Mightier than the Sword: Part II

Welcome to the second instalment of Mightier than the Sword! In this article I will continue to analyze and review several popular pens in North America, all of which were supplied by our local Staples on Richmond Rd. These pens range from the quirky and unique Zebra Telescopic all the way to the fine writing of the Dr. Grip Center of Gravity. Between these pages is a pen for everyone – let me help you find your perfect pen!

Zebra Telescopic

The Zebra Telescopic pen is a novelty item. Having said that, it is undoubtedly one of the coolest pens I have ever used, but more importantly, it was designed with function in mind. The ZT pen is designed for compactness, and made to fit in agendas and breast pockets. Understanding the discomfort associated with using small pens, Zebra gave the ZT one of the most defining characteristics on the pen market – extendability.

The ZT is not a cheap pen, neither in price nor quality. The ZT is extremely well made out of solid metal, more than capable of withstanding a few drops. Unfortunately, the ZT lacks a rubber grip, which would have made this pen good enough for my every day use. The ZT also comes with a solid metal clip, which is much more durable when compared to the flimsier plastic clips of the RSVP or G-Tec-C4. The ink or tip are certainly nothing to rave about, and the ZT uses a simple ballpoint tip to get the job done.

However, the defining characteristic of the ZT is its ability to extend and retract. This does not mean it is a clicker pen. On the other hand, the ZT pen will actually extend its barrel, becoming a normal-length pen with its ink extended. When you are finished writing, you can push the barrel back in, compressing the pen into its miniature size and also retracting the ink tube. The result is a pen which will not stain pockets and can be carried about easily in its compact form.

These pens cost $6.42 for a pair at Staples. I would recommend these pens to anyone who is interested in owning a unique pen. The Zebra Telescopic is also extremely useful if you have a diary or notebook you carry around with you, since its compact retracted form makes it convenient to be carried around. Finally, the ZT will find a good home in a wallet or shirt pocket in case you ever have a need for a pen which will not stain your shirt or pants.

Bottom Line: Great pens which can find functional purposes in your notebook or shirt pocket. They are solid and

Dr Grip Center of Gravity

The Dr. Grip COG is a high-end pen, featuring a very solid and durable build with a very firm clicker. The pen is made of durable plastic, and the front grip is one of the best designs, coming straight from another one of Japan’s pens, the Dr. Grip G-Spec. It features two grips: one black undergrip, and

a second clear grip on top, resulting in the ultimate squishy experience. I accidentally picked up

a blue ink pen, and since both black and blue inked pens have the same black front grip,

it can be somewhat confusing. Regardless, the ink flows exceptionally well, but is somewhat prone to

smudging, particularly for left-handed writers. The Dr Grip COG uses “turbo-charged” ink, but is most likely to be gel. Finally, the Dr Grip Center of Gravity was given its name because it is certainly balanced at the center of the pen – where the grip meets the body.

The ink flows very well, but that should be expected for a pen of this price. The colours are bold, but since the pen uses gel ink, it is somewhat prone to smudging. Although not advertised as such, the Dr. Grip Center of Gravity can also be aesthetically customizable. By removing the back portion of the pen, an insert (a picture, or a printout) can be fitted into the barrel to be used as decoration.

However, if you are going to purchase this pen for any reason, it should be for the grip. Dr. Grip pens are well known for their grips and the Center of Gravity is no exception. The Center of Gravity features a double layered grip, which means that there is a coloured undergrip as well as a clear soft grip on top. This provides maximum comfort when writing, in addition to the cushioning, contoured shape of the grip itself.

Bottom Line: This pen is excellent for students, since it is comfortable to use and can ease the stress of long writing sessions. The ink flow is very good, and the design is excellent. However, at a price of $7.96, this pen could be considered an investment.

Hybrid Gel Roller

I picked up the HGRs at Staples by accident, but they surprised me with their vibrant colorus and bold lines. Normally, I would not write with anything thicker than 0.7mm, but these gel pens, writing with a 1.2mm ball, were an exception.

A pack of 8 HGRs provides 8 metallic gel pen colours. All of them write extremely well (I have not had any problems with them) in vibrant, bold ink colours. The flow of the pens is excellent, but since they use a gel based ink and are particularly thick, they are very prone to smudging. If you are writing with an HGR, I would suggest you take a break after writing every line to allow the ink to dry.

The body design is standard and the grip negligible to say the least. Apart from the excellent colour range and thick lines, these pens are similar to every other gel pen in the market. It should be noted that as a result of the thick ball, the HGRs can sometimes leave lines which are not of even thickness.

All in all, these pens are excellent for decorating agendas, cards, or even notebooks. However, it is probably very impractical to expect students to uses tehse pens for regular note taking sessions in class.

Bottom Line: These pens are somewhat expensive at $11.00 for a pack of 8, and are not very useful for the everyday student. However, if you are a chronic doodler, artist, or decorator, these pens may be perfect for you.

Dr. Grip Gel

Dr. Grip pens are some of the most expensive, yet high quality pens you can find in the school supplies section. The Dr. Grip Gel is no exception. It is also a pen of personal preference. I have met many people who are ready to swear that this pen is the best they had ever used. On the other hand, my personal tastes push me away from this popular pen.

The Dr. Grip Gel has been awarded the Arthritis Foundation “Commendation for Ease-of-Use”. This award simply shows just how popular and comfortable this pen is to use. The excellent build, wide barrel, and firm grip all contribute to an overall easier writing experience, especially if you suffer from hand cramps as a result of clenching too tightly when you are writing. However, I find the grip to be too hard for my tastes, but the Dr. Grip Gel is certainly much better than many other pens I have used. The wider barrel is also very comfortable to hold in the hand.

The ink flow of the Dr. Grip Gel is also much better than average. When writing with the Dr. Grip Gel, the pen feels very liquid, resulting in a very smooth and bold line. Being a gel based ink, I was surprised that the Dr. Grip Gel ink did not smudge as much as other pens. In terms of writing, I would highly recommend this pen. I have seen examiners, adjudicators, teachers, and insurance salespersons using this pen in the past – its dependability, ink flow, and prestige lends itself well to daily use.

In the past, I have not really discussed the idea of pen weight. The Dr. Grip Gel is certainly one of the heavier pens available, making it feel much more substantial when compared to the cheaper Bic ballpoint pens. However, this weight also comes at a cost. Running at $12.99, the Dr. Grip Gel is the most expensive single pen I saw at Staples. However, if you are a person who appreciates a dependable writing instrument, this may be a suitable pen for you.

Bottom Line: The Dr. Grip Gel is the most expensive pen I saw at Staples – and for good reason. While it may be out of the price range for normal students, this pen can easily find its place in your everyday life.