I’d been hearing a lot of praise about the humble-looking Ohto Graphic Liner 0.3. For the descriptions and the look of the pen, I was expecting something that performed similarly to the Pilot Precise V5. The size, smooth barrel and long flat clip makes it look quite similar to the V5 and all descriptions suggest that there might not be a difference between the two, but there is.

The Ohto Graphic Liner is silkier on the paper than a V5. At first I was worried that I might have trouble with it — me and rollerball pens don’t always see eye to eye (I’m talking to you, Uni-Ball Vision) because of the overwriter position I use to write. After a few minutes of scribbling, the Otho Graphic Liner worked great though — I think it just needed a little priming since it was new and hadn’t been used.

There were no issues with skipping or any other writing faux pas. The thing I like best about the gel/hybrid/rollerball pens is that they are usually waterproof or at least fairly water-resistant. I decided to compare the Ohto Graphic Liner to the Pilot Envelope Pen and the Pilot Precise V5. The Ohto Graphic Liner 0.3 is just a tiny bit broader than a V5 but much finer than a fine Envelope Pen. They were all equally water-resistant with only minimal smearing. I find the Envelope Pen to be almost too slick on paper sometimes — like writing on an oil slick. Alternately, the V5 can feel a little sticky on paper so the Ohto Graphic Liner definitely hits the sweet spot between the two. Its smooth on the paper, water-resistant so it can be used on envelopes or in art journaling or mixed media art-making without issues but its not so slick that the pen gets away from you.

The Ohto Graphic Liner is available in 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0. The finest size is $2.65 and the rest are $2.50.

For comparison, read what Brad at The Pen Addict has to say about the Ohto Graphic Liner.

(writing test done using my trusty A5 Miquelrius grid notebook.)

I recently discovered that of all the pen reviews I’ve written over the years, I never actually used or reviewed the office supply closet staple, the Pilot G-2 gel pen. Partly I think it was because I had never found one in an office supply shop that was narrower than the 0.7mm width. I just prefer a finer line from a gel or rollerball. So, on my last trip into Office Depot, I crawled around on the bottom shelf until I found a 4-pack of 0.5mm Pilot G-2s. For the record, the finer points are kept on the bottom shelf at Office Depot. Why? I have no idea.

The G-2 has a rubber grip area and is a retractable pen. I didn’t find the grip to be as comfortable as the more silicone-based grips found on pens made for the Japanese market like the Uni-Ball Signo DX and the Zebra Sarasa. I don’t have a preference for retractables though I can see the appeal. In the case of the G-2s, I used two out of the pack and one had noticeable vibration in the spring causing some feedback in the tip when I wrote that I did not like. For a budget pen though, I suppose most people wouldn’t notice or care. I just don’t like the tip to wiggle or give when writing so it bothered me. The second G-2 I pulled from the pack had less of this give so it seems to be a quality control issue.

The ink writes smoothly and dries before I can smear it which is a big plus for a left-hander.

When compared with the one retractable pen I reach for again and again — the Zebra Sarasa — I find the G-2 to be lacking. The spring-loaded clip on the Sarasas are far more functional though no more aesthetically lacking than the G-2 clip. I have never noticed any give in the points on the Sarasa as a result of the retractable spring. And finally, the Sarasas are available in a far wider range of point sizes and colors.

That said, if you can convince your office manager to order Pilot G-2s instead of Bic Stics, you’ll probably have a better day at work but you are all good pen junkies and bring your own pens to work already, don’t you?

Its only sold in black, blue and red in the US and as mentioned before can be purchased in the larger 0.7mm and 1.0mm sizes. (4-pack sells for about $4.79)

I have generally had a bias against ballpoint pens. I remember the gloopy, messy ballpoints from childhood that write with wide strokes and leave an oily mess. The folks at Uni-Ball changed my opinion about ballpoints though with their Jetstream line. This is the Jetstream Ballpoint Pen 0.38 with light pink body and it features a retractable point and a silicone comfort grip area. While the outside plastic is a bit bubblegum pink for my taste, the pen writes with a tasteful 0.38mm black ink.

Every time I use a Jetstream, I marvel at how smoothly they write. They never skip or glob like those ballpoint pens of the past. The 0.38 model is the finest line Jetstream I’ve seen so far and it definitely rivals the PIlot Hi-Tec C line for the smooth fine line.

The Jetstream 0.38 model is available in either red, black or blue ink with a black plastic body or in black ink with a choice of four pastel colored plastic bodies for $2.25 each.

For other reviews about the Jetstream line, check out my previous reviews:

• Jetstream Color 0.5 in Green Ash
• Jetstream F*Series multi-pen

(This pen was sent to me by the kind folks at JStationery for review. All opinions are my own.)