[Pen/Pencil Review] Zebra Prefill 5 Color Multi Pen Body Component – Belle Red
In my Christmas stocking this year was something I’d forgotten I’d put on a JetPens wishlist. It’s a Zebra Prefill 5 Color Multi Pen Body Component – Belle Red and five inserts in a random assortment of colors in 0.5mm points. The Belle Red is a female “Snoopy” holding a heart, which makes it perfect for Valentine’s week.
It’s a fun body. And the Prefill 5 is just that – a customizable PEN BODY. Nothing comes in it, you get to choose. Choose colors and choose point sizes – and probably even choose what kind of ink and probably there’s even a pencil option. This pen body is 6.3″ long and light until you fill the pen. Then it’s better balanced.
The barrel is retractable with side sliders, including one with a ring. The ring is in place of a clip – it’s one drawback. I love Zebra’s binder clips on most of their pens now, these are harder to carry. The barrel is red two-thirds of the way down. The grip is milky white and slightly translucent – so you can see the inks inside. The diameter is a bit wide, but only enough to accommodate the refills. They’re pretty comfortable.
The inks are Sarasa gel NJK lines and, yes, there is a mechanical pencil component – so INFINITELY customizable. There are several colors and point sizes available. The gel ink is smooth and dark. They dry quickly and are relatively inexpensive. These are all elements
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 – It works surprisingly well for the body coming empty. The inks just slide in but are secure in the body. The retraction mechanisms work well.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – For a multi-function, it’s actually comfortable. The diameter is comfortable. There’s very little ridge between grip and barrel to be uncomfortable because of the decorative band. It’s a bit long but comfortable.
3. Material – 1 – It is plastic…however with the nice inserts, and comfortable feel, it’s decent. The transparent plastic of the barrel grip lets you see ink levels. Some might think it’s expensive for plastic and base metal, but it’s environmentally conscious and FIVE good quality writing instruments in one.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – I am going to knock a half point off here just for the lack of a clip – and I don’t think you can put an eraser in the top? But I’d have to do more research on that.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – It’s not cheap, but it is SUPER useful. The empty body is $6 on Jetpens with the refills being $1.95 for the inks and $3.00 for the pencil mechanism. That’s not HUGELY expensive – but it’s not super cheap – $16 for the initial out lay and then refills. BUT it’s super cute, and you can change the inks out however often you like or have on hand.
That’s 4 of 5 bronze pencils.
