then i consider all of the things that i had done with it, writing on cardboard, textured walls, textured canvas, on acrylics, and i'm pretty sure that this was the pen that Brian K. Vaughn used to sign my backpack and deodorant... there was a lot of drinking involved in that story.  anyway, i cant complain about the tip wear, i'm pretty sure lesser pens would have been exiled to the trash bin years before. 

the ink is dark, fully saturated black, with no real range of value, it's another one of those: "all or nothing" pens that i seem to gravitate towards, and it will write on pretty much anything. this pen is suited for heavy duty jobs, marking lumber, sheet metal, labeling things like moving boxes or drawing phallic shapes and dirty words on your friends faces when they pass out at parties. seriously though this pen is a workhorse. i've used it on canvas, news print, bristol board and many other things and every time it has gotten the job done, and the pen is permanent... it will not fade away anytime soon.

the only down side to this pen is that it doesn't seem be sold anywhere, at least around where i live, anymore. the thought occurred to me that they might carry these pens at home depot or lowes - ill be visiting those stores this weekend in search for a replacement to that valiant pen that served its purpose and then some. 

rest easy my kind and faithful friend, i will see you on the other side.

pricing: around $6? (1 pen)

website:
www.bicworld.com



what they say:

The permanent marker for the user who demands superior performance

Built tough for any situation! Neat, consistent lines: first time, every time.

Features:

• Full-length grip for maximum comfort and control
• “Tool like” barrel design
• Permanent alcohol-based ink. Fade and water-resistant ink
• Available in bullet nib (line width 2.4mm) and chisel tip (line width 3mm/5.7mm)
• Alligator clip helps the marker stay secure when attached to clothing, clip boards, etc.
• Quick drying

This product is available in:
Europe, North America, Oceania, Central America and Asia

pen 108: sharpie retractable fine point permanent marker

wow, yes, today's pen is another fine example of the quality of pen that sharpie makes.

this pen is more or less the same as the regular fine point sharpie, aside from the lack of a cap the only other difference between them is that the retractable tip is a slightly different shape.

so yeah, it's a sharpie, and with that it is safe to say that it is a fine pen. the lack of cap is nice, the ink is dark, little to no range in value - it either is or isn't, it bleeds, out and through the paper so be aware of that, but aside from the bleed this pen is clean, the ink dries quickly, has a consistent line quality, does not skip or stutter. the only thing i can think of  that i  can complain about is that the tips of these pens, and this is pretty much true of all of sharpie pens, they really seem to have a handful of uses before the tip is worn down and blunted, after this happens the only thing they are really good for is filling in areas of black and line work that isn't extremely detail.

the last thing that i's going to mention here is that these pens retail around 

$3 a pen, and they come in packages of two, three, eight and twelve pens - the last one contains all available colors .

while i'm not head over heels about this particular pen, i will say that it gets the job done and definitely worth the peace of mind knowing that the cap has fallen off with the pen in your pocket, backpack or purse. as fars as would i recommend this pen to others? maybe - depending on what their need is. other than that i would just as soon use a less expensive sharpie fine point.

website:

www.sharpie.com

what they say:

Forget about a cap ... just click and write.

• No cap to remove or lose
• Retractable marker for easy one-handed operation
• Safety Seal™ valve design helps prevent dry out
• Ultra Fine point for precise marking and writing
• Permanent on most surfaces
• Quick-drying ink AP certified nontoxic formula
• 3 bold colors to make your point

pen 95: sharpie brush tip

available in 12 colors, this pen answers the age old question, what would it be like to paint with a sharpie permanent marker. the answer, awesome.

these pens are yet another example of sharpie quality and versatility. the brush tip puts down a fully saturated line, and with a flexible yet firm (the tip is not as inflexible as the standard fine tipped pen) brush making things like fine detail and line width variation a snap. the ink has little value range, again all or nothing, but the tip allows shading in terms of stipple, hatching or crosshatching. 

the brush tip makes for some fun experimentation, and can push the artist in terms of creative uses, these pens would be good for inking over pencils, detail in watercolor or acrylic paintings, contour and gesture drawings, the latter two even more so if you are working in a larger format. the flexibility of the tip really lends itself to drawing organic subjects. yes, it is a bit funny that i say that considering that i drew a robot as the example, i did this because the original was actually 10 inches tall, and i was testing the saturation and fill potential of the pen, i was pleased with the results. 

these pens are available as stand alone pens in larger big box office supply stores, in packs of four and twelve colors and of course, everywhere online. i personally bought the four pack at wall-mart for around $6 - the 12 pack was around $10, i didn't really want any of the colors other than black so i stuck with the less expensive option.

the only problem i have with these pens is that the tip is not all that durable, and like the traditional fine point marker, has only a few uses in detail work before becoming a filler pen for large areas of color or black or whatever.

so yeah, its a sharpie, nuff said - go get one.

website:
www.sharpie.com

what they say:

One Tip. Plenty of Tricks.

• Create fine lines, bold strokes and shading
• Control the width of your lines - thick or thin - with the pressure of your hand
• Make your ideas permanent on almost any surface
• Create with brightly colored, fade- and water-resistant ink
• Quick-drying ink AP certified nontoxic formula
• 12 assorted colors to make your marking unique

pen 93: pentel sign pen

today's the pen, the pentel sign pen is one of those pens that seem to have been around for as long as i can remember, i remember as a child visiting my grandparents house and having these old crusty nearly dry pens mixed in among the broken crayons in the art box. 

some of these pens finer points (sorry, bad pun) are that  can last a long time, they are great for filling in large areas of black, or whatever color, they ink over pencil - the darker colors have better results and seem to have no trouble writing on dry paint, a feat that tends to baffle sharpie pens at times. the ink has no range of value, it's all or nothing and the ink does not really bleed, either out or through.

at around $1-$2 a pen and available in 12 colors these pens can be a great investment, especially if you want or need to have an odor-free alternative to the sharpie. really the only negatives about this pen is that the ink will stain your hand as you use it (especially if its hot and you're sweating, it happens, light tables generate heat), and if you aren't careful you can damage the tip by pressing too hard; however this is not really all that important unless you are doing fine detail work, and really there are better choices for that type of work anyway.

website:
www.pentel.com

what they say:

pentel:

• Celebrating 50 years of Sign Pen - The Original Fiber Tipped Pen!
• Perfect for general writing, drawing, doodling and adding character to any signature
• Bright & intense water-based ink is perfect for anytime you put ink to paper
• Snap-fit cap prevents the extra-durable tip from drying out when not in use
• Part of the Recycology™ line of products and made of 80% recycled plastic (Black, Red, Blue and Green only)
• Non-refillable

amazon:

• Fine point, 0.7 mm
• Quick-drying ink prevents smudges
• Durable fiber tip will allow ink to spread more like medium point pen
• Bright vivid colors
• Water-based ink is perfect for writing and drawing
• Pen contains 80% recycled content

blick:

• The Pentel Arts Sign Pen is ideal for artists — or anyone who enjoys drawing and sketching.
• Available in two tip types, the brush tip pen features smooth-flow
  ing, water-based dye ink, and the fiber tip pen features permanent pigment ink that is acid-free, fade-proof, and water-resistant. Both have a secure snap-fit cap to prevent them from drying out.
• Pentel Sign Pens are part of Pentel's Recycology line of products and contain 80% recycled plastic.
• AP Non-Toxic.

pen 87: inc optimus fine point pen

today i'm going with the inc optimus fine point pen. these pens are available at the dollar store in packs of two, and in black or blue ink. the tips are felt, which kind of surprised me, having used them before looking at their specs, i would have thought that the nib would be a permeable plastic tip of some sort, i guess what i'm saying is that the tip is firm and a bit of a surprise, in that, what this particular event has reaffirmed that you don't always have to spend a lot of money on pens, these dollar store pens really hold their own.

to start with, this pen reminds me of the le pen i reviewed back in post 26, the pilot razor back in  post 42, and almost but not quite the sharpie ultra fine point back in post. really though the winner out of any comparison would be to the sharpie pen stylo  in post 34.
the ink is dark, full saturation is usually achieved with one pass of the pen, this does mean that it has a very limited range value between black or white, this pen is probably best used for things like crosshatching or whatever for shading. the pen has consistent flow, is clean - it dries super fast, inks over pencil lines and fairly good glide. this pen would be great for blind contour or contour drawing, detail work over washes, watercolors, acrylics, or just plain sketching or inking the ink has no noticeable bleed or smell and that is a plus that these pens have over the sharpie. another plus is that it looks nice, i think it would be hard to pick it out as the cheap pen when set next to a variety of other pen brands, its pretty snazzy.

i think that i should mention now that after buying a two pack at the dollar store, i went back the next day and purchased several more  packs of these pens, i like them that much, and at $.50 a pen i will probably go back and buy a few more, these pens are that good.

the last thing i'm going to mention here is that the sharpie pen stylo retails between $3-$10 depending on where you buy one, so that's p


otentially 6-20 pens that work just as well for the same amount, i think that alone should make you stop for a moment and think about that. these pens are really one of the best deals that i have found at the dollar tree.

websites:
peachtree playthings

dollar tree

what they say:

Fine strokes in deep black and blue ink are perfect for everything from taking notes to signing checks! Each pen features felt tips and bleed-free ink. Great item for offices, schools, churches, bookstores, and resale. Case includes 36 – 2-ct. packs of inc.® Optimus felt tip pens with caps assorted between packs of black pens with black in, and packs of blue pens with blue ink.

pen 83: jot permanent marker chisel tip

today's pen is a transitional pen that bridges the chisel tipped event and heralds the wonders that can be found at the local dollar store.

the jot permanent marker chisel tip comes in a package containing two markers, bringing the price down to around $.50 a pen, this would be a great price if the pen was a quality pen - sadly, it is not.

while the producing company got the aesthetics of the marks-a-lot body style (which i suspect actually all the surplus pre-redesign of the marks-a-lot.) the similarities really end there.

to begin with the bitching and moaning... the durability: the body is solid, tough plastic that can survive things like wedged in them in a window to keep the glass pane from closing all the way, can be useful in sculpting due to its cylindrical shape and the odd sized cap can be used for odd detail. the cap also stays where it is supposed to be which is nice because the in will wreck your self if you don't check (the pen) yourself, yo. but these things are true of the marks-a-lot.

also, like the marks-a-lot, the pen bleeds, both seepage and through the page, especially on thinner paper, and the felt tip wears down even faster than the brand name version. also, i noticed that theses pens dry out insanely fast, granted, i used these pens rather heavily for the examples but i haven't had not only one but two brand new pens die on me for one of these reviews, as is the case here. the last thing that i feel i should mention is the smell of the ink. as you probably know mostly all of the pens in the permanent marker family have a strong and distinct odor, that to me is not always unpleasant, and unfortunately that is not the case with this pen. it is pretty vile and probably, doing irreparable damage to my body, brain and on some sort of molecular level, and any money you might save by skimping on this marker is going to be offset buy the price of a filter mask, respiratory inconvenience and possible super-cancer... okay, so i'm not a doctor and i really can't say that any of that last part is true (except that you might want to look into a nice filter mask - handy things those.)  the only thing that i would use these pens for is writing on signs, student government posters, lost dog/cat fliers, chemical warfare and moving boxes - anything that you dot really care about but need to do and you don't want to waste the money on a quality pen that's going to be destroyed by the first time it's used.

i do not recommend this pen at all. do not buy it and burn any that you might come across in life. it is evil.

evil i say, pure stinky evil!

pen 82: sharpie king size chisel tip

considering that the second post here on a pen a day was the single largest marker i have ever used, the sharpie magnum chisel tip, it is a little funny that with no foreplanning this pen, the sharpie king size chisel is being reviewed exactly eighty pens later. i don't know... maybe it isn't really all that funny after all.

anyway.

the sharpie king is available in three colors, black, blue and red. it is the middle child between the magnum and the smaller sharpies chisel tip and the chisel tip pro. this pen has all the features typical to the sharpie line, they are durable, the body is aluminum (i think, it's some kind of metal anyway) it is bold the ink is dark, and dries quickly. this pen does "squeak" at times which is almost as bad as nails on a chalkboard so be aware of that. the felt tip does tend to show signs of wear after light use and , since the ink lasts longer than the tip i tend to use the blunted tipped pens for fills or ina pinch on large format projects. the sharpie king has the same issues with the smell, bleed and bleed through, the glide varied depending on what you are using it on and if the cap does come off in transit... well it has a larger tip and a ton of ink just waiting to touch paper, fabric, cigarettes and skin... and it will ruin your day and maybe a pair of pants.

i have found this pen useful for detailing acrylic paintings, drawing on finished wood, metal and glass, it works really well with is siblings in the sharpie chisel family handling areas that are too small for the magnum and tasks that would take forever to fill with the smaller versions. this pen also works really well in its own right and can be used to tag, make signs, draw sloppy pictures of naughty bits on your buddy's face when he passes out at a party, labeling boxes when moving, throwing at the neighbors cat when it's eating your cat's food, and coloring in bleached spots or moth holes (the latter requires you coloring on your skin under the hole) on your dress/work clothes... oh and they work okay on scuffed black shoes as we..

these pens retail around $2-$3 a pen, you can buy them in four packs as well and those run about $8-$10. might find better prices online, but i'll let you look for yourself on that.

as to whether or not i would recommend or not, i would. it's a sharpie and therefore never a bad purchase, go. buy. one. now.

as always, if you go out and buy this pen and don't like it - madness - contact me, i'll give you shipping info and in exchange i will send you an awesome drawing drawn with the pen you so disliked.

website:
www.sharpie.com

what they say:

All hail.

• Industrial Strength for the toughest marking jobs
• Durable aluminum barrel and felt tip stand up to heavy use
• Excellent for marking corrugate, wood, metal, foil, stone, plastic, leather and more
• Marks on wet and oily surfaces
• Water resistant and dries quickly
• 3 bold colors

pen 81: sanford mr. sketch scented watercolor marker

as a fun study in contrasts (for me at least, i am easily amused.) i decided to follow yesterday's $300 pen set for one that will set you back less than $10. if you are roughly as old as i am or younger you probably have used these pens, in fact i was a little surprised to see that they are currently still in production and for sale not only online but worldwide and in actual stores like walmart, target, staples and pretty much everywhere art markers are sold. the particular pen that i used for this review has somehow survived at least ten years and several hundred miles that i moved during my twenties. this is happening, today's pen is the sanford mr. sketch scented watercolor marker, although it is probably remembered as the only markers that we were not only allowed to sniff, but kinda encouraged to. it kinda reminds me of those fake cigarette candy sticks that had a hole running down the length with powdered sugar inside, or the bubble gum cigarettes... yes, those did exist (and actually still do except they no longer can "puff" powder sugar out, the tip aren't dyed red and they are called candy sticks.)

but i digress.

these pens came in a variety of colors, limited in scope to the amount of "non-toxic" odors the were legally allowed to use. (i'm not saying that's accurate, just that it sounds as plausible as any other reason)

the reason that i was a bit surprised that they were still being made is that, even in the second grade i knew that all these pens had going for them was that they smelled nice and that, sadly, that did not translate to them tasting good - don't judge, you know you tried it too.

so other than the scented factor there really aren't any reason to buy these over say, a crayola set. the felt tip wears down extremely fast, especially when you consider that these pens are used by children, and children are hard on delicate things. they dried out quickly with use or if you left the cap off, water could kind of re-activate them but once dry, you might as well throw it out. these pens are smooth, good glide, thick bodied for little fingers, and messy, the ink will stain your hands and clothes, even if you're careful you'll probably end up with ink on the heel of your hand. so consider that before handing these over to a child.

i wouldn't recommend these pens, they don't send a good message about sniffing things like paint or markers, there are cleaner tools out there, they are not durable (the only reason i had one still was that it somehow survived years of pen purging, that i haven't used it at all, and will be discarding it after this post.) basically, if you want to get a kid a pen set go with crayola or rose art. you'll have better results with those brands.

websites:

it seems that sanford has opted not to include this product line on their website: http://www.sanfordb2b.com

you can find more information on these pens here: wikipedia and here: staples

what they say:

• Premium watercolor markers are long lasting and provide vibrant colors with fun scents
• Chisel tip for bold of fine print
• AP certified nontoxic
• Ink won't bleed through paper

(edit: for a nsfw version of the third sketch go here: nsfw)