Customer Reviews

Black Ergo-Sof PenAgain Pens

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Positives:

1. It does make a significant difference in keeping your hand from getting tired when you write a lot.

Negatives:

1. The pocket clip, which you push slightly to one side to loose the retractable tip, wears out the edge of the tiny hook that keep the tip retracted and the writing point exposed, so the tip pops out spontaneously while you're trying to write and covers the writing point. Very annoying.

2. The metallic paint on my pen chipped off a little in the most-touched places, exposing the gray plastic underneath.

3. That price...ouch. Don't forget to take into account the shipping!

I bought 6 pens - one for myself and one for 5 others on my Christmas list. It took me (left-handed) and my left-handed daughter longer to get use to it - it skips a lot for us. However the right-handers seem to have no problem and one of them who writes a lot in a journal says it is the best pen he has ever used. His hand doesn't cramp or get tired like with a regular pen.

Great stocking stuffer/office staff gift. Pen looks and feels upscale. It does take some practice to become comfortable using it. I bought one for a friend with joint pain in her hands who was very pleased with it.

I recently had to write a lot of handwritten thank-you letters for an organization, and this pen was very helpful. It significantly reduced the amount of hand strain I would have gotten. It also made writing feel a lot more "fun."

The cons are that my writing got a little bit sloppier- but not much at all. After a little practice, it got to the point where my writing was practically normal. Also, its a little expensive, especially with shipping. However, given how much time and strain I saved, it was certainly worth it for me.

I've used many, many specialized pens over the past 15 years at the recommendation of hand therapists - some with special grips, the Ring Pen, Pen Bird, and the wonderful Pen Again. As my hands improved, I gave them away. Now I'm back to square one after hand surgery, and in need of an assortment of retraining pens.

Since I first used this pen years ago, I now see improvements in the retractable pen tip, making it much easier to close. In addition, the ink refill is significantly improved (more like a gel pen than a traditional ball point), so it writes more smoothly; again, easier for compromised hands to use. If you have any sort of grip, you will probably be able to manage this pen. It is on the small side, making it appropriate for younger writers, and some older writers with small or weakened hands. The clip makes it easy to attach to a book, calendar, or planner.

The one negative is the packaging, which seriously needs an update! The pen ships in a clamshell that requires shears to open - very difficult for post-surgery, severe arthritis, or congenital hand problems. I can understand this in a store setting, where customers would likely open the package to test out this odd looking pen, but this would be a perfect product for Amazon's No-Hassle Packaging!

These grip-free pens are so much more comfortable than standard pens. They take a little getting used to, but it doesn't take long before you can write with *almost* as much accuracy as with a standard pen.

I found this difficult to use and gave it to a teen who really likes it.

My huband suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome and other wrist issues and he loves this pen. He's says that it's much more comfortable and ergonomic than standard pens. He can't be without it.

Excellent tool for children needing improvement with pencil grip. It helps them easily obtain correct grip with appropriate tension from the hand.

I literally just read everyone's review of these pens and then ran up the street to buy one and try it for myself. I think the new chrome metal ones look cool, but I decided I would try the cheaper ergo-sof version first. I have this to report. It absolutely does correct my hand-writing method to the looser and uncramped style that our finger-drawing penmanship upbringing has all but completely destroyed. The ink is smooth and dark. But please note that according to the packaging, this pen will accept any of the micro pen refils made by Cross, Zebra, Fisher, Staedtler, etc. So if you decide you don't like the ink, you do have options. The pen is comfortable to hold and does require less pressure than any other ergonomic pen I've tried. It's a little strange feeling, but I think I'll get used to it, and learn to appreciate the absense of hand cramps. I knocked off one star for duability, because while it is perfectly funtional, I do see a few fit and finish problems, but that's just me. The metal version probably corrects those. I'm going to buy one of those soon.
UPDATE! After a month and a half of use, I hardly touch this thing anymore. It hurts my forearm after a while. Wah wah, I know...