Pierre Cardin Gel Refill

I really enjoy a good click pen – they are convenient and handy, particularly in a mobile office or everyday carry set up. I’ve really enjoyed using the cheap, disposable gel click pens like the Uniball Signo’s (207 are my favourites), Pentel Energels and Pilot Juices. When I wanted to upgrade to a fancier version, I was sorely disappointed to find out that the models I had my eye on only took the Parker G2 refills.

I’m not a big fan of ballpoints, and while Parker offers a gel refill for their pens, I find this refill to be quite expensive, given the life span of the refill – on average it would only last me a couple of days. I tried using the Schmidt Easyflow but didn’t enjoy that and I found that Ohto made a gel refill in the Parker G2 refill format, but it was 0.5mm and I really wanted a 0.7mm refill. They were also quite expensive once you took into account shipping to Australia.  

I kept on looking and finally stumbled on this Pierre Cardin Gel Refill on eBay which advertises to have ink from Japan. There were no reviews on this refill and didn’t really look to be readily available outside of eBay. I took the plunge and ordered 10 refills from India to try. When I received them, I quickly opened one up and put it in my Caran D’Ache 849 Brut Rose and I was pleased to find that the ink was dark and smooth. It was the perfect width for me, about 0.7mm like my favourite Uniball 207. I think the ink is darker than the Uniball 207 black.

Also like my favourite Uniball 207 gel pens, the ink doesn’t blob or get goopy like the ink in the Pilot G2’s that I have tried. The ink is smooth and reliable. The refill lasts me a few weeks with regular writing (not excessive notetaking).

For those looking for a cost effective, reasonably long lasting ~0.7mm Parker G2 style gel refill, look no further. I strongly recommend giving the Pierre Cardin Gel refill a try. They are only available in “fine” (~0.7mm) in both blue and black inks.