Customer Reviews

F-301 Compact Retractable Ballpoint Pen

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Amazon's current picture of the Zebra F-301 compact pen doesn't do the pen justice. (I added 2 pictures so you can see the pen in compact form.) The pen is a capped version with a fine ballpoint style refill. It measures 3 13/16" long in compact form and 5 1/4" long in full length with the pen reversed onto the cap. The pen can also be used without the attached cap, in which case the pen measures 3 9/16". The pen is compact and easy to carry with a long 2" clip that makes it easy to clip onto many surfaces. (I carry the pen clipped to my pants pocket instead of a shirt pocket.) There is even a hole at the end of the cap so you can attach a key ring or thin lanyard. It is about the same size as the Fisher Trekker pen but is 1/16" shorter and comes with a pen clip. The pen is 3/8" longer compared to a Fisher bullet pen. I have started to carry the F301 Compact Pen instead of the Trekker on my keyring -- I think that it will work slightly better because it can be used in the full-length format. (I bent and broke off the pen clip to carry the pen on my keyring. The clip isn't necessary and just adds additional bulk.)

The pen half is removed from the cap with a solid pull and also snaps back into place with a solid click. When the pen half is reversed into the cap, an O-ring keeps the cap fixed to the end of the pen. The O-ring is barely large enough to keep the cap secure -- it does slip just slightly. I find my fingers sometimes uncomfortably adjusting to the pen because the cap doesn't seem secure enough. The pen grip is just the black plastic of the pen with checkerboard-pattern grooves -- it's plain but enough for fingers to grip the pen.

The fine ballpoint style may not suit some people but the compact size makes this pen useful to carry around. The styling of the pen is decent with black plastic and silver metal. Overall, this is an excellent pen for its convenient size and utility. You probably wouldn't want to use the pen for any decent length of time though -- I only use it for jotting some quick notes.

I bought the Zebra Compact to replace a Cross Pen, and I was very surprised how beautifully this pen wrote, compared to virtually any ball or gel type pen I have used previously. It has a very fine point, but it just never skips and starts immediately, unlike many other pens I have tried in the past. I never looked back and use this pen exclusively. It is amazingingly small when folded into the cap, but becomes a full size pen quickly, so it goes in any pocket very easily. It is very inexpensive, but that is not the reason I like it. In fact, I wish they would put out a more expensive version that was a little more luxurious, but that is hardly a complaint.

I love the F301 normal, and this is much better as it is way more portable.
One problem with mine was that the Oring that prevents the pen itself from slipping from the barrel when extended was too small. I added a loop of electrical tape to it and it's MUCH tighter. When retracted, the pen clicks with a very satisfying "snap!"

Improvements that could be done: make the pen part go farther in the barrel. I wouldn't mind a bit more steel to cover up the plastic, and the pen looks a bit ugly with the hunk of plastic sticking out.

Takes the F refill; so I don't have to buy another new proprietary refill; I have about 4 packs of refills for my F301's.

I wouldn't have thought to buy this pen, but when I found it (lying abandoned), I stuck it in my back pocket... since then, I've been carrying it there everyday. It fits neatly and writes well. It's small size makes it easy to carry in a pocket. It writes without fail (even in the very cold winter weather). Great for signing things and jotting notes.

I like it so much, I thought surly it must be an expensive pen. I was delighted to find that it retails around $2! I've just added several to my Amazon Cart for my hubby and other places where a small pen is nice (purse, car, etc). :D

Due to its size and clip, I'm never without the capacity to jot down a note or offer a friend a pen at just the right moment. I often wear button-up shirts or two-button golf shirts and the pen clip slides neatly over the top of a button revealing just the pen clip itself. It may look a little goofy to some but the loss of "style" is more than compensated but the functionality of having a pen at any time (for myself and others). The .7mm fine tip is ideal for my note-taking (I use very small script) and doesn't easily smudge or clump like so many gel pens or medium tip pens. As I use this pen almost all of the time, I find that my hand has become accustomed to the grip and I no longer experience any hand fatigue or discomfort. There are only two design flaws that I've discovered. The pen doesn't employ the same O-ring when it is at full extension that it does when in its closed position. A very minor flaw that sometimes results in separation when the pen is not being employed in writing (e.g., twirling or gesturing with it or when setting it down or picking it up while in the open position). The other flaw is that the clip, like all pen clips, will eventually lose its "grip" making it impractical to carry on my shirt. I'm more than happy to buy replacements, however, when the clip begins to sag because of its otherwise outstanding features, but as such I would not encourage the purchase of refills.

I have had this pen several months, and I am completely attached to it. I have an extra in case I lose it. It clips into the pencil holder of my wallet so I shouldn't lose it. It writes great and feels great in my hand. I have used it extensively, and when I opened it to see how much ink is left, I find that it is still 2/3 full. The compact design it wonderful. I am a teacher and think I'm going to order some for my students. My son has has been begging for one, too. I can't believe it is so inexpensive.

A pretty decent pen for general jotting...get some!

+ Like +
* Lightweight
* Quite compact