May 8, 2008

Review: Sharpie Pen


The Sharpie Pen caught me by surprise strolling down the aisle at Wal-Mart, and being the Pen Addict that I am, I just had to pick up a two-pack of black and a two-pack of blue. If you are familiar at all with the Pilot V Razor Point pens, then you have a good reference point for this pen. It is very similar, and I like it a lot. The black Sharpie Pen lays down a very solid, sharp line, and the blue does the same, although I would prefer a bit deeper shade. The tip is very firm and soild, and I haven't seen any signs of breaking down just yet. All in all, this is a great pen.

42 comments:

Amir said...

Does it bleed through much on like normal paper?

dowdyism said...

Not at all. I have used it on regular notebook paper, like in a composition book, as well as on standard copier paper, and there is little to no bleed through. I even drew some lines really slow, and had no issues.

Speedmaster said...

Thanks for the heads-up on that pen, I like it!

dowdyism said...

No problem speedmaster - I am really liking this one myself.

NetSec007 said...

Is there an Extra-Fine version of this pen? I bought one, and would like a smaller tip

Stephen Parker said...

i just picked up a pack of these today! i love them. i have a major Sharpie obsession (i have at least on of all their different products) and this is tied with the new retractable ultra-fine tip Sharpie to be my favorite. i just discovered your blog and will definitely be back for more pen addiction!

dowdyism said...

@NetSec007 - I haven't seen an extra fine version yet, but I'll keep an eye out.

@steve parker - Glad you like the pen and the site!

Unknown said...

I guess I'm a little slow to post, but I have to say, that I am using these for a school project. It's an engineering assignment where I have to keep a composition book completely in pen. For someone who works with pencils constantly, these are a breath of fresh air in the pen world. Absolutely fantastic for technical purposes! Works great with a straight-edge and does not bleed! I'm very impressed.

dowdyism said...

Glad you like them!

Krista said...

I was actually disappointed. I write with my fingers close to the nib, so after a few minutes I had a nasty little cut on my middle finger from the sharp ridge. The blue isn't as dark as I would like and I actually prefer a thicker nib. I was so excited....Hopefully they will come out with an updated version I will love.

KK said...

Umm this is my first time on this sight and i would definatly say i thought i was the only one who loves pens! i have an obsession and wanted to get the sharpie pen but i have no idea where to buy them!!! Does anyone know where i can purchase them?

dowdyism said...

Wal-Mart has them on the shelves all the time, and I believe Target may also. Online, you can order them from Office Max.

Hope this helps!

Auburn Elizabeth said...

Is it a felt tip pen?

dowdyism said...

I don't have the packaging details handy, but I believe it would be considered a plastic tip, but it writes like a felt tip pen.

No one important said...

I actually like the lighter blue color... I bought the four-color pack at Office Depot, I love these pens so much!

Slywy said...

I pretty much agree with the consensus and would like a midnight blue (and a dark green).

DS

Hello Pineapples! said...

In Canada, you can find them at both Wal-Mart and Staples.

They're not as impressive as I had hoped they would be. To be fair, a bout of carpal tunnel has prevented me from really giving them a chance.

The green in the pack of four is not much to write home about. It's a little too bright for me and I ended up giving it to a friend. The blue isn't bad, but I'd love to see a midnight blue.

Ruby said...

I love this pen! I like your blog! I love pens too :) I was actually surprised when I found out about this blog. Interesting!

dowdyism said...

Glad you found the blog Ruby!

SusanT said...

Love the concept of the pen, however I bought the twin pack and both pens leak ink all over my fingers. Even after wiping off the tip, it is only minutes that the ink is back.

Jordan said...

Here is what is crazy. I've bought several packs of these pens and have the same complaint about the blue color. I've bought 10 pens total and 2 of them are a deep, dark, very rich blue. The rest are this namby-pamby light blue color that I hate. I trying to get some kind of resolution from Sharpie. I've sent them a message and I'll give them a call if they don't respond because I love the way the pen writes but I'm a blue person and this light blue won't cut it.

dowdyism said...

I would be interested to hear what they say Stunod7 - please let us know if you get a response.

Jordan said...

So far the only thing I've gotten back was an address that I can ship the pens back to and they will replace them. I asked them to clarify the color for me because I wasn't interested in getting back pens of the same color ink.

The investigation continues....

Jordan said...

According to a Sanford Consumer Affairs Associate that I spoke with these pens should be producing a deeper blue. They are replacing the... 8 or so pens I've purchased and sending me an additional 2 as well.

They actually requested that I scan and eMail them the samples of my specific issues, which I did. Also posted them on Flickr (see below)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stunod7/sets/72157606984074337

Am I taking this too far... Am I that much of a pen addict...

dowdyism said...

That is great news stunod7! The blues ones I have are absolutely the lighter shade, matching up exactly to the shade on your sheet. I'm going to write up a post about your findings in the next day or so. Was there a weblink or phone number you used to get in contact with anyone?

And to answer your questions, no, you are not taking this too far, and yes, you are that much of a pen addict!

No one important said...

I LIKE the lighter blue! If I want dark, I'll buy black... wish they'd leave the light blue alone. :(

Jordan said...

My initial complaint was sent to them from sharpie.com. After a few form letters they put me in touch with the following individual:

Sherri Brown Campbell
Sharon.Brown@sanford.com
Sanford Consumer Affairs Associate
Sanford L.P. - A Newell Rubbermaid Company
2707 Butterfield Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Phone : (800)-323-0749 (Ext) 2726

I've also forwarded you my entire eMail chain with her.

Roxanne said...

I love these pens, mostly coz they don't bleed. I went back to Walmart to stock up and they only had blue left. I went online to order and bothe Office Depot and Office max are out. What's going on???

Stephanie "Biffybeans" Smith said...

Prismacolor has a similar looking pen, and I had the same problem as Krista-Bear - cutting my fingers. Not sure I'd try this Sharpie now...

Leigh said...

I've never seen the commercials, but I happened to see it at Staples one day and decided to pick it up. I am obsessed now it will probably be my staple pen. It's pretty black and looks like bold ink but doesn't bleed through. Had an extensive conversation about this pen with a classmate when I noticed that he had it in blue. He raved about it too.

Anonymous said...

I like the pen but I must say I'm disappointed in the weak color of the green.

Christopher T. Gullen said...

j/c, is the notebook in your photo a moleskine by any chance?

:-)

mrkatt said...

I'm wondering if anyone has had issues with the paint on the outside of the barrel flaking off. I've seen this on two different blue pens used for work. One was from a 2-pk of blue and the other from the 4-pk assorted. I love the product, but it looks really shabby when the paint starts to flake, not to mention that you wind up with flakes on your hands, clothes, etc.

dowdyism said...

Ira - this is a Moleskine Reporter notebook.

Mrkatt - I haven't seen that yet, but I'll keep an eye out.

Laike said...

I'm a little annoyed, I bought a set of these, and so far they've been writing great. Then I noticed today the tip of the pen has sunk into the barrel half way compared to my unused pen. I've only written 6 pages of notes, this pen may not even last me the week, let alone my course. I've written to Sharpie's customer support and I'll see what happens.

Laike said...

An update in my plight! I spoke to Sanford Canada earlier today about my broken (now known as defective) pen. They were really great about the whole thing, so I'm sending the pen back so their QA guys can take a look at it and they'll be sending out a replacement ASAP. I'm pleasantly surprised about the customer service.

Unknown said...

Just got the multi-color pack and a pack of blues. I agree with everyone else -- excellent writing feel. I also wish the blue were darker, though the bright blue is still kind of fun.

As for the Sharpie in green, don't waste your time. I agree with Joe above -- it's weak. More like a highlighter than a pen. I'm still in love with the green version of the Pilot Precise V5 rollerball. Good, solid green. Not too dark or too light. In a marker pen nib, I think the green Pilot V Razor beats the green Sharpie pen by a mile. The V Razor has a deep, dark green that is very nice. Sometimes I think it's almost too dark, but I still like it. They're hard to find. Dick Blick has them online, though, if you don't mind paying $8 shipping.

blueskirt said...

Does a Sharpie Pen stain a lot? Generally, when I write with a pen I end up with my hand and the tip of my fingers completly covered with ink, which stain the paper a lot.

JERSEY SHORE said...

I love this new Sharpie pen but would love it even more if it was retractable. Any hope they will come out with a retractable version?

TurinTurambar said...

Love the pen so far. Was walking down the aisle in Rite Aid, cuz I'm an addict... and had to buy them.
I think I see where the lightness is coming from in the blue and green, just from watching the ink in the black. They've used a very interesting substance for the ink base to make it not bleed.
More later if I find out what they did.

T said...

I must have bought a defect, I couldn't wait to try out the new sharpie pen. I used it to take notes in class. Lovethe way it write but it did bleed through!

dreamseeker said...

I just discovered the Sharpie Pen yesterday at Office Max. They only had blue in stock…and I LOVE it! I read a lot of posts complaining about the light shade of blue…but this is EXACTLY the shade of blue I’ve been looking for. I have finally found MY pen. Sharpie, please don’t take the light shades away!

I haven’t tried the other colors yet but I hope they are ALL a lighter shade. In fact, I hope Sharpie adds as many light shades to the line as possible, including grey and brown. Years ago, I used to have pens in light shades of grey and brown, but I haven’t been able to find these light colors since. I especially like to use light shades when writing out greeting cards and letters…particularly when the purpose of the card/letter is for a solemn occasion. So I am very happy indeed to FINALLY find a light shade pen.

Please, Sharpie, please continue making light shades of these fabulous pens!