Zebra Sarasa Grand vs OHTO Rays Retro Gel Pen Review: The UK's Best Premium Gel & Rollerball Pens 2026
Jun 28, 2026
Zebra Sarasa Grand vs OHTO Rays Retro Gel Pen Review: The UK's Best Premium Gel & Rollerball Pens 2026
For writers who want the smoothness of a gel or rollerball pen in a premium, beautifully designed body, Japan's pen manufacturers offer some of the finest options available anywhere in the world. In this review, we compare two outstanding premium writing instruments: the Zebra Sarasa Grand, a premium metal-bodied gel pen that elevates the beloved Sarasa ink to a new level of elegance, and the OHTO Rays Retro Gel Ink Ceramic Rollerball, a vintage-inspired pen with a ceramic rollerball tip that delivers an exceptionally smooth writing experience. Both are available from TTPEN UK.
Zebra Sarasa Grand — Premium Metal Body, Legendary Gel Ink
The Zebra Sarasa Grand Gel Ink Pen 0.5mm is the premium expression of Zebra's celebrated Sarasa gel ink system. At £18.00, it takes the smooth, vibrant Sarasa gel ink that has made the Sarasa Clip one of Japan's best-selling pens and houses it in a sophisticated metal body that transforms it into a desk-worthy writing instrument.
The Sarasa Ink Legacy
Sarasa gel ink is one of the most celebrated gel ink formulations in the world. It is smooth, vibrant, and quick-drying, producing a line that is a pleasure to write and easy to read. The ink is water-resistant once dry, making it suitable for important documents, and it is available in a wide range of colours. The Sarasa Grand uses the same ink as the standard Sarasa Clip, but in a pen body that is worthy of the ink's quality.
The Grand Body
The Sarasa Grand's metal body is its defining upgrade over the standard Sarasa Clip. The metal construction gives the pen a satisfying weight and a premium feel that makes writing a more deliberate, pleasurable experience. The body is slim and elegant, with a clean design that works equally well in a professional and a creative context.
The pen is refillable with standard Sarasa refills, making it a sustainable choice — you invest in the premium body once and simply replace the refill when the ink runs out. This makes the Sarasa Grand an excellent long-term value proposition, as the cost per refill is significantly lower than buying a new pen each time.
Who Is the Sarasa Grand For?
The Sarasa Grand is for writers who love Sarasa gel ink and want a premium pen body that matches the quality of the ink. It's also an excellent gift — the metal body and elegant design make it a pen that feels special to receive and to use. At £18.00, it's one of the best-value premium gel pens available in the UK.
Price: £18.00 — Buy the Zebra Sarasa Grand at TTPEN UK
OHTO Rays Retro Gel Ink Ceramic Rollerball — Vintage Charm, Ceramic Precision
The OHTO Rays Retro Gel Ink Ceramic Rollerball Pen 0.5mm is a pen that combines vintage aesthetics with a genuinely innovative writing technology. At £12.00, it offers OHTO's ceramic rollerball tip — a technology that delivers exceptional smoothness and durability — in a retro-inspired body that is as beautiful as it is functional.
The Ceramic Rollerball Advantage
The ceramic rollerball tip is OHTO's signature technology and the Rays Retro's most distinctive feature. Conventional rollerball pens use a metal ball, which can wear over time and may leave microscopic scratches on the paper surface. OHTO's ceramic ball is harder than metal, more resistant to wear, and produces a smoother rolling action that results in a more consistent, fluid writing experience.
The ceramic tip also has excellent ink flow characteristics — it delivers a consistent, even flow of gel ink that produces a smooth, dark line without the skipping or inconsistency that can affect conventional rollerballs. The result is a writing experience that is remarkably smooth and consistent, even on lower-quality paper.
Retro Design and Aesthetics
The Rays Retro's vintage-inspired design is a significant part of its appeal. The pen has a classic torpedo shape with a screw cap, a design that references the golden age of pen design while incorporating modern materials and technology. The colour palette is carefully chosen to evoke a retro aesthetic — muted, sophisticated tones that look beautiful on a desk and feel premium in the hand.
OHTO is a Japanese brand with a strong reputation for precision engineering and innovative design, and the Rays Retro reflects both qualities. The build quality is excellent — the materials feel premium, and the mechanism is precise and reliable.
Who Is the OHTO Rays Retro For?
The Rays Retro is for writers who appreciate both vintage aesthetics and innovative writing technology. If you love the look of classic pens but want the smoothness of a modern ceramic rollerball, the Rays Retro delivers both in a single, beautifully designed package. It's also an excellent gift for pen enthusiasts who appreciate design and engineering.
Price: £12.00 — Buy the OHTO Rays Retro at TTPEN UK
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Zebra Sarasa Grand | OHTO Rays Retro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £18.00 | £12.00 |
| Body Material | Metal | Resin |
| Tip Technology | Standard gel ball | Ceramic rollerball |
| Design Style | Modern, slim, elegant | Vintage retro torpedo |
| Best For | Sarasa ink lovers, premium everyday carry | Retro design fans, ceramic tip enthusiasts |
Which Premium Gel Pen Is Right for You?
The Zebra Sarasa Grand and OHTO Rays Retro both deliver premium gel and rollerball writing experiences, but with different emphases. The Sarasa Grand is the choice for those who love Sarasa gel ink and want a premium metal body that elevates their everyday writing experience. Its refillable design makes it an excellent long-term investment.
The OHTO Rays Retro is the choice for those who want vintage aesthetics combined with innovative ceramic rollerball technology. Its classic design and smooth ceramic tip make it one of the most distinctive and enjoyable pens to write with at this price point.
Both are available from TTPEN UK with fast UK delivery. Visit www.ttpen.co.uk to browse our full range of premium Japanese gel and rollerball pens.
Final Verdict
The Zebra Sarasa Grand and OHTO Rays Retro are two of the finest premium gel and rollerball pens available in the UK market. The Sarasa Grand wins on ink quality and premium metal construction; the Rays Retro wins on ceramic tip innovation and vintage charm. Both earn our highest recommendation. Visit TTPEN UK today.
