Tactile Turn Groove Side Click Review: A Rollerball Tribute to Vinyl

Introduction

Tactile Turn’s seasonal releases have become one of the more reliable highlights of the pen calendar, and the latest quarterly offering continues that streak. This time the theme is music, and more specifically vinyl records. The result is the Groove Side Click, a limited-production rollerball built on the brand’s Side Click platform.

If you grew up dropping a needle on a record and waiting through those first crackles before the song kicked in, this design will land with you immediately. And even if vinyl is not your thing, there is a lot to like in how the theme has been executed.

Why a Rollerball Still Earns Its Place

Fountain pens get most of the attention, but a rollerball is often the right tool for the job. They are ideal for quick notes on a sticky note, easy grab-and-go carry, and pairing with a daily planner or notebook. Keeping one within arm’s reach on the desk makes practical sense, and a well-made rollerball can be just as satisfying to own as any fountain pen.

That is exactly the role the Groove plays here: a pen designed to be used regularly, not just admired.

Design and Symbolism: The Record Done Right

The pen is built around a record motif, and Tactile Turn has committed to it thoroughly. The barrel carries a single groove running its length, interrupted by track listing gaps, just as they would appear on an actual album. Better still, the track spacing is based on a real album, a personal favorite of the pen’s designer. No contest is attached to it, but if you can identify the album from the track gaps alone, that is a genuinely impressive bit of deduction.

The branding is handled with similar care. Rather than interrupting the design, the company name and year sit tucked beneath the clip. Even the logo adapts: the usual T and A within a circle has been replaced by the spindle hole in the middle of a record. The packaging continues the theme with wavy patterns that read both as 60s and 70s artwork and as a soundwave, plus a record-shaped sticker, a set of buttons, and a “support your local machine shop” sticker as a nod to the classic record store slogan.

Versions, Sizes, and Colors

Two versions of the pen exist. The standard model reviewed here carries a black Cerakote body with mustard yellow, blue, and burnt orange trim, plus a glossy black accent. The blue in particular stands out nicely against the glossy black, and the burnt orange and mustard pairing has a distinct retro warmth.

A second version, called the LP, uses a more involved multicolor treatment and is priced higher accordingly. Both are available in three sizes: standard, short, and mini.

As a limited-production release, the pen is only available for a set ordering window. It went on sale on February 1st and was available through the end of that month. Once that window closes, the pen is no longer produced, and it only surfaces afterward on the secondary market.

Parts, Features, and the Side Click Mechanism

The Groove is based on the Side Click model, which works exactly as the name suggests. Pressing the knock extends the tip, and pressing the side-mounted click button retracts it. It is a very satisfying mechanism to use, to the point that the pen doubles as something of an adult fidget toy even when you are not writing.

The clip is Tactile Turn’s deep-set style, sitting a little further into the pocket than usual, and it carries a subtle wave pattern in gray and silver that reads like sound waves, an intentional touch that fits the theme well.

Writing Performance and Refills

Out of the box, the Groove ships with a black Pilot G2 refill, which is excellent news. The G2 is one of the most widely loved rollerball refills available, and it delivers a smooth, consistent line even at fast writing speeds. Combined with the heft of the machined titanium body, the writing experience is confident and comfortable.

For anyone who already favors G2-compatible pens, this is a low-friction choice: the refill is inexpensive, easy to find, and proven.

Buying Advice

The standard Groove Side Click is priced at $149, which has been the going rate for most of these seasonal releases. The LP version, with its more involved finish, sells for $179. If you want the pen, the timing matters more than the choice between them: these are limited-production runs, so once the ordering window ends, your options shrink to the secondary market.

If you are deciding between sizes, the standard model reviewed here is the safe default for daily desk use, while the short and mini versions suit those who prefer a more compact carry.

Conclusion

The Groove Side Click is a strong entry in Tactile Turn’s seasonal lineup. The vinyl theme is handled with genuine cleverness, from the album-accurate track gaps to the soundwave clip engraving and the record-hole logo, and the Pilot G2 refill means it writes as well as it looks. For music fans and pen collectors alike, this is one of those designs where the symbolism and the function genuinely reinforce each other.