After trying and rejecting (due to left-handed smearing issues) many types of gel pens over the years, I’ve finally found two kinds of gel pens that I absolutely love!
At the top of my list would have to be the Pentel Energel liquid ink gel pen. Even when I use this pen with a 0.7mm needle tip I do not smear the ink! The Pentel Energel pens I’ve been using have lasted several years without running out of ink and I love that you can get refills in the color violet (I have them in all colors). Another great thing about the Pentel Energel pen is that it comes in other styles besides the basic pen. The Energel refills work with the Pentel Hybrid Gel Grip DX pen and the Pentel Tradio is available in colors ranging from a subdued a matte brown to a zingy metallic watermelon red. I find the grip on these Pentel pens to be very comfortable in my hand and they are nice smooth writers.
The other gel pen that I love also happens to be made by Pentel – the Pentel Slicci gel pen with a 0.25mm tip. This pen comes in an array of colors and I prefer it when I need to write small or when I’m doing detailed drawings. This is another gel pen I can use without smearing ink all over the place. I’m still working on my collection of pen colors… perhaps I should just break down and buy the set of 8 pens. We’ve heard from Pentel that a metallic version of this pen is coming soon!
If any of you know of other good gel pens to recommend for left-handed writers or have thoughts about Pentel Energel liquid gel pens we would love to hear your comments!
by 
Already out.
http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/cPath/263_909
Asia always seems to get the good pens first. According to Pentel (via Twitter) for the USA: “Sneak peek of Metallic Slicci at #CHA! Available in March! http://twitpic.com/zqblp ”
While I am not a lefty, I have heard that the Uni-ball Jetstream line is great for left-handers. From personal experience, it writes very smoothly, lays down a great line, and dries fairly quickly, although the larger, bold size (1.0mm) does not write or start-up as consistently as the smaller (0.5mm, 0.7mm) sizes.
Thanks Marcus! I’ve used other Uni-ball pens but not the Jetstream. I’m going to give it a try.
Hail fellow sinister. My current fave is the Uni-ball Signo DX UM-151 Gel Ink Pen – 0.38 mm – Blue Black color. http://bit.ly/amqc4A
:][:
I am a lefty and use the Uni-ball Jetstream Sport – a great pen, smooth ink, no smudging, good feel – you should give it a try. Here is a link http://www.uniball.co.uk/Products/Rollerball/SXN-150-Jetstream-Sport.aspx
This “sport” model is a different shape to Jetstream or Jetstream RT models. There seems to be no end to the variations of Uniball pens!
The jetstream is one of the very very few ballpoint pens that makes it into my planner and I’ll have to second the preference for the .5 and .7 over teh 1.0 i just got. (and the .7 over the .5 if i had to choose)
Recently I came across a few black ink energels I bought last year and played with them a bit and forgot how awesome they were. My only gripe is that the grip is a little wide for my tastes, nonetheless they write pretty exceptionally well.
I’m a righty myself, but I had a lefty coworker play with a .4 Zebra sarasa and she said it was pretty solid for her since the thin line dried pretty quick.
I’d prolly stop writing if i had to avoid non ballpoints lol
I looooooooooooooooove Pentel Energels! They are my go-to pen. 🙂