Bic Xpen

[wackyjacky1]

Yes, you're correct. They're called Cristals.

 

I used to love breaking off their clips.

<snip>

...and they made pretty good peashooters, too (not that I ever did that in the school classroom.... )

...and if you stick a piece of bubble gum on one end, and set the gum on fire with the science lab's bunsen burner, flames wil shoot out the other end, and the whole lab will smell like marshmallows and plastic! (We were left unsupervised waaaay too often in the science lab....)

[mr T.]

As I wrote a few months ago, Bic's X-Pen looks exactly like the Stypen X-Pen I got from a Swedish friend a few years ago. It's a comfortable pen to use and easy to carry around, being compact in size. According to a news release I found online a while back, Bic acquired Stypen on May 19, 2004, so the rebranding doesn't surprise me.

 

The X-Pen is indeed a rebadged Stypen. For a review about a Stypen product (the "UP") that looks a lot like the X-Pen, see this link.

 

 

Looks like a nice pen, although I'm not sure about the transparent plastic. I would've preferred it solid. It looks like a smooth writer, though.

 

There is also a solid model of the X-Pen with silver finish: see this link.

[garyc]

Ryman in the Uk have the silver versions advertised for £2.99 now.

The Easyclic coloured fountain pen link on that page seems to be broken, but it appears to be a new product according to this. Apparently it has a side loading mechanism for the cartridge.

More pics Bic Easyclic

Edited May 3, 2007 by garyc

[kissing]

I just wonder how tough the tipping is. Whether it's plain steel or hard tipping

[mr T.]

I just wonder how tough the tipping is. Whether it's plain steel or hard tipping

 

It's steel. See for a description this link.

[Hélène]

I have a Bic Easy Clic and a Bic For School, I got both of them in Paris, Bic fountain pens are nice, really good for carbon(less) copies, the steel nibs are firm so they can take it. I just wish they were avaible outside of Europe, along with their ink (bulk bags of standerd internation carts)

[Garageboy]

The ink looks like Parker Blue?

The packaging the OP posted says iridium nib

Edited October 23, 2007 by Garageboy

[ppenloverr]

Should I sell my Parker 51?

do not sell it. by the way if you are the one in the picture you are pretty cute.

[Ovidius]

I just received a Bic X-pen today, and I must say that the nib is very smooth for a pen in this price range, as good as some pens in the 40$ range. It is a shorter pen, and the grip section is not covered by the cap, but it would be very easy to carry. On the down side, it can only fit one international short cartridge vs. the Pelikano, which can carry a second short cartridge in the barrel in case the pen runs out of ink.

 

Great value, and a fun little pen.

 

Highly recommended for the price, the nib and the overall fun factor.

[mr T.]

On the down side, it can only fit one international short cartridge vs. the Pelikano, which can carry a second short cartridge in the barrel in case the pen runs out of ink.

 

 

The Bic Xpen and the Xpen Select can carry two short international cartridges, not only one.

[Ovidius]

On the down side, it can only fit one international short cartridge vs. the Pelikano, which can carry a second short cartridge in the barrel in case the pen runs out of ink.

 

 

The Bic Xpen and the Xpen Select can carry two short international cartridges, not only one.

 

Sorry, I had just received the pen and could not see how such a small pen could hold two cartridges, and I was under the impression that it only took short cartridges not the long international type (one short cartridge was included vs. the Pelikano which came with a long cartridge). But, after reading your post I tried a second short cartridge in my Xpen and to my surprise, it fit. Now I will certainly carry a second cartridge in case I run out of ink. One minor note however, is that it is a very snug fit and causes very slight damage to the lip at the end of the cartridge which comes into contact with the end of the barrel. Although, the damage is cosmetic and should not interfere with the cartridge working properly.

 

I am still surprised given how short the pen is, but I am very pleased to be able to carry the second cartridge. I have not tried an international long cartridge, but I assume that it would fit, (that is the next thing that I must try).

[mr T.]

On the down side, it can only fit one international short cartridge vs. the Pelikano, which can carry a second short cartridge in the barrel in case the pen runs out of ink.

 

 

The Bic Xpen and the Xpen Select can carry two short international cartridges, not only one.

 

Sorry, I had just received the pen and could not see how such a small pen could hold two cartridges, and I was under the impression that it only took short cartridges not the long international type (one short cartridge was included vs. the Pelikano which came with a long cartridge). But, after reading your post I tried a second short cartridge in my Xpen and to my surprise, it fit. Now I will certainly carry a second cartridge in case I run out of ink. One minor note however, is that it is a very snug fit and causes very slight damage to the lip at the end of the cartridge which comes into contact with the end of the barrel. Although, the damage is cosmetic and should not interfere with the cartridge working properly.

 

I am still surprised given how short the pen is, but I am very pleased to be able to carry the second cartridge. I have not tried an international long cartridge, but I assume that it would fit, (that is the next thing that I must try).

 

Never had any problem using small cartridges in the Bic Xpen. However, I own several Xpen Selects and prefer to use them with a converter and bottled ink. The Xpen and the Xpen Select are in my opinion very underestimated fp's (I did a review of the Select model here on FPN).

[Sailor Kenshin]

I have been looking for these forever! I cant seem to get them online, I am in the US. Any suggestions from where I may order these bic fps online.

 

What vcowman said!

[mr T.]

I have been looking for these forever! I cant seem to get them online, I am in the US. Any suggestions from where I may order these bic fps online.

 

What vcowman said!

 

Amazon.de has the Bic Xpen. See this link

[Richard]

Susan, one of our apprentice/assistants, just returned from a trip to Mexico. She brought me this Xpen, which she purchased in an Office Depot there.

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/bic_xpen.jpg

 

I've added this pen to my collection as an example of what *can* be done today to make a very inexpensive pen that writes surprisingly well.

 

And for them as hates cartridges, which I do, you might be able to see through the window in the barrel that there's a converter inside. It's one of the little Monteverde-type syringe babies.

[cwnidog]

There is just something inherently wrong with paying more then $0.99 for a BIC.....

 

I'm still trying to get over the fact that a BIC Crystal isn't $0.19 anymore. Can they still be shot through a block of wood and write?

[mr T.]

I have been looking for these forever! I cant seem to get them online, I am in the US. Any suggestions from where I may order these bic fps online.

 

What vcowman said!

 

This Canadian online shop has the Bic Xpen too (Select model from aluminium).

Edited May 3, 2008 by mr T.

[Big Bob]

i had one of these ages ago used for two days until it decided to leak all oover me staining my white shirt.

needless to say it wen strait in the bin. but for £2.99 what do you expect.

[mmoncur]

I bought a 4-pack of the same ones Richard posted a picture of on Ebay for a few bucks each. Cute little pens. The boxes and pens still say "Stypen" so mine might be a pre-Bic version.

[Durham K]

I am enjoying my X-Pen for £0.49p. It looks tough enough for school use. The barrel seems as tough as a Rotring Rivette, and you can stamp on those (We tested them in our school prior to release in the UK!) The soft grip collects dirt! The lid can work itself a little loose.

Durham K