The Zebra F701 Pen: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

I have the "all metal" f701 as well. I've been carrying this pen everyday for about 2 years now. It's an awesome pen. I run kitchens for a living, So the knurling is just the way to go. For this exact reason, the parker jotter stays at home in the pen cup in the kitchen. As far as refills go, If you're ordering online, Zebra makes all kinds of refills for this pen, different thicknesses, gel, etc. And, if you remove the plastic end cap from the jotter refill, it'll fit too. But the real winner is this pen with the parker space pen refill in it. It will write under all conditions, it's much more robust and durable than the parker (and gives you one handed operation, which a cap is a deal breaker in my line of work.) and for a kitchen lifestyle, this pen is just it. Wet, slippery hands, people telling me things all day that I have to write down immediately or else it's gone forever, signing invoices at wacky angles or in the rain. This f701 with the space pen refill is just perfect for me. Perfect. I will say the weak point of the pen is the pocket clip, but it's easily bent back, or hell, just buy a new one. I don't expect this sub $5 pen to not have a little "character". It's not as if its as useless as the wire clip on my manix 2 lightweight, but that is for another day, so I digress.

Rocking the Zebra F-xMD, Jotter used to drive me crazy writing with it as it clicked and clanked every time the pen met paper. The Zebra has a plastic bushing that eliminates that plus that pen takes a 0.38 needle gel refill like no other and it becomes a beast.

I have two new ones that are completely metal however it came with a cheap Chinese refill. Swapped it out with the good zebra ones and I couldn’t be happier for 6 a piece. Glad I didn’t rush out and spend 80 for a pen as I just am getting into pens.

Hi Nick, fun review, I have both these pens in my bedside organiser and I always grab the Zebra, it’s easier to write with as the barrel is parallel and not tapered and the knurling makes it so much easier to grip in my opinion. Keep up the good work, as the guys above say, there is a new version out that dispenses with the plastic cap, still you’d need to do a side by side to tell if the click is any better.

I always loved my Zebra F701. I gave a bunch to people I work with. I always mention that they have more that one use being metal, pointy and easy to carry around. Cheers,

F-701 combined with a Fisher space pen refill, there is no substitute.

I agree completely with your review Nick, thanks! The best thing is that I learned from the comments that they replaced the terrible plastic collar with a metal one. Finally! The plastic one would strip eventually and make the pen unusable.

I may have been watching too many Nick Shabazz reviews, because I'm anticipating your posts. Yesterday I bought two pens in search of a good, cheap edc--I picked up a Zebra 701 and a Parker Jotter (based on an earlier review--thank you). So far the Zebra gets the nod just for feel (my hands are bigger than yours, but I promise not to bring it up if we're ever in a televised debate). The Jotter is a little thin and slippery, but I agree, I wish the Zebra had the Parker's authoritative click and refill choices. As others have noted, my Zebra is all-steel. I found it with refills at two stores in town. It's a common brand with widely available refills, although it would be cool if it were compatible with others (aside from the space pen).

You're reviewing an old model. All newer F-701s are all metal (for the same price).

One of my favorite pens. I like the jotter also, but I feel like they used to be better built 15 or so years ago.

Thanks for the review Nick! You must’ve gotten ahold of an older model. I have the all metal version and use a fisher space pen refill (like others here have stated). Tried the Parker jotter and I prefer a thicker pen even though I have thin female hands (long fingers). I enjoy more heft and thickness than the Jotter. Personal preference. I just wish the F701 had a gel refill. Haven’t been able to find one that fits or that I can modify and I would rather not have to modify. Cheers Nick!

Nick, have you checked out the Rotring pens? I know you reviewed the pencils. The 600 pen I have seems to be all metal and takes Parker style refills.

This was my daily pen for the better part of a decade. Clicked it so many times I wore the chrome plating off of the clicker. I've retired it, but it still works great.

Had a few of these over the years. They don't break in the pocket, but mine always end up just slightly bent. The bend is barley perceptible but causes drag in the mechanism/refill and ruins the action.

Hey Nick! In your last live video you answered my question of you'd ever try to design a knife yourself with the answer that it would need to be a collaboration between you and a real designer who can work out your ideas. Now my follow-up question for you is; if a designer could work out all the things you want. What would your knife look like? What would be your dream knife? I think it would make for a very interesting video. Anyway, thanks for all your awesome video's again! I'm looking forward to all of the future ones!

Any planned review for the LionSteel Nyala?

😂 just had me cracking up on this one. Great humour Nick, love the review 😀👍🏻

I just purchased both the Parker Jotter and a Zebra F701...to me, they both are very nice pens and have their positives/negatives. Considering the Parker goes for about $15 normally and the Zebra I got for $8, this is a wash for me, i like them both. They have an "all metal" version of the F701 now and im wondering if that would alter the great Shabazz's opinion on the Zebra if he tried this version. Just some thoughts, lol.

It's a solid build. Get you one.

Interesting, my Zebra F-701 has a metal coler. I like it, but will give the Parker Jotter a try.