I have to use permanent markers a lot at work for client files and have a big issue with some of them. My main gripe is that they are sometimes too thick and go all fluffy making writing with them a chore as if you push to hard you get a big smudge and they make writing details look very messy and unsightly if your writing small. Another of my moans is the fact that the lids magically disappear after two seconds and you are left with a pen that is now useless because they dry out quickly without the lid.

So on looking around (in the stationary catalogue at work) I noticed this great looking little pen and thought I would give it a try.

The Sharpie I have is the retractable fine point permanent marker. It has a grey plastic casing with the sharpie trademark written in black and a black top with a clicker which makes it retractable.

What I love about this pen is firstly the fact it is retractable and has a safety seal valve design that stops it drying out so I don't have to worry about losing the lid and it hasn't dried out yet. Obviously you have to remember to retract the pen to stop it drying out but so far I have managed to do this.

The pen writes nicely and the nib hasn't gone fussy and horrible after lots of use it drys almost instantly so no smudges and it does not go through to the other side of paper or card. It doesn't really smell that strong and sharpie says it's got a non toxic formula so no headaches from nasty fumes!

I have had to research the cost as I didn't pay for the one at work and have found that they are £1.79 for a single pen I think that is reasonable considering they last quite a while.