[Pen/Pencil Review] Padrino Short Ballpoint Pen – Parker Style Refill
Hey, look, it’s Pen Day. One of the many ways I justify my Office Supply Problem. You never know how bad it is until you decide to reorganize your office… But I digress. Today’s review is a Paradise Pen Company “house†brand that I’ve come to like – Padrino.
This is a compact ballpoint pen that I got on the clearance rack back on my Birthday Pilgrimage to Paradise Pen Company. This one is doesn’t have a model name on it, but it’s somewhere between the Aero and the Firenze. It’s a stubby little guy in brushed green aluminum with pin stripe etching on the barrel.
The cap twists on to secure. It’s about 4.5†capped, and nearly 5.5†with the cap posted. The cap also twists on to post, making nearly impossible to send the cap flying (which I apparently tend to do). This is a medium point black ballpoint with a Parker style refill. The included ink is smooth for ballpoint (I still prefer gel). The threads for the cap can dig in when writing long term. Though this pen is short, it’s well balanced, making it rather comfortable for its size.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 – For its size, it works really well. There’s nothing “extra†about this pen, it solid and functional
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – There’s no room for any kind of cushioned grip. It’s cold metal with threads that can (and do in the long term) dig in – especially if you grip tightly.
3. Material – 1 – It’s solid – but well-balanced – tooled aluminum and stainless steel. This thing is built to last.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – It’s short. That’s going to matter to some people. It matters to me, but it’s better than I thought. The green on the pinstripe barrel does ding over time. It’s not overly noticeable until it is.
5. Price Point – 1 – This is not meant to be a cheap and disposable pen. Padrino is a moderately priced luxury pen line. This is a moderately priced piece in that line. At full retail, I think this pen runs between $20 – $50 (like I said, I’m not seeing IT on the page, but the ones I do see, this should fall between). And if you get it on sale, even better. But this is a pen you’ll get your money out of, easily. Especially with a common refill like Parker.
I give it 4 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
