I was surprised to learn that Paper Mate finally decided to update the venerable Write Bros. stick pen. The old design had been around for decades and is an archetype for capped ballpoint pens.
As noted on the packaging, they have an "Upgraded Design" and "Improved Ink". These are things that people have been complaining about for years. The old version's skinny, hand-cramping barrels and blobby, stuttering ink flow were hallmarks of this design.
However, as you can see in my photos, Paper Mate has given these pens a makeover. The old version's dimensions were 152 mm (overall length with cap) and 7.58 mm (width at midpoint of barrel). The new version is 144 mm long and 10.63 mm thick. This shorter, thicker design is more comfortable in the hand and leads to less fatigue if you're writing for an extended period of time.
Meanwhile, the new ink formula feels smoother than the old ink. So far, I haven't experienced any ink stuttering and there hasn't been any blobbing, even when leaving the pen uncapped for a while.
I can only think of two minor issues with the new design: 1) the barrel has a slight matte texture, but it's still a bit slippery; and 2) the new cap design doesn't feel as secure as the old cap. The new cap lightly clicks into place, unlike the old cap that could be pressed down firmly.
And, of course, there's the old issue of refills (or lack thereof). That is, you still just toss them in the trash when they're empty. Hopefully, the new design also improved the longevity of these pens, as well.
In conclusion, these pens are comfortable to hold, write smoothly, and are an excellent value due to the low price (currently $0.88 for ten pens through Amazon's Add-on Items program). Seems like a winner to me!
| Manufacturer | Paper Mate |
|---|---|
| Place of Business | SEATTLE, WA, 98121 US |
| Brand | Paper Mate |
| Model number | 9313499 |
| Colour | Blue |
| Closure | Retractable |
| Material Type | paper |
| Number of Items | 10 |
| Size | 1 count (Pack of 10) |
| Point Type | Medium |
| Ink Color | Blue |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 9313499 |
