Did you know that “Amazon Basics” now makes Sharpie-style permanent markers? That was news to me.
Right now, there’s a 24-count of assorted colors on sale for $5.49. The regular price, and the price for a 24-count of black markers is $9.49-$10. A 12-count pack is regularly $5.49 for black or assorted colors.
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I like Sharpie markers. They’re durable, they’re consistent, they’re reliable. I also like more robust markers, like Milwaukee’s Inkzall markers and RevMark’s Quick Draw markers. But Sharpie markers? They’re tried and true and that never changes.
I have tried different styles of Sharpie markers over the years, and while some I liked but didn’t love, I’ve never really had problems with them.
So, Amazon Basics has entered the market, with their own permanent markers.
Also at Amazon, you can buy a 12-count of black Sharpie markers for $7 as an add-on item, meaning it ships with $25+ orders. Colored markers are priced a bit higher.
Staples has a 12-count box of black Sharpie markers for ~$12. So let’s take that $7 Amazon add-on price for comparison purposes. That comes out to $0.583 per marker. The Amazon Basics 12-count is $5.49, so that’s $0.458 per marker.
Would you go with the Amazon Basics brand to save ~12-1/2 cents per marker?
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I might give them a try, just to see how they are. If you try them, or have tried them, please let me know what you think!
Buy Now(24-count colored markers via Amazon – on sale at the time of this posting)
Buy Now(12-count black markers)
Compare(Sharpie 12-count black markers)
The 24-count pack doesn’t exactly have workshop-typical colors, but most look usable. It’s still a good buy even if you give some of the less favorable colors to someone else.
Noah
I actually like the house brand ones from ULINE.
george curtis
I liked the ones lowes was selling. Sadly they no longer sell them, just sharpies.
Seth L
I’ll have to give these a spin to see if they’re any good. I’m still searching for the best marker for my dollar.
Sharpies have a tip that wears into a blunt end almost instantly, so I can only write thick lines. It’s less of a problem if I’m the only one using them, but as soon as my coworkers use one once the tip is ruined.
Inkzalls have a much more durable tip but the ink fades out when applied to bare metal – completely useless for me.
Haven’t tried the revmarks.
Travis Terrell
I have the exact same complaint about Sharpies. The tip is almost perfect when brand new, but after a few uses, it is too blunt to have any level of precision at all.
pete
I really like the milwaukee inkzall ones. I like that the marker body seems stronger and won’t shatter or crack like a sharpie. Also i can set it down with no cap on it and it won’t roll away.
fred
My wife likes the metallic ink Sharpies for labeling dark surfaces:
https://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-1829201-Metallic-Permanent-Assorted/dp/B007QNWC3M/
mikedt
These are great for writing on the hundreds of small device transformers I have in the house. As soon as I open the item I write on the associated wall-wart.
Travis Terrell
X2! I initially learned this from Kevin Kelly’s “Cool Tools.” I’ve found them super helpful for marking dark plastic and metal for drilling and cutting. The only issue is that I cannot seem to find an Extra Fine point metallic one that is not a “Paint Sharpie.”
Evadman
I use the metallic ink sharpies for metalwork, the black ones do not work as well. I don’t see a metallic version from amazon to try out.
Cr8on
I’ve had store branded markers from places like Office Max etc, and they worked just as well as Sharpie. Generally I get markers when If I’m already at the store and never “plan” for them in my materials list, If I needed more and planned ahead I wouldn’t mind trying Amazon markers and heck save a buck or two works for me.
Joe
I bought RevMark markers based on toolguyd…they are expensive and suck.The upside down design bites,The ink doesn’t last any longer then a sharpie.
Sharpie was the go to marker for framing, Milwaukee inkzall is amazing. The ink lasts uncapped, durable, reliable,good color selection and the “paint” style markers work great also.Inkzall is what most framers use.
No name brands are fine for home but not construction…
Reed Prince
Metallic silver Sharpies are the go-to tool when you have to mark pieces of black gaffer’s tape.
I’m intrigued by Shachihata long nib markers, which have a 3mm x 30mm tip that fits in screw holes and other tight spaces, but the cheapest price I found online was still $5.25 each. http://www.xstamper.com/products/ek-710-long-nib-markers-1_0mm-bullet-tip-sold-individually/
John S
For these long nib markers, you should check out the Dixon Ticonderoga Company “REACH Permanent Marker” which is very similar and only $3 as well as available in Lowe’s:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Dixon-Ticonderoga-Company-REACH-Permanent-Marker/1000035579
The cap is awesome and clips onto belt really easily.
I like the FastCap one too “Long Nose Marker”:
https://www.fastcap.com/product/long-nose-marker
which also has a chisel end on the opposite end.
Travis Terrell
That FastCap long nose marker initially looked like it had a fine point, but then I read your description of it having a chisel tip. That is disappointing–I’ve been searching everywhere for a very fine (pen-like) metallic “Sharpie.”
Blythe
I’ve used revmarks for the last year, and they have worked great for industrial applications. I love the design, because I’m usually on a scissor lift holding a tape or something else the one hand deploy is awesome. Seems like the tips are much more durable too. I can’t wait to try their new white pens
Mark
I’ve used Sharpies for garden labels and they fade, Plus the tips are about as strong as a Q-tip. I’m happy so far with Inkzall. Hopefully these from Amazon are better than Sharpie but I’d be surprised.
I try and avoid Amazon…too much of a behemoth that bulldozes competitors. The whole company is one big loss leader trying to take over the world. But my wonderful wife ain’t going along….so I don’t expect anyone else to.
Roy
Folks wearing out the Sharpie tips, try writing with them at an angle while using less pressure. Mine stay sharp “forever”
Wayne R.
Yeah, mine don’t collapse either. Wasn’t aware a technique beyond simple sense was necessary…
fred
Yep – when the guys would tell me that they wore out a whole box of sharpies writing on concrete block foundations – I’d just comment “well duh!”
Nathan
I’m mostly in the amazon can eat it line of thought also. I think I can find sale prices on sharpies reasonable enough not to bother with the amazon thing.
Also often when I need a new one – I need it now. granted I keep some 10 going around different places. but still.
That said I bought a revmark set based off of review on this site but haven’t opened it yet.
Tool Of The Trade
The inkzall is the best by far. It’s made for construction work. Nobody else makes a maeker for construction work. Sharpie is made for paper work. Bottom line. I’m still waiting on a marker that works on wet tile without smearing. Soapstone for bare metal.
DC
Metallic Silver Sharpies for dark stuff, Sharpie black for light stuff and for automotive work Milwaukee Inkzall Yellow.
DC
PS Soapstone for welding.
fred
Soapstone holders from Forney come in round (70807) and flat (70802):
https://www.idealtruevalue.com/store/p/166355-Aluminum-Round-Soapstone-Pencil.aspx?feed=Froogle&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8bzUnNaL2wIV2LbACh0vXA5ZEAYYBSABEgJD5vD_BwE
Toolfreak
Amazon is probably making a heck of a profit on this cheap stuff they put under their house brand, mostly by people who are too cheap to pay a few cents more for a name brand.
I haven’t had any trouble with Sharpie markers, they work ok and the tip stays pointy if you’re careful, and they can be had for cheap in a box when the back-to-school stuff goes on sale/clearance.
It’s really the Chisel-point markers like the Marks-a-lot and Inkzall where the tool-brand specific stuff shines, but I don’t have a need for a chisel point that often, I use a pencil or pen way more, at least for most stuff.
If you want a high-end marker that has a pointed end and a chisel end, you can get Copic. One marker costs a much as a box of Sharpies, but it’s not like the Inkzall are inexpensive, either.
Jimmy
I just read another review of these just this week.
http://officesupplygeek.com/giveaway-winner/our-first-may-2018-monthly-giveaway-winner-and-what-not-to-buy-from-amazon/
Emmanuel
Stuart, thanks! And thanks for sharing your great posts every week!
TZi
I think it’s more fair to price Sharpies at $0.33 each, since Dollar Tree sells 3 pack (One of each Red, Blue, Black) of Sharpies for $1.
https://www.dollartree.com/Office-School-Supplies/Writing-Supplies/Markers-Highlighters/Sharpie-Fine-Point-Permanent-Markers-3-ct-Packs/610c1527c1529p412849/index.pro
Can order them by the case or go in stores to buy 3 packs.
Robert
It looks a lot like a Sharpie to me. I wonder if it’s private labeled