Rotring 800
0.5mm Drafting Pencil

- Handwritten Review -

• Review Paper: Doane Writing Pad
  

Specs:

• Description: A top-of-the-line, retractable tip drafting pencil from Rotring
• Tip: 4mm retractable lead sleeve, 0.5mm lead size
• Weight: ~25 grams
• Body: All metal construction
• Measurements: 5.250″ retracted, 5.625″ extended
• Review Lead: Pentel AIN 2B 0.5mm lead
• Color Options: Black metal body, Silver metal body (Check them all out at JetPens!)

Handwritten Review Scans:

Intro/About:

I finally have what I think is the holy grail of drafting pencils. The all metal, retractable tipped Rotring 800 both looks and feels awesome. This is the first pencil that has made me feel like I’ve been missing out on something all along. Huge thanks to my friends over at JetPens for sending over the pencil and lead for review!

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is pretty easy with all the great stuff they have. So thanks again!

Appearance:

The Rotring 800 pencil is at the top of the line of drafting pencils from Rotring, and you can really tell. The 800 could be easily confused for the 600 from afar, but the retractable tip and the gold accents set the pencil apart from the pack. The accents give some added flair and reassure the user that the 800 is at the top of the line. The 800 looks nearly identical to the Rotring Rapid Pro ballpoint, but the angles are a bit sharper and more pronounced. That doesn’t mean that they’re sharp or uncomfortable though.

There is knurling on both the grip and the lead tube extension knob. The entire pencil is matte black with glossy red logos. I really like the subtle glossy black “Made in Japan” logo on the back of the pencil’s body. It’s an awesome looking pencil, and it’s definitely my new favorite.

Construction and Feel:

The Rotring 800 is the most expensive pencil from Rotring ($52.00) and it definitely feels that way. The 800 is all metal and feels as solid as a pencil can be. The 800 is a great weight – not too heavy, but with a nice amount of heft. The balance of the pencil is great, and it’s not weighted too much towards the front or back. While writing, the 800 felt very neutrally balanced. This is thanks to the all metal body, whereas in something like the Pentel Graph Gear 500, the weight is more towards the front. I wrote the entire handwritten portion of the review straight through with little to no hand fatigue.

The knurled grip is grippy, but not sharp. The same can be said for the hexagonal barrel – it’s nice and angular, but never digs into your hand. The top has no discernible wiggle, which can be a problem with other retractable tip pencils. Overall, I’m very happy with the quality construction and feel of the 800. It’s definitely doing a great job as the flagship model.

Writing Performance:

Upon opening up the 800, I ditched the included HB lead and loaded up some Pentel AIN 2B lead that JetPens threw in the package. The 2B lead is a bit softer than the HB, which results in a darker line on the page. Here’s a post about lead hardness scale with pictures showing the differences, I found it hugely helpful. The tip of the pencil has no wiggle to be reported, which is great for a retractable tip pencil. I did have one issue though, and I’m not sure if it’s due to the softer lead, or the internal lead advancement mechanism.

The lead seems to break inside the pencil, right at the point where the mechanism grips the lead. Sometimes when you press the knock to advance some more lead, a small amount of lead either falls out, or goes limp until the lead behind it catches. After doing some research on the issue, it appears that I’m not alone. This can be pretty frustrating when you’re trying to write for extended periods of time and the lead either pushes back into the body, or doesn’t extend when you want it to. I’m going to give some harder lead a try, as it may be that the softer lead is breaking more easily. Other than this, I’m very happy with everything about the pencil.
UPDATE: I swapped the lead out from 2B to a harder HB lead. There’s no more breaking, and it was as I suspected. The pencil writes just as nicely with the HB lead. Also worth pointing out, JetPens customer service reached out after seeing the review and said to send it back and they’d swap it out no problem!

Pros:

• Awesome design
• Great feel
• Nice balance and heft
• Solid retractable tip

Cons:

• Internal lead breaking is super frustrating (see update above, harder lead stopped the breakage)

Conclusion:

For a flagship model, the Rotring 800 should be perfect, and it’s so, so close. Looks, feel, and construction are all top-notch. The 2B lead from Pentel is smooth and dark, but I’m going to swap it out for a harder lead to see if it remedies the breakage problem (it did!). Other reviews of the pencil are great, so I suspect that I may have a fluke, or it’s the lead. That issue aside, it’s an awesome writing instrument and looks great alongside my Rapid Pro ballpoint.

Thanks again to JetPens for sending this over to review, check out their site for more info on the pencil!

Gallery:

Disclaimer: This pencil was provided to me as a review unit, free of charge, by JetPens. I was not compensated for this review, and this did not have any effect on my thoughts and opinions about the pen. Thank you for reading!

Kokuyo Campus Wide Notebook

-Handwritten Review-

Specs: 

• Special B5 7.5″ x 10″
• 6mm Lined Ruling, 35 lines / page
• 70 sheets (140 Pages) of off-white paper
• Date and page number headings
• Heavy cardboard covers
• Black double wire binding
• $14.50 from JetPens

Handwritten Review Pictures:

Notes:

The Kokuyo Campus Wide notebook looks pretty great. The olive green, heavy cardboard covers, paired with the black double wire binding makes for an awesome looking notebook. Huge thanks to my friends over at JetPens for sending over the book for review! Their site lists the book as being “fountain pen friendly” but I don’t think I’m with them on that 100%. Enjoy the review!

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is pretty easy with all the great stuff they have. So thanks again!

Appearance and Construction:

The Campus Wide notebook in olive green looks awesome. All of the color and design choices in the book compliment each other so well. The off-white paper has a maroon upper and lower line, with light grey lines in between. The black wire binding adds some nice contrast and is a welcomed departure from the standard silver metal. I love the color palette of the notebook, dark green and maroon are two of my favorite colors, and coincidentally the first colors of fountain pen ink I had ever purchased (Diamine Evergreen and Diamine Oxblood).

The notebook is also constructed quite well. The heavy stock rigid covers make it easy to write anywhere, for the handwritten portion of the review I was leaning on my lap. The double wire binding can take a beating, and aren’t easily bent, making the pages easy to turn. The Campus Wide notebook is a winner in terms of appearance and construction.

Performance and Feel:

The 70g off-white paper is smooth, but it’s having quite the show through problem. There’s no feathering and ink dries on the page pretty quick. I imagine an extra fine nib would work okay, but if you’re using the paper to take notes with a fountain pen, you might not have the best time. This paper would definitely be better suited to gel or ballpoint pens (or any other non-liquid based ink).

The paper is listed as fountain pen friendly, but I don’t think I agree. I would like to be able to use both sides of the sheet, but the showing/bleeding is a bit too much. I much prefer the Maruman Mnemosyne B5 notebook for a fountain pen friendly B5 notebook with off-white paper.

Color and Ruling:

The off-white paper is easy on the eyes. Mix that with the wubtle grey micro-dot ruling and maroon accents, and you have a really nice looking page. There’s a spot in the header for the date and page number, which is a nice touch. The 6mm rule nicely compliments the size of the page, as well as my handwriting. It’s slightly narrower than the 7mm rule I’m used to, but I still like it. There are other versions of the book with different colored covers with slightly different ruling spacing. Even though the paper is off-white, it still does a good job of showing off the color of the ink. Once again, it’s a shame that the paper isn’t slightly more ink-resistant, as I really like the features of the book.

Pros:

• Great looking book
• Perfect size (B5)
• No feathering
• Rigid covers

Cons:

• Significant show-though
• Wider nibs will bleed through

Conclusion:

Oh how I wish the paper in this book was slightly heavier. If you don’t mind using only one side of the page, you may like the book. It’s well designed and I like the color palette quite a bit. It’s understated and simple, right up my alley. There’s no feathering and it’s smooth to write on, but the bleed through is just a bit too much for me to give it the seal of approval. If you need a great looking notebook to use with other types of pens, definitely consider this one. Thanks again to JetPens for sending over the notebook for review!

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Pilot Iroshizuku Tsuki-Yo

-Handwritten Review-

Specs:

• 50ml glass bottle
• Beautiful packaging and presentation
• $28.00 from JetPens
• See all the Iroshizuku colors here!

Review Supplies:

• Pen: Lamy Vista, 1.5mm Stub nib
• Paper: Kyokuto F.O.B COOP B5 Special Dot Grid

Notes:

No surprise here, another well-performing, beautiful ink from the Iroshizuku line. Tsuki-Yo (Moonlit Night) is a great shade of medium blue with a tiny hint of green in it. It has some nice high contrasting shading going on in this 1.5mm stub, and I really want to put it in a flex nib. It could easily be used as an everyday ink, as it’s not too crazy a shade, and it is relatively conservative. As with all of the Iroshizuku inks, it comes in a great looking box and an even better looking bottle. It’s so hard to not love these inks, the only thing getting in the way of me owning the entire collection is the price. They’re a bit pricey at $28.00/bottle (50ml), but I really enjoy them as a display piece. I have yet to go through an entire bottle of any ink, so they should last a very long time. Tsuki-Yo is has great flow, is nice and wet in the 1.5mm stub. It’s not too dry or too wet, and performs well on most paper. I really love this ink, and I’m glad I have a bottle now. Huge thanks to my friends over at JetPens for sending the bottle over for review!

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is pretty easy with all the great stuff they have. So thanks again!

Maruman Mnemosyne Word Cards

-Handwritten Review-

Specs: 

• 4.1″ x 2.1″
• 100 Sheets
• Off-white paper
• Sturdy metal ring keeps pages together
• Heavy plastic covers
• $4.95 from JetPens

Notes:

Maruman makes my favorite notebook of all time, and I am always up for checking out other products they make. The Word Cards are a stack of small, heavy-stock paper cards with a single hole in them. Their purpose is for students to use to memorize words (hence the name), but they are the perfect tool to index fountain pen inks. I plan on doing this in the future, but for now, you can check out what Brad over at The Pen Addict did – it’s awesome. I’ve been keeping the stack of cards on my desk, and using them as sort of a more permanent Post-It note.

They’re great for jotting down passwords, or any other notes that you need at a glance. They’re a handy size, the paper is nice, there’s no feathering or bleeding to be seen, and they look great too. I wish that the paper didn’t have quite as much texture to it, as it’s not the friendliest to finer fountain pen nibs. The paper is off-white, and it would be absolutely perfect for ink cataloging if it were a true white. Overall, for $4.95, the Word Cards are a great deal. Thanks to my friends over at JetPens for sending them over for review! Keep an eye out in the future for a massive ink catalog post, it’s coming.

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is pretty easy with all the great stuff they have. So thanks again!

Parker IM Fountain Pen
Black with Gold Trim

- Handwritten Review -

• Review Paper: Kyokuto FOB COOP B5 Dot Grid

Specs:

• Description: A beginner fountain pen with classic styling and a great feel in hand
• Nib: Steel Medium
• Body: Lacquered Brass
• Measurements: 5.4″ capped, 6″ posted, 0.5″ in diameter
• Review ink: Noodler’s Cayenne
• Color Options: Lacquered brass body (Check them all out at JetPens!)

Handwritten Review Scans:

Intro/About:
 This is my 3rd Paker. The IM has joined my modern Sonnet Cisele and a vintage Parker Vacumatic Major. The IM comes with a medium nib (that writes a bit dry) and boasts a metal construction and classic styling. The pen comes in at $28.50, making it a solid entry-level fountain pen that will appeal to a lot of people. The pen has a professional look and feel without the big price tag typically associated with both of those features. Huge thanks to my friends over at JetPens for sending over the pen!

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is pretty easy with all the great stuff they have. So thanks again!

Appearance & Packaging:

The IM comes in a nice gift box. This is a nice touch, especially for a sub-$30 pen. It would definitely make a nice gift for a new fountain pen user. The pen has a classic black an gold color scheme and a modest, unassuming shape. The pen is at the upper end of the beginner fountain pen price range, but it doesn’t feel cheap at all. I particularly like the brushed metal grip and the contrast it provides against the shiny metal rings on the pen above and below the brushed section. The cap has a nice weight and is adorned with the classic Parker arrow-shaped clip. It’s a great looking pen and feels great too.

 Nib Performance & Filling System:

The medium nib on the Parker IM is fueled by a proprietary cartridge / converter system. I used the converter from my Sonnet, and I’m glad that I did. The Parker converter is not included and is a $9.25 add-on (!!!). You’d be much better off saving yourself the money and refilling the included cartridge with a syringe. I think the price point of the pen is great, but adding almost $10 to be able to used bottled ink is a bit crazy. The Parker converters are very high quality and are well-made, but I think they simply cost too much.

In my opinion, the medium nib writes more like a fine than a medium. This may be due in part to the flow being slightly on the dry side. I don’t mind the flow being a bit dry because it allows for easier use on cheaper paper. Being that this is an entry-level pen, the drier nib will help new fountain pen users cope with bleeding and feathering much more easily.

Feel:

The IM has a nice, premium feel to it. It’s nicely weighted and balanced, practically disappearing in hand. The black finish is smooth and without flaws. The pen is a bit shorter than I like when used unposted, but the cap posts securely onto the body. The metal grip may not take too kindly to very long writing sessions and/or death grips, but I like the overall shape and feel of it in hand. The Parker IM feels like it could be double its asking price. It’s a small detail, but I also noticed the awesome tacile “click” sound and feel when the capping the pen. It adds to the overall experience, and little things like that resonate with me enough to include them in the review. The pens clip is sturdy and should hold up to normal use.

Pros:

• Solid build quality
• Nice weight / balance
• Smooth medium nib
• Great value

Cons:

• Proprietary cartridge costs way too much (in my opinion)
• Flow may be a bit dry for some right out of the box

Conclusion:

The Parker IM is definitely a solid choice in the world of under-$30 fountain pens. Great build quality, nice weight, great writing performance and a nice presentation round out a well designed beginner pen from a classic brand. The only real downside is the $9.25 converter, it adds a rather large barrier to inky freedom. Would I recommend the pen? Absolutely, definitely to those who want to try fountain pens but don’t like the looks of the Lamy Safari or Pilot Metropolitan.

Huge thanks to my pals over at JetPens for sending the pen over to review, check out their site for more info on the pen!

Gallery:

Disclaimer: This pen was provided to me as a review unit, free of charge, by JetPens. I was not compensated for this review, and this did not have any effect on my thoughts and opinions about the pen. Thank you for reading!

Kokuyo Neo Critz
Transformer Pencil Case
-Review-

Specs: 

• Versatile pouch / standup pencil case
• Nylon construction
• Two internal pockets for smaller items
• High quality construction and zipper
• Available in several colorways
• $14.50 from JetPens

Notes:

Since the Nock Co. Kickstarter reward arrived, I have had pen cases coming out of my ears. However, I’ve been eyeing the Kuretake Neo Critz for a while due to its unique ability to stand up on a desk when unzipped. It’s an awesome feature that makes all of your writing utensils easily reachable and viewable. Not only is it functional, the Neo Critz is solidly constructed from nylon with a nice premium feeling zipper. I have the case loaded with about 15 different pens / pencils and some replacement leads.

The case does a great job and doesn’t take up a whole lot of room. There’s no doubt that I’ll get a ton of use from this case, especially when transporting my pens back and forth from work. It’s great to be able to have them nicely displayed on my work desk, then zip it up and the end of the day and bring everything home. The case is very reasonably priced at $14.50, making it a great value.

Thanks to my friends over at JetPens for sending the case over for review!

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is pretty easy with all the great stuff they have. So thanks again!

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Zebra Sharbo X LT3 Multi-pen

- Handwritten Review -

• Review Paper: Kokuyo Campus Wide Notebook
  

Specs:

• Description: A high quality, metal constructed multi-pen that I have been drooling over for years.
• Refills: One mechanical pencil and two pen refills, see them all here!
• Weight: ~22 grams
• Body: All metal construction
• Measurements: 5.270″ long, 0.360″ diameter
• Color Options: Black, Silver, Champagne Gold, Cobalt Blue, Azure Blue (Check them all out at JetPens!)

Handwritten Review Scans:

Intro/About:

I have been wanting a Sharbo for the longest time, thanks to my friends over at JetPens for finally making that happen. The Sharbo LT3 is a multi-pen that accepts D1 style refills – two of them actually AND a pencil. I used to be absolutely obsessed with multi-pens as a kid, and I’m definitely reliving the fun now. This one is slightly more grown up than the huge, 16-color shiny blue and purple one I had as a kid. I opted for the matte black body, a black 0.4mm gel refill, a maroon 0.4mm gel refill and a 0.5mm mechanical pencil. The Sharbo has a premium metal body, an eraser, and a twist-action mechanism to change refills. Read on to see how the Sharbo worked for me. Huge thanks again JetPens for sending over the pencil and lead for review!

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is pretty easy with all the great stuff they have. Stop by!

Appearance and Construction:

The Sharbo LT3 is a slimmer pen, made almost entirely of metal. The threads when the body is opened are high quality and made of metal. The spring loaded clip is sturdy and solidly attached. The matte black finish has no blemishes and looks great. The Sharbo LT3 body is $49.50 and feels like it should be priced as such. I have no doubt that the LT3 will hold up for years to come. The pen has 3 positions, labeled with subtle hashmarks (I, II, III). I wish there was a fourth “OFF” position, but after carrying it around for a few days I haven’t found the pen opened up accidentally in my pocket.

Feel:

The LT3 is a nice feeling pen. It’s relatively slim ad nicely weighted. It has a premium feel, I especially like the solid yet silent click when the selected refill locks into place. The refills fit perfectly into the tip of the pen with no discernible wiggle while writing, providing a comfortable writing experience. When the pencil mechanism is selected, the entire bottom of the pencil acts as the knock, clicking to advance the lead. The finish is smooth, but not slippery – the matte finish provides a tiny bit of welcomed tactile feedback. The pen is thinner than I expected, but it’s not uncomfortable. There’s another model of the pen (the ST3) that is slightly wider, but does not have all-metal construction that may be up your alley if you do not like thin pens.

Writing Performance:

I REALLY like Zebra’s gel ink pens. The 0.4mm gel refills I opted for lay down a smooth, sharp line. I have heard that they don’t last too long though – which I believe when seeing how small the refills are. Upkeep can be spendy, as the refills are $2.75 each. I like them quite a bit, so I can look past the price. I especially like how the refills lay down a fine line with a conical tip. It provides a sturdy writing experience, moreso than a Hi-Tec-C would. I think the Zebra refills are smoother as well. The D1 refills come from Zebra in many different colors and line widths – there’s a ton of ways to customize a Sharbo. The pencil component works well too. I may be slightly spoiled by my ever-rotating Uni Kuru Toga, but the Sharbo’s pencil gets the job done.

Pros:

• Multi-pens are cool
• Premium fit and finish
• Zebra gel refills are some of the best I’ve tried
• Great feel when selecting refills

Cons:

• Refills run out quickly and aren’t cheap to replace
• Pen may be too thin for some

Conclusion:

Zebra’s Sharbo X LT3 is a high quality multi-pen that writes great, looks great, and has a very premium feel. The pen doesn’t come cheap at $49.50, but I think it’s worth it. The pen comes in a modern looking presentation box, making a nice presentation for the pen enthusiast in your life. If the refills were a bit cheaper, the pen and Sharbo system would be perfect.

Thanks again to JetPens for sending this over to review, check out their site for more info on the pen!

Gallery:

Disclaimer: This pen was provided to me as a review unit, free of charge, by JetPens. I was not compensated for this review, and this did not have any effect on my thoughts and opinions about the pen. Thank you for reading!

Kaweco Sport Skyline
Fountain Pen

• Review Paper: Doane Paper Flap Jotter
  

Specs:

• Description: A great pocket pen with updated colors
• Refills: International short cartridges / Kaweco Converter
• Body: Grey Plastic
• Measurements: 5.270″ long, 0.360″ diameter
• Color Options: Several! Check them out at JetPens!

Handwritten Review Scans:

Intro/About:

I’ve reviewed a few incarnations of the Kaweco Sport in the past, but when I saw the new grey model with silver trim I had to jump at it. This review is on the shorter side, as it is more of an update than anything. Huge thanks again JetPens for sending over the pen for review!

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is pretty easy with all the great stuff they have. Stop by!

Notes:

The Skyline Sport series is a refresh of the regular Sport line, but with new colors and a silver trim. It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed a Sport. Since then, Kaweco has improved their nibs. My original burgundy Sport needed some tweaking to write well, but the silver nib on this Sport is smooth and has great flow right out of the box. I’m not huge on gold trim in general, so the silver was a welcomed site. Top that off with a dark grey body, and you have a great looking pen.

The Sport is a smaller pen, shockingly small even. I remember when I took my first one out of the box I was very surprised. Since I knew what to expect, there were no surprises when I unboxed the Sport. I opted to use a Kaweco Aubergine cartridge and I really like the dark purple ink coming out of a grey pen body. I usually have at least one Sport inked up, they are the perfect pocket pen and they’re always reliable and work great.

Pros:

• Small, pocketable pen
• Smooth and inky right out of the box
• New silver trim looks great

Cons:

• Kaweco converter leaves something to be desired

Conclusion:

I’m a fan of the Sport series, and especially this new color-way. At $23.75, it’s a great entrance to fountain pens and also not too expensive to get one to devote to living in a pocket or with a small notebook. Thanks for reading!

Thanks again to JetPens for sending this over to review, check out their site for more info on the pen!

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Disclaimer: This pen was provided to me as a review unit, free of charge, by JetPens. I was not compensated for this review, and this did not have any effect on my thoughts and opinions about the pen. Thank you for reading!

Pilot Juice 0.7mm Gel Pen
Dark Red

- Handwritten Review -

• Review Paper: Doane Flap Jotter

Notes:

I’ve heard so many good things about the Juice and thanks to JetPens, I and finally trying one out. The pen is very similar to the Pilot G2, but with a beefed up, spring-loaded clip. The pen has a similar plastic body and rubber grip, but there is one big difference. The ink in the Pilot Juice line of pens is a pigmented gel ink! This means that once the ink is dry, it will be much more resistant to water and will last longer on the page. If you’ve accidentally spilled something on a page of gel ink writing, you know how messy it gets. This water and fade resistance puts the Juice well ahead of the gel pen pack. It’s very smooth and a pleasure to write with. The plastic body is sturdy and has a nice slightly textured rubber grip. The refill is the same size as a Pilot G2, which means that it will fit in a wide range of machined pens – This is a big plus for me. At $1.65, it won’t break the bank. Head over to JetPens to see the 36 colors and line widths of the Juice line!

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is pretty easy with all the great stuff they have. Stop by!

Pros:

• Pigment based ink
• Many colors
• Many line widths
• Great price point

Cons:

• Nothing!

Thanks again to JetPens for sending this over to review, check out their site for more info on the pen!

Disclaimer: This pen was provided to me as a review unit, free of charge, by JetPens. I was not compensated for this review, and this did not have any effect on my thoughts and opinions about the pen. Thank you for reading!

Kutsuwa Stad T’Gaal
Pencil Sharpener Review

What is it? The Kutsuwa Stad T’Gaal (wow, that’s a mouthful) is a compact and versatile pencil sharpener that’s sure to produce a point that even the most particular pencil aficionados like.

Notes: The T’Gaal is pretty impressive. As you can see above, it’s able to produce everything from a very short point to  a decently long one. The sharpener is made of plastic, has a lead shaving removal door on the back, and a dial on the front to select the length of the point. A “1” yields the shortest point (foreground) and a “5” yields the longest (background). The selection knob operates smoothly and the blade inside is plenty sharp. It’s easy to use and produces a clean, sharp point that is a pleasure to write with. I find myself liking the “3” setting – not too long and not too short. Using it is simple: select your length, stick the pencil in, turn a whole bunch until there’s no resistance, and pull out a pointy pencil that’s ready to write.

Overall, the sharpener gets the job done well. I like that there are options in point length. At just over $6.00, the T’Gaal is reasonably priced. If you’ve been looking to get the point of your pencil just the way you want it, look no further than this well-thought-out design from Kutsuwa.

Thanks to my friends at Jetpens for sending the T’Gaal to review!

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is always an easy task!

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Cubix Multicolore
Pen/Pencil Case Review

What is it? The Multicolore by Cubix is a small, triangular pen / pencil case by Japanese brand Cubix. The case is fashioned of nylon, has a nice looking zipper pull, and some subtle branding.

Notes: This case is small, light, and does a great job of holding a dozen or so pens and pencils. I love the olive green color and the nicely coordinated leather-like zipper pull. The construction of the case is solid, and I don’t anticipate durability being an issue. The triangular shape helps the case sit with the zipper facing up and won’t roll off the table if nudged. Inside the case, the fabric has a  plastic coating. Why you ask? Well if a pen happens to explode, the case will not get ruined and can be easily washed out. This case is lightweight, zips up easily, and looks great in the process. At $6.75, it won’t break the bank and comes in a variety of colors to suit everyone’s taste.

Overall, I can see myself picking up a few of these for mass storage. They’re well made and look great. Thanks to my friends at Jetpens for sending the Cubix Multicolore to review!

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is always an easy task!

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KUM Long Point
Pencil Sharpener Review

What is it? The KUM Long Point Pencil Sharpener is just that…a pencil sharpener! What makes this sharpener unique is the ability to sharpen a pencil into a long, precise, and sharp tip with ease. Designed and made in Germany, this sharpener is high quality, portable, and easy to use and clean out.

Notes: I purchased two pencil sharpeners at the same time, this one and the Kutsuwa T’Gaal variable point (check out my review here!). This particular sharpener is a one trick pony, but it’s really good at that one trick. One hole shapes the wood and the other sharpens the lead to a precise writing point. I prefer to write with a very sharp pencil, so I do find myself reaching for this one quite often. The construction is as solid as I’d expect for $4.10 – no complaints here.

Overall, the sharpener does a great job at making and keeping my pencils sharp. The contained unit holds a decent amount of pencil shavings, making it ideal for tossing in a bag and using on the go. I also like that there are two spare blades included with the sharpener, extending the useful life of the product significantly.

Thanks to my friends at Jetpens for sending the KUM to review!

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is always an easy task!

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Kaweco Brass Sport
Fountain Pen

• Review Paper: Rhodia No. 18 Lined Pad
  

Specs:

• Description: A brass version of everyone’s favorite pocket pen
• Refills: International short cartridges / Kaweco Converter
• Body: Raw Brass
• Measurements: 5.270″ long, 0.360″ diameter
• Weight: 45g
• Color Options: Raw Brass

Handwritten Review Scans:

Intro/About:

Upon seeing the announcement of an all-brass Sport, my excitement started to build. Usually they hit Europe first and then make their way over here. The day it became available on JetPens, I jumped at it. I already have several Sports in my collection in various colors and materials, but none with a broad nib. I added the pen to my shopping cart, and a few days later it was at my door. Read on to see how this weighty version of my favorite pocket pen holds up!

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is pretty easy with all the great stuff they have. Stop by!

Appearance and Packaging:

The Brass Sport comes in the standard Kaweco gift tin. It’s nicely decorated and has a cool vintage look. It’s small in size, simple, and gets the job done. It’s definitely in line with how a $100 pen should be packaged. Upon first picking it up, the weight and build quality immediately stood out (in a good way). The pen is precisely machined and has no visual flaws. I have always held Kaweco’s build quality in high regard. The raw brass will age and patina as the pen is used, as there is no finish to protect the surface. Since getting the pen, it has dulled down a bit and has taken on a wonderful vintage look. The steel nib is perfectly sized for the pen – not too big and not too small. It’s nicely decorated and stamped with the Kaweco logo.

Filling System / Nib Performance:

Kaweco Sports are most easily filled via international short cartridges. The pen includes a single blue cartridge to get you started writing immediately. While Kaweco does offer a converter, I’ve found it to perform poorly. It’s hard to get a good fill and it doesn’t hold so much ink – I’d rather refill an empty cartridge with a syringe than use the converter. Several ink manufacturers make international short cartridges, so it’s easy to find an ink brand and color that you like. Personally, I’m a big fan of Kaweco’s Summer Blue (used in the review).

I opted to get the Sport in a broad steel nib. The second I put pen to page, I knew the broad nib wasn’t for me. It’s smooth, but it’s more stubby than round – producing a slightly variable stroke. If you prefer a stubby broad nib, then definitely check it out. If not, take note. After a few pages with the broad, I swapped in a 14k gold medium nib. Kaweco’s nib units easily unscrew and swap out in seconds.

Feel:

The brass Sport feels great in hand. It’s hefty, but not heavy (does that make sense?). The metal is precisely machined and the finishing on the pen is excellent. All of the surfaces are smooth, the grip is comfortable, and the cap threads are smooth. Kaweco has added a thin plastic sleeve to the inside of the cap that improves the feel of the threads when opening and closing the pen. This sleeve also protects the body from being scratched when posting the cap. The brass Sport is the ideal weight – it feels like a full-sized pen. I love the easy pocketability as well. In my opinion, brass is an excellent material for the Sport line.

Pros:

• Great weight
• Looks awesome
• Patina!
• Easy to use
• A+ fit and finish

Cons:

• B nib was stubbier than I’d like
• Not for those who like to keep things shiny

Conclusion:

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the Sport line. I have posted several reviews of this line of pens, enjoying all of them. Kaweco consistently puts out a solid pen – great fit/finish, looks, writing performance, and overall value. I think that the brass Sport does a great job of representing Kaweco’s heritage very well. It’s definitely worth the $100 (about $75 more than the plastic version). I have no doubt that this pen will last a lifetime. While the broad nib wasn’t my thing, some may appreciate the stubby nature of its writing.

Thanks again to JetPens for sending this over to review, check out their site for more info on the pen!

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Disclaimer: This pen was provided to me as a review unit, free of charge, by JetPens. I was not compensated for this review, and this did not have any effect on my thoughts and opinions about the pen. Thank you for reading!

Pilot Iroshizuku Mini Bottle
3 Pack Ink Review

What is it? This set of 3 mini bottles was a Japanese market exclusive, but thanks to Jetpens you can now snag them here at a reasonable price. Each 15ml bottle has just the right amount of ink in it (for me at least) to get a feel for it and use it a bunch before committing to a whole bottle. The set comes packaged in a high quality plastic case that looks just as elegant as the inks do on paper.

Thanks to my friends at Jetpens for sending the ink set to review!

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is always an easy task!

Notes: The Iroshizuku line by Pilot make some of my favorite inks. They behave well, come in great nature-inspired colors, and are nicely presented in premium glass bottles. The full size inks contain 50ml, but these little ones contain 15ml. I find them ideal to leave on my desk at work, providing more than enough ink for the occasional fill up. The sets come pre-packaged with three different inks across three different sets, so make sure to pay attention to what you order. I opted for the set that includes Ama-Iro (a nice sky blue), Fuyu-Gaki (a vibrant red-orange), and Syo-Ro (a medium shade of gray-turquoise). 

I’m a big fan of the set, and highly recommend it to anyone looking to try out the Iroshizuku line of inks. You really get the full experience that the large bottles offer, just scaled down. Each set will run you $33 from Jetpens. It’s not the cheapest ink out there, but they perform well and look great both in the bottle and on the page. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for full ink reviews for each color!

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Lamy Safari Limited Edition
Dark Lilac Fountain Pen Review

What is it? The limited edition color for 2016 of the Lamy Safari. It’s a dark purple with black hardware and it’s been a long time coming.

Notes: This isn’t going to be too crazy, you can read my original review of the Lamy Safari here. The Dark Lilac version, along with it’s own special ink were released as the 2016 limited edition. The color is nice and dark, and not too “in your face”. The Black hardware adds an overall low-profile look to the pen that I really like. Other than the color, there isn’t really anything different from the Lamy Safari that’s been around for over 30 years. The triangular grip, flat side, wire clip, and ink viewing window are all there, and yes – I like all of these features. It’s a great entry into the fountain pen world thanks to the swappable nibs. The Safari really helped me narrow down what I liked in a nib size. Interested in picking up your own Dark Lilac Safari? Hurry up. Lamy has already stopped making this limited edition, and it’s starting to sell out at various retailers. Thanks to JetPens for sending this one my way, you can snag one here!

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Pentel Tradio EnerGel Combo – Nature Matte Grey

What is it?  A funky looking gel pen with a uniquely textured body.

Notes: It’s not often that I pick up a pen and immediately fall in love with it. The Tradio EnerGel combo takes the unique body of the Tradio, but makes it compatible with the EnerGel refill. The pen comes loaded with a standard black 0.5mm refill, but I opted to swap in the 0.7mm Needle Tip in blue. It. Is. Great. Read on to find out more about this great everyday pen!

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is always an easy task!

The Tradio is a great everyday pen. The size, refill, cap, looks and grip check all the boxes for me. I’ve been carrying it nearly every single day and find myself feeling lost without it. I’m not sure if it’s the subdued grey body (that has a slight texture) or the funky lines, but this pen just resonates with me. The grip section has a light texture to it that helps during longer writing sessions. I really like how it tapers off into the refill tip, it leaves plenty of room so you can see precisely where the line is going down on the page. The pen is light enough so that you don’t feel tired after using it, but has just enough weight as to not feel cheap. It’s still very light though.

I’ve always been a fan of needle point refills, and the Pentel EnerGel LRN7 in blue is one of the best ones I’ve tried. It’s silky smooth, has great flow, and leaves a vibrant line behind. While I did like the standard conical tipped refill that came with the pen, I preferred the needlepoint.

My one gripe with the pen is how the cap clicks on. It’s not super secure and I wish that it had a bit more grab to it. The clip is nice and robust, but that doesn’t do much if I’m worried about the cap just coming off. If they made it so that it was more secure, I’d say it’s a pretty ideal pen for me. If you like what you see, you can grab one from JetPens for around $9.

You can pick up the Pentel Tradio EnerGel from JetPens here.

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Lamy 2000 Ballpoint Pen Review

What is it?  The ballpoint partner to my favorite fountain pen, the Lamy 2000

Notes: I’ve been between picking up the Lamy 2000 ballpoint and the unique multipen for a while. I opted for the ballpoint, mostly because of the D1 refills that the multipen takes. They’re really small and I didn’t want to have to deal with constantly changing out empty cartridges. The L2k ballpoint is a simple pen that matches the rest of the 2000 line – stainless steel and makrolon.

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is always an easy task!

The L2k ballpoint writes reasonably well, but it takes a proprietary refill. This is kind of annoying, as I will have to go out of my way to order a new one when this runs out. Monteverde makes refills for this pen, and I snagged a pack of those along with my order. The pen is on the shorter side and it’s quite light. The knock has a nice feel to it, the clip works well, and the tip of the pen tapers off to a nice point so you can easily see what you’re writing.

I like the pen just fine, but there a few things that may be a deal breaker for some:

1. Proprietary refills – this means there’s not as many color options or ink types to choose from
2. Price – at ~$60 there are SO many options out there for a solid pen. You’re not getting much out of this pen (other than design) than a Parker Jotter

If you’re as big a fan of the Lamy 2000 fountain pen as I am, then you’d appreciate the ballpoint for its matching aesthetic. If you’re just looking for a really nice ballpoint pen, there are plenty of better options at a much lower price point. If this pen was around $40, I’d be much more likely to recommend it. The construction is great, the design is clean and appealing, but it’s just a little too much money for what it is.

You can pick up the Lamy 2000 Ballpoint from JetPens here.

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Lamy Safari Petrol Fountain Pen Review

What is it?  The 2017 Limited Edition color of the Lamy Safari fountain pen

Notes: Another year, another lime-greenish disappoi — wait a second. It’s a Lamy limited edition, and it’s NOT neon green! They’re calling this color “Petrol” and I absolutely love it. The Safari is sporting a matte, dark teal finish with black hardware and nib. It’s the same Safari I love, but in what I think is the coolest color yet. Want to pick one up for yourself? Check them out at JetPens.

Check out JetPens for tons of awesome Japanese pens and stationery. Free shipping on orders over $25, and hitting that is always an easy task!

I’ve reviewed the Safari before, it was quite a long time ago. You can check out my old review here. The Safari in charcoal grey was the firs fountain pen I bought. I loved the dark color, modern looks, comfy (to me) triangular grip, and prominent wire clip. The Safari holds a special place in my collection for several reasons. Let’s get into them…

Why the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen is great:

1. It’s Simple– just a few plastic parts and a nib, this pen is pocket ready and easy to figure out
2. Price – for just under thirty bucks, you get a solid pen that will last a while
3. Nibs – the Safari’s nibs are easy to swap out. For around $10 you can keep the same body and totally change the writing experience. It’s also great for beginners to figure out their preferred nib size without spending a ton of money
4. Looks – the modern and sleek design appeal to me on so many levels

The medium nib in the Petrol is smooth with medium ink flow. I’ve found the Safari nibs to break in over time, the writing experience only gets better. I like to write on some rougher paper for a page or two to break the nib in. The triangular grip fits my writing style, but it’s not for everyone. If you have a non-traditional way of gripping your pen, then the edges could possibly get in the way. Lamy also put out a limited edition ink with the pen. I did not get the ink because it’s a.) hard to find right now and b.) I have so many teal inks, I don’t think I need another. The ink in the writing sample is a custom ink from Tekker Inks that matches the pen nicely.

Conclusion:

The Safari Petrol is a winner for me. The mattified body, black hardware, and awesome color make it one of my favorite Safari limited editions to date. If you’re already a fan of the Safari, or a beginner looking for their first pen, don’t sleep on the Petrol. It should be pretty easy to find until the end of 2017, but the limited editions are limited to their release year so keep that in mind!

You can pick up the Lamy Safari Petrol from JetPens here.

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Rosetta Magellan Burnt Umber Fountain Pen Review

What is it?  A pen made from Italian acrylic in Taiwan, with a German nib, and assembled in the USA. Wowzers, that was a hard supply chain to follow!

INTRO

This is a pen that I’ve never heard of. Honestly, I had never heard of IPenStore before either (they’ve been in the stationery game for 75 years, spread across 4 generations!). When they got in touch and offered to send over a fountain pen to check out, I was intrigued. Their product page has some photos that don’t totally represent the pen you get. What looked a little drab ended up being a vibrant, deep, richly colored acrylic with nice shine. Their pen feels really quality and has some nice accents that help it punch well above its $69 asking price. Interested in picking one up for yourself?

Check out IPenStore.com for more great deals on fountain pens and other stationery accessories. 

APPEARANCE AND PACKAGING:

This pen is kind of a stunner…The product photos may lead you to believe otherwise, but the acrylic has so much depth, shimmer, and transparency to it. It’s really interesting to look at, even more so when the light hits it in different ways. I put together a quick video to show off the depth of the acrylic and how it changed based on the light.

The gold accents complement the rich brown color really nicely. I also really like the compass rose cap finial. It looks classy without being too over the top.I don’t love the way the Jowo nib looks with the laser engraving, but the writing experience makes up for it. The Rosetta Magellan comes in a pretty standard leatherette gift box.

NIB PERFORMANCE:

The Magellan has a steel nib on it. The medium nib I have writes well right out of the box. It’s exceptionally smooth with medium flow. I’ve been using it with Iroshizuku Fuyu-Syogun, as it matches the great striations in the acrylic. The two-toned steel nib looks pretty decent with the stamped filigree, but the engraved “Rosetta” name leaves something to be desired. I get why they add that extra bit of branding, but I don’t think it’s necessary. It does detract a little bit from an otherwise great looking pen.

FEEL:

Again, I was pleasantly surprised by the hefty, quality feel of the pen. Most of that heft is in the cap. This is okay when carrying it, but it does get a little back heavy if you post the pen while writing. The size of the pen is what I’d consider a little larger than average, but not in any way uncomfortable. Posting the cap may be a bit too much for most people, but it’s not necessary for a pleasant writing experience. The section is short with a tapered flare and does put your grip a little close to the threads. There’s no significant step down, so writing is still comfortable. In the long haul, I think most will find the pen comfortable to hold, carry, and write with.

CONCLUSION:

I’m pleasantly surprised by the overall quality of the Rosetta Magellan. It’s a brand that I’ve never heard of, and frankly when I saw it online, I wasn’t super excited to check it out. This is definitely a case of being completely surprised by something. It looks classy, writes great, and feels great too. Overall, I would recommend checking these pens out — especially given their reasonable asking price of just under seventy dollars. Thanks again to iPenstore.com for sending one over for review, it might just be the sleeper hit of my pen collection!

Snag one for yourself from ipenstore.com here!

GALLERY: