From the perspective of a university student, this pen is excellent. From working out mechanisms in organic chemistry to just simply writing (notes or essays), this pen does an outstanding job.

Compared to the Uni-ball Signo RT UM-138 (0.38), this pen is better built, has a slightly more comfortable grip, has a much larger volume of ink, and writes with the same "thinness" (but with a darker black). The RT's black ink always have looked faded to me and they all definitely run out of ink way too rapidly or even a mediocre writer/drawer/whatever.

The RT has the "clicker" ability (which I originally wanted this pen to be and would buy another one if it were a "clicker") but the cap removal process isn't a big deal. I've actually started to like the look of the cap and the way it snaps on makes it feel like it's a high class pen.

Overall, this pen is one of the best that I've used.

Not sure what's going on with the black ink lately. I have loved these for use with watercolors for a long time now. Purchased some black and black-brown pens as replacements for ones that had run out. The black-brown ink is just fine, no bleeding or smearing. However, the three black pens I purchased (.5, .38 and .28) are reactivated by water like most other pens would be. I'll keep them for use with dry media, but now have to find a gel pen I can use with my watercolors.

i bought this pen expecting to be able to ink drawings for watercolor since it said it was waterproof, but this pen smears SO easily i'm incredibly disappointed.

also, as others have said, the ink flows out of the pen very smoothly, but the actual design of the pen makes it a bit uncomfortable to write with. it may just be that it's a bit wider than im used to

A marvelous everyday pen. This pen is my favorite. I have been ordering other pens to try them out and I always end up coming back to this one. I have gone through 11 of these pens so far and plan to continue using them. Some may find the line too thin, but I like it. The rubber grip seems to wear out and get a bit loose over longer periods of time (after replacing the inkwell once or twice). The cap also becomes a touch loose over a similar time period. I always put two or three of these on any Jetpens order I make. At the risk of making these pens be out of stock more frequently, I would recommend this pen to anyone looking for a hardworking, high quality, everyday pen.

I got this pen to use with my zebra highlighters after seeing the "Best Gel Pens with Mildliners" video, and though I love the weight of the pen and it writes with ease...it smudges like mascara on a rainy day.