🖋️ Write sharp, carry smart — the pen that means business.
The Zebra SL-F1 Mini Ballpoint Pen features a precise 0.7mm black ink tip housed in a sleek white retractable body measuring just 3.3 inches. Lightweight and compact, it offers smooth writing with a comfortable grip, making it an ideal everyday carry for professionals who value style and functionality.
Manufacturer | Zebra |
Brand | Zebra Technologies |
Item Weight | 0.64 ounces |
Product Dimensions | 3.3 x 0.3 x 0.3 inches |
Item model number | BA55-W |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Color | White |
Closure | Retractable |
Grip Type | Smooth |
Material Type | Plastic, Metal |
Number of Items | 1 |
Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
Point Type | Ball tip |
Line Size | 0.7mm |
Ink Color | Black,White |
Manufacturer Part Number | BA55-W |
M**H
Great little pen
This little pen is attractive and functional. The sleek metallic construction makes it look professional and gives it some weight in your hand. The mechanism of extending the pen by pulling it open like a telescope is clever, and makes it even smaller in your pocket than it would be with a push-button top. It writes well, with a fine, clear, and solid line, and has been reliable during the month I've been using it so far. I find it surprisingly comfortable to write with, as someone with medium-size man hands. My only quibble is that extending the pen takes two hands--for notes on the go, a quick click of the thumb, like other pens have, would be slightly more convenient.
L**Y
a go-to pocket pen
The SL-F1 is not the shortest pen I have, but it may be the most convenient. No clicky-clacky here, just stretch it open, compress it closed. It's even simpler than the True Utility pen, because it doesn't need a cap. The SL-F1 dimensions are published, but my own measurements are: length: 3.318 compressed, 4.231 expanded; barrel diam: 0.320; weight: 11 g.I didn't need the clip so I Dremeled it off (see photo).For me, the best thing about the SL-F1 is the d1 refill. Easy to change, and many makers to choose from. Following are quick and subjective judgments of some refills. Score higher equals better, on: line darkness, smoothness, tendency to skip, tendency to blob:Monteverde 0.7: 2;2;3;2Monteverde 1.4: 4;3;2;2 (interesting attempt in bold ballpoint ink)Zebra 4C 0.7: 2;2;3;1 (SL-F1 ships with this)Zebra Sharbo X Gel 0.5: 4;1;4;3 (this is the gel alternative, good looking, but runs out fast)Pilot 1.0: 2;3;2;2 (not recommended, dimensionally unfit)Platinum 0.7: 2;2;3;1Tombow 0.7: 2;2;4;2Schmidt M: 2;3;4;3 (decent overall performance)Rotring M: 2;2;3;2Parker M: 2;3;2;3Cross M: 2;3;3;3 (not recommended, dimensionally unfit)Lamy M21 M: 2;2;3;2 (works, though actually undersized)The easy availability of refills which fit without hacking is a big plus, because there is some voodoo about carrying a ballpoint around in your jeans that makes good refills go bad.Currently I am switching back and forth between pocket pens, but the SL-F1 is definitely a contender.Many vendors, including Amazon's, charge too much for this pen. Become acquainted with its normal retail price before ordering.
J**O
The perfect little pen.
Let me give a little back story... I normally don't review items, but felt the need to review this recent purchase. I got this pen as part of a couple items I'm using to declutter my key ring and make my wallet thinner. I purchased a Big Skinny bifold (very happy with it, MUCH thinner than my old wallet), and normally kept a Zebra F301 in the fold of the wallet. You can see this in one of the pictures below.In an effort to make my wallet even skinnier, I purchased this Zebra SL-F1. Man, am i blown away by its compact frame. You can see how much less space it takes in my wallet. We are always looking for a pen and DON'T have one when we need it. This pen, makes not having a pen a non-issue and improves upon the Zebra F301's compact size.In a pinch, I can pull this pen from my wallet and quickly jot down a note or sign something... which is my intended purpose for it.Is it the most comfortable pen to use? No, as it's small and thin. But I don't think that extended use was what the Zebra SL-F1 was designed for.If you're looking to write a memoire using ink and paper, I'd suggest another more comfortable pen. But if you're looking for a compact pen to keep in a wallet or purse just in case, this pen is perfect.I've added a couple pictures comparing this pen to some "standard" pens, markers, and a lighter so you can get a sense of its size.Hope I helped someone decide if they want the pen. :-)
J**A
Very small pen that works well enough
This is a slick little pen, with the emphasis on little. It works fine, and collapses into a very small package. It also opens/closes in a unique way. Instead of clicking or twisting the cap, you 'open' the pen by extending it. Once extended, it works as an OK, but slightly short pen. Don't expect a great writing experience, as this is designed to be as small as possible and still usable, not for writing for any length of time. When you are done writing, you simply collapse the bottom portion of the pen into the 'cap' portion, and the point automatically retracts. The mechanism works smoothly enough, and the tip does not retract in normal use.5 stars for compactness, and design, it seems very well thought out.3 stars for use, as a pen it works fine, but is more 'functional' than 'silky smooth' or 'comfortable'.Average them out, and you get 4 stars, which really isn't bad at all, for the price point.
Trustpilot
2 weeks ago
5 days ago