[Pen/Pencil Review] UNI-ball Signo 0.28mm Retractable
Happy post-Convention Monday. I’m actually going to get stuff done (darn it!). This is going to be a mish-mash. One… don’t forget, Tokyo Pen Company in Iowa. Coupon Code RHONDAEUDALY gets you 10% off until the end of the month. I just used it myself for a small collection of stuff (yes, that’s a hedgehog pencil sharpener). Coupon code works AND the order I put in on Friday? It was in my mail box today.
But there’s also a pen from the Black Sampler Collection from JetPens. This is the UNI Signo 0.28mm retractable pen. Yes, you read that correctly… 0.28mm. It’s one of the finest points I’ve used. And this one was a bit surprising to me. Not only is it a modern-looking retractable pen, I was pleasantly surprised by the feel of this point.
The ink is good for so fine a point. You’re going to lose some depth/darkness in an ink tone the finer the point. But this feels thicker and darker than it should. The conical tip means it’s not as scratchy feeling than some needle points.
These pens run just over 5.5″. The mechanism is smooth. The rubber grip is not textured and seems to be only a slight nod to comfort. The barrel is fine but not EXCEPTIONAL, but it’s a cool pen for what it is, which is a good editing or notation pen if you need something easily transportable and super fine.
Let’s see the numbers…
1. How does it work? – 1 – it works well. The ink dries quickly – especially being such a fine point, but it doesn’t feel that fine and has a solid barrel..
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – The length is typical for a retractable pen. The barrel is slightly rubberized. But there are no real ergonomics.
3. Material – 1 – It’s a plastic retractable pen. It’s all plastic. The retraction plunger is kind of cool.
4. Overall Design – 1 It’s a decent design for a plastic retractable pen. The ink is decent and dark for a 0.28mm, it’s a smooth decent line. The mechanism works well. It does what it’s supposed to do.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – For a retractable gel pen, the price is…MEH… it’s $2.50, but it’s a 0.28, so that’s not all that common. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s not the most expensive.
That’s 4 bronze pencils out of 5.
