Metal Pen

The F-701 gets solid marks for being refillable and hackable, though the tight assembly and plastic internals hold it back from perfection.

• •Refill Access: Users report the tip section being extremely tight from factory, sometimes requiring pliers to open which risks damaging the pen's body or clip
• •Modding Community: Experienced users note compatibility with popular third-party cartridges like Fisher Space Pen refills, with a thriving community sharing tips on upgrades
• •Weak Points: Multiple reviewers reported the internal click mechanism breaking due to a plastic component, and some experienced stripped threads

Bottom line: Built to last with standard refills available, but the overly tight assembly and breakable plastic internals mean repairs require patience and potentially some force.

The F-701 delivers serious durability at an unbeatable price. Users report these pens surviving years of daily pocket carry, drops, and harsh environments where plastic pens would be destroyed in weeks.

• •Stainless steel construction: Reviewers repeatedly confirm it's the only pen that lasted long enough to need a refill and survived kitchens, hospitals, and fieldwork where others failed
• •Plastic internals are the Achilles heel: Multiple users experienced click mechanism failures with broken plastic parts or stripped threads, though external metal body remains intact
• •Stock refill is garbage: Community consensus is the included ink is scratchy and dull, but pen transforms into heirloom-grade with Fisher Space Pen or Uni Power Tank refills

Bottom line: Could've been perfect with all-metal internals, but at under $10 it's still the toughest everyday pen you can buy without crying if you lose it

Zebra Pen Corp. offers a lifetime limited warranty on their metal pens, guaranteeing performance for the original end user.

• •Coverage: Defects in materials and workmanship for the pen's lifetime, with replacement or repair offered.
• •Limitations: Warranty excludes damage from misuse, abuse, normal wear, modifications, or unintended uses.
• •User Experience: Multiple BIFL community members reference the pen's durability, with some noting they've used the same pen long enough to need refills, suggesting longevity matches warranty claims.

Bottom line: Zebra backs their metal pens with a solid lifetime warranty that appears to be honored based on user experiences, though normal wear is excluded and some users report mechanical failures that may test the warranty's boundaries.

The F-701 is a cult classic on Reddit, praised as a durable workhorse that punches above its $10 price point. Users love that it's the only pen tough enough to actually need refills rather than breaking first.

• •Build quality praised: Redditors consistently highlight the all-metal construction and knurled grip, calling it perfect for demanding environments like kitchens and hospitals
• •Stock ink divides users: The default refill gets universal hate for being dull and scratchy, but the pen has spawned a modding culture where enthusiasts swap in Fisher Space Pen or Uni Power Tank refills
• •Value champion: Users say it's great enough to enjoy using but cheap enough not to cry if lost, making it a go-to EDC recommendation

Bottom line: Despite the weak stock refill and occasional click mechanism failures, the F-701 remains a r/BuyItForLife favorite for those seeking an affordable, hackable metal pen.