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 139: uni-ball uni roller pen super ink

today' s pen is the older and fatter sibling to the uni-ball roller stick micro and the uni-ball roller stick micro eco. both of those pens count themselves among the few pens that have earned the honor of a 5 on the rating scale at the end of each post. this is a pen that i haven't seen in a long time. in fact, i kinda thought that this pen was discontinued. that might actually be the case, im not entirely sure, but even on the official uni-ball website it doesn't mention this pen specifically, but does have a brief description of a pen that could be today's pen, or one of the two others mentioned above.

as usual, it falls to me to fill in the blanks.

the roller pen is a basic stripped down, no frills pen, the kind that seems to appeal to me, it is considerably thicker than the roller stick, which usually makes pens feel bulky and awkward. this pen has a 0.7 mm metal ballpoint tip, but unlike the micro stick, is not as likely to tear the paper since it has a little more surface area touching the paper. still, i wouldn't press too hard.

the uni roller pen has great flow, a consistent line, fair glide and good bite. am am a huge fan of the rich, velvety nature of the ink on paper. this pen is an extremely clean pen, it dries instantly, it doesn't acquire buildup on the tip, it doesn't pool on the paper, bleed out or though and is great for writing and drawing. the ink is supersaturated, it's an all or nothing pen, that will ink over pencil lines with no problem at all. there are things, like writing over paints or large format pieces that i would use a different type of pen, but this is one of those pens that is so versatile that i tend to carry one around with me at all times, either in my pocket, my bag, and my car. finally, at the end of the day, these pens are so inexpensive, you can lose one and not have it be the end of the world.

i highly recommend this pen, or one of it's siblings to anyone who has ever used a pen.

pricing:
amazon.com: $8.79+s/h (twelve pens)
staples.com: $10.49+s/h (twelve pens)

websites:
www.uniball-na.com
www.amazon.com
www.staples.com

what they say:

amazon.com

• Writes as smooth as a fountain pen, without the mess.
• Smooth, quick-drying premium liquid ink.
• Stainless steel point.
• Sold by the Dozen (12 each)

staples.com

• Fine point, 0.7 mm
• Black
• Durable stainless steel point with long-lasting tungsten-carbide ball for skip-free writing
• Black matte barrel with brushed stainless clip
• Quick-drying, smooth-flowing ink provides neat, accurate lines
• 12 per pack

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 135: pilot razor point II

it is no secret that i am a huge fan of ultra fine, plastic tipped ink pens, if you are one of those who have followed this blog, you will have noticed that sharpies, microns, copics and a few others usually top my list of pens worth not only buying, but using. there have been several times over the last one hundred and thirty odd reviews where i found myself having to use the pen i was reviewing on the art sample that accompany each post rather than the appropriate pen choice - for example - this pen.

the pilot razor point II is basically the ultra fine version of the pilot razor point. basically a well made plastic body pen, it poor glide, fair flow, doesn't really skip or stutter, the line can be a little inconsistent - but for me, not really a bad thing - it has great bite, dark ink that doesn't bleed, and a .3 mm porous plastic tip that is right around the best size - again, for me - to sketch with, anything smaller, i usually reserve for fine detail work.

this pen is good for writing, sketching, inking - it covers pencil lines with no problem - and detail work is actually pretty easy, especially since the pen doesn't have much if any bleed.

i would say that hands down, this pen is at least an equal to the micron or staedtler pens of the same size, and have the added bonus as being a bit more durable than the micron's tip and a price that is actually a little lower than the  competition.

it's a good pen, and a great price, and yes, i will be buying more.

pricing:
placerville news company (retail): approx $2 (single pen)
pilot.com: $20.28+s/h (12 pens)
blick.com: $1.59+s/h (single pen)

websites:
www.pilotpen.us
www.dickblick.com


what they say:

pilot: 

• Genuine Razor Point Marker Pens for delicate, smooth writing 
• Plastic point tip supported by metal collar for long-lasting performance 

blick:

• A unique liquid ink produces crisp, fine lines through its extra-tough plastic point. 
• Sleek, modern design with barrel that coordinates with the ink color. 
• Writes a fine 0.3 mm line.

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 115: prismacolor premiere fine tip

today's pen, the prismacolor premiere fine tip is the precision version of the  prismacolor chisel-fine double ended art marker from back in post 80. these pens are mid range pens as far as pricing goes, they seem to be a little more expensive than pens like sharpie and even microns, although not by much. at one point i would have recommended these pens as the brand to get, however, over the years i have come to discover better quality pens for around the same price and, not surprisingly, as i gain a wider range of experience with pens of this type, i have found there to be equals if not better choices to this line that wont cost you an arm and a leg. i,m not saying that these are bad pens, even crayola markers have their uses, but experience has shown me that there are others out there that seem to work overall better for my uses.

the premiere pens are fairly solid construction, they have moderately durable plastic porous tips, they have good flow with little, if any skipping or stuttering, the line is consistent, with little bleed (out - and no bleed through) although, like the sharpie pen and the new bleed-free ink option, the ink is not as dark as those pens like original sharpies, microns, or staedtlers to name a few. while the ink is not as fully saturated, it does have a limited value range, and falls into that category of being an all or nothing pen - its just that it's all is not as dark as some of the other pens out there.

these pens come in a good range of sizes and types, like chisel and brush tips, and come in a modest range of colors. prismacolor has even made sets containing different types of tipas and colors geared to specific uses, sets like:

primary: black (also sold separately) red blue and green
fashion: brown, purple, orange and sepia
sepia: brown
manga: a mix of black and sepia pens and some assortment of tip sizes and types.

as far as whether or not i think these pens are a good buy? i'm not the fan i was back during my college years. i wouldn't buy another set unless they improve their quality. there is one exception, however, i do like their sepia pens and would recommend these to anyone who likes coloring in muted/desaturated color schemes.

pricing:
individual pens seem to start around $2 for an individual pens, sets vary considerably depending on where you find them .

amazon.com

$5-$8 +s/h (7 pen assortment pack)

websites:www.prismacolor.com
www.dickblick.com/
www.amazon.com/

what they say:

prismacolor.com
These markers have you covered no matter the task at hand. Take your pick from multiple tip sizes to experience paintbrush-like strokes in the convenience of a marker. Go with the fine tip for serious precision and control. Lettering, outlining and free form drawing look exceptional with the chisel tip. But why limit yourself? Pick up an assorted set with a variety of tip types for all your drawing needs.

Archival quality, lightfast ink. is smear resistant when dry.

Available in Fine Line, Brush and chisel tip sizes for excellent technical and artistic drawing applications.

dickblick.com

• These markers contain premium pigmented acid-free, archival ink that is lightfast, permanent, non-toxic, and water resistant.
• Use these markers for crisp, detail work in artistic and technical applications.

amazon.com

• Ideal markers for the aspiring artist and scrapbooker
• Non-toxic
• Conforms to ASTM D4238
• Archival, acid-free premium pigmented ink prevents work from deteriorating over time
• 
  
• Fine Tip great for detail work
• Lightfast colors maintain their vibrancy
• Permanent, water-resistant ink will not bleed through and is smear resistant when dry

pen 114: uni-ball onyx

i seem to recall today's pen, the uni-ball onyx, being everywhere i looked back when i was in college. it seemed like i would randomly pick these up (read: accidentally steal) these pens quite often over the last ten years or so. last week i lost my last remaining working onyx pen... and after tearing my office apart looking for it, i gave in, and ventured out into the real world in search of this pen. 

i went to wall mart, target, k mart, cvs, walgreens and rite aid and i called staples ... and to my shock discovered that these pens are no longer carried at these stores, at least not in the region where i live.

after a quick google search i discovered that i wasn't able to find any mention on the official uni-ball website, but that these pens could be bought online from any of the other websites listed below.

i have to say that i finally did find the pen, it clipped to the collar of the shirt i had been wearing that day... all... that... day.

doh'!

so anyway, recovering from my frustbarassment (patent pending) i sat down and manage to get the pen, and two drawings out of the remaining ink and sadly had to retire it to that big ol trash can in the sky. and by sky i mean next to my desk.

i had forgotten how nice this pen is, seriously - in fact, it seems like most of the pens that i have rated highest are either discontinued or are on the road there and i guess when i think about it that shouldn't surprise me considering that i have been on this world for roughly 35 years and should be familiar with how things like that are pretty much an universal constant in my life.

this pen is basically a variant of my favorite pens, the uni-ball rollerball stic-micro from way back at post 8. this pen has good flow, fair glide, good bite, the ink is dark but has a fair value range, dries quickly, is clean and is good for writing, drawing. contour or gesture drawing, inking over pencils, and detail work. it's a solid 4. really the only drawback to this pen is that i cant seem to find it in a retail setting and i just dont love it enough to want to pay for a dozen... and shipping. 

when it comes down to it, if i had another one already i would use it, but if i'm spending money on it, i would just as soon pay less for the rollerball stic.

pricing:

amazon.com

$5.58 (12 pens) +s/h

staples.com

$8.29(12 pens) +s/h

officedepot.com

$8.99(12 pens) +s/h

officemax.com

$8.79(12 pens) +s/h

website:

www.uniball.com (no information on this pen on the company website)

www.amazon.com

www.staples.com

www.officedepot.com

www.officemax.com

what they say:

staples.com

• Micro point, 0.5 mm
• Blue
• Precision metal tip is ideal for carbon copies
• Black matte barrel, molded clip and cap
• Non-refillable
• 12 per pack

amazon.com

• Precision tungsten ball.
• Excellent for carbons and multi-part forms.
• Easy to hold matte black barrel.
• Liquid ink.
• Sold by the Dozen (12 each)

office depot.com

• The most affordable way to enjoy the smooth rollerball flow
• Metal point makes for smooth, consistent writing. A simple, effortless stroke delivers just the right amount of vivid ink to your page. Liquid ink is permanent, quick-drying, fade-resistant and waterproof so it's safe for your most important papers.
• Fine point tips for clear, precise lines. Choose the perfect point type for sharp, detailed writing tasks, such as record keeping, footnotes in margins or number work. Tips hold an extremely durable metal tungsten ball for the ultimate in dependable performance.
• Black matte…a classic look and feel! Slim matte barrel is easy for anyone to control. The matching cover won't slip off unexpectedly and includes a plastic clip to hang on a pocket or folder.
• Nonrefillable. 
• officemax.com
• A reliable pen at an economical price. 

officemax.com

• Durable metal point is excellent for marking carbon copies or multipart forms
• Smooth writing, quick-drying ink
• Micro Point
• 12 Black Ink Pens

pen 113: sharpie pen grip

today's pen is a modern classic, the sharpie pen grip - fine point. this pen is a disposable version of pen 34.

this pen is a sharpie, and if you have been following along you probably know what that means. i almost feel like reviewing this pen is a bit redundant, the brand speaks for itself. as i mentioned a few reviews ago, i have only once regretted buying a sharpie, and that was the sharpie liquid pencil back at pen 20, and even then it wasn't all bad.

so the grip, it's made of plastic, it's pretty light, and feels cheap, but then again, these pen are inexpensive and it would take some effort to crush or snap it in two. the pen comes in fine and medium point sizes and is available in six colors. the plastic tip is durable and can stand up to moderately heavy pressure and use, the ink is a new type of bleed free ink, which makes drawing on paper - thick or thin - a cleaner activity. this pen i great for thing like notebooks, sketch pads or art journals. like all sharpies this pen lasts for a good long while, doesn't skip or stutter, it has consistent flow, uniform line width, and a great balance between glide and bite.

these pens are always good for writing, drawing, detail work, and inking over pencils.

the only thing i have to say that i don't like about this pen is that the saturation of the ink is not as full as it's other non-bleed free cousins in the sharpie line but other than that one thing, i highly recommend anything with the sharpie name printed on the barrel.

yes, that means i endorse this pen.

price:

officemax.com

$7.99 (3 pens ) +s/h

$7.99 (3 pens assorted colors) +s/h

$31.99 (12 pens) +s/h

amazon.com

$1.29-$4.19 (3 pens ) +s/h

website:

www.sharpie.com

www.officemax.com

what they say:

sharpie.com Get a grip on Sharpie Pen style and performance.

• Won't bleed through paper!

• Quick drying ink to prevent smearing

• Soft grip along barrel for added writing comfort

• Fine point tip size for everyday writing

• Permanent ink on paper

• Color indicator on ends to help distinguish ink color

• Water resistant, acid free, and AP certified non-toxic ink formula designed for paper

• Available in black, blue, red, green, orange, and purple

officemax.comYour favorite Sharpie Pen- now in a grip version!

• Will not bleed through paper (results vary based on paper characteristics)

• Permanent on paper

• Water resistant, acid-free, nontoxic ink formula

• Features a soft grip for added comfort

• Set of 3 Colored Ink Pens includes 1 each of Black Ink, Blue Ink and Red Ink

pen 112: uni-ball insight

today's pen is the uni-ball insight. i found this particular pen at staples, right around the back to school sales... god i love that time of year, so many new pens. i cant remember how much i spent at the time, i'm pretty sure that it was a package of 2-4 pens and was around the $5 range.

the insight is a pen that i would classify as a work horse pen. it defines itself as a fine point pen, although at 0.7 mm, this point sized is often described as medium or even bold in other pens. i guess it is all relative, one of the things that i have come to discover about pens over the years is that there really isn't a universal or concrete rule when it comes to things like that.

this pen has good (and heavy) flow, fair glide, good bite and consistent line quality - it doesn't skip or stutter. the ink is super saturated, it has no range of value from dark to light, it is another one of those all or nothing pens. as i mentioned this pen puts a lot of ink down on the paper, and while it does dry almost instantly the ink does bleed, out and through. the 0.7 point size added to the flow and bleed make this pen a good choice when filling in large areas, or where moderately sized detail work is called for. this pen also supposedly is refillable, however, when i went to the official uni-ball website, not only could i not find any information on that, i was unable to find the pen itself listed at all.

the biggest problem i have with this pen is that it puts a lot of ink down very quickly, too quickly, it bleeds quite a bit, there are several pens that i have reviewed here that have performed similarly  but without the bleed, also i should mention that this pen feels a bit cheap, the plastic body is pretty light and there was a tendency to unscrew itself as i was using it or had it in a pocket or bag. 

price: 

officemax.com

$7.99 (4 assorted colors)+s/h

$25.27 (12 pens) +s/h

amazon.com

$4.64 (4 pens) +s/h

$11.63(12 pens) +s/h

website:

www.uniball-na.com (not listed)

www.officemax.com

amazon.com

what they say:
officemax.com

Stylish rollerball pens with consistent smoothness and color intensity.

Exclusive uni-flow ink system regulates a steady flow of waterproof ink to the point for consistent smoothness and color intensity down to the last drop of ink

Ink-o-meter allows for visible ink supply so you know before you run out
Specially-formulated uni Super Ink becomes trapped in paper to help prevent criminal check washing and other document alteration
Archival-quality and acid-free ink for documenting
Water-resistant ink dries quickly
amazon.comExclusive uni-flow ink system regulates a steady flow of waterproof ink to the point for consistent smoothness and color intensity down to the last drop of ink
Ink-o-meter allows for visible ink supply so you know before you run out
Features uni Super Ink that helps prevent against check and document fraud
Archival quality and acid-free ink for documenting and record-keeping