"Signature" Retractable pen
Anybody who does reviews will encounter the worst think they've reviewed at least once. The first thing they review will simultaneously be the best and the worst thing they've ever reviewed.
With the next review they might have their second encounter with the worst thing they've ever reviewed, or maybe not.
Because the first pen I reviewed is one of my favorite pens I have had that "worst" experience more than once or twice. After today, though, I'm not sure I'll have it again.
Today I am reviewing a free pen I picked up over the weekend at a "street fair" sort of environment. The city police department was giving them away. It did not take long to figure out why:
1. The name of the former police chief (he retired months ago) was printed on the pen.
2. It was a cheap way to advertise, because lots of people love pens.
3. They didn't want more of these things laying around the office.
Without undermining the generosity of the police department or being ungrateful my integrity as a pen reviewer forces me to say: this is not a good pen. There is only one setting I can think of where this pen might excel, and I explain it in the writing sample:
With the next review they might have their second encounter with the worst thing they've ever reviewed, or maybe not.
Because the first pen I reviewed is one of my favorite pens I have had that "worst" experience more than once or twice. After today, though, I'm not sure I'll have it again.
Today I am reviewing a free pen I picked up over the weekend at a "street fair" sort of environment. The city police department was giving them away. It did not take long to figure out why:
1. The name of the former police chief (he retired months ago) was printed on the pen.
2. It was a cheap way to advertise, because lots of people love pens.
3. They didn't want more of these things laying around the office.
Without undermining the generosity of the police department or being ungrateful my integrity as a pen reviewer forces me to say: this is not a good pen. There is only one setting I can think of where this pen might excel, and I explain it in the writing sample:
What little appeal this pen has going for it is visual. It makes me think "retro" and I like that. Its body design reminds me a lot of the Skilcraft U.S. Government pens. The comparison ends with that, though. This pen feels very cheap and writes poorly. It is clearly not a Skilcraft pen, the clip bears letters forming the word "Signature."
I could not find this company online. Maybe I overlooked them. Maybe they're in protective custody. I don't know.
I could not find this company online. Maybe I overlooked them. Maybe they're in protective custody. I don't know.
Here's the "autopsy" of this pen. Unscrewable barrel, metal ring for looks and to cover the "gap" once the barrel is connected. Plastic ink cartridge. This particular pen died of natural causes.
Then again, I suppose for me a cheap pen and poor pen performance is consistent with "retro." Who isn't used to pens that you have to scratch back and forth on the paper for several seconds before the ink finally decides to start flowing? Who doesn't remember the slow writing experience and the low quality?
Recognize this pen for what it is: a cheap, promotional pen that was never intended to be your everyday pen. It's fine for jotting down a quick note (if you can get the ink to start flowing). If you're germ-a-phobic it's a great pen to hand to somebody when they ask for one, because you won't miss it when you discreetly drop it in the trash can once they've finished with it.
Would I take another one of these pens if it were offered for free? Absolutely. But I would not use them for my own promoting.
Recognize this pen for what it is: a cheap, promotional pen that was never intended to be your everyday pen. It's fine for jotting down a quick note (if you can get the ink to start flowing). If you're germ-a-phobic it's a great pen to hand to somebody when they ask for one, because you won't miss it when you discreetly drop it in the trash can once they've finished with it.
Would I take another one of these pens if it were offered for free? Absolutely. But I would not use them for my own promoting.