To Mr J Ward I would like to say "Au contraire, mon frère"; the Bic Cristal Grip drags the iconic, but aging Bic Cristal into the 21st century. While it retains the sleek lines and elegant profile of the standard Cristal, the minor tweaks that the scientists at Bic have introduced make it a more complete pen. Its gorgeous translucent lid allows me to see the nib without ever needing to take it off and the rubber grip provides a more sensual writing experience. My fingers never tire of grasping the Cristal's smooth, yet adhesive surface.
This is 3p extra very well spent.