Zebra Sarasa 2+S 2 Color 0.5 mm Gel Ink Multi Pen + 0.5 mm Pencil - Light Blue Body Review

Image via JetPens.

There aren't may things I enjoy more than an epic-length product title. Just kidding - I despise them. What are manufacturers thinking when coming up with this nonsense? Not every feature needs to be listed in the title people.

Despite the extraneous characters, the Zebra Sarasa 2+S is a solid multi pen. The 0.5 mm black and red Sarasa gel ink refills are the star of the show. Each provides a smooth, rich line, and characteristic of most Zebra pens, the line is sharp. That is a personal favorite feature of mine and why I enjoy Zebra pens so much.

The plastic barrel is well constructed and the rubber grip provides good traction when writing. The binder-style clip is as strong as you would expect, allowing you to attach the pen to different sized objects when not in use. Even the pencil is nice!

As with any multi pen, what you gain in versatility you lose in capacity. With heavy use, you will burn through ink refills. Replacements run $1.10 a pop, but at least there is the option to add in blue or green ink.

The Zebra Sarasa 2+S gets the job done. Sometimes that is all you need in a pen.

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)

Zebra Arbez Eo Ballpoint Review

The Zebra Corporation holds a competition each year for young designers where the winner gets their product produced under the Arbez name. The 2011 winner was the Piirto, an icepick-shaped ballpoint from a Finnish designer. In 2012, the British winner designed a set of pens around the London transportation system, with the double decker bus styled Eo 0.7 mm ballpoint taking center stage.

The design of the Eo is fantastic. It is unique and eye-catching, but may not fit everyones grip comfort needs. One side of the barrel is flat, the opposite side is rounded, and the other two sides gradually connect the two. Essentially, a capital D shape. For me it works well, but others may not like it.

If that doesn't bother you, then this is a fun pen to own. The bright red barrel features a slick white racing stripe running the length of the barrel, and both the tip and end caps sport a translucent ink color section. I find myself continually marveling at how well designed this pen is.

For a standard ballpoint it writes well. The lines are clean and sharp and very little white shows through. I enjoyed it but I wonder if the Arbez competition would be better suited to design around the Sarasa gel ink refill instead?

Regardless, a part of London's transportation system now resides on my desk. Time to take a ride!

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)

Zebra Prefill 3 Color Multi Pen Review

The Zebra Prefill Multi Pen is about three years too late to the gel ink multi pen party. The Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto is the heavyweight champion in this space, holding down that title for longer then The Pen Addict has been in existence. Uni-ball joined the party in 2009 with the Style Fit, along with the Pentel Sliccies. You would think Zebra would have jumped into the fray by now, no?

Despite the delay, Zebra came out with a pretty good product. I was hoping that the ink refills would be as good as the Zebra Sarasa Clip and I think they are. I ordered the black barrel with black, blue, and red 0.4 mm gel ink cartridges. All of the inks performed well with clean, sharp lines. The barrel is no-frills, taking a lot of design elements from the aforementioned Style Fit.

Where does the Zebra Prefill rank amongst its competitors? You may be surprised. Here are my rankings:

1. Pilot Hi-Tec-C - The leader, and no one else is close.
2. Zebra Prefill - Not as many options as the Style Fit, but better writing performance.
3. Uni Style Fit - Well made, but don't love the writing experience.
4. Pentel Sliccies - Don't bother.

How do you rank your gel ink multi pens?