Pilot FriXion Ball Knock Retractable Gel Ink Pen - 0.7 mm - Light Blue

I've been waiting for retractable FriXions ever since the 0.7mm FriXion gel pens came out! I love these, the colors are beautiful, and I love that they retract with the clip, so that they don't keep retracting while you erase!

I own just about every Pilot Frixion product ever made. When it comes to the Ball Knock Retractable Gel Pens, I have the entire set in the 0.7mm. Decided to buy this one to give the 0.5mm version a try. I think I like the 0.7mm a little more for three reasons. First, the color is far bolder on paper. I also think the 0.7mm flows a lot more smoothly when writing. Last, I kind of really like how the "eraser" on the 0.7mm matches the pen color as opposed to the clear on the 0.5mm. That's just me. Otherwise, this pen is okay. I may get a few more colors. Guess it all depends on your writing style/preferences.

The ink is the same as any other Pilot FriXion pen - so it's already considered great for erasable inks. This pen differs in the external presentation - and I have to say it's incredible.

The body is thick for a perfect firm grasp with a grip which has just enough traction, the eraser is located at the tip for easy access and the clip just gives you another excuse to carry it around with you everywhere. And there's just that sense of style.

A definite recommend!

Just had to follow up my first review from a few months back. I threw these into the freezer for about an hour after the majority of colors stopped working and now they're good as new! :) Note to self: DO NOT leave in a hot car!

Great pen. Higher visibility than I expected, but definitely less than a gel ink or ballpoint would produce. This is a great note-taking pen with no smearing upon erasure that provides a much better set of notes than a pencil ever could. I use this pen for about 5-7 hours at a time with only the occasional ink thinning and have never had a problem described by the other user about "scratching."

Depending on your writing style, this size (0.5mm) or type of ink (water-colorish) might make this pen difficult for you. The scratching requires you to let up on the amount of pressure you put on the pen given the ink is not as a thick as a regular gel pen. Maybe grab a 0.7mm if you have this problem.

Also, if you have a slanted handwriting style like I do (being left handed), the ink doesn't flow as well creating a much lighter line than if you held the pen perpendicular to the paper. I've adjusted my own writing style to work with this pen since I haven't found a better pen for note-taking.