Uni Jetstream Edge 0.38 mm Ballpoint Pen Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)

Sometimes I pick a pen based on looks (I'll admit it) and "odd" is definitely a look. The Uni Jetstream Edge looks odd. But I love Uni refills and I like Mint Green, so I had to try it. And it's a decent pen, though I think there are better houses for the exceptional Jetstream refill.

The metallic sheen on this pen deceives the eye, as the body is all plastic--only the grip section (and clip) are metal. The plastic is smooth and well made, but very light, so almost the entire weight of the pen is in the grip. This is apparently to give the pen a low center of gravity, which is intended for better control. I don't know all the science of the ergonomics behind that, but the imbalance it creates is something that takes a little getting used to. The pen also tapers so that the grip is the widest point, with a snorkel-like tube to protect the super-fine refill tip.

The body has a hexagonal shape, while the grip is round with some light etching along the length. I do find the grip a bit slick. I think the etching could have gone around the grip instead of along it, for better traction.

The clip has a wave pattern to it, and it looked like it might have a hinge, but it's a friction clip. It's fairly stiff, though the lip on it makes it easy to slide onto papers.

The top of the pen has a black plastic click mechanism to deploy the tip. It's a satisfying click, and the parts are all up in the top of the pen, so there are no flying springs or loose pieces when you change refills.

And the refill is where this pen shines. Because inside this slightly alien looking pen body is one of the best refills I've ever used, the Uni Jetstream .38 ballpoint.

This is the smoothest ballpoint ink I've ever used. It has the glide of a gel ink, but it is water-resistant, fade-resistant, and forgery-resistant, so it's perfect for taking your most important notes. Despite the absolute itty bittiness of the tip, there is no scratchiness or dragging feeling to this refill at all. It looks like you're writing with a sewing needle, but it writes like hot butter. I would use this refill every day.

But, I confess, I am not reaching for this pen every day--and when I am, it's because I need the refill, not because I want to write with the pen itself. It's not a bad pen at all, it's just odd, and that imbalance throws me off a bit. Beyond that, the $15 price feels a bit high, especially when you can get a 3-color Jetstream pen for $7.

I don't mind an odd pen (to be fair, I'm odd, myself), and I'd say that if you like the look of this pen, you're bound to be very happy with it. While I prefer other Uni pen models, my critiques of this pen are all very subjective, and you may find this one to be your personal favorite.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Uni-ball Jetstream Edge 0.38 mm Ballpoint Pen Review

I’m fond of saying that there is a pen out there for everybody. I’m also fond of saying not every pen is for everybody. The Uni-ball Jetstream Edge is firmly in the latter camp.

When you hear pen fans talk about the Jetstream, they are more than likely referring to the 0.7 mm model, and sometimes the 1.0 mm. They love the rich colors and solid lines - something standard ballpoints rarely have - plus the smooth writing experience with a refill that lasts longer that most. There is a reason it is one of my most recommended pens.

But the Edge model is a different animal. And Uni-ball is treating it as such.

In the past, Uni-ball has dropped into the 0.38 mm tip size with more standard barrel types, but it is a rare occurrence. I remember when I first got my hands on the 0.5 mm Jetstream (2008!) I raved about it, but even then I knew it was a pen not many people would enjoy. I still remember an email I got about that review, which told me in no uncertain terms how bad they thought this pen was.

The Standard barrel, my favorite basic Jetstream barrel, still has 0.38 mm and 0.5 mm options, but I don’t really see them leaning into those tip sizes - at least in this market. The Edge is their micro-tip refill vessel of choice, and I love it.

To me, Uni-ball is saying that 0.28 mm and 0.38 mm Jetstream refill are technical pens, and deserve a barrel design to relay as much to the consumer. That’s as much of the Edge story as the refill choice. This is my favorite pen barrel released in a long time, with its metal grip section, plastic upper barrel, unique clip design, and solid knock mechanism.

You know what other stationery products have similar design cues? Mechanical pencils, especially technical ones. And, the Edge has a similar price point to match.

This is a $15 Jetstream, not a $3 one. That places it firmly into the niche product market, and, I hope for my sake, that this technical, detailed writing niche takes it and runs with it.

The Edge launched four barrel colors with a 0.28 mm refill, then later added four more barrel colors for the 0.38 mm refill. The refill, while technically great, is the one flaw in this design, and maybe the one flaw in my theory why this pen exists in the first place.

The Uni-ball Jetstream Edge is designed around the refill they use for the Jetstream multi pen. It is thinner, and thus lower capacity than standard Jetstream refills, not to mention the Parker-style SXR-600 Jetstream refill. Single refill pens deserve a refill size commensurate with the pen, so this is a disappointment, especially in a $15 pen.

On the other hand, do we get the Edge if Uni-ball didn’t already have this refill design in-house? I’d argue yes. They already make 0.38 mm conical tip refills for the Sport series. I’m confident Uni could design a new needle tip for the 0.28 mm and 0.38 mm requirements for the Edge if they so desired, but they took the easy way out here.

I don’t guess I can blame them, because, in the end, I adore this pen. I just think it could be even better with a normal sized refill.

Will you adore this pen as much as I do? It’s unlikely. As I mentioned up top, this pen is not for everybody. Not by a long shot. It is a particular pen, with a particular job, and at a particular price point. But, if you are particular, like me, then you might find something interesting and unique in the Jetstream Edge.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Uni Jetstream Edge 3 Color Multi Pen Review

In the world of multi pens, the Uni-ball Jetstream has long made one of my favorite ballpoint options. The Jetstream is my go-to ballpoint anyway, so the availability and pricing of their many multi pen options is a great combination when you consider the ultra smooth and crisp ink that comes in the refills. I prefer gel refills most of the time, but Jetstream still holds a special place in my stationery heart.

The latest multi pen I've tried from Jetstream is the Edge 3 Color Multi Pen. As the name implies, it features three different colors to choose from — black, blue, and red. Keeping with the Edge brand, the refills in this pen are all of the 0.28mm variety, which is extremely fine. Despite the ultra fine tips, they're still remarkably smooth and crisp. I don't think these feel any different than writing with a 0.38mm gel ink refill, which is quite a compliment to the Jetstream ink formula. Based on the packaging and seeing how small the tip was, I assumed it would be scratchy and unpleasant for regular writing, but I was completely wrong. It's actually quite easy to use, which can't be said for all ultra-fine refills. The black, blue, and red refills are all dark and crisp, and they write beautifully. They're the same size as the other Jetstream multi pen refills, so you could even swap out for a larger tip if you wanted.

The barrel shape is similar to the other Edge pens as well, but it's obviously a little wider to accommodate the extra refill options. The barrel width of any multi pen is usually wider than I prefer, but it's an easy trade-off for the added utility of having multiple ink colors on hand. I get used to writing with the larger barrel pretty quickly, and I hardly notice it unless I'm writing for more than a few minutes. The six-sided barrel looks great and I really adore the turquoise version that I have. The grip section is also nice, with a black metal finish and small grooves to improve the texture and feel. The nose cone is an odd shape, and the marketing material says this is done on purpose to allow you to see more of the paper while writing. That's true, but it took me quite a while to get used to it. I found that holding it so that the cone recess is below my thumb instead of my index finger (for a "standard" grip) works best. I grip pens fairly low and close to the cone, so this was a bit frustrating and difficult to get used to until I found that magic position. It's not so bad now, but I'd be happier if the nose cone was a symmetrical shape. I've never had issues with visibility on other wide multi pens, so I'm not sure why Jetstream decided to use this weird shape for this pen. Small complaint, but a worthy one.

Most Jetstream multi pens use a slide button along the upper body of the pen to control selecting and retracting refills, but this one uses a nifty dial at the top of the pen. Rotate the dial to cycle through the refills! There's a satisfying click when each refill is extended, and it's really easy to operate. If you want to retract the refills, just stop the dial when it's in between refills.

I do struggle to know which color is extended, though. There are color markers on the refill tips, but they're both small and faded, making it difficult to tell what color is extended unless you are in a well-lit area and hold the refill close to your face. It's been a little frustrating at times! There's also some very small color indicators on the top of the dial, but that involves changing your grip on the pen to see the dial properly. The color that lines up with the pocket clip is the color that is currently extended, so as long as you can see the little indicators on the dial, you're all set! The dial is a really nice touch, but I wish it was easier to see the colors — ideally, I'd like it to be obvious on the refill tip, and I think this is doable with darker color rings.

The pocket clip is a sleek wire design and is both strong and lightweight. It matches the other Edge pens in design and really enforces the overall aesthetic. I'm a big fan of the aesthetic of these pens, and really enjoy the smooth refills.

The turquoise version I have here is my favorite, but there are plenty of other options as well — Navy, White/Red, Black, and Red. At just over $32, this isn't a cheap multi pen, but I think it's a good price for the quality of materials and the smooth refills. After all, single refills cost $3 on their own. I'm still surprised by how smooth they are for the size, and the vibrant ink colors are the icing on the cake. Definitely worth checking out if you love ultra-fine ballpoint multi pens!

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

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