The new F-701 uses professional-grade stainless steel from its clip to the tip. It’s part of the Zebra Steel 7 series, which is their top-of-the-line ballpoint pens. The line also has a tactical ballpoint, mechanical pencil, permanent marker, and pen and pencil set.

Have you carried the F-701? Did you feel the need to upgrade at all? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this EDC classic in the comments below.In 2019 Zebra released the X-701 as an a rugged, outdoor-friendly pen. It was highly expected but failed to impress most buyers once it was released. The stainless steel body isn’t just all style, other. From a practical perspective, it’s easier to sanitize than plastic, and it’s corrosion-resistant. Since I spray almost everything with alcohol now because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is definitely a big and healthy plus. In 2018 the Zebra F-xMD was released outside of the US. This is an entirely steel pen that was basically the same thing as a modded F-701 with a different ink refill. The refill was almost interchangeable with that of the original F-701 but with the change of some internal components the fit of the internals changed slightly as well. https://www.reddit.com/r/mechanicalpencils/comments/k0rxun/i_can_finally_enjoy_using_my_graphgear_1000s/ Post-release the pen was criticized for its use of plastic components — the grip section in particular which not only is made of plastic but has a plastic-y feel to it that F-701 fans disliked. People have also noted flaking paint on the coated steel body and the large amount of plastic used in the pen’s construction (both inside and out).

This pen looks great, I like the stainless steel industrial look. The Zebra F-701 writes so well. The ink flows smoothly, and the fine 0.8mm point tip makes all handwriting look clearer and more legible. We even like it more than extra fine tech pens, which are delicate and can start skipping if you drop them. Zebra F-701 Knurled Grip My only issue with this pen is that the clip will start rotating over time. This likely happens if you drop your pen on the table after you finish jotting something down. Then the drop will put force on the clip. The other issue is the ink itself.Since the F-701 is a great bargain at an entry-level price point, your other options will likely run you more money. With that said, you get what you pay for, from different design language or materials all the way up to enthusiast-level features. Here are a few at some different price points to consider: https://www.reddit.com/r/mechanicalpencils/comments/e51bpc/i_hate_it_when_nice_pencils_only_come_in_7mm_so/ The X-701 was highly awaited by fans of “everyday carry” pens but it faced problems shortly after its August 2018 release. The pen was in very short supply initially and only sold directly from Zebra, where it sold out.