[Pen/Pencil Review] Faber-Castell N’Ice Ballpoint Pen
I’m just going to hope this review is somewhat coherent. Just back from Rose City Comic Con, and I’m wiped. This week I show you the pen I picked up from the Dallas Pen Show, basically because it’s the first one I picked up. I bring you the Faber-Castell N’Ice Ballpoint pen.
I bought it for a few reasons – one, I’d never really focused on Faber-Castell before (except maybe in traditional yellow wooden pencils); two, it was cool looking with a model in lime green; and three, it was in my price range. The N’ice ballpoint pen is very modern, but comfortable and well-balanced. The art deco-ish look actually gives the polished, chrome-plated barrel a comfortable grip. The barrel flows into a fun, smooth lime green plastic cap with a molded, wide plastic clip.
The pen extends and retracts the ballpoint with a twist mechanism. The refill is the Faber-Castell black XB. The ink flows well. The ballpoint is smooth and clean. It’s called “document proof” – which I take to be archival quality, acid-free. The quibbly problem is the “XB” part. It’s over a 1.0mm – like a 1.2mm or a 1.4mm, which is WAY too big a line for me. I really want a MUCH finer line than this. They do have them, but I’d have to order them. The refill does look to be the Parker Style, but I’d like to try their finer points even though the refills are a bit on the pricy side.
For something that’s should be fairly common, it’s a beautifully done writing instrument. It’s a touch on the short side – just over 5″ with the ink retracted and about 5.25″ with the ink extended. With the well-balanced build, the length isn’t as big of a deal as it should be. It’s really comfortable and easy to use. I like it.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 It’s good. It’s a smooth ink writing experience. Long enough to be comfortable and well-balanced.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – Considering the barrel is chrome, Faber-Castell has designed ergonomics into the barrel design. The barrel has finger grips and rests as part of the artistic design to make it fit several hand sizes. It feels good in the hand.
3. Material – 1 Chrome-plated metal for the barrel and sturdy plastic cap makes a strong design.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – It’s a bit on the short side – and to be perfect, I’d like about another quarter inch. And the stock refill is WAY to bold a line. I feel like I’m writing with one of those big Kindergarten pencils with the XB refill – perfect would be their fine or (at the very least) the medium refill.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – Considering this is Faber-Castell, the price isn’t bad but it’s a higher end ballpoint pen. This pen runs $15 at the pen show and on their website. You can probably get it cheaper on Amazon, but hey, I’d rather buy direct. It’s a good gift pen or a way to be artistic in a business situation. The finer point refills run $5 each.
4.0 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
