Pentel Arts Slicci 0.25 mm Extra Fine Gel Pen, Assorted Ink, 8 Pack (BG202BP8M)

Never thought I would be obsessed with pens, so this is weird, but I love this pen.If you are the type of person that is looking for a pen that has the thinnest line then your search can possibly end here. I bought a number of pens that describe themselves as having a ultra/micro/super fine point, but failed when put to the test, the Pentel Slicci 0.25 does not. I've compared it to the following pens: Pilot V5 RT, Uniball Signo RT 0.38, Uniball Signo Micro 207, Uniball Deluxe Micro, Pilot G2 0.38mm, Pilot GTEC-C4 0.4mm. Only the GTEC-C4 (also known as HITEC) came close, but fails in other ways. The Slicci has the thinnest line, but not only that it is dark, writes amazingly smoothly for a fine point (no, of course not as smooth as the Pilot V5 RT, but you can't expect that with a point this sharp), AND doesn't skip. I can apply almost no pressure and the ink flows effortlessly. It also dries very quickly and has very minimal smudging when used on good paper.I've tested all of the above pens using Black n' Red notebooks, which have the best paper I've found in a reasonably priced notebook.Pros:-THINNEST line of the above listed pens-Dark ink-Fast drying with low smudging-Smooth writingCons:-The pen barrel is thin, so if you need a thicker pen barrel, you'll need to look elsewhere or purchase a different pen and use the Slicci ink refill.-The distributer on amazon charges more than at an alternative site (I'd recommend searching google for "Japanese Pens" and see what you find)I have another 5 pens in the mail that are all <0.4mm, so I will update this review if one of them bests the Slicci.Edit: I should also mention that despite other reviewers commenting on the reliability of this pen, I have not had any instances where it "dried out" or stopped working, but have only been using it for a little over a week now, so maybe that will change.Update June 2014:I still think this is probably the smoothest ultra-thin gel pen you can buy, and using the multi-ink (Pentel Sliccies BG3) version eliminates the barrel problem.HOWEVER, the best ultra-thin pen for hospital use has to be the Uni SXR-38 jetstream knock ballpoint pen refill 0.38 mm - Black Ink placed inside of the Uni Alpha-gel Jetstream Ink Ball Point Pen 0.7mm Black-body. The heaviness with comfortable grip and the ultra thin line (thinner than the 0.38 sliccie even) makes it the perfect pen for progress notes, etc. where space is limited and you don't want to risk any smearing.It's not a gel pen, but it is the smoothest and thinnest writing pen I have ever used.

Alright - so I will lay it out clearly - they are good gel pens. I use them for drawing. I would recommend them over most, if not all, other gel pens *specifically* when it comes to outlining detailed lines you've already laid or even for foundational lines in some cases. I've been using Slicci for about 7-8 years. I used to use them when they still made .4 (if memory serves correctly with that being the size). The color is bold and the line is crisp and I find it overall spreads very evenly. They suit my needs perfectly. I recommend for people to experiment around with different pens in general, but it is fair to consider these art grade gel pens (as much as for writing if that's what you want). I typically only use the best for art supplies because I hate sacrificing quality for price and I would say they're worthy of being used professionally depending on what you want them for.My only critique is there's not more colors and the light blue requires more delicate handling than the rest in order to get a line with even color distribution in one stroke. Also, I think the light blue is slightly more prone to drying out. I think suspect that is because the ink has less pigment, so there is less for it to cling to. But, what can you do? I've yet to see something better for the same light blue colored gel pens of any kind. Still, I think the product is worthy of 5 stars. The light blue issue it's not something you can readily avoid. If you know how to use your tools right, you won't generally have that problem but it does take some extra concentration in your technique. Again, I think that's just a problem with the color due to lack of pigment in order to make the color than it is the actual pen itself. But, the light blue color is nice so I don't mind and deal with it. My work, IMO, comes out just fine and I think many others are happy as well.

UPDATE:This is my second review for these pens and I am still addicted! I also just discovered stone paper journals....and these are an absolute match made in heaven! Everything is hyper-detailed and wonderful--the paper can take any media and stay flat and perfect and the pen glides over it like a thread on ice....I am so in awe of both of these discoveries that I don't waste a speck of the materials....However, I am not ready to die just yet with all my final wishes granted...the pens are not waterproof and bleed into invisibility at any contact with wet media. I am willing to accept this on some level--that my journals are conversations with ghosts and not grandchildren. But if Pentel could make a waterproof ink for these pens I would perhaps feel like I was looking into the face of some merciful and loving Deity...BEST FEATURES:The pens are super thin, so no hand cramping, even writing and drawing up to an hour a day. And you can see exactly where the ink level is on these since the casing is clear. This is impossible to tell on every other brand of micro pen.EARLIER REVIEW:THIS, at long last, is the dream pen!!!! I have tried out every micro pen on the market and this is the one: it writes for you practically and it is thin enough that holding it does not cause cramping. While the other pens I have bought do claim to be waterproof and archival (while this does not), I don't even come close to getting my money's worth out of them. The nib is gone far before the ink is or should be used up. I have been using this one like a starved person for a week (writing 50% more at each sitting--because I adore the feel of it) and it is as PERFECT as when I opened the package. I will never use another pen, as I have finally found the ideal one in this!!!!! Thank you, Pentel, for the most perfect pen in all of creation!!!! It completes me!!!!