Originally published on: 3/27/2006 5:09:23 PM
Over the last few months, I've settled on what I think is the perfect pen. It's affordable ($2 each), works beautifully, is light and trim and durable. It is the Zebra F-301. It's a great compromise and has become "J's official pen".
Technically, it takes refills, but I have a much bigger issue misplacing pens than running out of ink. In fact, I can't remember actualy running out of ink before losing a pen, so the fact that these things aren't $30 or $300 pens is a much better setup for me. If you can manage to hold on to a single pen for 10 years, one of the nicer pens that takes inexpensive refills might work for you.
If that ever happens to me, I'll maybe reconsider, but any replacement has a tough battle given how much I like these dang things.
I definitely understand the appeal of the gel ink monsters myself. I've fallen victim to their allure repeatedly. I've just been bitten by that particular monster too often: smears on the page, ink blobs on clothing, etc.
I also keep wanting to use full-on fountain pens and other pens that would fulfill my "snob" desires, but as a simple, portable writing instrument, these Zebras are hard to beat.