Thank you to JetPens for supplying this Uni Jetstream Alpha Gel Ballpoint pen for review. I was not compensated monetarily or in any other way. I am allowed to keep the pen. This review reflects my personal observations and experiences with the pen.
(Click on any image for a larger view.)
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I probably told this story before— how years ago I picked up a pack of Jetstream Sport ballpoints from one of those office supply stores, ripped open the package in my car, scribbled on some scrap paper, and heard the angels sing. THIS was the ballpoint experience I’d been looking for my whole life.
This is not hyperbole.
In junior high, I’d squirrel away lunch money to buy pens from the school’s bookstore, always to be disappointed by the tepid performance of my purchase. I scouted the aisles at Woolworth’s for new and promising offerings. For awhile Papermate pens satisfied my desire for something that wrote better than the light streaky ink in the ubiquitous BIC line of pens. The quest continued throughout college and beyond, with only fair to middling results.
And then, decades later, I found the Uni Jetstream. Hallelujah.
The oil-based ink in the Jetstream line hits the ballpoint pen trifecta of darkness, smoothness, and solidness. In short, pure ballpoint joy. There’s no drag, and very little white space in your writing (really, none to the naked eye). The 0.7 mm tip glides across paper and lays down a wonderfully dark, tight line. There’s nothing remotely wimpy or washed about this ink. Other very good oil-based inks have since hit the market, but my heart belongs to the Jetstream. Because—you know— angels singing. You don’t easily forget that moment.
So we’ve established that the ink in this Uni Jetstream Alpha Gel Grip ballpoint is superb, but here’s what make this particular model so special. Two words- GEL GRIP.
Holding this pen is like coming home and putting on your comfortable clothes— broken in jeans, your favorite sandals, a soft t-shirt. Clothes that make you say, “Ahhhhhh.” Clothes that soften the hard edges of your day. The addictively squishy grip on this Jetstream provides perfect comfort, as well as traction, for your fingers. It’ll make you wonder why all pens can’t be this comfortable.
The body is made of brushed metal—black in this case—which gives the pen a polished and classy look. The knock is solid with absolutely no wiggle, and there’s not a hint of rattle from the 0.7 mm refill. It’s a very solid, well-made pen. The clip—perfectly springy and tight—complements the matte look of the pen. There’s not one misstep here.
One thing to note— the gel grip attracts dust and tiny fibers so the pristine look of that beloved grip doesn’t last long. BUT, there is a simple solution. I periodically clean the grip on my pen with a strip or two of scotch tape. Fast and simple. Works like a charm.
The world can be a hard place. Your pen doesn’t have to be. The Uni Jetstream Alpha Gel Grip ballpoint pen gives your fingers a soft landing while you experience the luxuriously smooth and dark Jetstream ink.
Yes— you, too, can hear the angels sing.
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The Uni Jetstream Alpha Gel Grip ballpoint is available at JetPens for $16.50. Along with the black body/black grip version reviewed here, the pen is also available with a pink or silver body. Both of those versions feature white grips. Refills are available in black, blue, and red for $1.55. JetPens offers free shipping for all orders over $25.
From the Pen Cup 
one question I have is regarding the grip. Does it seem to pick up dust, lint, etc. as other similar grips are prone to do or does it remain fairly clean?
It does pick up dust and lint, as I noted in the review. I clean the grip with scotch tape periodically to bring it back to a clean state. Pretty easy!
I haven’t used the Jetstream Alpha gel, but I’ve used the Signo gel ink pen with Alpha gel, and boy is it comfy. I do wish they’d make the Signo version (the Premier) with the same construction as the Alpha Gel. Since the premier doesn’t feel all that solid.
I’ve used the Sensa pens with a gel grip. After a bit of writing the hand starts to sweat and the gel gets slick. Is this grip similar to those grips?
Yes…it IS similar to the Sensa grip. There’s a hint of tackiness, though, that keeps it from getting slippery, at least in my experience. The biggest issue for me is that it attracts lint if it’s stored in my purse. I can clean it off with scotch tape, but just a little hassle.
I won’t have that problem and the price is right. Already have it saved to my wish list on jetpens. I like the silver version.
Could I put a gel refill in it? If so, what brands are recommended? Can 0.5 mm work as well? Thanks!