Zebra Sharbo X Carbon Fiber Multi Pen
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The Zebra Sharbo X Carbon Fiber Body Multi Pen
I’ve seen the Zebra Sharbo X around some of my favorite office supply review sites such as The Pen Addict, and there have been tons of people asking if i have used one and plan on reviewing one, so I figured I should just take the plunge and see how it goes. Back in November I finally ordered the Sharbo X Multi Pen from JetPens and have been using it daily since then, is it the best multi pen out there? Well my verdict on this one might surprise some folks so keep reading and see to see how this pen has worked out for me and hopefully it helps you make the right purchase decision if you are considering the Sharbo X for yourself.
Zebra Sharbo X Carbon Fiber Multi Pen
When I got the pen in the mail, I was immediately concerned that my fancy new multi pen might have been a bad idea. Unfortunately I didn’t think to save the box to share pictures with you, mostly because I was kind of let down and annoyed with it, but it was basically a cheap plastic box with a flimsy cardboard sleeve over it. Now I don’t know how many of you have purchased “nicer” pens or pencils before, but I’ve had pens that cost 1/3 of what this one did come in nicer boxes. Do I ever really need or use the box? Not really, but having that box be my first impression of the pen certainly was a downer. When I opened the box I was now very impressed by the build quality and the look and feel of my Sharbo X. There was a very nice heft to it, not too heavy, but just very solid, and with a quick twist, turn, and screw, I opened and removed each component of the pen and was impressed by the tight fit and smooth way that each part came apart and went back together. Sometimes with lesser quality pens, you get lots of play in the threading of the different components, which just give it a low quality feel, not the case with the Sharbo X though, I would say the build quality on this pen couldn’t be more solid.
A close look at the Zebra Sharbo X components
A close look at the components shows you the mechanical pencil component of the Sharbo X on the top with the black collar, and just below is the blue black .3mm gel ink component, the one you can’t see is the .3mm red ink component. The awesome thing about this pen is that the components come in multiple types and sizes, you can get yourself not only ballpoint refills, but also gel ink refills in multiple sizes and colors, and obviously there are also mechanical pencil components that can be had, which come in three different sizes. The mechanical pencil component comes in .3mm, .5mm, and .7mm sizes, while the gel and ballpoint components come in .4mm, .5mm, and .7mm refills…again, in a variety of colors. The tip on each of the pen components is color coded with a ring so you can see the color when it is sticking out of the pen.
Zebra Sharbo X Outside Rubber Tip Cap and Eraser
The above photo shows the twist off cap that reveals the eraser for your mechanical pencil. This is one of those areas that I mentioned before where when you unscrew and screw it back on, there is a very smooth and tight fit that indicates the high quality workmanship that obviously went into this multi pen. Now I do like the location and functionality of this cap, but the rubberized tip on it really just doesn’t work for me. On a pen that is entirely made of high quality metal and carbon fiber, I just wasnt expecting a rubber stopper on the top. It just seems out-of-place on this pen, and I’m concerned about the possibility of it getting nicked up or worn down, although it does seem like some pretty firm and hard rubber, so time will tell.
While the Zebra Sharbo X is a fantastic looking pen, its got one major issue.
The way that you select the different components on the Sharbo X is pretty simple, just a quick twist of the body to one of three different positions reveals a different tip, either one of your two pens, or your mechanical pencil. They feeling when you twist between the tips is excellent, very smooth, and there is a solid “bump” that you feel when you lock into the selected tip. It is also nice that when you twist the pen to go to the next tip, you can go in either direction and continue in that direction forever, no need to go clockwise and then counter-clockwise because it goes perpetually in either direction. Now with that said, this part of the pen is also the part that gives me the biggest problem. When you twist from tip to tip, as I mentioned, the pen gives a responsive “bump “back to let you know that the color is now selected, BUT there is absolutely no “bump” or clearly marked spot to completely retract all of the tips. You basically just need to feel around for a place that “seems” right. I could be really dense and just missing something here, so feel free to point out what an idiot I might be, but had I known this before I bought the Sharbo X multi pen, it would have been a total deal breaker. There have been plenty of instances where I thought the tips were all retracted, but I still ended up with ink or pencil sticking me or inadvertently marking something up. I might just be a clumsy fool on this, but I really just can’t believe that such a well manufactured and thought out pen has such an obvious void that needs to be filled.
Zebra Sharbo X Multi Pen Writing Sample
Now beyond my being possibly overly critical about the pen, there is one thing it does REALLY well, the writing experience is absolutely perfect with this pen in terms of the feel and results. The three colors that I tried all wrote incredibly smooth, and there was no bleed through, show through, or feathering of the ink, and the .3mm pencil even wrote well…and thats coming from a guy who hates writing with pencils, except for the Kuru Toga. I did most of my writing with this pen in my Levenger Circa daily planner, but also used the Black n Red notebook above for the actual writing sample. Another noticeable point when writing is that the tips of each component slide in and out of the hole with ease, but with almost zero play when you write, so you don’t get that awful rattle that you get with so many other multi pens, or regular pens with retractable tips. Again, the precision engineering of this pen are really evident through all of its design.
Overall I was mostly impressed with the Sharbo X, but I probably would not have purchased this had I known about the issue that bugs me so much regarding the inability to completely retract all of the tips in an easy way with a firm feeling about it. To make it better for me, what I’ve done is remove the mechanical pencil component, and I use that notch in the twisting motion to know that none of the points are extended beyond the tip of the barrel, but I’ve essentially removed 1/3 of the functionality of this otherwise fantastic multi pen by doing so. As far as cool office supplies and multi pens go, this Zebra Sharbo X is still something I’ll use pretty frequently, but that lingering oversight on the tip will always bug me, not to mention the rubber tip on the cap and that horrible box that it came in. Zebra did SO much right with this pen, so by setting the bar so high like that, it really makes the other shortcomings stand out more than they would otherwise.
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That is one awesome looking pen! Maybe the single best looking Sharbo X barrel available.
I’m a little confused about why the pen doesn’t retract all the way for you though. When I am done writing, all I do is move the guide line to halfway in-between one of the three markings on the barrel, and all the tips are in. In my six months or so of owning two of these, I don’t think I have ever stuck myself, or inadvertently written on something I wasn’t planning on even one time. Kind of strange.
The only thing I can think of is your carbon fiber model is 10.8mm in diameter, and the ST3 I use is 11.1mm in diameter, so it is a tighter fit on the inside. That said, the LT3 seems to be the most popular of the bunch with people I have talked to and it is 9.3mm in diameter and no one has mentioned this issue.
Oh well, hopefully you figure it out. If not, I’m sure you won’t have too much trouble finding someone to take it off your hands.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by dowdyism: Awesome looking Zebra Sharbo X Carbon Fiber pen and review from @officesupplygeek http://bit.ly/4rqySg...
I hate my Sharbo-X. The poor, extremely small capacity of the refills and expense of the pen body and refills make this a terrible value in my opinion. I would only recommend this pen to a person who valued flexibility and choice in refills well above everything else. Mine is now stuck in my scripture case as a backup pen/pencil and underliner.
Great review! I have also bought the carbon fiber pen, and actually the biggest disappointment for me was the boxing. its terribly ugly, and the sharbo x branded paper is just slipped into the box. The ‘no retracted point’ issue never bothered me because i never saw a pen with one anyway
but i would have expected this one to at least try. But what i do when retract the points (as is writtten above) just put the pointer between any white lines and it will retract. not perfectly balanced, but enough so the refills dont stick out. But im an aboslute fan of the sharbo ink, only complaint that they dont last very long.
I purchased the Sharbo X (pink!) last week and received it earlier this week; it has become a daily writer. I also noticed the retract issue, however I notice it less now that I have gotten used to it. The gel refills are incredible. The .4mm produces a crisp, clean line. I bought extra refills and had the opportunity to test them in other pens. They fit all of my other multi-pens. I am ordering more refills today; with as much as I write they will not last long and I have not had a better experience with a multi-pen.
I might be mistaken, but I don’t think any of the Sharbo Xs I’ve purchased have come in any kind of box, just a cellophane sleeve. The Sharbo X definitely deserves to be called a ‘fine pen,’ so the lack of a decent or any box is unusual.
I don’t have much actual need to write with a pencil, but I just enjoy doing so. Actually, it is clutch pencils/lead holders that I really enjoy, but that is another story. The really small pencil insert for the Sharbo X is annoying.
The Sharbo X is a superior pen to the Uni Style Fit in look and construction, but I find myself using the Style Fit a little bit more then the X. Perhaps the seemingly larger ink capacity of the Uni refills is the reason why.
That is one sexy looking pen. Based on this review and The Pen Addict’s I am going to get one. This review totally answered all the questions and calmed the fears I had about this pen, particularly the part about ensuring the tips are fully retracted. I was concerned about that.
As always, fantastic review.
@dowdyism – I totally agree about the looks, and I probably didnt focus on that enough in the review. I wouldnt say that the pen DOESNT retract all the way, it is just not anywhere near as quick and easy as rotating to the next color or to the pencil. When I’m using it I want to be able to quickly move to the retracted state without having to “feel” for it and just hope I got it right.
Im sure Ill keep it though, because between the looks and the fact that I killed the pencil so I have a “bump” to tell me when Im completely retracted, its still usable (minus 1/3 of the functionality) and writes REALLY nicely.
@bardharlock – Im glad to know I wasnt the only one that was a little (or more in your case) disappointed with the Sharbo X. Definitely not a pen for someone looking to find value.
@angel – Thanks you, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I totally agree, I mean $120 for a pen and you slap it in a cheap plastic box with a sheet of paper that says Zebra on it? Unacceptable. I assumed the refills wouldnt last long based on their size, but now it seems like both you and bardharlock have confirmed that, so thanks for the extra input.
@Stephanie – That is interesting that the refills do fit in other pens, Ill have to give that a try. Im glad you are enjoying yours.
@Der Bingle – I feel the same way when you compare the Uniball Style Fit to the Zebra Sharbo X, the look and feel arent even close>< WITH THE Sharbo X coming out miles ahead, but the Style Fit wins out where it counts, and thats the usability.
@Does This Pen Write – Again, I totally agree on the looks of the pen, the all black (or dark gray) with the carbon fiber is kinda bad ass looking. I’m really glad that the review helped you, as that is totally my goal with all my reviews. I know my opinion wont be the same as everyone else, but I figure that as long as I explain what I do/dont like in as much detail as possible, it will help others decide if those things will work for them or not.
Thanks to everyone for providing their feedback and opinions here – you guys are great.
@OfficeSupplyGeek: I’ve kind of made a side project of figuring out non-standard refills for pens. Part of my curiosity with the Sharbo X was in whether or not the refills would work in other pens. I swore I would never by another Waterman rollerball … until I discovered the refill for a Pilot G-2 fits perfectly, replacing the troublesome Waterman refill. It seems a fun way to revive pens that have moved off the favorites list…otherwise beautiful pens that have lost their writing appeal.
Great review! Thanks for sharing the great photos and info. Nr
Yikes, wow, I had no idea these were so expensive!
@Stephanie – I totally agree, I have not done many tests like that, but it does feel nice when you can revive a pen that you thought you would never want to use again.
@Nrepose – Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it and its good to see you back!
@Speedmaster – Yeah, this was one of the more expensive versions, the price points at JetPens for these are $45, $75, $120, and $150…even the least expensive version is a little on the expensive side if you ask me.
I recall the first time I came across The Pen Addict blog. I thought why on earth does he have that cheap Uni-ball pen as a banner at the top of the page. Then I read some of the entries and realized there wouldn’t be too many Pelikan and Montblanc reviews at this blog.
There are different kinds of pen addicts, though price isn’t the only dividing line. And there is crossover between the two camps, for sure.
Guys, I can confirm that the Lamy M21 refills fit the Sharbo X LT3 (and I would imagine the other Sharbo X models). I just picked up some M21 refills in blue locally and using them now w/ no trouble.
@Der Bingle – Yeah, I know what you mean…sometimes price matters and other times it doesnt, especially when the product is so cool.
@Speedmaster – Thats great news, thanks so much for sharing!