Zebra F701 + Fisher Space Pen Hack - The Only Pen You Will Ever Need

This is the best pen I have ever used. Insanely reliable and it writes on pretty much any surface. It made from combining a Fisher Space Pen Refill with a Zebra Stainless Steel F701 body (aka fisher space pen hack).
The result is a cheaper version of the famous Space Pen that was designed to be used in space.
This can be made for $11-12 and will likely be the only pen you ever need.
Fisher Space Pen Refil (make sure its the SPR4) - amzn.to/2he4jpW
Zebra F701 - amzn.to/2wtBUqG

[@Lance54689]

I recently came up with this idea, then went online and realized that I wasn't the first or even the thousandth to figure this out! It really is a nice combination. I love the F-701 body and I love the Space Pen ink. I took the plastic piece out of the tip and cut off about 1mm from the tip, that allowed for smooth operation without the tip moving around.

[@YourSoulDriver]

I have a Zebra F-701 pen with a Fisher SPR1F, blue ink, fine point, cartridge. I removed the plastic insert from the tip, as shown in the video and cut 1 mm off of it. I also cut the bottom of the plastic adapter that came with the Fisher SP cartridge and used it as a sleeve to avoid any wobbling inside (optional). The pen works great.

[@jasonmartin1668]

I've done this before seeing your video and I will confirm it makes a great pen even WAY better!

[@torontoross]

This is brilliant. I bought the pen and refill as you have shown in this video and it writes so smoothly. Love it. Thanks

[@ThisDesignedThat]

Great to hear!

[@charlieisamonster]

I have this pen combination and agree. It's fantastic 👍

[@BobHerres]

Great Video and very Well Done, Thank you

[@techwg]

Try a Fine refill. I find the medium refills end up blobbing up after using them for ages. Really frustrating, though they feel nicer to write with than Fine. I go with fine for over all reliability. ALSO space pen ink is a bit more secure from tampering than a regular bic pen.

[@dwnk4691]

Wow. I was thinking about doing this hack but I thought it would be difficult. I just switched out the ink refill and that was it. Thanks for posting!

[@ThisDesignedThat]

I know, i was surprised how easy too, its such a quick and easy hack

[@CMIRoberts]

Great idea! I found that if you just slightly stretch the plastic cap, it allows the ink refill to operate smoothly . There's a bit of play if you completely take it out. But by stretching the cap, it's still firm but doesn't bind.

[@urjnlegend]

What do you mean stretch it out?

[@jack002tuber]

Hey, I just bought a F701 and the space pen you pictured here two weeks ago. When the filler in the 701 goes dry I plan to put the space pen filler in it. I'd heard you can do that. I was using cheap plastic pens all my life up to two weeks ago. Love them both, they're fine pens. I hope not to lose one.

[@dante_gonal]

Between the F-xMD and F-701 is there any difference?

[@RunningOnAutopilot]

This is what I needed this is my exact desire

[@arrel4607]

Thanks for this vid - think I'm gonna try this. What about a video on best mechanical pencil? I've used a Staedtler mars micro .5mm for years and haven't really felt the need to look else where but I'm curious about Rotring's mechanical pencils. As a design object the Neri Pencil is also something special but the price tag's pretty dear.

[@lukejdowns]

Graphgear 1000 .5mm or .3mm is the best pencil I’ve used, weighted very evenly and satisfying action

[@Orochi_001]

I’d just go straight for the Fisher if all I’m saving is £5, but I love the form factor. Fun fact: Zebra G-301 refills can be trimmed and used in Fisher bodies for those looking to switch to gel

[@markg6860]

A nice review, but I just trim and adapt refills from cheap plastic throwaway pens, IF the ink delivery is smooth. They work great.

[@dereklinhares3779]

Will this work with g450?

[@Saiarts_yt]

I have zebra f701 with all stainless steel body (no black clicking bezzel). I ordered the fisher space pen refill and I will stay updated if I can.

[@jack002tuber]

All the new 701s are all metal now. (on the outside)

[@FESLIVENYC]

Thank you so much for your video

[@ThisDesignedThat]

thankyou for watching

[@tben339]

I can't get the refill to "seat" correctly when extending or retracting it. Even without the plastic tip insert, when I press the button the refill extends - but then when I press it to paper it "clicks" into place. Then when trying to retract it, I'll press the button but it won't retract until I press it against something.

[@Sir-IKON]

same issue

[@jmr5707]

Was this after the 701's plastic tip insert mod? Allowing more room for the refill's tip?

[@BigJesse579]

This is NOT an all metal. All 701s have plastic threads on both the tip and the end. There is a plastic sleeve inside the main body. That sleeve is what the tip and click mechanism thread to. The metal body is not threaded.

[@peterolson823]

Combine with the F-402 for an all stainless steel version, the F-7401. Then use the leftover parts to make a decent Zebra pen.

[@oceansaber]

Zebra actually makes an all-steel version now, the F-xMD

[@AFXGaming]

@@oceansaber Hard to find them in store though

[@oceansaber]

@@AFXGaming it's quite easy actually on Amazon (in Canada we least)

[@desertnerd]

Has the F701 changed since this video was made? I'm finding that it works better with the plastic tip left inside. Without it the refill rattles around.

[@ksajak]

Just take out the plastic insert and trim just a little bit off the tip. Put back in and you're good to go.

[@TonyGruber2009]

Thank you for the great pen hack! Does anyone know if the Fisher Space Pen Refills fit any other pens that have a rubberized grip? I need a pen that is easy to hold on to. Thanks, Tony

[@ThisDesignedThat]

Im pretty sure they fit other pens out there, the f701 is hardly a unique design

[@prokskee]

Tony Gruber i fit the fisher refill in the f-402 but I had to use the tip from the f-701 with the plastic insert removed

[@danc2014]

Space ink fit inside any pen that use parker refills

[@jpolar394]

Do you use a fine point or a medium point ink cartridge? ( The Fisher cartridge )

[@ThisDesignedThat]

I use the medium as its just mostly used for note taking sketching, i dont need something that fine

[@ksajak]

@@ThisDesignedThat would the bold point for in the f 701 without issue? I like bold point!

[@rommelparungao7876]

what name of that sub refill did you use??

[@ThisDesignedThat]

fischer space pen refil

[@acmramon]

can u fit a parker G2 refill into the zebra? (maybe ctting the top plastic?) a video will be nice

[@ThisDesignedThat]

Good question, i'll give this a go later in the year and make a video for you

[@rustle9369]

yes you can

[@elizabethf794]

Question: I just bought the Zebra F-701 which comes with an .8 ink cartridge. Odd that Zebra doesn't offer a .8 refill for that pen. Anyway, if I order a Fisher Space Pen Medium refill, do I just open the pen up and pop it in? That's it? No fiddling needed?

[@prokskee]

Elizabeth F I had to remove the plastic insert in the tip as shown in the video, mine wouldn’t work with it in

[@jasonmartin1668]

If you go with the fine tip it tends to work better with the spacer but the medium and bold definitely will need the tip spacer removed

[@SuperJbrown22]

Can I use the zebra f 301 ink with the fisher telescoping pen?

[@Orochi_001]

jarrod brown G-301 is the refill you want. You’ll just have to trim off a few millimeters

[@rustle9369]

Does the Fisher space pen refit fit the Zebra F 402?

[@ThisDesignedThat]

not sure Russ, it looks like it might but cant be sure

[@getitvic]

My fisher refill consistently has breaks in the ink. Maybe I got a bad one but either way I won’t being using them again.

[@ThisDesignedThat]

I do experience some breaks but its very very rare. Maybe you have something lodged in there or could be a dud

[@Sifo_Dyas]

I can't unscrew the tip! It's too slippery and tight. Any hack for that?

[@ThisDesignedThat]

Wd40

[@frankie7275]

If you push down on the black plastic ring around the clicker and turn, it will unscrew and come out.

[@ThisDesignedThat]

the black ring is so smooth i cant get any grip on it. I would assume from the design that its probably not meant to be easily unscrewed.

[@frankie7275]

This Designed That if you push steadily hard, turning it Counter Clockwise, it'll open quick. I've done it on both f107 zebra pens because bought another trying to figure out the assembly

[@rustle9369]

the uni power tank metal refill refill works in this pen SJP-7

[@ThisDesignedThat]

Thanks for the tip. Will have to try this when my Fisher runs out

[@rustle9369]

I just got the SPR4F fine and it fits in my jotter and my Zebra F-xmD its quite possibly better than the uni power tank so its more versatile and writes smooth enough for me.

[@CMLounsbury]

Is the actual refill you're using the fine point (PR4F)?

[@ThisDesignedThat]

its the medium

[@CMLounsbury]

@@ThisDesignedThat Thanks

[@TheDrakanMaster124]

I have three f701s one that's like 5-6 years old and then when I just got recently and the difference is astounding. The old model of the Pen were not all metal the cap keeping that belt clip to the body was plastic and then the refill was made out of plastic. And in order to put the space pen refill in you had to take out that plastic tip or else the action just would not work. And the spring is kind of weak and it's it doesn't feel very good. These new one is a completely metal I don't think there's a single plastic piece in the pen, hey you don't need to remove the plastic tip I don't even know if there is one it's heavier using the action feels 10 times better as a heavier action too. The difference between old and new is night and day but it just by looking at them you can't really tell the difference except for the old one having a black plastic cap holding on the belt clip and then the new all metal one that's the only difference outside the inside is completely different

[@chainjail4834]

Nice, but you haven't try any other full metal pen?

[@TheDrakanMaster124]

@@chainjail4834 I have several cross pens that are more expensive but in my opinion not as nice, build construction is great it's just the action is twist instead of click the twist is nice and smooth but I just prefer click. Another thing is even the fat ones are quite a bit lighter than the zebra which isn't necessarily a bad thing I just prefer a heavier pen.

[@frankie7275]

Opened up too much...... How do you reassemble the clicker for the F107 Zebra pen? It's the only video I can't find on KZbin.

[@ThisDesignedThat]

the clicker is fixed into the pen as far as I can see. How did you disassemble it in the first place?

[@frankie7275]

It is designed to unscrew also from the top. It has 2 black plastic housings and a 2nd spring.

[@ThisDesignedThat]

My clicker part is definitely not designed to be unscrewed from inspecting it. Ive tried with some force to take it apart and its not budging.

[@Mau5ing]

Try using a fountain pen, it'll be the smoothest pen experience you'll get.

[@ThisDesignedThat]

any suggestions for a cheap pen?

[@Mau5ing]

This Designed That - A pilot Metropolitan (choose tip size) and buy a Waterman ink bottle. It'll last you forever.

[@nelsonbrum8496]

I've been using a Pilot Metropolitan for 2 months, my only regret is that I didn't get a fountain pen years ago. I've used up the cartridge it came with, and bought a better Pilot converter than the one it came with, and have been using Noodler's Heart of Darkness black. Superb combination! I keep a F-701 with the space pen insert as backup for when I need to sign duplicate type forms. Since you are left handed, you should look at Noodler's line of fast drying inks. I have Bernanke Red that I use in a Noodler's Charlie pen (that came free with my 4.5oz bottle of Heart of Darkness), and you can drag your finger about a half inch behind the nib and it won't smudge a smidgen!

[@ThisDesignedThat]

well i'm definitely going to have to try this pen setup then seeing as both of you are recommending it. I remember handwriting class at school and I was terrible at it because the ink would smudge as im left handed so that fast drying ink sounds perfect. Will definitely be trying it out.

[@billnyfeler]

I own several Pilots, but they tend to bleed out of the nib a bit too much. The Lamy Safari is a very dependable, very well-made option for a first fountain pen. I have 8 of them (in very cool colors). Highly recommended. Thx for the FSP mod vid!

[@patrickherring3565]

I tried this and the Fischer tip won't fit through the end of the zebra.. very upset

[@BPD007]

Worked for me after I removed that inner plastic cap

[@jrmwigga5555]

The refill doesn't fit. I'm doing this right now and it doesn't work.

[@David_Downs]

To me, not really the only pen I will ever need, I love the Zebra, and I love the Fisher refill, but in the end I am not a huge fan of Ballpoints, they are good for basic writing, but I prefer the world of Gel refills, and fountain pens. I carry a Fisher Bullet as a beater pen, but I would rather use something like a Parker Jotter with a Gel refill.

[@hieuvo3315]

Investigator, solid brass, stick it in a bad guys sturnum, put a few new holes n em.. keeps writing like a champ w/the same refill. Bad guy got the message.. pen took zero damage, Im still using the same cartridge that did the poking and tht was back in 2014. That my friend is "The only pen that you will ever need". No gun, no knife, just tht lil investigator and sum bushnell flashlight from walmart.. saved me frm having a really bad evening. -Q

[@RadiantCloudSky]

I have dis and its broken

[@ThisDesignedThat]

Broken how?

[@RadiantCloudSky]

@@ThisDesignedThat the ink is going out and making the spring rusty

[@basicdose.9872]

Go zebra.

[@SwampGas703]

in the world of EDC; a pen is referred to as a "set up" . . .

[@ThisDesignedThat]

EDC?

[@SwampGas703]

"everyday carry" . . . a category of youtubers who take knives and stuff way too seriously

[@jpolar394]

@@SwampGas703 ......I've never heard of that before, a pen is called a set up. but I must agree with you that what you said is correct. The term EDC is getting a little bit too stretched out. Just like the term TACTICAL. It's being used as a selling point or gimmick from flashlights to sunglasses. I will not be surprised if one day you will see a commercial for TACTICAL TOILET PAPER. The same paper that's used by the military and law enforcement officials.

[@jimbobarrie3463]

All good. Just get rid of the naff music please

[@a.m.2368]

Good pen, terrible clip.

[@sachellebabbar9005]

skip to 2:34 and this ends at 2:53. There's nothing else one needs to see in this video. The rest is all filler.