The Pilot FriXion and its “erasable” ink is simply extraordinary. Even though our JetPens team knows the science behind this incredible technology, watching the ink disappear before our eyes is always magical.
FriXion technology is available in a wide range of products, from gel pens to stamps, so it’s only fitting to break down this lineup. Keep reading to learn more about Pilot FriXion.
When you rub the ink with the hard rubber “eraser,” heat from the resulting friction causes the temperature-sensing compound to activate the acid compound, which makes the dyes turn clear. That’s how the ink virtually disappears!
FriXion ink comes with an important caveat. Because of its heat-reacting properties, the ink may disappear if it’s left anywhere hot. The official temperature at which it “erases” is 140°F/60°C, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Don’t use FriXion pens to sign important documents, and don’t leave FriXion-filled notebooks in hot cars or by radiators. We also don’t recommend writing on the back of the page when using these pens, because the heat may transfer to the other side and cause unwanted erasing.
The ink may reappear when temperatures reach below 14°F/-10°C. If you accidentally leave your notebook in a hot space, you can try sticking it in a freezer for an hour or two. However, this isn’t guaranteed to work.
FriXion gel ink comes in a variety of gel pen and multi pen forms. There are ultra-slim pens perfect for writing on the go, as well as business-appropriate multi pens ideal for color-coding.
Other FriXion products like markers and highlighters don’t have as much variety when it comes to body designs, so they’re not included in the table below.
Pilot FriXion Gel Pens | ||||
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Pen | Name | Length | Diameter | Weight |
Standard | 14.6 cm | 9.9 mm | 0.40 oz | |
Ball Knock | 14.5 cm | 10.7 mm | 0.42 oz | |
Ball Clicker US | 14.5 cm | 10.9 mm | 0.42 oz | |
Point Knock 04 | 14.2 cm | 9.9 mm | 0.42 oz | |
Synergy Knock | 14.2 cm | 9.4 mm | 0.34 oz | |
Waai | 14.2 cm | 9.4 mm | 0.34 oz | |
Ball Knock Zone Standard | 15.0 cm | 9.7 mm | 0.51 oz | |
Ball Knock Zone Inspiration | 15.0 cm | 11.0 mm | 0.78 oz | |
Ball Knock Zone Wood Grip | 15.0 cm | 11.0 mm | 0.78 oz | |
Ball Slim | 14.0 cm | 8.3 mm | 0.25 oz | |
Ball Slim Biz | 13.1 cm | 7.5 mm | 0.40 oz | |
Pilot FriXion Multi Pens | ||||
Pen | Name | Length | Diameter | Weight |
Ball 2 Biz | 14.0 cm | 10.3 mm | 0.89 oz | |
Ball 3 Slim | 14.5 cm | 12.0 mm | 0.49 oz | |
Ball 3 Metal | 14.5 cm | 12.6 mm | 0.87 oz | |
Ball 3 Wood | 14.5 cm | 12.0 mm | 0.91 oz | |
Ball 4 | 14.5 cm | 12.3 mm | 0.55 oz | |
Ball 4 Wood | 14.5 cm | 12.3 mm | 0.94 oz |
Pilot FriXion Gel Pens | ||||||
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Pen | 0.3 mm | 0.38 mm | 0.4 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.7 mm | 1.0 mm |
Pilot FriXion Multi Pens | ||
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Pen | 0.38 mm | 0.5 mm |
The pigmentation of some FriXion ink colors (black, in particular) is not as deep as those in other gel pens. If you prefer something more pigmented, try FriXion Gel Pens with broader tip sizes (0.7 mm is a good option). The Ball Knock Zone also uses inks that are formulated to be more vibrant.
Pilot FriXion Multi Pens | ||||||
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Color Names | ||||||
Black, Red | ||||||
Black, Red, Blue | ||||||
Black, Red, Blue, Green |
The Ball Clicker is the United States version of the Ball Knock. Its rubber “eraser” matches the barrel and ink colors. It also comes in a different selection of colors than the Ball Knock.
Additionally, the refill’s barrel is made of metal, so the walls can be thinner without sacrificing durability. This allows the refill to hold more ink.
It’s not just the refill that got an upgrade, though. The pen tip has been approved, with a special clutch in the nose cone that reduces rattling. Even the clicker has been redesigned so it’s quieter when you extend or retract the tip.
The Ball Zone is available in different body styles, including those with marbled resin or wooden grip sections in addition to standard rubber grips.
As expected, the pen’s 0.38 mm tip size doesn’t write as smoothly as the other pens in 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm. However, they’re comparable to other 0.38 mm tips.
Each multi pen includes black, red, and blue inks. Refills are available in other colors and tip sizes.
FriXion Light Highlighters are drier than your typical highlighters, so they don’t bleed through paper as much as other highlighters would. The highlighter ink is a little more difficult to “erase” than those in the gel pens or markers, but will disappear completely with some extra effort.
The FriXion Colors Marker is wonderfully bold and pigmented, featuring an array of beautiful colors, many of which are the same as the Ball Slim Gel Pen. Even with the thicker line width, the ink “erases” cleanly and effectively.
For precise writing and drawing, the FriXion Fineliner is a must. The hard felt tip maintains its shape for detailed work, and is finer than the bullet tip found on the Colors Marker. It comes in twelve vibrant colors that are easily “erasable.”
You can enjoy FriXion ink in stamp form, too! These cute stamps are perfect for calendars and planners. If your plans change, you can “erase” and stamp again. The stamps are available in a variety of colors and designs. You can keep your stamp collection organized with a FriXion Stamp Case.
The Ball 2 Biz is not compatible with any of the replacement “erasers.” The Ball Knock Zone has its own “eraser” that is not interchangeable with the multi pens’ “erasers.”
In the table below, we’ve listed the available eraser replacements with the multi pens they match, as well as the multi pens they’re compatible with.
“Eraser” Replacement | Original Multi Pen | Compatible Multi Pens | Add to Cart |
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Ball 3 Metal Eraser Replacement | Ball 3 Metal |
Add Items to Cart
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Ball 3 Slim Eraser Replacement | Ball 3 Slim | N/A |
Add Items to Cart
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Ball 3 Wood Eraser Replacement | Ball 3 Wood | Add Items to Cart | |
Ball 4 Wood Eraser Replacement | Ball 4 Wood | Add Items to Cart | |
Ball Knock Zone Eraser Replacement | Ball Knock Zone | N/A | Add to Cart |
Ball Eraser Replacement | Ball 4 |
Add Items to Cart
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ILMILY Color inks, also known as “metamo” inks, react to heat. However, instead of turning clear like FriXion inks, they change colors! Be sure to wait for the ink to dry completely before rubbing at your writing with the included rubber “eraser.” The ink will not return to its original color or turn clear if exposed to heat again.
The ILMILY Color Gel Pen has a chic white barrel complemented by a colored grip section and cap. The barrel is labeled so you can see what color the ink changes into when exposed to heat. The pen uses Pilot’s Synergy Tip design, which is also found on the FriXion Point Knock 04.
The ILMILY Color Marker is the color-changing version of the FriXion Light Highlighter. Its stylish white body is accented with an inner cap matching the original ink visible beneath the translucent cap.
The JetPens team thinks the marker’s base color is a little too dark for highlighting, but the chisel tip is very versatile. Try using the edge for precise underlining, or the flat side for writing out bold headers.
The first version of FriXion ink actually started as a color-changing ink. Inspired by the shifting hues of autumn leaves, Metamo ink (short for “metamorphosis ink”) was patented in 1975. It was used in different products like color-changing paper cups, or food-shaped toys that would change color when submerged in cold water.
By 2002, writing instruments using the color-changing features of Metamo ink were created. As the technology improved and researchers experimented with different ink formulas at varying temperatures, FriXion ink was born.
Whether you’re using FriXion ink at work, school, or just for fun, there’s no denying its usefulness. Our JetPens team loves that we don’t have to worry about making mistakes, even when using a gel pen! Are you a FriXion fan? Let us know what you use your FriXion ink for in the comments below.