The Dykem action 33 Marker: More Permanent than a Sharpie, but just as Neat
Written: Feb 29 '08 (Updated Feb 29 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Long lasting ink, doesn't leak or dry out in storage
Cons: Solvent based ink
The Bottom Line: The action 33 is more permanent than a Sharpie, and writes just as neatly as other fine point markers. The metal body makes it a good choice for your toolbox.
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| nc10's Full Review: Dymon Dykem action marker 33 - Fine |
The Dykem action 33 Fine point marker is a black dye based ink marker designed for industrial use. Street price of the action 33 is $2 to $3 each. While Sharpie, Marks-a-Lot, and other markers that you see in the office and school supply aisles are great at what they do, they still have limitations. A Sharpie black marker will write on just about anything, and the black is really “black”, not just dark grey. Sharpies are formulated so safely that you could probably eat one with no ill effect (except for, perhaps, some “cosmetic” issues..). Sharpie ink is fairly permanent, so long as its mostly used indoors. But if you want to permanently mark or label an item being stored outdoors in sunlight, a Sharpie just isn’t good enough. The ink isn’t lightfast, and wears off in weather.
If you want to more permanently mark a sign or label in your yard, or write which oil your mower uses on the mower itself, or mark your tools or camping equipment, or label a container of yard chemicals, something more permanent is needed. Paint markers or etching and stamping tools are certainly options. Another option is to use a marker like the action 33, which is based on a more permanent ink system than Sharpies' use. It is a marker we use at my place of work primarily because it is more permanent. A fine point marker like the action 33 is inexpensive, easy to use, fine enough to allow writing as neat as you can with a Sharpie, and doesn’t dry out with infrequent use. But, it also uses solvent based ink, which has a noticeable solvent odor, isn’t very kid-friendly, and wouldn't my first choice to mark personal items like pictures, clothing, etc. But its a good choice to keep in toolbox, a shop or with your lawn and garden supplies.
Appearance
The action 33 has dimensions identical to a Bic or Papermate stick pin, with similar slide-on cap with pocket clip. The body of the pen is metal (aluminum, I believe), and of one piece construction. There’s no removable cap on the top end of the pen. The felt based tip is about 1/8” in diameter and spring loaded, that is, you need to occasionally push down on the tip to open a valve inside the pen to allow ink to flow to the tip. The valve also helps ensure the ink doesn’t dry out (even with the cap off) or leak.
Appearance
The action 33 has dimensions identical to a stick pin, with slide on cap with pocket clip, much like the cheapest Bic and Papermate pens. The body of the pen is metal (aluminum, I believe), and of one piece construction. There’s no removable cap on the top end of the pen. The felt based tip is about 1/8” in diameter and spring loaded, that is, you need to occasionally push down on the tip to open a valve inside the pen to allow ink to flow to the tip. The valve also helps ensure the ink doesn’t dry out or leak.
Using the action 33 Marker
The action 33 works best on smooth and surfaces that are only slightly rough. If you want to mark concrete or brickwork, consider a paint marker. The action 33 works well on glass, plastic, painted surfaces, metal, rubber, paper, cardboard, wood, and more. Even on regular paper, this marker works well, and doesn’t bleed though unless you try to mark very heavily.
The tip of the marker doesn’t drip, and the ink doesn’t bleed, even on paper. The ink takes about 30 seconds to dry. Initially its dry enough not to rub off if brushed accidentally, but you can rub it off if you try. After about 30 seconds, you’ll need a solvent based ink remover to correct mistakes.
I tried marking a glossy painted surface with name (my stapler, actually) with a sharpie and the action 33. After 30 minutes, I tried to remove the ink with a cloth. About two minutes of hard rubbing allowed the Sharpie’s ink to be removed, but the same energy had virtually no effect on the action 33’s ink.
The action 33’s real advantage is its longevity. We’ve learned at work that Sharpie marked items stored outdoors lose their identification in a few months. Items marked with the action 33 and stored outdoors remain labeled for at least a couple years (perhaps longer, but I’ve not used this marker that long yet).
The fine point action 33 works best for lettering about 1/3” high to about 2” high. A wider point version (the action 44) would work better for bigger letters, and the point of the action 33 is too broad for letters much smaller than 1/3”.
I've noticed that the action 33 has a long shelf life, even when used infrequently. I've had the same one in my desk for almost a year, taking it out only occasionally to use. Its worked smoothly every time.
The action 33’s version of black is pretty good, but it is not quite as black as the Sharpie. Its not something you’d notice unless you were looking at the print from both markers side by side.
Recommended:
Yes
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