Review: Black Gel Pen Collection | Best Black Pen for Note-taking and Journaling

[watch in 1080p!! ]
Hello everyone! Today, I brought a review for black gel pens. Join my journey to find the best black pen :) I tested 6 Japanese pens and 2 American pens: Muji 0.38mm, s-gel from Sharpies, InkJoy from Paper Mate, Signo and Jetstream from Uni-ball, Sarasa from Zebra, G-2 from Pilot and Energel from Pentel.
I journal using Korean stationery on a 6 ring binder. Let's creative journal with me 😉 (Filmed with iPad Pro 2020)
My journaling style involves a lot of art collage with stickers, washi tapes and memo pads. Basically, it's a creative journal :) Sometimes, I incorporate elements of bullet journal but mainly it's not about productivity, but rather about creativity, inspiration, emotions and love :) I use 6 ring binder for my journaling. I love it because it is so versatile and practical. My style was inspired a lot by how Korean do their journaling (다꾸, 다이어리꾸미기).
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@ara.today ( ara.today)
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Or email me at [e-mail]
I use Kikk.k Large size (A5 size 6 ring binder, 6 ring planner)
For inserts, I often use Lucalab.
Fun Life of an Introvert
다이어리꾸미기를 좋아하는 집순이
#blackgelpen #japanesepens #stationeryhaul
🎈Song : Daystar - Sunny side up / • ✨샛별 - 이런 계란후라이🍳✨(Royal...
🎈Song : Daystar - Lemon Cake / • ✨샛별 - 🍋Lemon Cake🍰✨ (R...

[@ellel.2140]

If you like Pentel Energel ink, its refills are compatible with Zebra Sarasa pen body. So, you can have the great ink in combination with a clear pen body and a fun clip. :)

[@ara_today]

!!!! I am going to try this out for sure!!

[@arapaimagold8088]

There's Infree for anyone that want clear barrel Energel.

[@Whoevenaskedyou]

Literally my god send go to combo 😩

[@kai125]

Are the energel refills compatible with muji body?

[@ellel.2140]

@@kai125 I don't have any Muji gel pens, but I asked my friend that uses them and she says that Energel refills don't fit. :(

[@YLFNFB]

Uni Jetstream uses hybrid ink (low-viscosity ballpoint pen ink) instead of gel. The gel that was in the Jetstream is just a lubricant.

[@icedtea241]

Finally someone who doesn't think the pilot g2 pens are that smooth! Everyone I know LOVES them and I personally never got into them(and I'm a huge pen addict), I always thought they were kinda scratchy and they smudge so easily too :/ great review! I've tried a ton of pens but my favorites and the only ones I really use on a daily basis are the energel and sarasa

[@vinnyverse]

I’m the same way. Never understood the hype. They were always scratchy to me but my dad loves them. I love energel and sarasa as well but I’d have to say my favorite is definitely the TUL pens

[@Irfan87]

Pilot G2s are not just the most overrated pens, but one of the most overrated things ever in the pantheon of overrated things.

[@griefer5846]

i’ve used pilot g2 for a year

[@griefer5846]

the ink is really good in my opinion, just a bit scratchy

[@griefer5846]

it depends on the paper, on one of my books its really smooth

[@exynth1a215]

the uni jetstream is a ballpoint pen btw

[@geekular]

You should try the sarasa dry or the sarasa mark-on variants. they would probably be more like what youre looking for.

[@ara_today]

Thanks for the recommendation!!

[@Suiseisexy]

Similarly, the Energel Pro with it's fraud-proof ink is faster drying than the original Energel.

[@Irfan87]

This might not matter to some, but to those that do, the Sharpie S Gel has THE best clicks of all the pens ive ever had. It feels very solid and clickity. The spring is stiff yet supple at the same and it sounds like a Cherry MX Blue key.

[@griefer5846]

might matter to my citizenship teacher xd

[@Victoria-ov9yw]

My zebra sarasa is almost used up so this video came at the perfect time! I find the sarasa smudges all the time on me but I'm definitely curious about the Jetstream! It hits all my aesthetic and utility needs

[@ara_today]

Jetstream is very nice! If I preferred thinner, lighter aesthetics, I probably went for Jetstream 😊

[@michaellandmann2973]

Jetstream is one of the smoothest ballpoint pend u can get, on those I prefer either 0.7mm or 1.0mm due to it being a ballpoint, but there awesome, especially if you get stuck with bad paper that bleeds easily, would almost say there even smoother than a gel pen and don't skip, but the ink will never be more vibrant than a gel pen

[@0Ann]

Thank you for this review! I got the zebra sarasa clip, pilot g-2 and pentel energel, and 100% agree with your evaluation. I LOVE how smooth the pentel energel writes without any pressure!

[@Plant_Traced]

That’s because gel, rollerball, and ballpoint are all different

[@FleetParade]

This video was super helpful! I've been using Sarasa Mark ON (which comes in 0.4 and 0.5) to write in my Hobonichi Weeks for work. I found it dries a lot quicker than my MUJI pen, but probably still wouldn't pass your smudge test lol. But I really like how the ink flows from it and it works pretty well with highlighters. Sarasa also makes a Dry pen that may be worth looking at too that's supposed to dry 85% faster, but I haven't tried it out yet. I will have to check out the Pentel Energel too! Thanks for reviewing these!

[@ara_today]

I should try those some day!

[@spookynoodle5622]

The sharpie s-gel in 0.7 millimeters is super smooth. It’s probably the smoothest pen I have ever tried, but the 0.5 millimeter one is very scratchy in comparison.

[@ramachandiranj6589]

What is the cost of this pen?

[@spookynoodle5622]

@@ramachandiranj6589 depends on where you live

[@mawoochi9995]

Nice review 🥰 I love pentel energel, but I love pentel energel infree even more! I also like pilot juice up. The latest addition to my-favorite-black-pens list is Mitsubishi Uni-ball One. These 3 pens are smooth, vibrant, fast-drying and less smudge with highlighter. Pick greater tip size for less scratchy feeling, but finer tip works fine. The paper also affect your writing experience, I use kokuyo and maruman loose leaf paper.

[@ara_today]

I gotta try these now! Thanks for your recommendations! 😊

[@LeftyKaren]

Oh gosh, ur a lefty! Thanks for sharing your black pens! I use Zebra Sarasa and they also have the Zebra Sarasa Dry which you might like. Perfect for lefties like me since my hand tends to go over what I just wrote. Also love the Pentel Energel, they have a transparent barrel now with the silicon grip. Love them for writing. If you want the blackest black ink, try the Uni-ball ONE 0.5mm but personally reach for the 0.38mm more. 🎉

[@tinyshrines]

I use my Uni Jetstream a lot but I have to note that the body has Totoro on it so I might be in love with its design more than its performance 😅

[@ara_today]

Wow that sounds like a pen I want to use too! I love Totoro!!🥰

[@SheilaNorthcutt]

The energel has several pen bodies you can try. I love their metallic refillable one. Also, the clena is an energel pen and has a cuter aesthetic

[@JerkaiserJaeK]

The uni jetstream isn’t really a gel pen. It’s a ballpoint pen, which is why it’s not as pigmented as the gel pens you have.

[@ara_today]

Thanks for the info! 💕

[@mkfort]

It's not a bad pen, but it's definitely the smoothest ballpoint, not the worst gel pen. Good if you need to use a ballpoint pen for carbon copies or something like that, or a very rugged pen for EDC, but not the nicest to write with unless you want the feedback of a ballpoint.

[@letsgaurrr7172]

You should try the Zebra Sarasa Dry on, it's better for lefties than the normal Zebra Sarasa.

[@ara_today]

Awesome! Thanks for the suggestion !

[@sarahtolbert3]

I’m happy to hear you felt the same at about the sharpie. A lot of people rant and rave on them and I want to love them so much but they just do not do it for me

[@iamjenbrodie]

I use my highlighter first and then I use my muji pens. It's a little inconvienent, but I got used to eye-balling how long I want the highlighted part. ^^

[@ara_today]

Wahaha that's exactly what I have been doing with my Muji 🤣🤣🤣 Unfortunately I never got better at estimating!

[@LydiaQ17]

I have been using the Pilot G2 pen for years. Then I switched to Pentel Energel because Pilot is no longer so good and I was disappointed. In my country, Pentel is a bit more expensive but worth the price.

[@user-vx3ut1fg7n]

If you are very concerned about gel pens that smudge easily when highlighting, try the Zebra Sarasa Mark-On gel pen. This pen resists smudging especially when paired with Zebra Mildliner highlighting pen.😊

[@to_be_consumed]

Pentel is my ride or die, I use it for everything I constantly have at least 2 or 3 refills at my house cause I use it so much for notes and schoolwork

[@JennaMyJenna1]

The energel does come in different and better bodies! There’s a clear version. The cutest would probably be the Clena. My fav is the alloy body.

[@kirikouwepeutihmecemonami4219]

I'm kinda new to this, thank you for the review. I happened to get myself a energel 0.7 by accident and I loved it. Since my ink ran out, I was wondering if there was good/better alternatives... I guess I'll stick with the energel 😅

[@ara_today]

I absolutely love energel! If you already have the barrel, you can buy the refills to bring the cost down 😉

[@yavanna_]

Nice review! Although I love the almost smudge free Pentel Energel too (because I like a lot to highlight my notes) my letters still look messy and feels like I'm using a rollerball pen instead of a gel ink pen, I guess this is because its ink is a liquid gel so the "liquid/water" in its composition makes more ink skip and the line broader than expected :( Just another small information: Jetstream is a ballpoint pen, its ink is oil based not gel, that's why its ink doesn't skip while writing and the line looks thiner.

[@loitranmanh3909]

Okay but here's the appreciation for your fast, clear and nice-looking handwriting

[@ara_today]

Thanks 💕

[@Urlocal_0101]

i wonder if you have tried the zebra Sarasa mark on they are one of my favorites and they don't smudge and have great smoothness

[@joshuachung67]

The uniball jetstream isn’t a gel pen; it’s a modern ballpoint pen with oil based ink rather than water based. That that’s why it doesn’t smudge as much and writes thinner; the oil doesn’t soak and spread as much as water and dries quicker.

[@user-vx3ut1fg7n]

Hey! Perhaps you could try to write using Sharpie S-Gel Pen on a smooth paper and see if there is still a bit of scratchiness.😊

[@softballgrl2346]

One of my favorite super affordable pens is the BIC Gelocity Smooth Stic 0.5mm. It writes smoothly, is a pretty dark black, and almost instantly dries so little to no smudge!

[@jeonghani_yoo4386]

Although I'm not a fan of its body since I like cushy grips, pentel energel inks are the best. I had converted a lot of my friends to use it because they liked its smoothness on the paper and its satisfying ink flow!

[@michaelpark5439]

Thank you for this test! I I really love the design and feel of TUL pens that you can pick up at Office Depot. The pen writes beautifully but the ink smudges and the tip easily gets blocked/damaged/clogged. I am now trying out the Pentel Energel ink and it's amazing so far. Like you, I really hate the design and feel of the pen. Try the Energel in the body of a TUL pen! I may try the Zebra Sarasa body like others suggested, because you can see the ink level, which is really nice I think. But the TUL pen design is truly beautiful and feels quite good.

[@dehydratedartist7470]

imo the pentel energel x is the absolute best cause it has smooth ink, color variation, transparent barrel, better grip and in general a good design

[@Crazytesseract]

All of these are gel ink roller ballpoint pens except Uni Jetstream (a hybrid oil-based ink ballpoint pen).

[@ara_today]

Thanks for letting me know. 😊

[@averyshamsters1080]

Some of the pens you tried weren’t gel pens, for example the Uni ball jetstream, so it wasn’t fair to the other pens

[@roselatte2553]

I always use uniball jetstream pens because the ink is thin and very smooth. The thin ink makes my writing look neater and cleaner on paper.

[@paukang934]

Another helpful vid! Very straight to the point! Would've never thought about the difference in vibrancy and such so thank you for bringing this perspective! More power to this channel! 🖤

[@marceline8734]

Pentel Energel for the win 👏👏

[@arapaimagold8088]

Funny thing about UMR-1, it loves coated paper. Not only it will looked blacker, it also ended up glossier and looks upscale compared to other pens.

[@manecobeirao]

Excelente demonstração. Gostei da grande variedade. Aqui no Brazil temos poucas opções. Parabéns pelo vídeo e congratulações pela letra muito bonita que você tem.

[@iolitemay]

My favourite is the signo mainly because it's the only pen I can find that comes in 0.38 and 0.28, but the smudging always bothered me. I'll definitely consider switching to the energel after this video

[@ara_today]

Thanks for watching 💕💕

[@hispinkangel]

where did you get your energel one? all the ones i have found are needle tip - and it’s scratchy thats why i hate it 💔

[@bwc1976]

I have the Pentel Energel in 0.7 and it looks just as good as the 0.5 you tried. For 0.5 I have the Pilot Precise which I have loved for decades. I haven't tried 0.38 yet but will most likely go with the Muji based on the video results I've seen from you and others.

[@bwc1976]

@waeyo I have both the 0.5 and 0.7, both in needle tip. They seem pretty interchangeable to me, there's a bigger difference between the 0.7 and my Pilot G2 1.0 than between any of my 0.5's and 0.7's. So it really depends how big I'm writing, if I'm writing bigger I'll go for the Pilot G2 1.0.

[@36_snaps]

Hi the uni jet stream is a ballpoint

[@flybalbu]

Pentel energel grip absolutely hurts my fingers. because i have sensitive skin, the grooves don't do it justice. Luckily i managed to remove it and shoved a foam grip in its place and that did the trick Zebra sarasa is still my number 1 favorite though Papermate inkjoy used to be one of my favorites Pilot g2 smudges way too much in my opinion

[@CDario2512]

I mostly use the Pentel pen, they are awesome the best for me

[@olivia-wm1ph]

THE MOST HELPFUL THING EVER!!!

[@ara_today]

Thank you so much 💓 glad it helped 😊😊

[@TechieTexan]

I never liked the Pilot G2 pens. I prefer PaperMate InkJoy or Uniball Signo. I just got the Energel and can't wait to use it.

[@nrgsmrt1]

I THINK I'VE FOUND MY SOUL MATE! Ara, your video review, Black Gel Pen Collection, is TOP SHELF! I loved the sound, and Close up video of your hand, while writing. Tim. ( - :

[@ara_today]

thank you 💕 glad it help! :)

[@radrianmgargurevich7826]

I don't see the Pilots Precise V5, V7, the retractable versions etc

[@onadatewithyou]

Energel is my fave too!!! You should try looking for the Energel Infree is has a clear case, you might like the design!

[@ara_today]

Awesome! I will look for it! Thanks for watching 💕

[@fjcdm2238]

I recommend you the pilot g-1 0.5. it's completely different than the g-2.

[@ara_today]

I didn't even know g1 exists. Thanks for letting me know!

[@surveyor1515]

PaperMate InkJoy is super smooth and comfortable to use

[@taylorbiehn2085]

some pens might feel scratchy or cheap because of the tip size...I love my pilot g2 and sharpie s-gel, and all the others.

[@ara_today]

That is possible! I've heard thicker s gels are better. Glad you like yours 😊

[@taylorbiehn2085]

@@ara_today yeah I do, they sometimes do skip but not much and I like my other pens better

[@birb5304]

I have the pilot G2 0.5mm but it does not write like the one in the video, I’m not sure why. It’s more smooth and black, not a cheap ballpoint pen feeling. (no offence)

[@pexrlvvq]

You should try the Zebra Sarasa Mark On in 0.4 it doesn’t smudge with fingers and Highlighters

[@pencilled_robin]

Your handwriting is amazing!

[@Ringman68]

I used the G2 for years. Actually used the Mini’s at work everyday. Then I discovered the Tul gel retractable pens. They are way better than the G2 in my opinion.

[@carolyndepaula1929]

Pentel Energel is my favorite!

[@OmarGoGo-uf7yx]

Hello. Jetstream is not very vibrant because u know its hybrid ink Hybrid means ballpoint and roller ink in a different way But. I Like it!

[@thesketchbookofmk1410]

This is super helpful, I always wanted to know which ones were best without having to buy them so this helps a lot!!

[@ara_today]

Thanks for watching 💕

[@dr.apple1114]

i love the s gels smoothness i must be missin out

[@brianramos800]

I use Papermate ink joy with Energel refill

[@itsannalewis]

Found this super helpful! I’ve been using the Sharpie version and hate how scratchy it feels too

[@ara_today]

Thanks for watching 💕

[@Zainabtriesit]

Cute video 🤩

[@MotherNoxa]

I need something that is thick where I can connect lines together easier and its not skinny gel/ink

[@arihnnamarles8020]

I use The sharpie and G2 those are my go to

[@Mikail_Ash]

Dude.... uni jetstream is a ballpoint pen it uses hybrid ink thats why it feels like a gel pen

[@Diego-rq3ek]

The refill of the papermate inkoy 0.7 is compatible with the body of the zebra sarasa clip 0.5?

[@vas1153]

I think I might purchase the Jetstream but id like to know if it's recommendable to buy a Jetstream 3 in one multi-pen so I don't have to buy all 3 colors separately or if it does smudge.

[@Plant_Traced]

Jetstream all day for smoothness

[@udaimatunnur1147]

Better buy a refill or buy a new one pen? What do you think?

[@ara_today]

Once you figure out which pen you like, it's better to buy the refills money-wise and also environmentally. Just my opinion 😊

[@adrijadas7239]

Just a curious question, does pentel energel refill fit muji knock type? Or any muji pens? Or uniball refills fit muji pens?

[@stress.relief]

Amazing video!!!

[@dreamy8386]

Best review ever. Thank u

[@MrMariozzz78]

g2 0.5 is scrachy? really? i have a 0.7 mm is smooth

[@trollpog7571]

what type of energel was used?

[@taniat.3578]

If you like the emerges, try the energel clena!

[@ara_today]

Thanks for the recommendation! I will look for it for sure! 🥰

[@socutechoco]

원래 유성볼펜(제트스트림,모나미 같은 펜)은 형광펜을 그었을때 중성펜(사라사,시그노,잉크조이같은 펜)보다 덜 번지더라고요! 그나저나 의외로 샤피가 잉크를 잘 만드네요 중성펜이 저렇게 안번지는건 흔하지 않던데ㅎㅎ

[@minaschulze8335]

Thank you✨✨this was very helpful 🥰🥰

[@ara_today]

Thank you 💕

[@wybuchowyukomendant]

I don`t like transparent pens at all, it always reminds me of the old, cheap ones I used to use back in school. One color, pref all black, are ideal...

[@fleur6112]

I’m so early Yay!

[@ara_today]

Yay!!! Thanks for watching 💕

[@michaelleftwich8186]

I can't help but notice that your 7's look like backwards F's. ?

[@Plant_Traced]

Sarasa dry would not smudge

[@umarmars47]

Energel vs Juice Up vs Uniball RT1??

[@ara_today]

Thanks for suggestions! I may have to do part 2 of this video 😆

[@umarmars47]

@@ara_today Sarasa Dry also good!! Okay good luck man

[@z3phyr335]

The sound of the g2 lol

[@spencerboaz2385]

The one I have gobs up dries out if you put it down for a while . It feels good in the hand but if your work looks bad . I wouldn't buy another one I think it's junk .

[@ara_today]

thanks for sharing your experience :)

[@iStorm-my5fp]

Thank you

[@ara_today]

You're welcome😊

[@raimarai_]

which kind of paper did u use here?

[@ara_today]

I used 120gsm paper 😊

[@Crazytesseract]

@@ara_today 120 GSM is thick. If you use these pens, on 80 GSM or less, some will bleed. All are gel pens except Jetstream, which is a hybrid oil-based ink ballpoint.

[@MrMariozzz78]

zebra sarasa is very scrachy o.5 mm

[@clarenxie5235]

No, mine is fine. Maybe u bought the old stocks, or the one u have is just bad. Zebra sarasa is one of the smoothest

[@abdallah2nd143]

The fact that Uni-jetstream is a ballpoint pen and not a gel pen

[@febryanvaldo]

Energel all the way.

[@juliaperezmorales7304]

Watching you write holding the pen like that was painful!

[@ara_today]

Haha I know! I wish I can change the way I write