[Pen/Pencil Review] Pilot Acroball 4 Color Multi Pen – 0.7mm
When I put this week’s pen on my JetPens Wishlist, it was more from a curiosity factor than anything else. It ended up as part of my Christmas haul, so I have the prime opportunity to check it out – Yay, Wishlist! I’ve developed a taste for Pilot’s Acroball line I have to be in a “mood†for gel pens or fountain pen. BUT… there’s always a place for ballpoints and the Acroball line is rapidly becoming one of my absolute favorites.
The Acroball ink is an oil-based ink that I’ve talked about before. It provides a smooth line with rich, dark pigments – including the green ink, which is by far the most difficult to do well – with minimal glops or smears. The barrel is clear plastic for a demonstrator style that lets you see the levels of the ink. The grip is a tire-pattern rubberized grip that gives a decent feel. The barrel is a bit thick, but it’s normal for the type of the pen and still comfortable. The color retracts by pushing a second plunger. The clip is spring loaded, sturdy, and easy to use.
The barrel is 5.7†long and the ink points are a fantastic 0.7mm conical point with a color band around each refill to confirm color. The ink is refillable in both 0.7mm AND 0.5mm which makes this a useful, all around pen that will last quite a while. If you don’t like the clear barrel – they do come in six different colors.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 It works really well. The retraction mechanisms are solid. The ink is solid and rich.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – This has a good feel. There’s nothing “extra†to the pen. The barrel is only as wide as it needs to be to hold the inks. The rubberized grip makes it pretty comfortable.
3. Material – 1 It’s a decent quality plastic pen with refill options. The plungers and clips are sturdy and functional
4. Overall Design – 1 – For a pen that should be a lot bulkier, this pen is sleek, functional and designed to do what it needs to do.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – It’s kind of expensive – and probably only available online through JetPens or the like – I don’t remember seeing them in stores. The multipen runs $8.25 for the first one and between $1.50 and $1.75 for the refills. It’s not something to be bought and lost – but it’s a good all around bpen.
4.5 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
