As I embarked on a review of the Power Tank ballpoint, nostalgia set in. By some strange stretch of the imagination the old slogan “Put a Tiger in the Tank” from the Esso adverts way back when clouded my mind.

A quick reality check on the internet & I find the Uni-Ball Power Tank RT is deemed to be the best thing since sliced bread by some fans.

Personally I like the chunky barrel the design is executed in such a way that the grip section appears to be 2 thirds of the length of this pen. I am using a black Power Tank, however my view is that the blue & red pens are more attractive & appealing to the eye as the ink window is more apparent.

Now, as I’ve never been much of an acrobat, I wasn’t able to test the claims that this ballpoint writes upside down. Neither could I check out the claims of writing in minus temperatures as it’s currently arguably “Summer” in the UK. As the year is turning out to be a typical British Summer however, I can say that Uni-Balls declaration of writing on wet paper did prove accurate having been caught in a shower. Unfortunately the scan of the handwritten copy doesn’t show this very well. Anyway it leads me to the conclusion that anybody working outdoors may find this pen of interest.

The Power Tank is a retractable ballpoint that produces a 0.4mm line from its stainless steel tip, 1.0mm tungsten carbide ball. The fact that Uniball’s unique super ink is of archival quality & also tamper proof is another bonus point.

There are other pens out there that have been specifically engineered for astronauts & for use in extreme conditions. However, unless you are planning on going into space or joining a polar expedition in the near future I guess you wouldn’t want the price tag that goes with them.

If on the other hand you just want to write a few notes outside without being concerned about the odd shower, or do the occasional handstand whilst writing your diary, then this Uni Power Tank will probably suffice.

Uni-ball Power Tank Written Review

Should I be asked what I was looking for when buying a pen it would have to write a smooth sharp line, have a comfy grip & be retractable.

The Pilot V Ball 7 RT Liquid Ink Rollerball does at a first glance appear to have these attributes.

This pen has a 4cm rubber grip with a series of small indented circles set in 3 sections. I haven’t taken a tape measure to all the pens on the desk to check, but this grip feels longer than others. There is ample room for my fingers to move within it without slipping onto the barrel.

The liquid ink is airplane safe & writes a smooth fluent line which, with the help of the ink flow regulator apparently controls the ink until the very last drop.

The Pilot V Ball 7 RT is available in 4 different colours. I am using a red one, they also come with blue, black & green ink & are refillable. As the name suggests this rollerball has a 0.7mm tip which writes a 4mm line. The tungsten carbide ball is of the cone variety, as opposed to a needlepoint. The latter is something I’d personally use if I wanted to write along a ruler to keep me on the straight & narrow. This cone tip is more robust & much more suited to my note scribbling habits.

Not a bad pen to look at the rubber grip section has a series of small dots placed in 3 sections, they are hardly visible but you can feel them. The barrel is a mix of red & silver, one side of barrel has 3 circles above the 0.7 size stamp, the other over pure liquid ink logo. The clip is flexible yet sturdy & the retraction mechanism is positive enough to withstand my frequent clicking, something I tend to when I’m in one of my thinking time modes.

Pilot V Ball 7 RT - Written Review

What a strange name for a pen. Music comes to mind more than writing looking at this rollerball.

When it comes down to performance the Pentel Oh! Gel Rollerball does have a constant ink flow. As I write it doesn’t skip, the blue ink (also available in black & red) is sharp & crisp. The rubber grip which incidentally is latex free was a little disappointing. IMO it was lacking in the soft squishy feel of many such grips, hence I didn’t find it particularly comfortable to hold.

The clip is very sturdy with a tight fit that keeps it close to the barrel. This did make it a little difficult trying to clip it to a notepad. Mine was a cheap everyday scribble pad so it didn’t matter that it tore a couple of pages, however if I’d had the same problem with a journal or desk diary I wouldn’t have been best pleased!

The appearance of this Pentel is not too bad, the black & grey hexagonal pattern on the barrel does get a second look & the chrome coloured pocket clip is sleek. The things that spoil it for me are the blue band separating the barrel from the grip section & the push button (also blue), had the entire pen been black it would look more expensive. I do appreciate that this is colour coded with the ink.

All in all taking everything into account, the writing experience was good. The Acid free permanent gel ink did lay down a neat line from the 0.7mm tip.  As I’ve said the pocket clip is robust, add to that the co-operative retractable mechanism & fact that this rollerball can be refilled there are more positives than negatives to write about.

Pentel Oh! Gel Written Review

Thank you to everyone who entered our Manuscript calligraphy pens giveaway, lucky comment number 17 was chosen via random.org as our winner.

So congratulations to Laura Jeffs who will receive these two assorted 12-packs of Manuscript Callicreative italic markers.

To claim your prize, please leave a comment below and use the ‘Contact’ link at the top of the page to send us your mailing info.

The full range of Manuscript Calligraphy pens and italic markers are available in the Tiger Pens shop.

When I set out to review the Stabilo Sensor I wondered what to expect from this offering from one of Europe’s market leaders. Would it stand out from the crowd?

The Stabilo Sensor Fineliner has a fine 0.3mm tip which makes using a ruler with this pen simple, ideal if you want to ensure a straight line is achieved even on plain paper or need to use stencils. My writing certainly stayed on track this way.

I found the writing experience a little springy, but guess that is to be expected as the cushioned (sensor) tip adjusts to individual writing pressures & is said to be able to withstand more pressure than other pens without the risk of bending or worse still breaking. The patented micro cushioned tip is encased in metal & also alleged to give a more relaxed feel when writing, something I can’t say was particularly noticeable, but that could be because my thoughts were with the “spring factor” The indented grip section was surprisingly comfortable, as my preference usually lies with a more cushioned feel.

I’d say the appearance of this Stabilo is quite contemporary. The barrel is a 3 tone mix of matt aluminium, black & silver coloured plastic whilst the cap is black & houses a sturdy clip. Available in Blue, Black, Red & Green the colours won’t necessarily stand out in a crowd but the Sensor is reasonably priced & should I decide to take up stencilling this particular fineliner would get a look in.

Stabilo Sensor Fineliner - Written Review

When I reviewed the standard G2 I commented on the pen writing a finer line than expected from the 0.7mm tip. I shouldn’t have been surprised therefore that my first impression of the Pilot G2 XS was similar as it produces the same 0.39mm line.

If you are looking for a pixie of a pen, something that will fit into the smallest pocket or purse then at 11.3cm short the Pilot G-2 XS Pixie gel ink rollerball could well fit the bill. I’m reviewing a little dark red pixie. Whilst writing I’m liking the same comfortable cushioned grip as its regular cousin & the fact that the XS has the same diameter makes the compact version easy to hold. I started thinking of some of the other pocket sized pens I’ve used, the Zebra Expandz springs to mind, maybe not a fair comparison as it’s metal as opposed to plastic, but it was much more cumbersome to grip than the pixie. This little Pilot is retractable, it doesn’t offer the huge range of 15 colours as the standard G2, nevertheless it’s available in 8 different colours. As well as the usual black & blue there is a bright turquoise, purple & lively shade of pink to choose from, I for one don’t think that’s bad for a nifty pocket pen.

Pilot G-2 XS Written Review

To celebrate our new range of Manuscript calligraphy pens and italic markers we have lined up a great giveaway for you.

This month one lucky winner will get two assorted 12-packs of Manuscript Callicreative italic markers with an RRP of £15.99 each. One pack has a fine 1.4mm nib & the other a broad 3.6mm nib.

Manuscript Callicreative italic markers are disposable calligraphy pens with an ergonomic grip & high quality square cut fibre tips. They are not only suitable for calligraphy but also ideal for crafters. With washable ink they are great for younger crafters as well.

To enter, just leave a comment below. Only one entry per person please. The contest will be open until midnight Friday 31st. We will randomly select one entry to receive both 12-packs of pens.

Good luck to everyone!

Quick update we forgot to mention that the competition is open to all and we will ship internationally if the winner is not from the UK.

I sometimes wonder what makes people tick, for instance I recently heard of a girl that wanted a more original keepsake than a guest book from her wedding & opted for a set of wishing rocks instead.

If leaving your autograph on a polished stone is something that rocks your boat you will need something to write with. The Stabilo Write-4-all will leave its mark on almost any surface. An all-purpose permanent marker with a sturdy plastic tip & alcohol based ink that’s apparently frost resistant, waterproof, lightfast & an all important factor for rock signing its quick drying.

With a target market from tradespeople like bricklayers & joiners to those wanting to label a few CD’s, I can imagine you’d find the Write-4-all behind the ears of construction workers just as often as the gardener or office worker.

This marker is available in 3 tip sizes medium (1.0mm), fine (0.7mm) & superfine (0.4mm) with a choice of black, blue, green & red ink.

Now for the performance, I tried a fine tip & was pleasantly surprised as the 0.7mm line it produced was as clear & smooth as anything I’d expect from a favourite rollerball. I can also vouch for its waterproof, quick drying properties as my signature is now permanently etched on a favourite pebble that I use as a paper weight. I must admit to being disappointed that a good wash in hot soapy water as soon as I’d written didn’t restore it to its former glory.

The next time I need to mark a box for the freezer or the label on a DVD I’ll reach for a Write-4-all, just need to make a mental note that it’s definitely permanent!

Stabilo Write-4-all Written Review

Renowned around the globe for their expertise in producing calligraphy nibs of exceptional quality the Manuscript Pen Co. is one of few remaining Companies in the world that specialise in the sale, production, development of fountain and dip pen based calligraphy products.

Manuscript Calligraphy Pens are the latest addition to the Tiger Pens online store.

This family run company is based in the UK, was established in 1989 with roots that can be traced back as far as 1856 by association with D.Leonardt & co. whose founder Diedrich Leonardt started out manufacturing dip pens.

The Manuscript range offers a wide selection of calligraphy pens, cartridges & ink for right & left handed writers.

For the beginner sets are available offering a combination of nib sizes to practice the craft. For those looking for an alternative to tradition, The Manuscript Scribe offers a nib with rounded edges which is more in keeping with the European style. These support a softer, smoother writing experience, granting the user more flexibility whatever direction they choose.

Creative Art & Crafters will find the Callicreative italic range offers disposable markers with ergonomic grips & fibre tips with square nibs available in various assorted colours & nib sizes.

The ergonomically designed Yoropen hasn’t been available for a while but anyone who has missed these award winning pens will be pleased to know they are back in stock & available once again.

The Yoropen is designed with an offset finger support which prevents the fingers slipping & as it require less pressure than a conventional pen it helps eliminate strain. These pens have proved popular with left-handed people, who benefit from better posture, have less chance of smudging their work & the offset support allows for a clearer area of vision. It is also said to particularly helpful for those that find writing painful or have other difficulties due to conditions like arthritis, RSI & dyslexia.

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