Pentel TRF91 Tradio Fountain Pen Review

Can expectations get in the way of a product review? I think the answer is yes, but I try not to let any preconceived notions jump onto the page and screen. I do try to be honest about my true feelings for a product though, whether good or bad. So, my honest, preconceived thoughts of the Pentel TRF91 Tradio Fountain Pen before reviewing it? I thought it would be terrible.

That is one of the reasons it took so long for me to order it - I didn't want it to be a waste of money. I did like the looks of it, and was generally happy with the similar Pentel Tradio EnerGel Combo Pen, so I bit the bullet and bought one. And you know what? It is better than I expected.

What we have here is a true entry level pen. There are six barrel color choices but only one nib option - medium. It is made to be used with both short and long international cartridges so you could probably find a compatible converter as well. The design is comfortable with just enough style points to set it above more run of the mill pens.

The surprise factor with the Pentel Tradio Fountain Pen is the nib. I don't have many other M nibs to compare it to, but this one is unbelievably smooth. I think this is what fountain pen people refer to as "glassy" - there is little to no friction or feedback when the nib hits the page. It is as smooth of a writer as you can get.

The one gotcha with the Tradio is when posting the cap. It goes on firmly, or so it seems, but as you write it works its way up the barrel until it is loose. The Tradio Energel did the exact same thing. If you write with the cap posted this might be an annoyance.

Will the Tradio Fountain Pen move ahead of the Lamy Safari as one of the best entry level fountain pens? No, and it is not even close. The Safari offers way too many options to ignore. But the Tradio can hold its own performance-wise, and if you are searching for a good looking, good performing entry level fountain pen you could do much worse.

Pentel Pulaman JM20 Disposable Fountain Pen Review

Everyone I know who uses or has reviewed the Pentel Pulaman JM20 (or mainly the Pentel Tradio - same tip) either loves it, or has no use for it. So, I won't say there is a love/hate relationship with this pen because that would be unfair to a perfectly fine pen, but you either have a use for the Pulaman, or you don't.

The groups I find that have the most use for the Pulaman are artists, sketchers, and other creative types. The flexible nib allows for a wide range of line widths, similar to a brush pen but more sturdy. The ink flow is heavy, making it useful for large-motion sketching, but not really small detailed writing. I am a small, detailed writer so it isn't the best pen for me.

What I can't figure out about this pen, or its relative the Tradio, is why it is always referred to as a fountain pen? On looks alone, no one is going to mistake this for a metal nib pen, but it is odd none the less. Anyone have thoughts on this?

Read another review of the Pentel Pulaman JM20 at Office Supply Geek

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Pentel Finito! Extra Fine Porous Tip

Does the Pentel Finito! really exist? They obviously do, I have three of them in the picture right up there. But if I wanted to link to them online for more information or even a place to buy them, that is a bit more difficult. I bought mine at Staples a month or so ago, but they are nowhere to be found on their website. No problem, Pentel will certainly have some info on their website. Or not.

I gave up looking eventually. Sure, there are ebay listings, and out of stock Amazon links, but I have already wasted more time than this pen deserves. It is not a terrible pen but it doesn’t fit my writing style. The ink flow is massive. So fast that I can barely stay out in front of the bleeding. Extra Fine it is not.

It does look the part though. The barrel is nice and sturdy and the tip is well designed, but compared to similar pens like the Sharpie Pen the Finito! doesn’t even come close performance wise. This is more of a marker pen than a writing or drawing pen, so adjust your expectations accordingly. That is if you can actually find a place to buy them.

Finito!