I am a connoisseur of sorts in stationery, and have been for as long as I can remember. I enjoy writing longhand for letters, notes, journal-keeping, etc., and I'm always on the lookout for a better pen -- ballpoint, rollerball, fountain...any will do.Well, I discovered Pilot's Extra-Fine Gel-Ink pens about 3 or 4 years ago, and my search is over. I have tried other new and different pens since then, but I keep going back. Nothing compares, and nothing surpasses them, even expensive varieties.These pens don't require a scribble to start the ink (or to restart it when you pause for a thought), they never skip, they never get ink globs around the point (a common pitfall for gel-ink pens, and fine-point pens in general), and they always write a smooth, clean line. I've even found they will write upside-down, like the Fisher Space Pen does, so they're also great when a wall is your only flat surface to jot a quick note!Other available colors include purple and green, as well as standard black, blue, and red! These pens are refillable too, so they are ecological AND economical. I have also started using the G2 refills in my more expensive pen barrels whenever they fit, since the cartridges that came with those expensive pens are horrible.The ONLY negative thing I can say is minor: the first time you use it, it may be a little scratchy until you wear the point to your angle of writing, but this "breaking in" is over quickly.If you want a pen that makes handwriting a pleasure, this is the one for you! Pilot G2 Retractable Gel Ink Roller Ball Pen, Extra Fine Point, Clear Barrel, Black Ink, 12-Count (31002)
Gel ink rules! If you like a ball point pen but you also enjoy the water based ink in rolling ball pens, the G-2 Gel-Ink pen is the one for you. I have found the ink to be water resistant, smear-proof, acid free and archival safe once it has dried. The colors of the Gel-Ink is more vivid than other pens. Since the pen is retractable, you can open and close it with one hand. Tired of losing caps - no problem here! The contoured rubber grip makes for a comfortable grip and flawless control. The pen has yet to slip out of my hands no matter how fast I write. Worried about how much ink you have? No problem, you can clearly see the level of ink left. You must have this pen!
I loved these pens. They are so comfortable and write so nicely; my preference is an extra fine point blue ink and these G-2 05mm extra fine points were my favorite by far. I used them for years and bought them by the box of 12. Until about a year and half ago and something happened to the way they are made and the extra fine point pens would suffer loss of ink flow from the start of use. I tried heating the tip, shaking them downward, every trick I could think of, but to no avail. I went through 2 boxes and several individual 3 packs over a period of a year and a half(so I know it was not a short-term one-batch problem) and no luck, they just would not write. Very frustrating as I have not found any extra fine gel ink pen as comfortable. I would say their motto now is "feels great, doesn't write for beans."
I much prefer the pilot G2 series to the 'equivalent' UniBall pens. While the G2 gel ink does dry faster it does not dry as fast as I would like.
_fyi_
* The G2 grip is round: much preferred to triangle variations of other brands
* grip has ridges nearer pen tip and slightly larger diameter smooth surface for those who prefer to grip further from the pen tip.
* I lose the pen before running out of ink [where lose usually means people permanently borrow without permission]
* prefer the 0.5 to the 1.0, but ultimately prefer the 0.38
* fine = 0.7
* x-fine = 0.5
* ultra-fine = 0.35
* I've never seen a refill kit in a BnM store for the G2 series though they allegedly exist
_pro_
* faster drying than uniball gel
* more comfortable grip than other gels I have used
* unlike an uncapped unibal gel the retractable (uncapped) pens do not self destruct because of prolonged disuse (after initial use)
* functions at narrow angle to paper
* does not "gum up" when certain people borrow to write on skin
* less tactile feedback from writing surface than uniball
_cons_
* ink does not dry as fast as I would like
** occasionally smearing- while inking my palm
* the dozen pack of 0.5 is three bux less at Office max
I absolutely LOVE these pens...IF they work! When you buy a package, you never know how many will be duds! When they work, they are smooth and the ink flows freely. I'm starting to reach a point though where I'm not willing to pay so much for cool pens to have several of them malfunction. Not sure if the ones that actually work are worth that price.
My favorite pens. Good quality, reasonable price. I buy them by the dozens. I like the 05 width (07 is too thick - I'm a doctor and have tiny writing, and 03 is too scratchy).
Only problem is that probably 1/7 pens gets ruined by some wired eventually coming loose and out of where the ball is. At that point, pen is ruined.
However, I absolutely love the other 6/7.
I started with the .07 g2 a little too thick fro all the tiny spaces to fill on documents medical ones I write all day the g5 is very good I purchase bulk when I can and have noticed the same with a few duds I also write kanji it does the job very well I wish they would look at QC a little more closely
I have used these pens - and no others - for 10 years! I love them. The black/blue have always worked - perhaps the person who said otherwise forgot to remove the small clear plastic ball at the end of the point. However, I have had the colored pens dry out before the ink runs out. - G2 - Retractable - Gel Pen - Pens'
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