Uni-Ball Signo RT

I Miss the Uni-Ball Signo RT - Purple/Black

I am making a plea to resurrect the Uni-Ball Signo RT in purple/black ink.  Oh, how I miss you so.  The Uni-ball Signo RT was the first pen I ever bought from JetPens.  It was also my introduction to my favorite color...super dark purple.  I still haven't figured out why I like this color so much.  I think that the subtle hint of purple within the dark lines of the ink allows me to be an individual at the office without looking like I'm using crazy colors.

I happened upon the Uni-ball Signo RT while casually browsing JetPens' gel pens.  At the time I was just beginning my use of the Chronodex planner, thank you Patrick Ng.  I wanted to color code various categories of tasks in different colors but, didn't like the thickness of the Pilot G-2.  Voila, the Uni-ball Signo RT.  It accommodated every requirement I came up with.

• various colors
• 0.38 mm line
• retractable
• inexpensive 
• gel ink

I bought several in a variety of colors but, the purple/black was the first to run out of ink.  The barrel is a transparent color mimicking the ink.  The grip follows suit and is made of rubber, unlike the Pilot G-2 the RT's grip is smooth and almost silky to the touch.  I've never had it slip from my grip either and unlike the G-2 it has never suffered from loosing its sponginess.  

Though I am not a fan of the fact that the Uni-ball Signo RT is not very "professional" looking, I will point out that it writes like any $50.00 ballpoint I've ever held in my hand.  I have never had it skip, drip, false start or scratch.  This pen has never, and I repeat NEVER let me hang...

I must give "props" to Uni-ball, this pen is great to write with and has replaced my Pilot G-2 use.  I have also adapted the refill to my Pilot G-2 Limited pen...though I'll get into why that combo didn't last in another post.  I have been able to use the refill in various other pens that accept the G-2 refill but, haven't found the same feel at the original Uni-ball Signo RT's feel and balance. 

Data:

Shipping Weight:	0.37 oz.
Body Color:	varies
Body Material	Plastic
Clipable:	Yes
Diameter - Grip:	9.6 mm
Diameter - Max:	10.6 mm
Grip Color:	Varies
Grip Material:	Rubber
Ink Characteristics:	Waterproof
Length - Extended:	13.8 mm
Length - Retracted:	13.9 mm
Length - Uncapped:	13.1 mm
Mechanism:	Retractable
Tip Length:	4.4 mm

The Pilot G-2

The Pen That Began an Era

Pilot G-2 0.7mm & Pilot G-2 0.38mm pens

My introduction to the realm of the gel pen was with the Pilot G-2.  The G-2 began from humble beginnings, coming in only two colors and one size (0.7 mm).  The clear smokey barrel with ink colored complimentary grip and clip is a pen nearly all offices have seen for the past decade.  The Pilot G-2 has become as commonplace as the “stick” pen.  They are a non-flamboyant simply designed pen that like their predecessors functioned right out of the packaging.

I’ve never had too many issues with the Pilot G-2.  These pens have worked for me for years without any hesitation and have become a “work horse” for many offices.  The rubber grip is textured and tapered permitting a better grip.  The “click” is strong and the clip secure.  Though I couldn’t see it used in a board meeting it is a significant upgrade to the common “stick” pen.

The ink quality on most office paper is good however, there is a bit of a wait time when writing in a Moleskine and other better quality paper.  Below are a few samples of paper I use regularly that show the dry times…

Overall quality of the ink is good.  I fell in love with gel inks ever since my first Pilot G-2 in blue.   Nowadays, the pen comes in an assortment of colors:

·         Blue

·         Black

·         Red

·         Green

·         Navy

·         Purple

·         Orange

·         Brown

·         Burgundy

·         Pink

·         Turquoise

·         Periwinkle

·         Teal

·         Lime Green

·         Hunter Green

I’m still hoping for purple/black though.  Pilot also diversified the point size, pleasing even the finest of lined writers like myself.  The Pilot G-2 is offered in 1.0, 0.7, 0.5 and 0.38 mm sized.  Though all colors are not available for all sizes there are workarounds for the imitated.  I have taken the tip section off the ink chamber and secured it onto various colors in the past…this was until I discovered JetPens. 

The pen is a very light weight pen and balances in the hand effortlessly.   In the original and “standard” size of 0.7mm writes smooth and flawless.  The lines are bright and vibrant and stand out on the page and I’ve never had a Pilot G-2 skip in a 0.7 mm.  I have had some skip while using a 0.5 mm and more so with the 0.38 mm.  Though a bit frustrating the love I had for the pen overcame even the most extreme cases of skipping. 

The Pilot G-2’s are inexpensive enough not to be concerned with carrying them in a pocket or just throwing them in a pack/bag on the way out the door.  Because they are plastic they are durable little suckers, the only time I’ve broken one was by running it over with a forklift inadvertently.  It crushed the pen completely and left a blue stain on the concrete that remains 5 years later.  I’m still a little sad when I see the stain, it was my first Navy dark blue inked pen. 

I can’t continue without pointing out one major defect in the design of the pen, the grip.  I completely understand this is a manufacturing defect and just a pet peeve but, the Pilot G-2 has two small “nibs” from where the grip must have been in the mold.  I find them completely annoying and think they should have designed them to be on the inside of the mold and not the outside.  It’s been a few years since I’ve pick these pens up so that might have changed. 

Still, the pen is a solid writer and that’s all that is expected of it.  For under $2.00 I can’t really get too fussy.  Thank you Pilot for introducing me to the gel pen.

Pilot Acroball PureWhite

A Ballpoint I Love

The Pilot Acroball PureWhite is the only ballpoint I have used since being introduced to gel pens, such as the Signo DX and the Pilot G-2.  I absolutely love how dark the pen writes.  I was looking for an inexpensive pen that I could take hiking.  It had to meet several criteria:

• I wanted a ballpoint because it is less affected by the weather.
• It had to be light weight, I’m a minimalist hiker.
• It had to be visible if I dropped it.
• It had to put a dark line on the page.

The Pilot Acroball caught my eye one day while walking aimlessly through my local Target.  Being an Apple fanboy, the sterile white body drew me in.  I even held my white iPhone up to it to admire how well they complimented one another.  I immediately grabbed a pack and purchased.

I was surprised to find how well the pen wrote.  It is very similar to writing with a gel but, it’s a ballpoint.  Doing a little research I found out the ink is water-based not oil based ink like most ballpoints.  Make sense why it behaves the way it does, which is amazing.  It is extremely smooth and I have no “skipping” problems.  It works right out the pack every time.

The white plastic is easily visible and stands apart from my normal group of pens, making it unique among my collection.  It is light weight and the rubber grip is textured to not allow slippage.  Because of these attributes I’ve been able to write for a few hours without much hand fatigue.  This is very import attribute for me, I tore a tendon in my hand a while back and have yet to get it repaired.  It makes gripping a challenge especially if I’m doing it for hours.

The Acroball, even though it is a plastic pen it seems at home with my Midori Traveler’s Notebook.  The stark whiteness of it is a great contrast to the dork brown leather of the Midori.  I went with the non-expressive silver accented version but, Pilot makes them in an assortment of colors: blue, lime, turquoise, pink, purple, orange and silver.  Pilot also offers the pen in three different models: Acroball Pro, Acroball Color & the Acroball PureWhite with the PureWhite being the only to come in a fine point.  All other Acroballs are medium point pens.

Now if you go to JetPens, they offer a different Acroball than what the US Pilot website markets.  Perhaps because of JetPens getting a non-US supplier?  I also notice they offer the pens in three point sizes: 1.0 mm, 0.7 mm & 0.5 mm. 

Some of the quirky things I look for in a pen is the “click” of a retractable pen.  The Acroball PureWhite has a firm retraction mechanism and feels solid and the clip, though plastic, is shaped to hold on and go for a ride.

Overall, I’m very satisfied with these pens and enjoy writing with them.  I would like to see them in a really dark purple/black ink....not sure what the appeal is to that color but, love it on paper.

Shipping Weight	0.33 oz
Body Color	Black
Body Material	Plastic
Cartridge-Compatible	Yes
Clip Material	Plastic
Clippable	Yes
Color Set	No
Diameter - Grip	11.4 mm
Diameter - Max	11.4 mm
Grip Color	Silver
Grip Material	Rubber
Length - Extended	14 cm
Length - Retracted	14.2 cm
Mechanism	Retractable
Tip Length	4.2 mm
Tip Material	Metal
Tip Size	0.5 mm
Tip Type	Conical

The Pilot Knight Fountain Pen

The Pilot Knight Fountain Pen

 

I have no idea when I first came into possession of this pen, but I do remember that is was my first and only fountain pen for a few years.  I liked the way it looked, that is was made of metal and just said to me, "I'm a professional."  I'm pretty sure I ordered it online because I bought a bunch of cartridges with it.  I this pen had been in my hands before buying it, I'd never have spent the money.  

Sorry about my penmanship...too much caffeine!!

Don't get me wrong I like the pen but, it took me a few years to warm up to it and even now I only use it in certain situations...like now.  Before I get into what turns me off about the pen, let's dive into the good points...

• It's a very professional looking pen.
• The clip is very secure when clipped to something, it feels spring loaded.
• When capped it is a very solid pen.  I think if I dropped it from a few feet it would be fine.
• And , it writes a very smooth line every time I've used it.

It's really a nice pen and for the cost is a good deal. But....I have a few issues with it...

For one this it is a heavy pen, even without the cap posted, which I couldn't imagine  anyone writing that way.  it also only comes in a medium nib.  It writes very smooth like I said.  It's just a lot thicker than what I prefer.  The cartridges dry out quickly.  And, did I mention it is a heavy pen?  Being made of metal though makes it durable and, like I stated, looks professional.

It really upset me that it was so heavy and for a long time I just let it sit in a drawer.  I'd ink it up every once in a while write a letter or in my journal, only to clean it out and put it back in the drawer because I didn't like how it weighed down my hand and tired my grip out.  It was a constant battle between writing and cramping.  

Finally, I hung up my fountain pen desires and wrote solely with gel pens.  I prefer the thickness, the smoothness of the lines and I can write for hours.  

It wasn't until the I was influenced back to the world of fountain pens by the dynamic duo, Mr. Brad Dowdy, THE Pen Addict and Mr. Myke Hurley, the silky British voice of many of my favorite podcasts.  It was after a couple podcasts in which they discussed fountain pens I decided to give them a try once more.  

Since then I have used a fountain pen daily, mainly for journaling.  In a future post I'll review the pen that hooked me to fountain pens but, for now I'll say this.  I've come to learn how to write with the Pilot Knight and use it at work when taking meeting notes.

I absolutely love the blue-black cartridges.  They are a deep dark, 'don't go in the water' blue.  And like I said the pen lays a really smooth like.  Overall I've learned to roll with the weight and not fight it...it's an elegant dance much like aikido.  I used its force against itself to write.

Searching for a Rollerball

The Uni-ball Rollerball MICRO

I have made many attempts to use this pen in the past but just never have we "clicked".  Perhaps it's that the grip is slippy or that it is a capped pen or maybe I just don't like the way my hand writing looks when I write with the pen.

Though it is made by one of my favorite pen manufacturers around, Uni-ball.  Their micro rollerball pen in black, not sure it comes in any other colors, is a pen I've used since I was in high school.  Back then it was strictly for inking artwork.  Today as I progress in my career I am looking for a more "professional" look.  So, once again I find this pen back in my bag in "test" mode.

I've already stated the grip is slippy, I constantly have to readjust my grip on the pen, which is annoying <whining>.  It is extremely light weight.  The matte black arrel and cap have that "executive" look to it.  The clip is secure but, I've never been comfortable clipping a capped pen, too risky.

I'm writing on junk paper...a Tops legal pad (recycled paper) from the office.  I wanted to test it on an average, ordinary canvas found in most corporate environments.  There is some feathering and I won't be able to use the backside of the page...

I also noticed there is an inconsistent flow.  The ink is a deep and dark and drys quickly but, I remain unimpressed.  I must continue my quest for the perfect rollerball, for me.  This Uni-ball just doesn't fit my needs.  Perhaps something a little more Retro will fit the bill...

Uni-ball Signo DX

Uni-ball Signo DX

I am not a big fan of capped pens, but the DX just writes so well I can't seem to part with it.  I bought one after reading a review off Pen Addict (one of my top 5 blogs).  Liking a very fine line, I went with the 0.38 mm in black to start.  Since I've got a hand-full of colors and have tired out the 0.28 mm but, have found some ink "flow" inconsistencies.

Data:

Shipping Weight:	0.30 mm
Body Color:	Clear
Body Material	Plastic
Clipable:	Yes
Diameter - Grip:	10.3 mm
Diameter - Max:	10.3 mm
Grip Color:	Black
Grip Material:	Rubber
Ink Characteristics:	Waterproof
Length - Capped:	13.8 mm
Length - Posted:	15.3 mm
Length - Uncapped:	13.1 mm
Mechanism:	Capped
Tip Length:	4.4 mm
Tip Size:	0.38 mm

 
The pen rests in my hand quite comfortably.  The grip is unobtrusive and after some time of writing blends into my hand.  It is dimpled giving it a subtle texture and is not of a spongy rubber but hugs the pen tight.

The pen comes in a whole assortment of colors and tip sizes...
a link to the infamous JetPens will allow you to view the splendor...I trend towards the earthy colors but, the Lavender - Black is my absolute favorite.  It is dark enough to use at work but, the purple keeps it an individual.  I'm quirky like that.

The only think I would change about the way the pen is set up is to extend the grip down that last 1/4 inch or so to meet up with the metal tip.  

Overall, this pen goes with me everyday to work in all the colors above.  I would recommend it to anyone and the fact that it comes in a 0.5 mm is great for those who prefer a little thicker (normal) pen line.  I use it religiously in my Chronodex, a creation of Mr. Patrick Ng.  This is also my go to pen when I can not or will not carry my Lamy Safari.  

A picture of my Chronodex...here

Uni-ball Signo 207

Uni-ball Signo 207 (0.38mm)

Data:

Shipping Weight:                          0.35 oz

Body Color:                                  Black

Body Material:                             Plastic

Clippable:                                    Yes

Diameter - Grip:                          11.4 mm

Diameter - Max:                          11.5 mm

Grip Color:                               Black

Grip Material:                              Rubber

Ink Characteristics:                     Water-Resistant, Archival Quality

Length - Extended / Retracted:   14.2 cm / 14.0 cm

Mechanism:                                 Retractable

Tip Length:                                  4.5 mm

Tip Size:                                       0.38 mm

I have no idea when or where I first started to use this pen.  I was a few years back and was only a 0.7 mm tip size which is why it never stuck.  I prefer the finer line of a 0.38 mm pen.  That being said I came across Uni-ball’s Ultra Micro version of the 207 in my pen stash and started to use it at work…I ended up liking it better than the tried and true Pilot G-2. 

It was the ink and smoothness of writing that turned the tide.  I’ve had issues with the G-2’s consistency when writing.  The 0.38 mm pens sometimes have issues with maintaining a solid when writing.  The 207 has never skipped a beat.  The lines are consistent, there is no worry about the pen not working and it is a solid disposable pen.

I have written for a few hours without fatigue and prefer the rubber “nubs” to other similar pens and though i’m not much of a conformist in life i do prefer the unique grip Uni-ball has on their 207’s.  The picture below shows the nubs give way to a smooth peak that allows the writer’s index finger to rest upon.  For some reason I thought I’d hate this aspect of the pen but, after some use have come to really prefer it.

Extended the pen looks as if it could be used as a weapon as sharp a point as it has yet, writes without the scratchiness of some micro-tipped pens.

The pen looks a bit more professional with the smokey barrel even though it is made of plastic.  The clip is secure, sometimes a bit too secure.  I’ve had difficulty clipping the 207’s onto my shirts at times though I’d rather it be snug than lose a pen.  

If Uni-ball ever starts producing these with their violet-black ink that is used in the Signo DX pens…I’ll end up buying a couple dozen just to make sure I never run out…

Overall, like I said this is my everyday carry pen at work and when I’m out and about.  It is a reliable disposable that has never failed me.