[Pen/Pencil Blog] Pentel Color Shades Writing Pack – Green
A few weeks ago I wrote that I have a problem. Back-to-School displays are my weakness. On the trip to Walgreens that gained me the fine point BICs (still don’t have “traditional†colors) X-tra Precise. I also found the Pentel Color Shades Writing Pack – in Green. And even though I’ve pretty much reviewed all things Pentel, I still had to buy this. I have a problem. I’d like to say I could quit any time, but then there wouldn’t be a blog.
Honestly, I just saw the green and went for it. I didn’t read the packaging AT ALL. So I rather expected this to be all black ink with green barrels. And… no. There’s a PENTEL RSVP RT medium point (so 1.0 mm) retractable ball point pen, An ENER-GEL X 0.7mm gel pen, a WOW! 0.7mm mechanical pencil, a Hi Polymer eraser and a Clic Eraser in this pack (other colors available if you don’t like green – but who doesn’t like green????)
The pencil is a pencil. Pentel has relatively dense lead – this is a classic HB – and it doesn’t break easily The eraser is under a translucent cap, which I’ve not used (though decent erasers) because I have better erasers to use. Speaking of… I LOVE the Clic Erasers. Feels like a pen with a super long eraser that ratchets out. I annoy people with the eraser clicking. But there’s ALWAYS eraser available.
The Ener-Gels are a perennial favorite. The ink pigment is dark and relatively fast-drying. The conical point flows freely with little skipping or glopping. The ballpoint is always iffy. Not a fan of 1.0 mm – but the ink is a regular green, not a light green (no matter what the barrels say). RSVPs do well with the smooth flow and limited glopping. Retractables make everything clean.
The Clic Eraser is 5†long, the pens and pencil run between 5.75†and 6†long for a “standard†size in mechanical pencils and retractable pens. There are ergonomic grips on all but the click eraser for comfort. They’re all balanced well.
The issue is availability and cost. Right now they’re only showing up online at Amazon and Ebay. You’ll have to catch them at box stores before Back-to-School is over. They’re more expensive online. I think I paid $4.99 at Walgreens?
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 These are decent tools in a decent (and kind of fun-looking) pack to handle all the elements of school or work.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – They have good grips and feel for being basic plastic writing tools..
3. Material – 1 For an inexpensive plastic pens and pencil, they’re solidly built. The retracting mechanism are solid. The barrels are cool
4. Overall Design – 1 -It’s a pretty cool package. Everything is classic Pentel. Kind of doing a matched set is pretty awesome.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – I got these at a local Walgreens. $5 is a good price if you can find it – $1 an element is good. Unfortunately, if you find them on line they seem to be running more – Amazon is showing between $7 – $9 – which is a bit much, I’m afraid. And they seem to be “seasonalâ€.
4.5 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
