Smens, Smencils and
Colored Smencils
Manufacturer: The Smencil Company
Recommended Age: 4 years +
Retail Price: $14.00 - $25.00
Buy it here: amazon.com
On the web: www.smencils.com

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WTS Rating:


(4 stars)

SUMMARY

Smens, Smencils and Colored Smencils are gourmet scented pens and pencils made from 100% recycled newspapers. 

Each Smencil and Colored Smencil Zipper Bag Set comes with 10 pencils total - 1 pencil in each of the following scents: Bubble Gum, Cinnamon, Tropical Blast, Grape, Cotton Candy, Very Berry, Orange, Black Cherry, Watermelon and Root Beer.

The Smens Gourmet Scented Pens Set comes with 10 pens total - 1 pen is each of the following scents: Pink Lemonade, Banana Fo Fana, Creamsicle, Mystery Scent, Ninja Berry, Mocha, Passion Fruit, Aloha, Red Licorice and Black Licorice.

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY RATINGS

EASE OF USE
Pop them out of the freshness tube, take a sniff, sharpen as needed (for the pencils - not the pens!) and start coloring or writing like any other pen or pencil...that is if you can get past the sniffing step!  Easy as can be!
DURABILITY
Smens and Smencils are made from 100% recycled newspapers (and plastic for the pens) but that doesn't mean they are weak or will fall apart quickly.  The pens are hardened and can be sharpened in the same fashion as any other pencil.  And the pens have the same eco-friendly feel as the pencils, but show no breakdown in use.  Excellent durability.
VISUAL APPEAL
Well, Smens and Smencils are pens and pencils, so you can't hope for anything too exciting in the looks department, right?  Wrong!  Smens and Smencils have a really cool, fresh eco-friendly look and feel.  They sort of have a newspaper coloring on the base of each Smen and Smencil, and then are decorated with some bright, fun colored stickers. 
FUNCTIONALITY
They write perfectly, the color nicely, they smell fantastic, and they last!  After multiple uses, in and out of the special plastic cases the amazing scent stayed strong.  Can't ask for more than that from your pens and pencils!
COST EFFICIENCY
Unfortunately, it's the Cost Efficiency category where some of the excitement wore off.  Smens and Smencils are not inexpensive.  Consider, you can buy an economy pack of old, boring ordinary pens or pencils for a few bucks, or you can buy Smens or Smencils which cost in the $14 - $25 range.  That's expensive.  However, from a gift or novelty perspective, $14 - $25 is fair game.  So it sort of comes down to this.  If you are looking for a simple pencil or pen to get the job done - Smens and Smencils might not be for you.  But if you are looking for a great gift, for a friend or for yourself, Smens and Smencils just may be perfect!  Remember, they are eco-friendly, totally usable, and amazingly smellable pens and pencils - you're paying for the fun over the usage.

ORIGINALITY
It isn't that we've never seen cool products that have a great scent before, but we've never seen anything quite like this.  First off, they are eco-friendly and built to last.  And second, and even more important - the scent is amazing!  And it lasts and lasts! 
OVERALL RATING
Smens and Smencils are really, really cool.  If you get past the pricing you are going to be totally pleased with the purchase!  They look great, work perfectly, last as long as they should - and they smell absolutely fantastic!  Some of your favorite scents that are strong but not overpowering.  Pop them out of the container, take a sniff and start writing or coloring.  We guarantee you'll be hooked - but don't say we didn't warn you!