Skilcraft B3 Aviator
When you hear "Skilcraft" you might think of those black pens that have "U.S. Government" stamped on them.
Turns out, they make other things too. One of them is this B3 Aviator. I doubt I would have ever bought this pen for myself, but it has rapidly become a favorite.
Turns out, they make other things too. One of them is this B3 Aviator. I doubt I would have ever bought this pen for myself, but it has rapidly become a favorite.
This pen is a tri-function instrument. It has black ink, red ink, and a mechanical pencil. Twisting the barrel will rotate you through the options.
The top of the pen unscrews to reveal an eraser. When the mechanical pencil is exposed the pen works like you'd expect a mechanical pencil to work: push down on the top of the pen to expose the amount of lead you desire.
The pen is called "aviator" because it was specifically designed to fit into an aviator's flight suit. I've read some reviews, and aviators really like it. This pen also claims to have a non-reflective surface, and I can really see the difference when I set it next to plastic pens.
When I received this pen as a gift I was excited by the novelty of it, but did not expect to make great use of it. I like black ink, and did not imagine I'd have much use for red. I was confident I'd never use the pencil unless I was just making sure it would work.
The top of the pen unscrews to reveal an eraser. When the mechanical pencil is exposed the pen works like you'd expect a mechanical pencil to work: push down on the top of the pen to expose the amount of lead you desire.
The pen is called "aviator" because it was specifically designed to fit into an aviator's flight suit. I've read some reviews, and aviators really like it. This pen also claims to have a non-reflective surface, and I can really see the difference when I set it next to plastic pens.
When I received this pen as a gift I was excited by the novelty of it, but did not expect to make great use of it. I like black ink, and did not imagine I'd have much use for red. I was confident I'd never use the pencil unless I was just making sure it would work.
The more I have used it, though, the more I've found the red ink to be surprisingly helpful. I especially like it in note taking. Having the red ink a twist away makes it easy to insert key words or to circle an important portion, and it stands out clearly when it's time to go back over it later.
In spite of the fact that this pen is a skinny pen and has zero grip, it has actually proven to be fairly comfortable for me. I think that's because of another feature I love about this pen: heft.
This pen is made of metal and you can feel the difference when you hold it. My Dr. Grip is a much thicker pen, but is a featherweight compared to this. I really think it's the weight of the pen that makes it more comfortable for me to write with.
That might sound backward, and it might not be right...but that's my theory.
The only recurring frustration I have with this pen is that if I don't hold the barrel "just right" it will rattle slightly when the black cartridge is deployed. Red seems to be free from this problem, so it might simply be a matter of where the black pen is located in the barrel. It doesn't stop me from using it, and it probably won't bother most users. It is one (of several) quirks I have about pens.
Amazon currently sells this pen for $17 and change. This pen came with a refill black cartridge and a refill red cartridge (maybe even Skilcraft knew that nobody cares about pencils).
If you'd like to try the 3-in-1 functionality but don't need a pen specifically designed for a flight suit, Skilcraft has one called the Alpha Tech 3. It looks thicker than the Aviator and claims a rubberized grip. It is priced at just under $10 on Amazon.
For my budget, this is a pricy pen. Thankfully, it is not built like a cheap pen! It has enough durability and versatility that I have every expectation for years of use.
Obligatory Disclaimer: This pen was donated to me by a private individual. I received it at no charge.
In spite of the fact that this pen is a skinny pen and has zero grip, it has actually proven to be fairly comfortable for me. I think that's because of another feature I love about this pen: heft.
This pen is made of metal and you can feel the difference when you hold it. My Dr. Grip is a much thicker pen, but is a featherweight compared to this. I really think it's the weight of the pen that makes it more comfortable for me to write with.
That might sound backward, and it might not be right...but that's my theory.
The only recurring frustration I have with this pen is that if I don't hold the barrel "just right" it will rattle slightly when the black cartridge is deployed. Red seems to be free from this problem, so it might simply be a matter of where the black pen is located in the barrel. It doesn't stop me from using it, and it probably won't bother most users. It is one (of several) quirks I have about pens.
Amazon currently sells this pen for $17 and change. This pen came with a refill black cartridge and a refill red cartridge (maybe even Skilcraft knew that nobody cares about pencils).
If you'd like to try the 3-in-1 functionality but don't need a pen specifically designed for a flight suit, Skilcraft has one called the Alpha Tech 3. It looks thicker than the Aviator and claims a rubberized grip. It is priced at just under $10 on Amazon.
For my budget, this is a pricy pen. Thankfully, it is not built like a cheap pen! It has enough durability and versatility that I have every expectation for years of use.
Obligatory Disclaimer: This pen was donated to me by a private individual. I received it at no charge.