Pentel EnerGel - One of The Slickest Gel Pens I've Ever Seen!
Written: Apr 13 '03 (Updated Aug 02 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: .7 mm metal tip, lasts longer than most gel pens, ink dries quickly, inexpensive.
Cons: Hard to tell how much ink is left in the pen.
The Bottom Line: Looking for a gel pen with ink that dries quickly, has a comfort grip and won’t cost you an arm and a leg? Look no further than the Pentel EnerGel!
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| Freak369's Full Review: Pentel EnerGel Liquid Gel Roller Ball Pen .7mm Bla... |
Most people think “a pen is just a pen”, you pick it up, take off the cap and write. For me a pen is more than that. I need it to write clearly, not smudge, have a stable ink flow and if possible have a rubber comfort grip. Price really isn’t a factor for me because I would rather pay a little bit more and have a quality pen than to skimp and get something that writes like crap. When I first saw the Pentel EnerGel I knew that I had to try it out – the cool metallic finish with black accents made it stand out from the rest of the pens on display and since it was a Pentel, I knew that there was a very good chance it would far exceed my expectations. Having had this pen for several months I can say that it is amongst my favorite in the gel ink variety but you’ll have to keep reading to find out why. Yes, I am a pen junkie and I’m not afraid to admit it.
Features
When you first see this pen you might think that it is made of metal rather than plastic. The sleek and sharp looking design of the barrel and cap give this pen a definite visual edge over other gel pens. The metal clip that is attached to the cap is extremely sturdy and so far none of mine have broken off or bent. The comfort grip on the base of the pen will allow you to write for extended periods of time without hand cramps or aches. The pens are available in black, red or blue ink in a .5 or .7 mm tip. This section is for the single .7 mm black gel pen however they are sold in combination packs [1 each black, blue and red] or by the dozen [single color]. The ink flow is perfect almost every single time you pick this up and write with it. For the most part the ink dries almost instantly however there are some papers, like Post-It Notes, that will take a little longer for the ink to dry.
Since the ink is force fed to the tip using the clear gel inside the chamber, you can write with this pen on a flat or sloped surface as well upside down. I found this really useful when I had to climb under the sink and write down the model numbers and information about the garbage disposal when it started giving me trouble. Since space was a little cramped, I had a small piece of paper that I had to hold with one hand on the top of the inside of the cabinet while writing with the other. If I would have tried that with a regular pen I doubt I would have gotten the same steady ink flow. While I doubt this will be something that will happen often it is nice to know that the pen will work even under the most bizarre of circumstances.
If I had to name one bad think about the pen it would have to be that there is no real way to get an accurate reading of the amount of ink that is left. There is a small clear window on the body of the pen but it doesn’t display the ink but rather the clear gel. The .7 mm black EnerGel has been going for a few months now, using it almost every single day, and is still writing perfectly but without some type of gauge, it is hard to tell when it will need to be replaced. After I purchased the single one I stocked up on the other colors and picked up a few of the .5 mm ones to try them out so I know I won’t get stuck when this one dies on me. One important thing to know is that this is not refillable so if you are looking for a pen that is, look elsewhere.
Price
These can be purchased for about $1.50 individually, double packs for about $2.19 and by the dozen. I highly suggest that you try them out individually so you can see which one will work best for you. I found the best prices on these at Wal-Mart as well as Office Depot. Both places offer them in single or double packs, the three count mix [one of each color] and Office Depot sells them by the dozen. If you find that you really like the Pentel EnerGel buying them by the dozen is the best value however the dozen packs are only available in single color lots [one dozen black, one dozen red or one dozen blue]. For the money these are great gel pens that give you months of writing, even if you use it every day for extended periods of time.
Overall Ease of Use
The rubber comfort grip on the pen barrel is a definite perk and will help to eliminate cramping and aches associated with taking notes or writing letters. The ink is also acid free so it can be used for scrapbooking or crafts without having to worry about the ink damaging the paper. The cap snaps back into place with a nice click and stays put. You won’t have to worry about it coming lose and leaking everywhere and the clip on the cap makes it easy to carry it around in knapsacks, purses or pockets.
The Bottom Line
So far the .7 mm size seems to be the best for everyday use, note taking, letter writing and addressing envelopes. The others that I have purchased are equally impressive but I have a real love for black ink, especially when it flows out effortlessly, doesn’t clump or spit and dries almost instantly. If you are looking for a solid pen that will deliver a steady ink supply flow under various conditions, I highly suggest checking out the Pentel EnerGel. Even if you don’t really care for other gel type pens, this one is a cut above the common ordinary gel pens that are usually found in the cute neon colors and stop writing after a few weeks.
As always, thanks for the visit!
^V^ Freak ^V^
© 2003 Freak369
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Recommended:
Yes
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