Zebra F-701: The Stainless Steel EDC Ballpoint

The F-701, drawn to scale from its published 133 mm length.

Product facts

Product: Zebra F-701 Retractable Stainless Steel Ballpoint Pen (0.7 mm)
Brand: Zebra
Brand origin: Japan
Made in: Indonesia^*
Material: Stainless steel barrel, tip and clip; knurled coated-brass grip; thin plastic inner sleeve
Price range: $$$5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)

Notes on these facts

Made by Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Zebra Pen Corporation. Made in Indonesia: Three Points of the Compass reports Indonesia printed on the pens themselves (on the end collar of the original, on the barrel of the latest version), with packaging made in Mexico, and US business-supplier spec sheets list Indonesia. Unsharpen lists Japan. Zebra Pen's US product page doesn't state it, and Zebra's Japanese site doesn't list the F-701. Source. Price: example listing.
Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.

Key takeaways

Unsharpen lists the F-701 at 13.3 cm (5.25 in) retracted, and a reviewer measured 133.5 mm.
Unsharpen lists 21 g, and a reviewer weighed the bare pen, without its refill, at 19.7 g (first generation) to 22.6 g (latest version).
A reviewer measured the steel barrel at 9.75 mm and the knurled grip, which is coated brass, at 10 mm.
It takes the 0.7 mm Zebra F-Refill (black 2-pack 85512), and Zebra Pen sells a 0.8 mm All Metal F-Refill (item 89112) designed for it.
A reviewer reports Indonesia printed on the pens, and US supplier spec sheets agree; Unsharpen lists Japan.

What is the Zebra F-701?

The F-701 is Zebra’s retractable ballpoint with a stainless steel barrel and a knurled metal grip, sold in the US by Zebra Pen Corporation as the F-701 All Metal Retractable Ballpoint. Zebra Pen’s US store sells a single black pen as item 29411 and describes a stainless steel tip, barrel and clip, a knurled grip and a silent plunger. It’s a long-time favorite in everyday-carry (EDC) circles because it’s cheap for a metal pen and refillable. It appears to be an export model: Zebra’s Japanese site doesn’t list the F-701 in its product catalog in our searches, so there is no Japanese list price, model code or JAN to add.

The Pen Addict found it light for a metal pen, with a click it called “incredibly smooth and quiet”. Three Points of the Compass called it “just about, almost, perfect” for EDC use.

Zebra F-701 specs

Spec	Value
Maker	Zebra Co., Ltd. (Japan); US seller Zebra Pen Corporation
Type	Retractable ballpoint, oil-based ink
Point	0.7 mm (F-Refill); 0.8 mm with Zebra’s All Metal F-Refill, which Unsharpen lists
Length	133 mm (5.25 in) retracted, per Unsharpen; 133.5 mm measured by a reviewer
Diameter	9.75 mm barrel, 10 mm grip (measured by a reviewer)
Weight	21 g, per Unsharpen; 19.7–22.6 g without refill, measured by a reviewer
Refill	Zebra F-Refill 0.7 mm (black 2-pack 85512); All Metal F-Refill 0.8 mm (89112)
US item number	29411 (black ink), UPC 045888294110
Made in	Indonesia (marked on the pen, per a reviewer; Unsharpen lists Japan)

Zebra doesn’t publish the length or weight. Some US listings give 1.12 oz (about 32 g) and 8.3 in, which look like packaged figures, so we use Unsharpen’s 133 mm and 21 g. Three Points of the Compass weighed the pens without a refill at 19.7 g (first generation) and 22.6 g (latest version).

Labeled to-scale side view of the Zebra F-701: 133 mm (5.25 in) long, steel plunger, black knock section, stainless steel barrel 9.75 mm across, knurled grip 10 mm across and steel tip cone with a 0.7 mm ball — The F-701's parts at 1 mm = 4.6 px. Part lengths are in proportion; the overall length and diameters are sourced.

Is the Zebra F-701 all metal?

Not entirely: the barrel, tip, clip and grip are metal, but there is plastic inside. Zebra Pen sells it as “All Metal”. Three Points of the Compass found that the knurled grip is coated brass, not steel, that a thin plastic sleeve sits inside the barrel, and that first-generation pens have a black plastic collar and plastic clicker parts; the latest version has a metal collar and a coated-brass clicker.

The Pen Addict’s 2017 review describes the older pen, all stainless steel except that plastic top section. Check which version you are buying if all-metal matters.

What refill does the Zebra F-701 use?

It takes Zebra’s F-Refill in 0.7 mm, the same refill as the F-301 and F-402. Zebra Pen says the F-Refill fits every F-series steel ballpoint, and Staples lists the black 2-pack, item 85512, for the F-301, F-301 Ultra, F-301 Compact, A-301A, F-402 and F-701. Zebra Pen also sells an All Metal F-Refill (item 89112), 0.8 mm black, designed for the F-701 and sold as metal-detectable for factory use.

Because the F-Refill is sold in most US office stores, the F-701 is easy to keep going for years.

Does the Zebra F-701 write well?

It writes like a standard oil-based ballpoint, and reviewers rate it as dependable rather than especially smooth. The Pen Addict found the stock 0.7 mm refill a bit light and splotchy. If you want a smoother line, a hybrid ballpoint such as the uni-ball Jetstream RT or the Pilot Acroball is the usual comparison.

How does the F-701 compare to the F-301?

Both take the same 0.7 mm F-Refill; the F-701 is the model with the knurled metal grip. Staples’ refill listing names both pens, along with the F-402 and the F-301 Ultra and Compact.

	Zebra F-701	Zebra F-301
Barrel	Stainless steel	Stainless steel
Grip	Knurled metal	Not knurled
Refill	F-Refill 0.7 mm	F-Refill 0.7 mm
Weight	About 21 g (Unsharpen)	11 g (JetPens)

Our Zebra F-301 guide covers the lighter model, which JetPens lists at 11 g, and its 1.0 and 1.6 mm points.

For the cheapest, lightest disposable option, a BIC Cristal sits in a lower price band.

Is the F-701 a good pocket or EDC pen?

It’s a good EDC pen, but not a short one: at 133 mm it’s full length. Our best pocket pens roundup lists it among popular “pocket” pens that are longer than a typical 89 to 114 mm pocket pen. Its steel clip suits a shirt pocket or a bag loop, and the knurled grip gives a sure hold. For a metal pen that really is pocket length, the Fisher Space Pen Bullet is 96 mm closed.

Where is the Zebra F-701 made?

The pens are marked made in Indonesia, according to Three Points of the Compass, and US supplier spec sheets agree. The reviewer found Indonesia printed on the end collar of the original pen and on the barrel of the latest version, with the packaging done in Mexico; OnTimeSupplies gives Indonesia for the M/F-701 pen and pencil set. Unsharpen lists Japan, and Zebra Pen’s US page doesn’t say. The Zebra brand is from Japan.

How much does a Zebra F-701 cost?

It sits in our $$ band ($5–20 per pen). Refills cost far less than a new pen, so it’s cheap to keep using.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Zebra F-701 all metal?

Mostly, but not entirely. Zebra Pen sells it as the F-701 All Metal, with a stainless steel tip, barrel and clip, but a reviewer found a thin plastic sleeve inside, and first-generation pens have a plastic collar and clicker parts.

What refill does the Zebra F-701 use?

The Zebra F-Refill in 0.7 mm; Zebra Pen says it fits every F-series steel ballpoint, including the F-301, F-402 and F-701. Zebra Pen also sells an All Metal F-Refill (item 89112), 0.8 mm black, designed for the F-701.

How heavy is the Zebra F-701?

About 21 g, per Unsharpen. Three Points of the Compass weighed the pen without its refill at 19.7 g for the first generation and 22.6 g for the latest version. Some US listings give 1.12 oz, which looks like a packaged weight.

Where is the Zebra F-701 made?

A reviewer reports Indonesia printed on the pens, with the packaging done in Mexico, and US retailer spec sheets list Indonesia; Unsharpen lists Japan. Zebra itself is based in Tokyo.

What is the difference between the Zebra F-301 and F-701?

Both take the same 0.7 mm F-Refill, per Zebra Pen. The F-701 has a knurled metal grip and weighs about 21 g; the F-301 has a plastic textured grip and JetPens lists it at 11 g. Zebra doesn't publish weights.

Is the F-701 a good everyday-carry pen?

It's a popular one: it's cheap, metal-bodied and refillable, and reviewers praise its smooth, quiet click. At 133 mm it's full length, not a short pocket pen.

Does the Zebra F-701 write well?

It writes like a standard 0.7 mm oil-based ballpoint. The Pen Addict found the stock refill a bit light and splotchy, so some owners swap in a smoother refill that fits.

Sources (15)

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