I don’t tend to review ballpoint pens here because I don’t like them very much. As such, I feel it’s better to leave their reviews to people who can appreciate them more. I wanted to review the Zebra PenPod though because it is a groovy little pen.
I received this as a freebie, as part of a bigger order, from Cult Pens. It’s got not-very-subtle Cult Pens branding along the side but it’s also available au naturel. It takes D1 refills so a large variety of ballpoint refills will fit as well as gel refills such as the Pilot Hi-Tec-C. I’m reviewing it with the 0.7mm ballpoint refill it arrived with. As such, it’s fine. It leaves a mark on the page and so fulfils its purpose. If this was going to be a pen I used frequently I’d put a Hi-Tec-C refill in it. That’s not the its reason-d-être though. (See how Français je suis aujourd’hui.) It’s, frankly, jolly uncomfortable to write with – fit for nothing but a quick note here or there. And that’s what it’s for. Thanks to a groovy twist and lock telescopic mechanism it’s a very small pen designed to hang from a keyring.
This is, in fact, the best (and only, to be honest) telescopic keyring pen I own.
Here is a little video of how the pen opens and closes.
Update 17 June 2014
I have to agree with MG in the comments. I lost the pen from the cap because it just fell out. I did find it again. Then it fell out again. I found it again. I learned my lesson. It’s a good idea that doesn’t quite deliver.
I got one of these too in a large order. I thought was great idea for quick notes and thing…untill, of course, when the pen pops out the cap and it is lost forever!
It did leave me with a plastic tube with Cult Pens written on and whilst I’m a big supporter of theirs, I couldn’t bring myself to keep it there. Opted for Cult Pens mini fountain pen as something more substantial in the pocket!
Oh no! I haven’t had that happen to me…yet! I suppose it only needs to happen once and that’s that. What a shame.
I don’t believe it! The mini fountain pen has also went missing! I guess pocket pens aren’t for me! I’ll stick to keeping a big pen in a bag… Or tie one round my neck so I’ll never lose it 🙂
I would like to buy these. Anyone know where they are available?
They’re available on Amazon
thank you for the article
Were there any specific scenarios or use cases mentioned in the review where the Zebra PenPod pen excelled or faced challenges?