Review: Uni-Ball Jetstream Color Series Light Blue

If you want to try out a Uni-Ball Jetstream in a non-traditional color (not black, blue, or red), then the Jetstream Color Series is your only choice.  I own each of the new colors, and I'll have to troll through the archives to see if I have reviewed them all, but I think the Light Blue is the last one to take a look at (it's not - I still need to do blue black, which is the best of the bunch).

Many of you are not fans of the 0.5mm Jetstream, but they are some of my favorite pens in any category.  I covered this in the original Color Series review, but really the only thing holding this pen back is a weak barrel design.  I assume Uni-Ball was trying to make a fun barrel to go along with the fun new colors, but in the end it just feels cheap, especially when compared to the sturdy standard Jetstream barrels.  I have gotten used to these barrels though, mainly because I love how these pens write.  Crisp, clean, and skip free lines, and in this particular case, a light blue that really pops.  Between blue black, orange, pink, and this one, I think the only additional color I would like to see is purple.

If you have followed this blog for a while, or follow me on Twitter, you know I am a huge fan of The New Pornographers.  Their latest album "Together", which was released earlier this year, is still in heavy rotation at the Pen Addict household.  "Crash Years" is my favorite song, and while there is an official video of this song, nothing beats a really strong live performance.  Enjoy!

Click here for the XL review.

Review: Uni-Ball Signo MF2

Have I reviewed the Uni-Ball Signo MF2 before?  You would think I might have already, but you would be wrong.  I reviewed the Uni-Ball MF3 - the three cartridge version available in Japan via JetPens - well over a year ago, but it wasn't until a recent Target run that I grabbed the MF2 model - 0.5mm black gel ink and an 0.5mm pencil - despite the fact that the MF2 had been out for nearly as long.

You would think Uni-Ball would market a pen as cool as this a little better, but Target is the only store in my town that carries it.  Not Staples, not Office Depot, and not Wal-Mart.  Maybe it doesn't hit that core office products user in the sweet spot, but it sure is a nice pen, and especially great for students during this back to school time of year.  My favorite thing about this pen is its simplicity.  The barrel is no frills - it is a nice translucent smokey black plastic with a smooth rubber grip.  To eject either the pen or the pencil, you just flip the pen clip into the proper position, and that is really it.  Just a quick back and forth to change it up.

The gel ink Signo writes great.  The black gel ink is solid, and lays down a clean line.  It is comparable to the Signo 207 Micro in performance, which is a good thing.  The pencil does a great job as well, and the eraser is quick and easy to get to on the end of the barrel.

So why aren't these types of multi pen setups more prevalent in the States?  It is really hard to find a non-ballpoint multi pen on store shelves, and I for one would love it if they became more of an everyday option.

Click here for the XL review.

Review: Uni-Ball Signo DX 0.5mm Black

Do you own a Uni-Ball Signo DX yet?  If not, why?

This is one of the pound-for-pound champions of all cheap pens, but unlike the Uni-Ball Vision Elite I just reviewed, it is not readily available at traditional brick and mortar retail outlets - at least in the U.S..  I haven't really figured out why though.  It is loved universally, comes in a rainbow of colors, well made, and very affordable.  Bring this pen to the shelves Uni-Ball!

While I personally grab for the Pilot Hi-Tec-C before the DX, I would recommend this pen to Pen Addict readers first.  It is a more consistent writer, and many people prefer the conical tip of the DX over the needle of the Hi-Tec-C.  But it really just boils down to preference.  I haven't met a DX that I don't like, so hopefully you will find them likable too.

Click here for the XL review.

See Also:
Review: Uni-Ball Signo DX Golden Yellow 0.5mm
Review: Uni-Ball Signo DX 0.28mm Violet

Products used:
Uni-Ball Signo DX from JetPens
Writing Pad from Doane Paper