Uni-ball Jetstream 0.38 mm Ballpoint Review

I have seen a lot of pens, pencils, and paper in my day, but I am still capable of getting my mind blown and acting giddy like a school child. And unlike my recent several hundred dollar fountain pen purchases, this is for a pen that costs less than $3.00.

Say hello to the Uni-ball Jetstream 0.38 mm Ballpoint.

This pen caught me off guard. Jetstream already had one of the finest-tipped ballpoints on the market in the 0.5 mm (which lays down a line of 0.4 mm or less) so I didn't really see the need, but I am oh so happy they produced this.

My original fear that this pen would be too scratchy to use - a common refrain with the 0.5 mm - was swept away the first time the pen hit the page. It is shockingly smooth, even more so than the 0.5 mm in my mind. It also requires almost no pressure to leave a solid, consistent, skip-free line. There isn't much more I could have asked for.

The 0.38 mm Jetstream is an immediate Top 5 Pen and will take up permanent residence in my daily arsenal of pens.

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)

Uni-ball Jetstream Color Series Ballpoint 0.5 mm Orange Review

It wasn’t but a few weeks ago that I reviewed the 0.5 mm Purple Color Series Jetstream and as I am known to do, I picked up several other colors of the same pen to see how they perform. The Orange Color Series is the latest to be put to the test.

I went with the same 0.5 mm size as the purple to get a feel for how similar sizes compared and I am not as big a fan of the orange as I am the purple. I’m not sure what my expectations were - I’ve reviewed the original Color Ink Series Orange Jetstream in the past and enjoyed it - but the latest version is too light for me. I felt like I had to strain too much to see the ink color. On a related note, I did go to the eye doctor yesterday.

I passed on the Lime Green Color Series because I thought it would be too light. It turns out the orange is in the same boat. The 0.7 mm is probably a better choice for me in this color.

The lyrics in the review are from R.E.M.’s “Sitting Still”. Growing up in the South in the 80’s it was a rite of passage listening to Stipe, Mills, Buck, and Berry and I am passing that along to my kids. The problem is - as with many of Stipe’s lyrics - they are incoherent at best and I have a tough time trying to explain them to my daughter. “Sitting Still” is widely know as the best of the worst of Stipe’s lyrics. Even he admits he has no idea what he is saying.

If you use Rdio, listen to the live version found on “Live At The Olympia”. Stipe jokes at the end of the song about fans trying to search for lyrics on the internet. I wonder why???

Uni-ball Jetstream Color Series Ballpoint 0.5 mm Purple Review

It is very difficult to find good quality non-traditional ink colors in a ballpoint pen. Many companies try, but the ink is no better than the traditional colors that are already poor. Uni-ball is one of the only companies that gets colored ballpoint inks right and I am glad to see them expand their Color Series offerings.

It was a couple of years ago when Uni-ball expanded their Jetstream ink color offerings with the Color Ink Series (don’t get the two product lines confused). As I stated back then the colors are amazingly good but the barrel design leaves a lot to be desired. With the new Color Series, Uni-ball has taken those great colors, added a few new ones, and encased the refills in a more traditional Jetstream-styled barrel.

I went with the purple ink since that was a color I had not used previously. It is admittedly hard to see in the photo but this is a solid ink color, right in the middle of the shade spectrum. I prefer the 0.5 mm but I know many of you like the 0.7 mm. You will see an even sharper, darker line with the wider tip.

The only downside? Uni-ball did not carry over the blue black ink (check out my prediction in that post!) from the Color Ink Series to the new Color Series. It is my favorite color and would be my number one ballpoint if it were available in the new barrel style.

If it says anything about this pen, nearly ever color is sold out right now at JetPens. Restock times are generally quick for Uni-ball, so keep an eye on them and give one a shot when they come back in. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.