Moleskine surprised me several years ago when they updated their pen and pencil lineup. And by several years ago, I mean 2011, when I first reviewed the Moleskine Classic Roller Pen. Has it really been that long?
It has. I enjoyed that pen at the time, but the real winning feature of it was the Moleskine 0.5 mm Parker-style gel ink refill it was loaded with. I remember snapping up extra refills and using them in various compatible pens - at least until Moleskine stopped making them.
Despite the disappearance of one of the best gel ink refills on the market, Moleskine continued to produce pens, but stuck to a more basic ballpoint refill. The rectangular barrel shape and side-opening clip remained the same, which allows users to clip the pen easily to the cover of their Moleskine notebooks. That is a nice, well thought out feature, although some users will not be able to hold the pen comfortably if they use a non-standard grip.
I had forgotten about Moleskine pens until my trip last fall to New York City, where I went on a city-wide stationery tour with my friends Ana, Myke, and Tiff. That tour brought us to Goods for the Study one afternoon, where I managed to spend way too much money. That’s what I was there for, right?
One of the benefits to shopping at a brick and mortar store is the ability to stumble into things you haven’t seen before. I was surprised when I saw a grouping of Moleskine pens - not realizing they still made them - and even more surprised when I found one calling my name.
Having enjoyed my previous Moleskine pen experience, there was no way I was going to turn down one with a graph paper ruling on the barrel. Specifically, this one is called the Moleskine Go Pen, Squared, Ivory. The name is that detailed because by my count there are 12 different models in this particular lineup (yes, including Lined, Blank, and Dot Grid versions.) On top of that, the pen costs only $5, which surprises me a little bit.
That’s more than fair in my book. In fact, I apparently also reviewed the predecessor to the Go pen - the Moleskine Click Roller Pen - and had this to say: “At $15 they are way overpriced - it feels like a $5 pen.” Moleskine reads The Pen Addict!
Ok, not really, but I’m glad to know that the price is now accurate for what this pen is. The Moleskine Go features a lightweight plastic barrel that is great for pocket carry, or notebook attachment. The refill is a 1.0 mm black, Parker-style ballpoint that is good, not great. It takes a second to crank up on occasion, but is consistent once it does.
Most of all, this pen is fun. I love the look and style of it, and my grip gets along well with the rectangular barrel. Even when I am not actively using it, it stays on my desk for me to fiddle with, and because it looks cool. Not many of my pens retain desktop status, so it means a lot when one does.
I pay attention to what Moleskine offers as a brand. It’s time for me to watch their pen lineup a bit more closely going forward.
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