[Pen/Pencil Review] The Pentel Hyper G Purple 0.7mm

This week’s pen review goes back to Pentel. I still have several of these to review, so it’s about time to get to it. This one is one of the big box they sent me months ago, it’s the Hyper G 0.7mm Purple ink retractable pen.

This has ended up as a “go to” pen when I’ve wanted a color other than blue or black. I’ve been gravitating more to retractable pens, especially at work, since I tend to leave them out on my desk a lot. This one has gotten a fair amount of use. It’s 0.7mm point that isn’t thick or clumpy. It’s a rich, vibrant purple in a fast drying gel ink. This is a typical stainless steel roller ball point, no fear of breaking or bending.

The Hyper G is part of Pentel’s Recycology line – that means the barrel and mechanism is made of 84% recycled plastic. Yay. The pen runs about 5.75” long both retracted and extended. The barrel color matches the ink. It’s got a patterned top near the purple accented, beveled stainless steel clip. The purple rubber grip is textured for looks and comfort. The stainless steel grip around the point is the weird part. The cap has dents to theoretically make it more ergonomic and has a ridge that gives it a “Rocketeer” look – and it’s nice and comfortable, but only if you hold it that one way. I tend to twist my grip on the pen, and I find that added stuff gets in my way.

But all in all it’s a decent pen. Good, rich color. Lasts a long time. Solid pen from a solid manufacturer.

The numbers:

1. How does it work? – 1 It’s decent. No frills. The ink is vibrant and the roller smooth. There can be some smearing, but it’s liquid ink. It happens.
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – It’s an inexpensive, plastic. The texturing and ergonomics in the grip and cap make this a bit weird unless you can hold a pen in one position and never, ever move it. Otherwise, it doesn’t fit right.
3. Material – 1 It’s recycled plastic, but it has a good mechanism and good ink. If you’re ecology conscious or just want to help keep plastic out of landfills, this is a good thing.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 -It’s a basic retractable liquid gel ink pen. It’s refillable or disposable. It is what it is. But the attempts to make it more ergonomic give it a knock in the ratings.
5. Price Point – 1 – Not a bad price for what these pens are. They’re no-nonsense pens that run $1.50 – $2.00 a piece ($1.95 on the Pentel website). They come singly, in packs of multiples, or by the dozen about the same price ranges.
4 out of 5 Bronze Pencils