Pen Review: Sharpie S-Gel and Roller Pens

Pen Review: Sharpie S-Gel and Roller Pens

When I saw that Sharpie had expanded their pen line-up to include gel and rollerball pens, I couldn’t resist giving this Big Box brand a quick look. I have always been a fan of the Sharpie Pen (the felt tip/fiber tip version) and, of course, the ubiquitous alcohol-based Sharpie Markers for labelling boxes and other…

Fountain Pen Review: Pineider Avatar UR Fountain

I’ve always wanted an Italian fountain pen, but sadly many of them are outside my price range. So when I came across the Pineider Avatar UR Fountain (on sale for $126.50 at Vanness) I hit buy pretty fast! The UR in the title stands for ultra-resin, a new mother-of-pearl compound resin that Pineider developed in…

Pen Review: Caran d’Ache 849 “Claim Your Style” Limited Edition

Pen Review: Caran d’Ache 849 “Claim Your Style” Limited Edition

The limited edition “Claim Your Style” Caran d’Ache 849 ($40)  in vert  comes in the same molded enamel clamshell case that most 849s ship in. It makes for an impressive presentation as a gift and the price point on an 849 is such that its a great gateway pen for friends, family and co-workers. The…

Brush Pen Review: Royal Talens Ecoline Brush Pens

Brush Pen Review: Royal Talens Ecoline Brush Pens

Royal Talens Ecoline Brush Pens ($3.40 each or sets available at various price points) feature a large, soft, flexible fiber tip and each of the 30 available colors features Ecoline’s liquid watercolor ink inside. The tip is firm enough to allow both thick and thin lines. The colors in each pen can be blended or…

Pen Review: Archer & Olive Acrylograph 3.0mm Warm Fall Collection Paint Pens

Pen Review: Archer & Olive Acrylograph 3.0mm Warm Fall Collection Paint Pens

There are a lot acrylic paint pens and markers available (Posca, Molotow, Krink, Montana, Sharpie, etc) but the Archer & Olive Acrylograph water-based acrylic markers ($35, the set I bought is currently sold out but this link will take you to the page where the other sets are available) have been created and marketed specifically…

Pen Review: Ensso Aria (When A Bic Stic Won’t Do)

Pen Review: Ensso Aria (When A Bic Stic Won’t Do)

Generally speaking, ballpoint pens are a last option for me. As a lefty, oily ballpoint ink often leaves a trail of residue on the heel of my hand and my writing angle can often cause ballpoint roller balls (the ball suspended in the tip that releases ink) to choke up or skip. Left hand writers…