Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
A pen is a kind of on a regular basis carry (EDC) objects that people who’re huge into their devices at all times discuss. My favourite for properly over 20 years has been the Fisher Area Pen. I cherished the simplicity of the design, the reliability of the ink, and the entire concept that I used to be utilizing a pen that was designed for the trials of area.
However the Area Pen has its drawbacks.
First, the worth. At round $30, they don’t seem to be low-cost. And whereas the lifetime guarantee is definitely a plus level — I’ve owned a dozen of those pens over time and used the guarantee just a few occasions — that security web does not assist you to if you lose the pen.
Additionally: I spent $129 on a pen and it is spoiled each different writing utensil for me
And that brings me to the second challenge: the design makes it straightforward to lose. The bullet form is nice when you have a pen pocket in your bag or garments, nevertheless it’s not so handy when you maintain it in an everyday pocket. And the pen’s clip is not robust sufficient to remain put and falls off simply.
I nonetheless love you, Area Pen, however since I am not going into area anytime quickly, I would like a pen that is higher suited to my terrestrial actions. So meet the Tombow AirPress.
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Tombow AirPress
A tricky, no-nonsense pen with a pressurized ink cartridge that may work the wrong way up, write on quite a lot of surfaces, and has a clip that will not break off.
A buddy of mine lately launched me to those pens that they had been issued as a part of their search and rescue duties. I anticipated them to be dear, however they’re only a shade over $8!
The AirPress appears to be like like another pen, nevertheless it incorporates some actually neat tips.
First, it is robust. Actually robust. I’ve tried to snap it in half, however as onerous as I attempted, I may solely get a bit bend into it. And as quickly as I let off the stress, it popped again into form.
Additionally: This trendy electrical screwdriver has some huge features for a small value
Talking of stress, the ink cartridge is pressurized. Nonetheless, because it does not should put up with the trials of area just like the Area Pen has to, it is the motion of urgent down the clicky button on the highest that pressurizes the ink, permitting the pen to put in writing the wrong way up and on quite a lot of surfaces that will in any other case defeat a pen.
I’ve examined the claims that the pen can work in temperatures all the way down to -5°C/23°F, and it handles that with no drawback. Beneath this temperature, you would possibly have to heat it up a bit. However as most individuals maintain pens in a trouser or inside a jacket pocket, it is unlikely to be a typical challenge.
Clicky! Clicky! Clicky!
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Swapping out the ink cartridge is simple — unscrew the underside bit, pull the refill out, and push in a alternative (you should buy a three-pack of refill for below $6. That is in comparison with the Area Pen refills, that are about $7 every.
Simple to take aside for upkeep
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The clip can be strong and may broaden and contract to accommodate no matter you need to clamp the pen onto, whether or not that is a bit of paper or a clipboard.
Probably the greatest, strongest, most versatile clips I’ve seen on a pen
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
And to make the AirPress simply that little bit more durable to lose, they arrive in quite a lot of colours. Orange is my favourite as a result of it stands out whether or not the pen is misplaced in a bag or fallen right into a bush. There’s additionally a loop for a lanyard when you’re significantly liable to dropping issues.
The lanyard loop is a pleasant contact
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
For only a shade over $8 (completely different colours come at completely different costs), you’ll be able to’t discover a higher pen for the worth. Actually robust and properly made, superbly engineered, and never going to interrupt the financial institution if it’s a must to change it as a result of it will get misplaced or “borrowed,” the Tombow AirPress is a superb alternative for any setting.