[Pen/Pencil Review] The Pentel Sign Pen – Red Ink
One more from the Big Box O’ Pentel from so many moons ago. This is the Pentel Sign Pen in red ink.
According to the Pentel Website, this pen has been around for 50 years (wow, 1963 was a pretty powerful year). These pens are also touted as the “original fiber tipped pen”. But that also tells you something about it – it’s a “felt tip” pen which is one of my least favorite types of pens. I’m not dissing fiber/felt tip pens. They have their places in the grand scheme of things. And I do get “in a mood” for them every so often, but they’re not high on my list.
This pen runs about 5.25″ long with the cap on. It’s a snap on cap that’s pretty darn secure, which is good because fiber tips will dry out if you’re not careful. It’s 6.25″ long with the cap posted. It’s light but well-balanced. It has a good diameter with no frills. The tip is a 0.25mm – which is a bold line – good for what the name implies – making signs or when you need your writing to be truly noticed. The red ink really is bold and rich – just be careful, it’s a water-based ink – so it will wash out of clothes, hands and smear if you drip on it.
The sign pens are part of the Recycology lines – in the primary colors. The “fashion” colors are not. These pens come in a wide range of colors, but I have red. I’ve used this at work for things that needed to be bold. I’m careful with it, as I would be with all fiber tips, I don’t want to mush the point, and the point is big enough that that could be an issue.
Yet, overall, if you’re an artist, or someone who likes a bold fiber tip? This is something you should definitely check out. Or if you’re a teacher looking for a bright grading pen, check this out, it might work for you. They’re reasonably priced and been around a goodly while. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed – they come in a wide assortment of options.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 0.5 It’s decent. No frills. The bold line to the fiber tip makes me think I’m going to hurt the tip, because I’m heavy handed, but some people might like that.
2. Grip and feel – – For being a no-frills pen, it’s pretty comfortable. It doesn’t have a cushioned grip, but it has decent diameter and balance.
3. Material – 1 It is what it is. A disposable, non-refillable “marker” type pen, but made with 80% recycled plastic, so there’s not as much guilt for throwing it away when it’s empty.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 -It’s a basic fiber point pen. It’s not a full on marker, but it’s not an everyday writing pen – unless you like really bold lines, then GO FOR IT. It’s all plastic, so if you’re a fidgeter, it’s likely you’ll snap off the pocket clip.
5. Price Point – 1 – They run $1.50-2 apiece on the Pentel website – and they are available (at least in primary colors) at most Big Box office supply places (by the dozen), and at art supply stores like Asel Art Supply. You can find these anywhere.
4 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
