[Pen/Pencil Review] Bone Ballpoint Pen Set
Last week I introduced you to an artisan version of a BIC pen, something cool and unique. This is also something unique and cool – but really, really not artisan. This was a birthday gift from my friend, Meredith. It was a package of bone-shaped pens – 5 styles, 20 pieces. And also because I have skull pens and the like, she was still honoring my role as Zoe/Death in Redheads of the Apocalypse.
These are super fun, somewhat practical, and really weird. My knowledge of anatomy is severely lacking, so please don’t judge when I make generalized designations of what the bones could be. I really don’t know. I think I can get close – but there’s one that could be either arm OR leg. There is no scale (obviously) to anything – the finger one might actually be “life-size” if someone had a particularly large hand, the others are MUCH smaller than human sized.
These bone pens are smooth plastic in an ivory color. They run about 5.75″ long with metal tipped ink inserts. They have plastic cone “caps” that will easily get lost. There is no posting. They’re definitely novelties. There are no ergonomics and weird shapes and lumps – so they’re not exceptional uncomfortable, but they’re also not the most comfortable.
These novelty pens come in a fine point tip – Amazon says 0.7mm, I gave it a 0.8mm in my writing sample. The ink puts down a good line but there can be a little glopping. That means some smearing on glossy paper. It does dry quickly, though.
These are awesomely inexpensive on Amazon and probably wholesalers like Daiso’s main page or Alibaba or Oriental Trading company. I’m not going to out my friend on what she spent on my gift – or inadvertently point out that she overspent (because Amazon). They’re ridiculously amazing, and if bone pens are your thing…search Bone Pen on Amazon. You can get 5 pieces and up, and if you get the right deal, usually less than $1.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 – It’s a cheap, plastic set of novelty ballpoint pens. They work like they work, which is slightly better than expected.
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – There’s nothing soft and squishy about bone pens – except not real bone…plastic. Since it’s molded plastic in bone designs, there are lumps, bumps, and weird angles. They’re not UNCOMFORTABLE, but not altogether comfortable either.
3. Material – 1 This is high-quality plastic. It’s sturdy but light with metal tips
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – It’s very “engineered†looking. They look like bones. They’re super cool and in a fine point ball point. It’s so very fun. But, like above, not super comfortable.
5. Price Point – 1 – They Are. SUPER. Cheap. I got these as a gift, so bear with me here. These seem to run about $0.50 to about $1 apiece depending on how many you get – bulk is cheaper. You can get them easily online in bulk.
I give it 4.0 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
