BIC 4 Color Ball Point Pen in “Fashion Colors”

Ballpoint Pens — 04 August 2010

The Bic 4 Color Multi Pen in Fashion Colors

About a year ago I reviewed the classic Bic 4 Color Multi Pen that got me through grade school, and many important tasks like tracking my rotisserie baseball stats before we had the life-changing innovations that brought us things like online fantasy baseball. At the time, that pen was one of the coolest things any trapper-keeper sporting 5th grader could ask for, these days there are tons of better options, but that didnt stop the good folks at Bic from giving that old classic a make over in the form of the BIC 4 Color “Fashion Colors” series.

The Newly Styled Bic 4 Color "Fashion" Series

This new version of the old Bic classic comes with a white and green (instead of white with blue or orange) barrel, and replacing the blue, black, green, and red ink, is a more Easter-like color palette including pink, purple, lime green, and turquoise. This pen would have easily got me beaten up in grade school had I proudly trotted it in to track those aforementioned baseball stats, however a more grown-up me can somewhat confidently pick up this pen without fear of being made fun of, although I cant remember the last time I actually wanted to write with a pink or purple pen. Besides giving this pen new life through a color update, they also made one subtle change to that little ball on top of the pen. I was always told that this ball was on the original version to help dial one of those old rotary phones, but it looks like they punched a hole through it to make it so you can carry it on a lanyard if thats your thing.

Bic 4 Color Multi Pen in Fashion Colors Writing Sample

Writing Sample of the Bic 4 Color Multi Pen in Fashion Colors

Writing with the Bic 4 Color Fashion Series pen proved to be a little nicer than I had expected from a ball point pen. Traditionally, I dont relish writing with a ball point pen, but this one happens to write fairly well with minimal clumping and very few white spots from skipping. I did feel that the pink seemed to write a bit smoother than the other colors, and the green tended to be the one most likely to skip and leave white spots.

Overall this is a fun pen to have on hand if you grew up with them like I did, so even if you dont like the new colors, or have other favorite pens that you have moved on to, I can only hope that this review at least reminds you to be thankful that we have moved on to a world where fantasy baseball stats are not painstakingly kept with a 4 color ballpoint pen and some cheap graph paper, and that we no longer have to rely on a contraption on top of a pen to help turn the big clunky wheel on a rotary phone.

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OfficeSupplyGeek

Melissa

So fun! I loved these when I was a kid as well, but these colors are even better!
martha

Wow! i can’t wait to go out & get one. running to the store this afternoon to look for 1.
http://www.officesupplygeek.com OfficeSupplyGeek

@Melissa – Amazing what kept us happy as kids as compared to kids today. We were happy with a $2.50 pen, now days it takes a $250 phone.

@martha – Good luck, let us know where you find one, I have not really had a chance to look in any of the big stores.
wild violet

I too thought that My Bic 4 color pen was the coolest ever when I was in grade school. I haven’t used one in years, but will try this 4 color version. Thanks for the alert!
Claire

I have an old version of this pen and also a pencil with a dial-turning ball, and unless the pen’s ball has grown considerably, it’s way too small to turn a telephone dial.

The pencil I have is very roughly similar to the clipless one in the picture on http://www.unl.edu/Bolin_resources/pencil_page/1930_autopoint_catalog/1930_autopoint_catalog.html, but the ball is clear, the body is bronze, and it has no necklace. (I think it came with an address book.) Notice that the ball is around 1/2″ in diameter — it would just fit into a finger hole in the dial.
martha

i found 1 @ our local HEB grocery store of all places. the only thing was that it does not have the hole for the lanyard like someone spoke of.
http://www.officesupplygeek.com OfficeSupplyGeek

@wild violet – I hope you find one…having used one in the past Im sure you will have fun using it as I have.

@Claire – Thanks for sharing, I didnt actually have a rotary phone on hand to test that with. Also thanks for the link, those are some awesome pens on there.

@martha – That is interesting, not sure why some have it and others dont. Brad over at the Pen Addict found the same issue in his review today.
wild violet

The local Target has these in a single pack for $1.99. The one I bought has the hole for the lanyard. I’ll try it once I’m back to work Monday and get used to writing again!

Another place where I’ve found Bic products that I’ve never found anywhere else is Schnucks grocery store. : )
Taunya

I love the new colors, very springy!!
http://www.officesupplygeek.com OfficeSupplyGeek

@wild violet – As always thanks for the heads up and the additional info, very helpful!

@Taunya – yup, wonder if they have plans for different seasonal versions
Kris

Thanks for the review!! I finally bought a couple at a nearby grocery store, Meijer. Bic has released a bunch of $1/2 coupons recently so I got then for a great deal. I LOVE the colors!! I am going to be buying as many of these as I can in case they dicontinue them. I love how the pink isn’t neon so it is very visible after it dries unlike a couple other pink pens I own. Thanks for the review!!
http://www.officesupplygeek.com OfficeSupplyGeek

@Kris – No problem. Cool that you found them at your grocery store, just goes to show you need to keep your eyes open because you never know where you will come across some cool office supplies. I agree with you on the pink that its not that cheezy neon pink, and thats a great idea stocking up while you can!
jessica

thank you so much for your review!! I recently bought a new bic 4 colour retractable pen in the blue and white, with the same old boring colours.. I now need to get this pen, it is for me! i especially love the turquoise blue colour, my friend has one and i am so jealous!! I really need to buy one! Can you buy these in the Uk? i’ve been doing a bit of research and cannot find one anywhere! thank you so much for your review!
http://bleistift.memm.de memm

My wife likes this one so much, she bought a few to give to her nieces as gifts. The only complaint she has is that that there is some sort of rattling sound, which is not there on some of the more expensive 4 colour pens.
http://www.officesupplygeek.com OfficeSupplyGeek

@Jessica – No problem, glad you enjoyed the review. Unfortunately I have not seen them on any UK based sites, even Amozon UK. Not sure if any of my readers here from the UK have seen them?

@memm – I know the rattle that you speak of. The 4 ink cartridges in this style pen are pretty loose inside and will tend to rattle around a little. With the plastic body I guess the sound is more noticeable too.
Cobugi Ham

I was excited to see this old school pen at my local bookstore and picked one up without paying much attention to it. I was a little disappointed to realize it doesn’t have a darker standard color (my fault for assuming it did) but am satisfied with the purchase regardless. On a different note, I absolutely enjoy and appreciate the thoroughness and consistency of your pen reviews!