Pilot G2 pens tested for bleed, smoothness, and comfort by Catherine Elizabeth, founder of Cathy's Templates™, maker of the fine printables and digital templates we use daily.
Factors analyzed included ink flow, line consistency, and overall writing experience. These pens were tested on Astrobrights 28 lb and 24 lb bright white paper. This review was first published on CathysTemplates.com.
Pilot G2 Limited Edition Harmony Collection
The Pilot G2 Limited Edition Harmony Collection Pens are more than just writing instruments to me. They are a manifestation of precision and functionality. G2s are available in various tip sizes, including 0.38mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, and 1.0mm. This variety offers a tailored writing experience to meet individual preferences.
Pilot G2 Color Assortment
The selection of tip sizes available with the Pilot G2 pens is matched by a range of ink colors designed to meet various writing needs and preferences. As of the time of writing this analysis, the Pilot G2 pen series encompasses 26 distinct colors. This extensive color variety solidifies the Pilot G2 as my top choice for tasks such as bullet journaling, note-taking, and general organization.
Within the Pilot G2 Limited Edition Harmony Collection, you'll find a palette of 10 colors, which showcases an array of rose pinks and grape inks. As the G2 pens lack a standardized color-naming system, I've personally found it helpful to assign my own color descriptions.
Pilot G2 Limited Edition Harmony Colors (From Top to Bottom)
- Sunset Orange
- Rose Pink
- Red
- Dark Raspberry
- Grape (Dark Purple)
- Navy
- Blue
- Aqua
- Black
Note: All G2 pen colors can be found in the Pilot G2 Ultimate Collection tube. It comes with 36 pens and features colors from every collection.
Pilot G2 Comfort and Grip
The ergonomically designed structure of these pens guarantees a comfortable grip, facilitating long writing sessions without causing any discomfort or strain. In addition, they boast a broader barrel, a feature that proves advantageous during extended note-taking sessions.
Personally, I opt for the 0.7mm G2 pens when labeling the upcoming week in my planner. For this task, I make use of an assortment of colors to ensure effective organization and task management. The image provided above showcases a set of G2 pens that I regularly employ, encompassing colors from the Harmony Collection as well.
Testing the Pilot G2 Pens on Astrobrights 28lb Paper
Having acquired a comprehensive understanding of the Pilot G2 pens' attributes, it is now pertinent to delve into their performance on the textured surface of Astrobrights 28lb paper. The evaluation I conducted encompasses several crucial facets, shedding light on the manner in which these pens engage with the paper's unique texture and substantial weight.
In this test, I first used a Cathy’s Templates™ planner sheet to test the pen’s ability to write smoothly in tight lines. I then used a blank sheet of paper to test how well I could stay in a straight line when writing with the Pilot G2s, and that is the sheet shown in this blog. I’m using a collection of pilot G2s that include colors from the Limited Editon Harmony Collection, Brights, and Neons collections.
The Pilot G2 pens exhibited a notable uniformity in the distribution of ink, resulting in distinct and clearly visible lines that contrasted vividly with the Astrobrights paper. The ink flowed smoothly and seamlessly throughout the writing process, ensuring an effortless and unhindered experience.
Further enhancing this positive experience was the diverse array of ink colors offered by the G2 pens. These vibrant hues not only added visual appeal but also harmoniously matched the vibrant palette of the Astrobrights paper.
Additionally, I encountered no difficulties in maintaining a straight line while writing on the blank sheet of paper. It's worth noting that a pen that consistently guides the hand either higher or lower during writing can prove discouraging for individuals contemplating the use of lineless planner pages.
Notably, the G2 pens have gained recognition for their ability to firmly grasp paper surfaces, thereby delivering a refined and grooved writing experience.
Pilot G2 Smear Test with Highlighters
While the overall experience of writing with Pilot G2s on 28lb Astrobrights paper was almost perfect, there was one issue I did find. During the smear test, I highlighted over random ink colors across all collections. I even used a smear-prone bright pink Sharpie liquid highlighter.
The sole color that exhibited smearing was the flagship Pilot G2 0.7mm Black pen. Notably, this pen also demonstrated a tendency to produce thicker lines and required a longer drying time compared to the other colors.
When using my bright pink heavyweight Sharpie liquid highlighter to highlight over a signature, the smearing of black ink was substantial enough to cause me to stop midway to prevent the highlighter tip from being ruined by the black ink.
Naturally, this factor could potentially be a deciding point for individuals who intend to exclusively use the black pen for writing or note-taking purposes. For those seeking a solution, I wholeheartedly suggest considering the dark blue option instead. Blue ink remains a widely accepted color for official documentation processes, and it mitigates the issue of smudging when used in conjunction with a highlighter. It's an alternative solution for anyone wanting a seamless and hassle-free writing and highlighting experience.
That being said, the flagship Pilot G2 .07 Black pen is still my most used pen, visible in the photo by the dramatic difference in the remaining ink in my black G2.
Astrobrights 28lb paper itself is a superior, smooth, high-quality paper, which I use when building my planners from Cathy’s Templates™ printables. I found that writing on this paper gives most pens an edge in the smoothness department. But G2s, which I use on all paper types in my office, perform exceptionally well on Astrobrights 28lb paper.
G2 Bleed Test on Astrobrights 28lb Paper
As you can see in the image below, none of the G2 pens bled through the Astrobrights 28lb Paper. Neither did any of the other writing instruments I tested in the master sheet I keep, with the exception of Sharpie permanent fine-tip markers.
I keep a master sheet of each paper type I use with ink tests for every writing instrument I own. This tells me what each paper type is best used for when printing out Cathy’s Templates™ printables. In this case, I didn’t find a non-permanent marker that bled through the 28lb paper.
In the master sheet test, I used:
- Pilot G2 Pens (Black, Harmony, Neon, and Brights)
- Pilot Precise V5 RT Pens
- Sharpie Felt Tip Pens (Old and New)
- Papermate Flair Felt Tip Pens
- Pilot Frixion Color Sticks
- Sharpie Highlighters
- Bic Highlighters
- Craft Creations Felt Tip Pens
Concluding my evaluation on the Astrobrights paper, the performance of the Pilot G2 pens undeniably upheld their reputation for consistent and dependable functionality. The harmonious interplay between the ink and the paper texture yielded a gratifying writing experience with each stroke.
This amalgamation of qualities solidifies the Pilot G2 pens as a versatile option, adeptly catering to a spectrum of writing tasks with ease and reliability.
Testing Pilot G2s on Notepad Paper
In this video, the Pilot G2s were quickly tested on notepad paper, and they are very vivid gel pens.
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