Pilot B2P Ecoball 1.0 mm recycled ball point pen

 I came across a late back to school offer from in a supermarket, Kaufland this time. The ballpoint Pilot B2P Ecoball for just 1.2 eur or $ 1.4.

The pen is made entirely from recycled plastics, and even ocean reclaimed plastics. The pen comes in a cardboard package with no additional plastic in the package. 

The pen has a recycled look to it, like a miniature bottle with grooves all across the body. It has a translucent green bottle look, with a blue push button and recycled label in the middle. The ink flow is very good. Smooth and consistent, no skipping or blotting and a nice blue ink color. Perfect for both quick notes. The tip glides across the page with just enough feedback to offer a comfortable experience. 

The line is quite thin for a 1 mm tip, I expected it to be much broader. 

Overall it is a nice pen in terms of writing and feel in hand. The look of the pen on the other hand didn't grow on me very much, even though it is a nice thing it is using recycled plastic. It is a unique appearance, but not everyone's cup of tea.

Back to school offer - BIC Matic Pastel 5 pack - mechanical pencil review

Another Back to School offer, from Carrefour, this time mechanical pencils from Bic the Matic Pastel. A pack of 5 Bic Matic mechanical pencils cost $ 3.5 or 2.95 € but with Back to School offer the price of the pencils was almost half the standard retail price.

The great price for the pencils, and the nice color pallet made me want to test the Bic offering.

I know the BIC pencils, I used to use them in school and they appeared several times on this blog. But in the old days they didn't came in such a variety of colors, I remember them to be reliable pencils, at a good price point but came only in white.

The package is a simple plastic sleave, with a few information on it. The little transparent window on the package allows you to see what you get, a set of nicely colored pencils.

Taking the pencils out and the pastel colors just bring a pop of color on my boring gray / brown desk. The pencils come in blue, purple and pink. With the tip a more intense color, and the body a lighter shade. The clip even though is nothing special from a clip point of view (just some plastic that doesn't offer any confidence in using it) is a nice translucent color, more saturated and more vibrant than the rest of the pencil.

 All five pencils come with 3 leads (one on the feed and two in the barrel) which is a fantastic deal for just 1.8 €.

 The entire pencil is made out of plastic. The point has little grooves to help with the grip and the point where the tip connects to the hexagonal barrel there are some vertical grooves to assist with the grip, offering a stable and secure hold over the pencil.

The clip is made compleatly out of translucent plastic, and doesn't offer to much security, it is best to be used as a roll stopper than an actual clip. On it there is the logo, BIC lead size and HB#. Quite clear that the pencil is promoted towards students.

The pencils have a eraser on top without any eraser protection, which is ok for the price of the pencil.

 

The pen is 15 cm long

10 clicks releases 14.5 mm of lead 

 

 

 

The pencil writes quite well, even though I feel it could be a bit thicker for added comfort while writing. The HB leads it comes with are of good quality, don't seem to be fragile and write well. The leads offer a smooth writing experience with some feedback, resembling the feel of traditional pencils more than the smooth glide of refillable leads.

 

 

On the plus size the lead erases well from the paper, and there is no smudging. A good choice from Bic regarding the leads used, a very practical solution for students.

Other posts with the Bic Matic

Bic Matic Mechanical Pencil 

Pencils in hotel rooms