Review: Uni-ball Eye Rollerball Pen
Uni-ball says this is the world's favourite pen for over 10 years. It's not surprising as it's a really good pen.
Design
It's a slim pen with matt surface cap and end. You judge the colour of the pen by the cap.
When you uncap, you get to see the transparent ink feed system which is cool.
The body has a see through section that allows you to see how much ink is left. This pen uses liquid ink.
The Uni-ball eye is available in two line width, Micro 0.3mm (0.5mm ball) and the Fine 0.5mm (0.7mm). The product code for UB-157 or UB157.
The tip is made of stainless steel with tungsten carbide ball.
The pens come with 10 colours, namely Black, Blue, Red, Green, Orange, Pink, Light Blue, Violet, Light Green, Wine.
Ink
The ink used here is the Uni Super Ink, a type of pigment ink.
It's waterproof, fade-proof, acid-free and light resistant, and hence of archival quality.
It's specially formulated to bind with the paper, to prevent criminal check washing and document alternation.
It writes smooth, dries fast, does not skip, blotch or feather. The black is very black.
I use the pen for watercolour sketches and it works extremely well. When I spray my artwork with fixative, the ink stays as it is, does not break down, and retains the intensity of dark.
Lines are from the Uniball Eye and ink wash with Daler Rowney Kandahar black ink.
In short, this is an excellent pen for sketching or art work.
Note the only the Black, Blue and Red feature the waterproof pigment ink.
Uni-ball Eye vs Vision
The Uni-ball Eye also seems to be marketed under the name Uni-ball Vision. From what I can see, the design of the pens are almost identical except for the names printed on their bodies.
Conclusion
This is a high quality pen that's suitable not just for writing but drawing as well. For sketching, I would bring at least two just in case one runs out of ink.
Availability
Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | Amazon.fr | Amazon.es | Amazon.it
You can also probably find it at Jackson's Art Supplies (UK)
Comments
Nice review, but note that
Nice review, but note that only blue, black, red and green inks are waterproof/fadeproof. The pen is also available in ultra micro (0.38 mm ball), UB-150-38 (black, blue, red only).
Hi Teoh,
Hi Teoh,
Thanks for another great review. FYI the Vision and Eye are the same models as you wrote, here's the Uni-ball document that cross references their different model names.
http://www.uniball-na.com/content/uploads/international_cross_reference…
cheers,
JohnO
Thanks gor a great review! Do
Thanks gor a great review! Do you have any favorite paper that goes well with this pen?
@Anna
In reply to Thanks gor a great review! Do by Anna (not verified)
@Anna
Any paper with smooth (better) or fine grain surface will work well with this pen.
Using this since it's launch
Using this since it's launch about 10 yrs back. Very smooth, same quality. No other pen in this range matches the quality. I was using Parker gel earlier but the quality went down after 2005. Switched over to uniball eye 0.7 mm. I can use it sketching and writing. Excellent contrast with black ink.
I have heard that they have
I have heard that they have just released a new rose-gold barrel pen that is water-proof and fade-proof and is 1mm thick ink flow
There is occasional smudging when writing (immediately putting wrist over newly written words), so I guess it may take a little time for the ink to dry.
Overall the pen is still great to use and is long-lasting. Perfect for the student or a new addition to any stationery kit
@Ethan
In reply to I have heard that they have by Ethan (not verified)
@Ethan
Thanks for letting me know. So far the only 1mm pen I have from Uniball is the Uniball Impact which is a gel pen.
For pens that draw thick lines, they put out more ink so it's not surprising the ink will take longer to dry.
I've been using the UB-150-10
I've been using the UB-150-10 (I suppose the 1mm) for the past couple of days and it is constantly skipping and just stoping after 40 words. After I shook it to get the ink down today (Perhaps too much) it just started giving too much ink at the tip and leaking ink from the two holes above the tip (I think air vents for the cartridge?) so basicly around a 6th of the ink in now gone (more than half of which now lies in paper towels) in 3 hours of (attempted) writing 150 words and constantly having to wipe it clean because it's leaking more than a broken tap. Not sure if the original problems of skipping and stopping is because of this particular one or the quality of these pens is such. Perhaps the thickness of the pen allows for too much ink to pass onto the paper and it can't keep up? I'm no particular quick writer either.
@Anonymous
In reply to I've been using the UB-150-10 by Anonymous (not verified)
@Anonymous
Ink flow should be smooth and there should not be any issues. I suspect there's damage with the roller ball tip for your pen.
I cant believe I have been
I cant believe I have been using fineliners this many years and not discovered this pen sooner! It's just superior on all front!. Super smooth writing experience, super black ink with such satisfying flow!
How do you rate this vs the Vision Elite 0.5mm? Some say its basicly the same pen, but I've seen some video where the Elite seems to smudge a lot easier..
Pro with the Elite is the ability to refill, although seems impossible to get in the EU
@Artman
In reply to I cant believe I have been by Artman (not verified)
@Artman
I've only tried the Uniball Vision needlepoint but not the rollerball so I can't say much. That pen is said to use the same Uni SuperInk so the ink should perform the same.
I can never see how much ink
I can never see how much ink is in my Uni Ball pens via the windows -
@Robert Wilson
In reply to I can never see how much ink by Robert Wilson (not verified)
@Robert Wilson
It's easier to see when you hold it with light source behind
I was using this pen for
I was using this pen for writing purposes and I was not very happy, turns out it is very good for sketching.
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