Zebra F-301 Compact Stainless Steel Body Ballpoint Pen - 0.7 mm - Black

I have bought this pen again and again. It has a great line and I love how it fits into small spaces. I agree with others who complain that it doesn't "click" when opened and extended. The odd thing is I think Zebra F-301 Compact pens I bought in the beginning DID click...but inexplicably they changed the design. Or, am I just imagining things. Perhaps if lots of us write to Zebra asking them to tweak the design a bit, they'll listen. Anyway, that little problem doesn't dampen my enthusiasm for this pen at all. I love it.

As a guy who always likes to always carry a pen, there are 2 locations to carry it: shirt pocket, or back pants pocket. Shirt pockets keep getting smaller, so often won't easily hold a full size pen, and it's getting tough to find a causual shirt with a pocket. Back pocket a full size pen is uncomfortable when you sit down, wears a hole in the pocket or frays the top of the pocket, may break (if plastic), or "unretracts" and leaves an ink stain. The Zebra compact is the best compromise I've found--short for either pocket (or even front pants pocket), full size for use, mostly steel so it won't break if you sit on it, and a good fine point black ink writing tool. I agree, the only major shortfall is that the cap doesn't click into place during use, only when closed.

This is a nice looking compact pen for a low price (compared to, say, the Inka). As some have pointed out, the cap is loose when the pen is extended - there's no reassuring "click" to lock it in place when extended. It is not really a problem though - it fits securely enough, and takes a moderate shaking to dislodge it. It's also meant to be extended only when writing, and then put into its compact form again. If you need it extended most of the time, another pen would probably be more suitable. It closes very securely in its "normal" position.

The Inspector Gadget of pens, much better value than the overrated Fisher Bullet. This Zebra fits well in a planner/agenda, especially pocket size or smaller that has the pen loop in the middle, rather than the top. It's difficult to fit a regular pen in many agendas. (Filofax places their pen loops centered, DaVinci and Chronoplan place theirs near the top, which is much better). My cap exhibits no "looseness," noted by the other reviewer. The lanyard hole that's included makes it a great pen for coaches, nurses, doctors, anyone who is used to wearing stuff around their neck. Wearing a polo shirt, I just clip it sideways under the bottom button. With dress shirts, sometimes I wear mine as a tie-clip, and no one's the wiser. Now if Zebra would only make a M-301 Compact PENCIL...

I love these things for pocket pens - drop them in a pocket and you won't notice them until you need one. Much better, in my opinion, than Zebra's telescoping pocket pen that just seems awkward in the hand.

Tough, very durable and great to grab and go.