Multi Pen Dimensions

Tombow Egg Rollerball Matte Black

2012-03-02T18:25:00.001-08:00

Designated by Tombow as the Zoom 858 bw, but better known as the "Egg Matte Black", this pen won the prestigious European Red Dot award in 1989. Introduced in 1987, and officially launched in 1988, it did not take long before Egg took off as a darling anomaly of the pen community.

(Photo courtesy of I Love Pens)

Touted as the "thickest" writing instrument in the world, Egg is the antithesis of the Zoom 707, Tombow's "thinnest" offering to date.

In its attempt to expand creative muscles, Tombow, a producer of artistically designed writing instruments and creative office products since 1913, literally knocked this one out of the park with the amazing Tombow Egg Rollerball Pen.

Unusual is an understatement when describing Egg. Its specs read: 108 mm capped, 134 mm posted, and a whopping 20 mm in diameter. Coupled with the matte black color and the incorporation of velvex coating over an ABS plastic barrel, makes this Egg a go-to writing implement of choice.

(Photo courtesy of Live Journal)

As somewhat of a "Cult" pen, if located, Egg is available in Gloss Black, Silver, Matte Grey, the rare White Egg, and of course Matte Black. The Egg family also includes the even rarer Egg Fountain Pen.

(Photo courtesy of I Love Pens)

Tombow employs a smooth writing liquid pigment black ink inside of a 0.5 mm fine point cartridge. It lays down a vibrant black ink line on paper. Using this pen is a real treat. Having large hands, I personally appreciate Egg's ample girth. Is this ergonomic marvel for everyone? Probably not. Those with smaller hands may complain it is too thick, or that it is way too short. Maybe Tombow's Zoom 707 is for them. I however thoroughly enjoy calling upon the Tombow Egg Rollerball Matte Black Pen for a host of writing tasks, as such I highly recommend it.

County Comm Embassy Pen (Rev. 2) Black

2012-02-24T15:42:00.001-08:00

Reminiscent of a police baton, County Comm's Embassy Pen (Rev. 2) Black is a stylish, formidable looking tactical defense writing instrument. At 13 cm capped, it is of average length, its styling simplistic, with clean lines, sporting a sturdy aluminum pocket clip, a knurled grip section occupying its bottom half, incorporating integrated grip rings in this area.

(Photos courtesy of County Comm)

Below lies the tip crest housing area that unscrews to separate the upper and lower sections of the barrel. When deconstructed, inside resides the ink cartridge which is a Fisher Space Pen black, SPR4 medium refill. Apropo for this pen type, the Fisher cartridge increases its all around versatility. I have since swapped out the medium Fisher refill for the fine black refill, but that is personal preference.

Interesting to note is this pen was constructed omitting the ability to post its cap. County Comm's reasoning for doing this, per their website, has to do with lending the business end of the pen to someone, but holding on to its cap and theoretically according to County Comm, you should get it back. Having a pen like this, my advice would be to "just say no." Or carry a different pen just to lend out. After all, this is a finely engineered writing implement, constructed from T6061 Type 3 anodized aluminum, its loss would certainly be a deficit in anyone's collection.

Writing with this pen is a comfortable, smooth experience. Typical of pens with its heft, knurled grip and its incorporated use of the Fisher ink cartridge. Add the attractive, ninja kubotan like design, and this becomes a writing instrument of multi - faceted proportions. There are few pens which I feel "always" need to be made available to me, the writer. The County Comm Embassy Pen (Rev. 2) Black is one. Whether its with me in the field, or I'm sitting behind a well-appointed desk, this pen adapts and looks and performs well in any environment.

As such, I very highly recommend the County Comm Embassy Pen (Rev. 2) Black.

Muji Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen Hexagonal 0.4 mm Black

2012-02-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

Available in eight colors, Muji's Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen Hexagonal 0.4 mm inks a thin tight line on paper. Available in both 0.3 and 0.4 mm tips, this is a workhorse of an everyday writing instrument.

(Photos courtesy of MUJI U.S.A.)
The barrel is constructed of a rubberized material, allowing easy, firm gripping during the writing experience. Not at all scratchy, I find the ink delivery to be even, smooth and quite vivid on paper. 13.5 cm capped and 15 cm posted, this is one pen that rivals Pilot's Hi Tec - C and others in both the cost effective category a well as in delivery potential. Ease of use is an understatement when using this pen. If I had one complaint, it would be the employment of its clear plastic cap. It sort of detracts from the pen's visual stimuli, as well as having a disengaging issue when removing it from the pen barrel. Muji might have simply opted for a rubberized cap to circumvent this issue, hence providing the pen with a total matte black stealthy appeal.

This aside, I enjoy using this pen so much, deciding to purchase more colors as well as the 0.3 mm tip variety was truly a no-brainer. Definitely a member of my daily arsenal, it is without hesitation that I highly recommend the Muji Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen Hexagonal 0.4 mm Black.

Tombow Object Rollerball Pen Matte Black

2012-02-03T19:28:00.000-08:00

Elegance and style are the first words that come to mind when beginning to describe the Tombow Object Roller ball Pen Matte Black. The matte black color, blended with its clean, timeless lines, makes Object seem like it should be gently placed in the handkerchief pocket of a black tuxedo.

(Photos courtesy of Journaling Arts)

Constructed of lightweight aluminum, Tombow Object is balanced and sturdy. At 5.5" capped, and 5.75" posted, it is of average length and has substantial girth at 12 mm in diameter at its widest circumference.

The Tombow Object Matte Black sports a 0.5 mm black ink cartridge, and inks a very vibrant line on paper. Tombow employs a waterproof, fast drying pigment ink that does not smear, skip or fade. Inking quite smoothly, the cartridge is of the premium tungsten carbide rolling ball variety.

This is one pen that is hard to put down. Writing with it is quite a pleasurable experience indeed!
There is no issue with slipping or creeping as the barrel is half ribbed. Only one potential issue could be when the pen is capped, uncapping calls for a degree of pull apart power. My suggestion is for Tombow to consider machining in screw threads inside the cap and barrel area where the two connect.
This would solve the problem, and add to the pen's elegance.

The Tombow Object Roller ball Pen Matte Black has the appearance and overall performance of a pen worth three times its cost. As such, I highly recommend it.

Zebra B2A1 2 Color Multi Pen Silver

2012-01-27T19:28:00.000-08:00

Zebra's B2A1 2 Color Multi Pen Silver, is an attractive, slim aluminum multi pen offering, but is not without a few issues. Having used Zebra's F - 701 Ballpoint with the knurled grip, I felt Zebra had a better sense of aluminum barrel creeping issues. Apparently I was mistaken. After using the B2A1 for a week, my only resolve is to incorporate a rubber grip sleeve to circumvent the creeping which is perpetual when using this pen. Writer's fatigue is an inevitability when using this pen for an extended period. What's interesting to note is Zebra offers this pen in matte black and matte blue, which probably have less of this issue.

(Photo courtesy of Winning Pen)

All that said, B2A1 Silver inks well on paper. Incorporating Zebra's 4C - 0.7 mm cartridges, inking is a smooth but slippery experience. Coming with blue and red refills, each is engaged by twisting the center barrel in either direction. The blue ink cartridge produced a vivid ink line on paper. An equal result occurred with the red cartridge.

The pen is rather short at 12 cm, and slim in diameter at 8 mm, causing large hands to really make unnatural like adjustments when holding. Had the creeping issue been a non-issue, this problem would be considered less of one. Don't get me wrong, this is not a cheaply constructed writing instrument, and from cap to tip, B2A1 Silver is quite the looker. I do however judge a pen by overall performance as well. As such, it is with some reservation that I recommend the Zebra B2A1 2 Color Multi Pen Silver.

(Update: I have since applied a rubber grip sleeve to the barrel which has now given this pen an upgraded rating of good).

Zebra SK - Sharbo + 1 2 Color 0.7 mm Ballpoint Multi Pen + 0.5 mm Pencil Black

2012-01-20T17:48:00.000-08:00

The Zebra SK - Sharbo + 1 Multi Pen Black, constructed from a quality black plastic material, delivers a thin, vivid ink line on paper. A three point multi pen, the SK Sharbo + 1 is a solidly built writing implement, and has comfortable gripping potential. Packing black and red 0.7 mm ink cartridges, SK Sharbo + 1 is as versatile as any multi pen, including its 0.5 mm lead holder to boot. The pen engages its functions by twisting the pocket clip in either direction, indicating below it which function is being engaged when pointing to the labeling posted there.

(Photos courtesy of Jet Pens)
Below that lies the rubber gripping section, which provides a comfortable zone for writing. When engaging the mechanical pencil, the lead is advanced by pressing down the knock mechanism on the pen cap. Beneath the cap resides a white eraser, of adequate size. After using the SK - Sharbo + 1 for a while, I find it a great pen for everyday use. It is light in weight, and has a girth which is substantial, perfect for writing lengthy narratives.

The Zebra SK - Sharbo + 1 Multi Pen is a solid performing writing instrument, as such I highly recommend it.

Muji Wooden Hexagonal Ballpoint Pen, 0.5 Natural

2012-01-13T17:51:00.000-08:00

The Muji Wooden Hexagonal Ballpoint Pen is an easy pen to like. It is however a bit diminutive in stature, especially for those with large hands. What compensates for the lack of girth and overall size, are several different attributes it possesses. First is its form factor. Being hexagonal in shape, allows easy gripping and easy hand paper coordination. Second, it is constructed from California cedar wood (incense cedar), which is placed around an aluminum core. Tip and knock mechanism are both constructed from light weight matte aluminum. This also contributes to the pen's comfortable gripping feel during the writing experience. The pen is very light weight, even lighter than a number two pencil of the same length. At 12.5 cm, it is less than average in size. It is the wood version of its brother, the Muji Aluminum Hexagonal Ballpoint. Also available as a mechanical pencil. This is a pen that is effortless to carry and even comfortable when writing narratives of some length.

(Photo courtesy of Muji)
When deconstructing, inside resides a 0.5 mm needle point cartridge. Currently both pen and cartridge are out of stock on Muji's web site. A problem that seems to be a recurring theme with Muji writing instruments. None the less, writing with this pen is more than efficient. It inks a rather thin line on paper, and the ink is not washed out, but appears vivid and clear. This pen is one that definitely gets used on a regular basis as it gets carried back and forth, and sits in an non-designated spot on my desk as well.

At $6.50, it is reasonably priced, and performs like a pen worth twice that amount. As such, I highly recommend the Muji Wooden Hexagonal Ballpoint Pen.

Ohto NBP - 507R Promecha Ballpoint Pen, Blue

2012-01-06T17:52:00.000-08:00

At first glance, the Ohto Promecha Ballpoint Pen appears to look much like a mechanical pencil. And indeed it does closely resemble its mechanical pencil Promecha brother. But don't let the knurled grip or the needle point tip fool you. This is a finely crafted aluminum body pen, and precision writing instrument.
Packing a 0.7mm needle point tip ink cartridge, Promecha delivers a thin, tight ink line. At 135mm in length, and a slender barrel diameter of 7.5mm, this pen is balanced and feels comfortable when applying to paper. Weighing in at 18 grams, Promecha is on the light weight side. None the less, it feels substantial when gripping to write on paper. The stainless steel knurled grip provides secure holding power, giving the writer a feeling of solid penmanship ability.

(Photo courtesy of iPen Store)
Promecha is available in four different colors, including: black, silver, gold and metallic blue, which I have chosen for review. The pen cap is matte silver. The knock mechanism working flawlessly when pressed to engage the ink cartridge. Below it resides a removable shiny chrome metal pocket clip, which adds to the pen's flare and appeal. To its side and further below, is the pen model and Ohto logo stamped in white. Moving down its barrel, next is the knurled stainless steel grip section. It is ribbed, allowing for an even better gripping ability when writing. Directly below lies the metal tip housing section which screws off to reveal the ink cartridge and spring.

What's interesting is how the tip section is made to look telescopic, narrowing to the cartridge needle point tip. This unique style feature sets Promecha apart from other needle point ballpoints indicative of its precision build and penning accuracy.

Writing with the Ohto Promecha is simply a pleasurable experience. It is a near perfect writing implement. Could it be improved at all? Probably. But presently, I can't think of any addons I would make. I personally like it as is. And to that end, I highly recommend the Ohto Promecha Ballpoint Pen.

Pilot Hi - Tec - C Slim Knock 0.4mm Gel Ink Pen

2011-12-30T17:54:00.000-08:00

Every now and then, I come across a pen that really just surpasses its appearance by leaps and bounds. The Pilot Hi - Tec - C Slim Knock 0.4mm Gel Ink Pen is one such pen.
A slim, compact plastic body, 4.75 inches, holds the coveted Hi-Tec - C 0.4mm Gel Ink cartridge, that simply glides on paper, not unlike an ice skater on an ice skating rink.

(Photo courtesy of Jet Pens)
Hi-Tec - C Slim Knock does one thing and does it exceptionally well. It lays down a nice thin, dark line on paper. While the body is a little too slim for my large hands, I still enjoy using this diminutive pen to write short, sprint - like paragraphs. Surprisingly, I wrote out this review using it and had no writers cramp afterwards. This is a pen I would keep in my pocket portfolio, in order to have on hand when I need to take notes or write down info at meetings, etc.

While not an overly fragile plastic pen, if I had my druthers, I would have Pilot produce an aluminum Slim Knock version, soon. I would even love to see Pilot consider a Multi Pen Slim Knock aluminum version, preferably a three point pen. I think that would strike a fancy with a lot of stylophiles.

But until then, I am content with using this little gem, which in case you hadn't guessed, I highly recommend!

Ohto Multi Pen Hexagonal Barrel 3 Points, Matte Black

2011-12-23T18:49:00.000-08:00

The Ohto Multi Pen Hexagonal Barrel 3 Points, Matte Black has a tactical defense weapon appeal to it. Maybe its the design combination of the hexagonal upper mid-section, blended with the lower round, sculpted grip section. All is covered with a matte black paint job. The only contrast being the white model label on its side, and the function indicators at the pen top. Also, the ribbed grip section has black glossy paint applied to each rib, which sort of detracts from the overall stealthiness of its ninja-like appearance.

(Photos courtesy of iPen Store)
Touted as a professional multi pen, and constructed from a brass material, it feels well balanced and substantial when holding. Its features include: a black fine 0.7mm needle point D1 cartridge, a red D1 of the same variety, and a 0.5 mm lead holder. The needle points are really effective when applying ink to paper, gliding smoothly, they bring out the best in my penmanship, and when filling out forms, makes the task an easy one. Even the lead holder performs quite the same without breaking lead during mid-stroke. There also lies a small eraser included under the pen cap.

The Ohto Multi Pen has a two step knock mechanism for engaging and retracting the pen's functions. It engages by pushing down its cap, and disengages by pressing a side release button, both operate flawlessly. The pen is deconstructed by unscrewing the hexagonal barrel section from the round barrel section. The brass threads have quite a solid feel when performing this task, confirming the quality of craftsmanship used in this pen's engineering. And while not designed to be a defense weapon, one gets the sense when holding it, that if need be, this pen could very well double as both a formidable tactical weapon, and an effective writing implement, all rolled in one.

The Ohto Multi Pen Hexagonal Barrel 3 Points is somewhat of a cult pen, due to its unusual design, and its elusive availability, at least here in the U.S. Its been seen available on several websites, including Ebay. Available in red, silver, gunmetal, glossy black, and of course matte black. The D1 fine 0.7mm needle point cartridges are available in black, blue and red, to my knowledge.

The Ohto Multi Pen Hexagonal Barrel 3 Points is clearly a pen that I could get used to calling on for a number of writing tasks. Its a versatile writing instrument, with the potential to do duty if needed as a defense weapon as well. As such, I highly recommend it.

Swan Neck Pen

2011-12-16T18:09:00.000-08:00

I have wanted to review the Swan Neck Pen for sometime now. Ever since I reviewed the Yoropen and several readers commented that they really preferred the Swan Neck Pen over Yoropen because they said it is constructed more specifically for the left hand writer. So I was curious why there was such loyalty to this particular writing instrument.

So I emailed M.A.D. Associates, Ltd. in the U.K. and asked for a sample to review. I soon received a reply from Heather, a M.A.D. Associate, who agreed to send me a Swan Neck Pen for review.
Well, I have been using the Swan Neck Pen for over a week now and have some interesting results to share.

First, let me thank Heather and the M.A.D. Associates, Ltd. for sending me their latest version of the Swan Neck Pen in both the yellow plastic variety, and the chrome plated aluminum model.
The aluminum model came in a very lovely black presentation box, complete with white satin lining inside. The M.A.D. Associates, Ltd. emblem and web address was stamped on the upper lid. The two plastic versions I received came adhered to a promotional ad which bills Swan Neck as "the logical writing solution." Swan Neck employs a patented "S" bend tip and rubberized ergonomic grip. This gives the pen an angle and holding advantage, allowing the writer to see his / her writing in real time. Swan Neck inventor Anthony Hemmings developed this innovation as a result of his left hand daughter Amy's hand-writing challenges. After years of hard work and investment, Anthony and friend Mike, along with Dillion and recent M.A.D. Associates addition Heather, have brought to fruition Swan Neck Pen's worldwide launch. So, let's take a look at this innovative, left hand friendly writing tool.

The chrome plated aluminum model of Swan Neck has an industrial, minimilistic appeal and is thin and stealthy looking in appearance. The pen measures 14 cm capped, and is not of substantial weight. The cap is constructed of black plastic, and has a somewhat delicate pocket clip attached. The tip of the pocket clip comes to an open end, undoubtedly for child safety reasons. At the lower barrel portion, lies the rubber grip sleeve which is well made and is ribbed for extra holding potential. Below it lies the "S" bend that extends to the ink cartridge tip. What is interesting about writing with this pen is its learning curve. That mainly has to do with how the writer HOLDS the pen. That said, writing with it is pleasurable, and not at all a chore. As a left hand writer, I really appreciate Swan Neck's ability to allow me, the writer, visibility of my written text during the writing experience. The ink cartridge is a ballpoint, but is smooth, and not at all scratchy when putting pen to paper. However, if I had my druthers, I would employ a gel ink cartridge for this pen type, including a darker, more striking black ink color as well.

So, how does Swan Neck stack up with Yoropen? It's the "S" bend versus the "Z" bend in the Yoropen. It's also the tightly fitting rubber grip with ribbed sides on the Swan Neck versus the thick rotatable rubber grip of Yoropen. These seem to be the main deciding features of commonality that each share. Well in my humble opinion, it's really a matter of individual preference, based on comfortability. I can see how the average 12 - 13 year old left hand writer may feel more comfortable holding the Swan Neck, as it has a smaller diameter at its grip section. While an adult with larger hands might enjoy the thickness Yoropen's grip possesses.

I personally find Swan Neck enjoyable and comfortable to use on a regular basis, especially when writing narratives, as the fatigue factor is minimalized. It will definitely have a well deserved place in my collection's daily rotation. I highly recommend the Swan Neck Pen.

Pilot Frixion Ball Knock Retractable Gel Ink Pen 0.5mm Black

2011-12-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

At first glance, Pilot's Frixion Ball Knock Retractable Gel Ink Pen just appears to be a plastic bodied pen with a funny looking semi clear rubber cap at its top and a clear plastic pocketclip to round it off. However, that would be totally misleading.
This pen is one of Pilot's best designed, and technically constructed writing instruments to date. A thoroughly thought-thru executed pen, Frixion makes for a versatile, go to writing implement.

While examining this pen from head to toe, the first thing to note is the rubber tip at the pen's top. Exposed, the hard rubber tip allows easy access when needing to do something not possible with an average pen. Erase your hand written ink entry! This is made possible by Pilot employing a thermo-sensitive ink that erases when rubbed out by the rubber tip. Pilot says the ink will reappear when temperature reaches below 14 degrees fahrenheit. I have not put this to the test, so I'll take Pilot's word for it on this claim.

Moving down the pen body, a clear pocketclip doubles as the knock mechanism that allows the ink cartridge tip to retract. The clip is not necessarily strurdy looking, but appears to do the job quite efficiently. On the side of the clip is the stamp: "Frixion ball 0.5," indicating the size of the ink cartridge tip. Cartridges are also available in the 0.7 mm variety. Additionaly, pen bodies are available in ten different colors. As well as a stainless steel model. Continuing, below the clip is the Pilot Frixion logo. Along the backside is a barcode and several lines of writing in Japanese. Right below lies the grip section which works quite nicely and allows writing with this pen an effortless exercise. Being a gel ink pen, it literally glides on paper, and the ink dries quite promptly, and a very dark black color.

The barrel separates at the grip section and unscrews to reveal the ink cartridge which is of substantial size. As a complete unit Frixion delivers, and in a very convincing way. Available at Jetpens.com, for $3.80, it is more than worth the cost. I highly recommend the Pilot Frixion Ball Knock Retractable Gel Ink Pen.

Schrade Tactical Fountain / Ballpoint Pen

2011-12-02T21:48:00.000-08:00

Schrade's Tactical Fountain / Ballpoint Pen is a finely machined, versatile writing tool that doubles as a tactical defense weapon. After using it for a while, there seems to be a lot to like about it, so I will highlight what is noteworthy to me.

What's immediately apparent about this pen is how well constructed it truly is. Made with aircraft aluminum, the pen is quite sturdy and solid. The pen's design is reminiscent of a Star Trek, Dr. Who device that catches attention immediately. It is available in three colors; bronze, black, and silver. I received the bronze pen for review. When capped, the pen is 14.5 cm, but when the cap is posted, it is right at 18 cm. Very long indeed!
The pen comes with several different components that comprise its multi-functionality. The fountain pen cap, ballpoint pen cap, pen cap, ballpoint pen ink cartridge, and fountain pen cartridge. All assemble and disassemble quite easily by screwing them on and off without a hitch. When capped, the bottom of the pen exposes the tactical body business end of the pen.

The fountain pen nib is of the medium tip variety, and inks as smoothly as they come. German made, the nib is stamped "iridium point Germany" on its face. When capped, this pen presents quite a formidable looking appearance. You might have some trouble getting it through airport security gates.
The ballpoint glides on paper and inks a very black ink color. It is very comfortable when holding during the writing experience. Its ribbed sides allow easy gripping, without the creeping issues of some aluminum pens. It swaps out quite easily with the fountain pen component screwing on and off as needed.
Using this pen proved to be an intriguing writing experience. I don't know if I'll ever need the tactical edge to defend myself with, but its good to know it is there, just in case.
I highly recommend the Schrade Tactical Fountain / Ballpoint Pen.

Rustico Everyday Leather Pocket Journal

2011-11-25T20:49:00.000-08:00

The Rustico Everyday Leather Pocket Journal is perfect for carrying in your backpack or messenger bag. At 3.5" by 5.0", its size makes it the right choice for taking just about anywhere.

The journals are handcrafted by the Rustico Leather Company and sold online through the Jenni Bick Bookbinding Company .
They come in two sizes, 3.5" x 3.5" and 3.5" x 5.0". Made from top grain leather, the journals come in Bomber Jacket, Buckskin and Saddle color leather. The journals have 100 leaf pages of acid-free unlined paper. It has a leather strap that wraps around the journal twice and then its end tucks under to secure the leather cover closed.

I like the distressed brown leather cover called the "Bomber Jacket." I actually have a Bomber Jacket that matches this journal to a "T". However, my Bomber Jacket is constructed from a better quality leather. And it does not mark up as easily as the journal does. That said, I believe that over time,

the marks will add character to the journal's look. The leather strip in the middle, is comparable to a belt around the journal body.

When writing on the journal's paper, I used my Lamy Nexx M Fountain Pen, and the ink didnot bleed thru at all. If you like rugged rustic leather bound journals, the Rustico Everyday Leather Pocket Journal presents a convincing case.
I highly recommend it.

Muji Aluminum Round Fountain Pen

2011-11-18T18:47:00.001-08:00

Muji's Aluminum Round Fountain Pen is the sibling to Muji's Aluminum Round Pen. Its width is wider at 1cm, but the height is the same at 13.5 cm. The finish on its aluminum alloy barrel is a total matte finish which gives it very sound grip when writing, despite having a knurled grip section.

I actually like the thicker body, a it feels more substantial when holding to write. The nib is of the fine variety, and inks a nice thin line on paper. The black ink is a very rich color, quite impressionable. Muji's website lists the ink cartridges as out of stock, so buying them is with some uncertainty. Not previously a big user of fountain pens, I find writing with this one quite a pleasurable experience. This pen compliments its sibling in that regard as well.

It also maintains a minimalistic, clean, utilitarian appeal, equal to the aluminum round pen. However, when doing a side by side comparison of pen meeting paper, I find Muji's aluminum fountain pen the top performer of the two. This is a writing implement I could really get used to calling on for a wide variety of writing tasks, As such, I highly recommend the Muji Aluminum Round Fountain Pen.

Pilot Hi-Tec - C - Coleto Smart 4 Color Gel Ink Multi - Pen

2011-11-10T18:48:00.001-08:00

This is the Pilot Hi - Tec - C Coleto in a metallic gray body. I wanted to review this member of the Hi - Tec- C family of pens based on its multi functionality. Also, I wanted to look at the 0.4 mm ink cartridge's performance.
Now, I'm sure this pen has been reviewed quite a bit, so hopefully I can share with you some of my highlights that prove to present different aspects of this pen, if you will.
I ordered the pen from Jetpens.com which I am really impressed with the rapid delivery time they strive to maintain. I received the pen in three days. That's amazing! They definitely have a repeat customer here!

Let me start by saying, I really love writing with this pen. I find the needle point, combined with gel ink a real enjoyment to use. I ordered the 0.4 mm ink cartridges for my pen. They are not at all scratchy on paper, and the ink dries very fast. I also think using the Hi-Tec - C Coleto has improved my penmanship. I mean honestly, I don't want to stop writing with this pen. Along with the metallic gray pen body, I ordered black, blue - black, brown, and 0.5 mm pencil component as my ink color choices.

Later on, I will order additional color ink cartridges to try out. The one which really grabbed my attention was the brown. Not having experienced writing with brown ink before, I found it a pleasant change. This color is a definite keeper. The blue - black ink has quite the business appeal to it, and makes that sort of business-like statement on paper. And of course, black is black, but this has quite a rich black hue on paper, I must say. The 0.5 mm pencil component also delivered a nice rich colored lead line, not washed out like some lead holders.

The pen body is constructed of a light weight plastic material. However, it does not feel cheap at all. And more importantly, it does not creep when writing. The metallic gray color has a definite business appeal to it. This is a pen I feel comfortable using in my work environment as it writes well and looks fantastic, all in one.
There are no complaints about the Hi - Tec -C Coleto. It delivers a pleasing writing experience, and I highly recommend it.

ACME Multi-Functional Pen 4FP Daytona

2011-11-03T18:43:00.000-07:00

When I first saw ACME's four function 4FP Daytona Multi Pen, what intrigued me was its artistic appointments and sleek design. Like its name, Daytona, it reminded me of an aerodynamically built yellow race car. After using it for a while, my conclusion is that it is both a beautiful work of art and a well crafted writing implement.

Touted as the "world's thinnest 4 function pen," Daytona is a member of ACME's larger family of four function Multi Pens. All are works of art unto themselves, but the Daytona grabbed my attention the most.

Background
ACME Studio was founded by Adrian Olabuenaga and his wife Lesley Bailey in 1985. During this time, they introduced a collection of jewelry in the Los Angeles area. In 1997, ACME released its first collection of fine writing tools. Always on the cutting edge of design, ACME's writing tools revolutionized a new concept in the pen industry. Having collaborated with hundreds of top designers over the years, ACME has secured a place in both the pen industry as well as the design industry.

Description
The ACME 4FP Daytona is constructed from a light weight aluminum alloy. It is then hand painted with fine lacquer paint. The pen is 14 cm long and 5/16'' in diameter. Quite slender I must say. It comes packaged in a distinctive slender metal case with a black ACME sleeve. I really like the contrast between the bright yellow and the matte gray paint that covers the top and bottom ends of the barrel. From bumper to bumper, one might say.

In the middle of the pen body there lies a four function labeled chrome ring. Its job is to synchroniously work in conjunction with the pen's inner gravity mechanism for shifting from one function to the next. It works flawlessly. Simply engage a function by holding the pen horizontally and look at the function needed, press the knock down cap and your there! These four functions include: an orange highlighter, 0.7 mm lead holder, white PDA Stylus, and D-1 mini black ink cartridge. Additionally, the pen cap holds a white rubber eraser.

It is at its center that Daytona 4FP is disassembled by unscrewing its bottom half. This reveals its four function cartridges. At first glance, I found it amazing how such a slim pen body could house all four implements. But examining each cartridge reveals how slim and toothpick like each really is. For the ink cartridge, that means purchasing five at a time.

Performance
This pen is simply a joy to use. What a solid performer it is! It glides quite smoothly, inking a nice thin line on paper. The Daytona really feels comfortable when writing. I was concerned about the pen's creeping potential, but that has not proved to be a problem. The highlighter has a strong orange color on paper. When you want to place emphasis in a narrative, use it, its quite effective.
The stylus works like a charm with my PDA, but does not work on any other touch screens. The lead holder is of the 0.7 mm variety. I really prefer multi pens with this size lead. It never breaks during the writing experience.

The ACME 4FP Daytona Multi Pen is a solid performer as well as an amazing work of art. I highly recommend it.

Muji Hexagonal Ballpoint Pen

2011-10-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

Rather diminutive, slim in stature, and constructed from matte silver aluminum material, Muji's Hexagonal Ballpoint Pen delivers. Like its brother, the Muji Round Ballpoint Pen, it is minimalistic, with no mention of the Muji name in sight, apart from its build commonality.

Normally, pens this slim don't provide me with the comfort needed to write for extended periods, however this pen, because of its six-sided form factor, allows me to re-adjust when needed in order to comfortably continue writing without pause.

Its ink cartridge is of the 0.7mm variety, with a needle point tip. This gives the pen the ability to ink thinly on paper, flow smoothly and glide with ease.
The pen disassembles by unscrewing the tip crest at the bottom of the barrel, thereby exposing the ink cartridge. It is a rather thin refill, and as previously mentioned, constructed with a needlepoint. Because Muji's website lists both the pen and the cartridge as "out of stock," purchasing refills is with some uncertainty. As with the Muji Round Aluminum Pen, if anyone knows where refills can be purchased, please let me know.

Thusly, I am enjoying the use of the Muji Hexagonal Ballpoint Pen with some immensity, and as such, I highly recommend it.

The Ultimate Geek Pen

2011-10-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

The Ultimate Geek Pen has quite a lot going on. With a name like that, it would have to. It touts five devices in one pen body. I shall breakdown each of them with a close focus on the most noteworthy.

The Ultimate Geek Pen has a sort of novelty / gadget appeal to it. As an offering by the Neato Shop, and manufactured in China for Accoutrements, LLC., it focuses on its ability to provide multiple light sources in one instrument. Let's see what all the hoopla is about. Including its writing performance.

Measuring 13cm, the Geek is rather short in stature. A matte silver color, with shiny silver appointments, it is rather light in weight, being constructed from a light weight aluminum material. All of the light sources occupy the upper half of the pen body. Powered by three LR41 Button Cell batteries, the first light source is the Laser Pointer. Activated by pressing the top button on the pen's side, it produces a strong red beam, that of a class IIIa laser product, putting out 5mw, more than adequate for hours of presentation use or playing with the cat. Next is the UV Light, which can be used to detect counterfeit bills. It is activated by pressing the button below the first. Now this light produces a bright blue light, and I will take Geek's designers word that it actually does what it says, for I fortunately or unfortunately have not put this feature to the test. However it is there for your using pleasure. When you press the same button a second time, the goose neck flashlight is activated. It shines a rather powerful LED light when needing to write in low light environments, or if you simply need a flashlight to illuminate the dark. This feature for me proves to be quite impressive.

Now as we move to the lower half of the pen barrel, at the tip lies the ink cartridge tip and the stylus tip. A twist to the right engages the ink cartridge. I found its inking ability adequate when applied to paper. It was a bit scratchy, but produced a nice thin line when writing. Ink dried rather quickly on paper. My problem with it was the creeping nature of the pen barrel when writing. It would prove really a chore when writing with this pen for extended periods. Twist to the left and the stylus is engaged. When employing it to my Palm PDA, it too performed adequately, again creeping when writing Graffiti. That said, this is a gadget pen that can be more resourceful for its light sources, and when writing short notes in darkly lit environments.

The Ultimate Geek Pen can be purchased at the neatoshop.com for $9.45 plus shipping. Apart from its creeping issues when writing, It's a useful gadget to have, with useful features, and I recommend it.

Messograf Caliper Ballpoint Pen

2011-10-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

The Messograf Caliper Ballpoint Pen was designed and handcrafted by the Cleo Skribent Company, founded by Herbert Wurach. In 1945, production began in Brandenburg Bad Wilsneck, Germany, in a simple backyard garage workshop, and later expanded, selling their handcrafted, unique writing instruments to the global market. In 1999, the company introduced the Messograf Caliper Pen, and since then the firm and its product offerings have greatly expanded.

Design
The Messograf Caliper Ballpoint Pen is constructed from Chromium plated brass. It feels and looks really good and comfortable when holding in your hand. It is not as heavy as I suspected, but a bit top heavy as the caliper occupies that end of the pen's body. Speaking of the pen body, it is a four-sided diamond shape, with grooves on two opposing sides for the bottom half of the caliper to travel the length of the pen body to the crest of the tip. Attached to the caliper is the tire tread gauge, doubling as a pocketclip, it travels down the pen body to the tip crest where the gauge scale resides.

The pen has a silent, but solid retracting mechanism at its top. The top is a matte silver color, and operates flawlessly. The caliper sits directly below. This measuring instrument does the job quite accurately. Indicating measurement in both millimeter and inches, the caliper operates as a legitimate measuring tool.

On the lower half of the caliper attached to its side, is the tire tread gauge. Its scale is at the bottom section of the pen body. When looking at the Messograf initially, I thought it was a pocketclip, and it actually doubles as just that. Another feature is the thread scale, a measurement ruler for machinist needing to bore threads and determine the spatial distance between each thread.

Lastly is the pen's performance. Employing a large capacity, international Swiss made ink cartridge, this ballpoint inks rather smoothly. For me, because its body is chrome, it tends to creep when gripping and applying to paper for extended periods. Also, its top heavy anatomy is not conducive for long term writing.
That said, it is an easy user for short notes, and for use in a workshop environment, its intended locale.

Personally, I really enjoy using this pen in my workshop. It is very durable and well made. It has useful measurement tools on its landscape, and has become a practical addition to my toolbox. As such, I highly recommend the Messograf Caliper Ballpoint Pen.

Yoropen Superior Ergonomic Ballpoint Pen

2011-10-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

In my never ending search for unusual, creatively designed writing instruments, and being a left-handed writer, what attracted me to the Yoropen initially was its totally ergonomic design. Lefties generally have a tendency to drag their hand across paper as the pen leads the way. The ergonomics of the Yoropen allow you to grip it in such a way, that you circumvent the drag effect when writing.

It touts a tripod rubber grip that supports hand rotation when writing. It has finger support, so when finger angles change, writing strain is reduced. It allows visual space, making it easier to see what your writing.

Created by Bao Shen Liu in Taiwan, he set out to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of conventional writing instruments. Mr. Liu realized, from his research, that a change in the angle that the pen meets the paper could make it more user friendly. His result is the Yoropen. The Yoropen comes in three varieties: Standard, Superior, and Executive. For this review, I am examining the Superior model.

Design
The architecture of the Superior Yoropen is very unusual and quite interesting. Constructed of black plastic, with a thick triangular rubber grip toward the tip, what's obvious is that this pen was designed with cursive writing in mind. And one of its focal points is the left-handed writer. At 15 cm long uncapped, the pen is quite lengthy. The tip, as well as the narrowing body, makes it reminiscent of a calligraphy pen. The pen has a comfortable feel when gripping, and its construction allows you to have a better visual angle when pushing it across paper.

My Yoropen has a black ink medium tip cartridge and inks smoothly on paper, drying rather quickly. I would have liked to see Yoropen employ a needle point cartridge, possibly of the 0.5 mm variety. That would compliment its design quite nicely. That aside, the pen delivers. The rubber grip can be adjusted by turning it as needed to increase your grip comfort level.

When deconstructing the Yoropen, the ink cartridge has a "Z" shape in order to acomodate the pen barrel. It is secured by a plastic tip holder that screws into the pen body. It goes in and exits quite easily regardless of its shape.

All in all, I find this pen quite user friendly, and more importantly left-hand user friendly.
I highly recommend the Yoropen Superior Ergonomic Ballpoint Pen.

RIP Steve Jobs

2011-10-05T17:45:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs passed today and will truly be missed. He left a legacy with Apple technology and for that will always be remembered. Thank you Steve for changing the way we live.

Fjader Capped Black Chrome Ballpoint Pen

2011-09-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

Fjader (pronouned "Fader") means feather in Swedish and this pen's unique shape resembles a feather. Weighing in at 10 grams, it is almost as light as a feather. The unique shape is also ergonomic which gives this pen a very comfortable grip when writing.

Developed by Gustav Innovation, launched in 2008, Fjader sought to bring an offering to the market that spoke elegance, beauty, and ergonomic styling.

Enter the Fjader Capped Ballpoint Pen. Available in three colors: black, red, and white, the pen comes in the rollerball variety as well as the desk model with stand.
For this review, I will focus on the capped black chrome offering.

Design
The Fjader Capped Ballpoint is ergonomically constructed. The feather plume body design is made from a hard rubber material. A chrome metal tip forms the business end of the pen. This section is triangular in form, connecting with the the rubber section, and then tapering off into a narrowing section that ends sharply to a tip. Being a lefthanded writer, I appreciate the inward curve it takes at about 1.5 cm upward from the chrome tip. It allows my thumb to comfortably sit in the curve, while my index finger rides naturally on top. The rubber body allows natural gripping to be accomplished with ease. On the bottom end, close to the chrome, is a logo, "G" with a crown. The "G" is for Gustav Innovation, the creator of Fjader Pens.

When deconstructing this pen, the chrome section unclips fom the rubber body, revealing the ink cartridge held within. It is a medium tip, with http://www.gustavinnovation.com/ branded on its side. I am not a big fan of how it inks on paper. It has a sort of generic, non-distinct color, sort of washed out. I am considering swapping it out with a Lamy m21 refill. Performance on such an ergonomically designed implement simply needs to have the best performance mechanism within.
With that, I believe the Fjader would become a very smooth writing implement.
I give this pen an average performance recommendation, with a high recommendation on overall design.

Muji Aluminum Ballpoint Pen 0.7mm

2011-09-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

There's only one word to initially describe the Muji Aluminum Ballpoint Pen 0.7mm at first glance. Wow!
I know its been reviewed before, but there is a feel that this pen has when holding it between your fingers and writing that needs to be explained in your own words.

Design
This pen, designed by the Japanese based company, Muji, is definitely minimalistic and utilitarian. It is a matte silver color, constructed of a light weight aluminum metal. No where on the pen boby will you find the Muji name. Interesting. At 13.5cm, the pen is average in size and slim in width, and very eye appealing.

The tip is a needle point, 0.7mm ink cartridge. This cartridge is one of the largest I have seen to date, more on it later. Moving upward, the barrel begins with a knurled grip section which feels secure when gripping the pen between your fingers. It also adds to the eye appeal of this amazing writing implement.

The remainder of the barrel continues cylindrically to the top where things become even more interesting. At the top is a recessed inner section that holds the pocketclip / cap section of this rollerball pen, allowing you to post the cap. Initially when posted, the cap held firmly in place. However, after removing and reposting over a period of several days, the cap loosened when posted. Muji could have avoided this issue by simply machining screw threads within the recessed area.

When deconstructed, what is obviously apparent is the enormous size of the ink cartridge. It is of such proportion, it gives the impression the barrel was designed to accomodate it first and not the other way around. An ink cartridge holder, if you will.

Performance
This pen glides across paper and produces a nice thin ink line. I love the needle point cartridge, but fear non-availability may be an issue in the future. If there is someone reading this who knows of comparable substitute cartridges for this pen, please let me know.

Meanwhile, I will continue enjoying using this finely crafted, beautiful work of art. I highly recommend the Muji Aluminum Ballpoint Pen 0.7mm.

Pilot Hi - Tec C Coleto Lumio 4 Color Multi Pen

2011-09-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

After reading several reviews, I was sort of intrigued with the Pilot Hi - Tec C Coleto Lumio Multi Pen.
It has a rather slim form factor, and can house four writing implements within its barrel. It gives you the option of adding different color ink cartridges plus a 0.5mm mechanical pencil.

Jetpens.com calls the Hi - Tec C Coleto Lumio: " a business color line of plastic bodies in metallic shades for the workplace."

Jet Pens sells the body separately from the ink cartridges which you then opt to purchase based on your choice of color and ink tip size. This allows you to really customize the pen to suit your needs. It currently comes in three colors; black, silver and blue. I purchased the matte black version which has a business appeal and feels great when writing.

My caveat would be, I would add a rubber grip onto the lower barrel to give it a more secure feel. But that is my preference.

Jet Pens gives you the option of purchasing 0.4mm or 0.5mm ink cartridges. I chose all 0.5mm tips. Of course in time, I may decide to switch out ink cartridges. This pen is very light weight, but has a professional look and feel. It inks smoothly on paper and the ink cartridges change rather easily from one to the other
when the plunger of each is employed.

When purchasing the total ensemble of pen body, ink cartridges and pencil, the total cost came to $21.00 plus shipping. When I look at that price point, I have to ask was it worth it? After using the pen for several weeks, here is my response.

The Hi - Tec C Coleto Lumio has several features which make the value of this pen noteworthy.
First is the employment of gel ink cartridges. The use of gel ink really upgrades the writing experience of this pen. This pen glides quite smoothly across paper. It allows virtually effortless use. The fact that you can switch from 0.4 to 0.5 mm cartridges and/or have them housed side-by-side evens up the versatality of this pen by leaps and bounds. I only wish this pen was constructed from a better quality of plastic. It has a somewhat fragile feel to it when gripping. The plungers also feel rather flimsy when switching from one cartridge to another. I don't know how many bumps and bruises this pen can take before breaking.
This is not a pen I feel comfortable carrying in my pants pocket on a daily basis back and forth to work.
I would worry about it potentially breaking during transport. But it is a great desk pen. A pen to write letters, blogs and figure out bills with.

So in conclusion, I give the Pilot Hi - Tec C Coleto Lumio a Good recommendation overall, with a High recommendation on performance.

Coast LED Lenser- LL7590 Write & Light Pen Flashlight

2011-09-09T17:50:00.000-07:00

I'm a fan of Coast flashlights; so when I saw the Coast LED Lenser- LL7590 Write & Light Pen Flashlight, I thought it appeared to be an interesting tool / writing instrument.

Let me start by saying, this pen is very well constructed. Coast maintains a reputation for producing quality products across the board. Delivered in a metal gift box, this pen has elegance and heft to a quite stylish looking implement. Made from brass with nickle alloy coating, the pen measures 12.5 cm in length, somewhat short in stature. At the tip, a simple twist engages / disengages the 0.7 mm ink cartridge. Above is a cylinder with finger grip ridges which covers most of the bottom half of the pen barrel. The pen is a matte silver with the Coast logo along the upper side of the barrel.

At the top of the barrel, the pocketclip protects the photon tube reflector micro tech switch for turning the flashlight on and off. This switch has two different flash frequencies. An initial flashing light, then it speeds up to a faster flash, and when pressed a third time remains constantly on. I personally don't know of too many instances when I would employ the first two features, with the exception of an emergency situation.
That said, it legitimizes the flashlight as an essential component of the LED Lenser Write & Light. The flashlight employs Nichia LEDs, powered by four AG5, 1.5Volt batteries which have 110 hours of run time. It should be stated, these batteries are somewhat difficult to find. I have only found them on several websites, and they have a tendency to be out of stock at times. While this is not a deal breaker, it does present an issue should the websites or stores discontinue carrying them alltogether.

The Write & Light, it should be noted, is an either/or tool. Because the pen and flashlight occupy either end of the body, you can either choose to write with the pen or employ use of the flashlight, not both at once in the way of working synchroniously, ala the Pilots Pen. This sort of really asks one to understand their reasoning for having this pen. For me, it is having the duo ability of pen and light at my fingertips. I can find my way at night from my car to my house and open the door quite easily using the very bright light source offered by this pen. Additionally, the ink cartridge, with a medium tip, literally glides across paper, making this a writing implement of choice.

At $20.00, I find it a worthy addition to my pen collection, if I can only keep it in batteries. Therefore, I recommend the Coast LED Lenser- LL7590 Write & Light Pen Flashlight.

Rotring Trio Silver Multi Pen

2011-09-02T20:42:00.000-07:00

I've enjoyed using Rotring pens for years, and like some of my other pens, they come and they go. The main thing I liked about Rotring pens back then was the quality of the craftsmanship put into each and every pen. The Rotring Trio I had a long time ago had heft to it. When I held it in my hand, it felt substantial. The ink cartridge inked strong vivid colors of ink. The blacks were really black, the blues really blue, and the red really bright red.

The current Rotring Trio does not in my humble opinion have that same quality. It feels rather light weight and cheap. I know that Rotring has been through some company changes over the last thirteen years, but their history speaks to their dedication in supporting the needs of the technical community, particularly in Germany where they were started. Rotring was a name associated with precision, technical innovation and high-end functionality. Rotring launched its first multi pen in 1935. The combination of one pencil and two colored pens in one instrument was an innovation Rotring placed in the then market. The red ring meant something then. The company expanded until their quality products were world reknown. The same quality that went into their $200 pens, went into their $20 pens. Indeed Rotring was one of the companys along with Pilot, that sold me on the idea of multi pens.

The Rotring Trio multi pen is truly a disappointment. It has none of the quality appointments found in other Rotring multi pens. It feels like an afterthought. Your hands slip down the barrel when gripping the pen to write. The ink looks rather washed out on paper, not rich and full colored. The pen has definite rattle when shaking it. Now don't get me wrong, I love the Tikky 3 in 1, the 600, the Rapid Pro, the Axtension Quattro Data Multi Pen, but that is not what the Trio is. It is virtually a chore to write with this pen. I am considering hijacking the ink cartridges and replacing them with Lamy M 21s, just to help the pen flow.

So, in conclusion, this pen really underwhelmed me as a huge Rotring fan for years. I cannot recommend the Rotring Trio Multi Pen even at the $10.00 price tag.

Tombow Airpress Ballpoint Pen

2011-08-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

I know this pen has been reviewed several times already, one by Brad of Pen Addict Blog, but I just had to add my two cents, because it is one of those unusual feature having writing instruments. Oh, and for all the Multi Pen fans out there, no I haven't stopped reviewing them, instead I am giving props to pens with special features which enhance the writing experience. I promise to resume the reviews of Multi Pens real soon.

However, the Tombow Airpress is one of those pens that should have special mention, for more than one reason.

First, it has a rubber barrel, which speaks to it being an all-weather and go anywhere writing instrument. It just feels comfortable in your hand when writing. I mean this pen deserves to be in my messenger bag, really! The other thing about this pen is the employment of an air pressure plunger/cap which when pressed, allows the writer to write in virtually any position; ala the Fisher Space Pen. It's a little short, 12 cm, but that can be an advantage depending on where you want to carry it. It has a thickness that I like, which feels substantial when holding this pen. It also has a small window on the side which allows one to see the Airpress in action. Quite cool!

Airpress also has a spring-loaded pocketclip that allows it to be attached just about anywhere. In addition, it has a lanyard ring built in the top side, allowing one to tie rings/cord to the user or user's equipment. The finger grip section has black plastic stripes which provide both an aesthetically pleasing attraction to the pen design, and allows a better grip angle when writing.

Performance -

Tombow Airpress has a 0.7 mm tip that delivers a very smooth thin writing line when pen meets paper. And because of the rubber grip, combined with its thick build, Airpress won't tire your fingers out if writing for extended periods. This is truly a remarkable little pen! It may not be a multi pen, but its functionality is so superb, that I highly recommend the Tombow Airpress Ballpoint Pen!

Moleskine Classic Rollerball Black Fine Tip

2011-08-19T22:28:00.000-07:00

I know that Diane from Pocket Blonde blog reviewed this pen, which is where I first saw it and thought it to be quite an unusual looking writing instrument. It reminded me of a carpenter pencil, like Diane commented in her review. But the designer took the carpenter's pencil concept to a whole other level. So after I read her review I decided to see if what I thought was going on, was indeed going on. And indeed it is!

First off, let me thank Diane for introducing me to this truly remarkable writing instrument. Shortly after her review, I ordered one and it came in the mail a few days later. As I had just recently purchased a Moleskine journal, I felt this pen would sort of compliment it. Sort of - huh! Yeah, like a hand in a glove. This pen was made to go with Moleskine Journals. I mean literally. The cap has a very uniquely designed pocketclip. One that wraps around the edge of your Moleskine Journal and attaches itself there like an appendage. What a concept! Oh and did I mention the pocketclip is constructed of a rubber material that grips to the journal and will not accidently slide off its edge. Truly a thought - through design concept.

The barrel is costructed from a high quality matte black plastic that feels rather comfortable when holding. The rectangular shape actually feels rather comfortable as well when placing pen on paper. It's an organic feeling - like its suppose to be rectangular in shape. The ink cartridge tip is of the 0.5mm variety, and is also available in the 0.7mm variety. It contains a gel ink that appears wet when first spotting on paper, but dries rather quickly, I find. I felt the tip was a little scratchy when I first started writing. But I got used to the feeling. The pen asks you to sort of relax your grip and not to choke up as low on the barrel when writing. A learning curve, if you will. When I deconstructed the pen, inside I found a rather long spring at the top where the pen unscrews to reveal its inner workings. That spring was followed by the longer ink cartridge. The cartridge appears to have longevity capacity - a writer's pen!

My overall impression of the Moleskine Classic Rollerball is that Moleskine knocked it completely out the park with this one! Simplistic, yet classy. In addition, there is a silver metal edition, as well as pencils of the same quality and build. I can easily see having the entire family in my collection.

At $14.95 its definitely a steal. I highly recommend the Moleskine Classic Rollerball fine tip pen.

Fisher Bullet Space Pen Matte Black with clip

2011-08-12T20:47:00.000-07:00

Out of all the pens in my collection, the Fisher Bullet Pen is the workhorse of the lot. It stays in my pants pocket regardless of any other pen(s) I choose to carry for the day.

Fisher Space Pens were first on the scene in 1948. Created by Paul C. Fisher for astronauts in the NASA Space Program. They arre of slim build; made from anodized aluminum and have a gas pressurized, hermetically sealed, thixotropic ink cartridge that can write in virtually any position, through grease, including underwater, and many other adverse environmental conditions.

I have used Fisher Bullet Pens for over a decade, and unless they were lost, and some were, they have always proven their worth. I prefer a pocketclip on my pen, as it circumvents it from rolling off a flat surface. When the pen is posted it is 13 cm long. When capped, 9 cm, about two thirds that length. The matte black allows a firmer grip when writing, and the ink cartridge glides smoothly across paper. I am currently using the black fine tip cartridge, which I prefer, which cost $5.00 from Fisher Space Pen, Boulder City, NV.

The pen's lower half tightly screws on and off, and has a rubber O ring which seals the cartridge quite well within the barrel shaft.

The pen is perfectly balanced when writing. and smoothly inks on paper, drying instantly without feathering. I think the fine tip allows you to place written text more precisely and accurately on any page or form. I find the rather wide ink cartridge barrel lasts for extended periods even when using on a daily basis. When deconstructing the pen, what is apparent is how finely machined the barrel is. The bottom half holds the ink cartridge in a spring loaded fashion; and provides very little wiggle room when top and bottom halves are secured.

A timeless writing instrument, the Fisher Bullet Space Pen comes in an array of colors and styles. I have several different styles and colors, but the matte black remains my favorite. With pocketclip, it can be purchased online at various websites for approximately $20.00. It comes highly recommended and well deserving.

The Pilots Pen

2011-08-05T18:51:00.000-07:00

Ever flown in the cockpit of a twin engine Cessna? It can get a little dark in there at night, even with the provided overhead light. How about a U H1 Huey Helicopter, doing an air rescue and recovery operation at night? No, you say. Trust me, when your trying to write inflight notes, or intel, you want to get it down as precise as possible. The Pilots Pen allows you to do just that. It is constructed of a black anodized aluminum barrel, of some quality, with a clear plastic tip area that screws off to reveal an inner mechanism that houses two LED bulbs, rated at 100,000 hours of life, and which sandwiches the pen cartridge in between.

The bulbs are powered by a single AAA battery that sits in the upper barrel chamber, and is controlled by an on/off switch on the pen cap.
When I received the pen in the mail, it came in a white semi-transparent case that contained the pen, two plastic light covers (red and clear), (red for night vision retention). It also comes with four refill cartridges and a spare AAA battery.

Additionally, it comes with a detailed instruction sheet.
Being someone who will impulsively awaken at night and write down thoughts and ultimately disturb my wife by turning on my nightstand lamp, this pen was a perfect solution. The LED lights get extremely bright, and provide you with more than adequate lighting. The AAA battery will last 20 hours. So how does it write you ask? Well the black 0.7mm cartridge was very smooth and the ink dried immediately on paper. The grip ridges above the tip afforded good finger positioning and holding, as the rest of the barrel is extremely slippery. It has a very sturdy metal pocket clip if carrying the pen in your shirt pocket. The one complaint I have is, the off/on switch on the pen cap easily activates the light when the pen is carried in your pants pocket. The pen cartridge however is activated by twisting the cap. I think pen and light activation should be reversed. This would help preserve battery life and eliminate butt switching on.

I find the Pilots Pen an extremely resourceful tool to have in the less-than-adequate lighting situation, as it allows you the ability to complete a writing task without interruption. And, I find it quite a bargain at $20.00, sold on Amazon.com, as it is well constructed and of quality build. I highly recommend the Pilots Pen.

Lamy Nexx M Anthracite Fountain Pen

2011-07-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

This is my first fountain pen, hence my first fountain pen review. I was mystically drawn to the Lamy Nexx M Anthracite for a number of reasons, but paramount was its simplistic, yet fabulous design.

It is very clean in its appearance. The lines allow for a writing experience that is in many ways quite sensual. But I'll get to that a little later on, back to the design. Aesthetically, when I first spotted the Nexx M, my first impression was: "yeah, it's a Lamy alright." Then I began closely examining the aluminum barrel design and how the metal triangulated ever so smoothly, so that when capped, the pen would not find itself rolling off of my desk and on to the floor. The rubber grip area is also triangulated, and provides the writer with an extremely comfortable positioning ability; and being a left handed writer, I most appreciated that touch, as it allows subtle finger / hand positioning and repositioning as needed.

Additionally, immediately apparent is the familiar quality associated with Lamy pens. Having owned and used Lamy pens for over a decade, I am very familiar with the quality craftsmanship consistent with these writing instruments. However, I was not familiar with using Lamy fountain pens, which is an entirely unique and noteworthy experience by itself. The Nexx M literally glides across the paper like an ice skater on ice. What a total joy using this pen! When ordering the pen, I was trying to decide which nib to choose. My choices narrowed between fine, extra fine and medium. Jetpens.com
was out of stock with fine nibs, so I chose the extra fine nib instead. After placing my order, I read many more reviews about this amazing writing instrument. All gave it extremely high marks across the board. I could hardly contain my excitement of receiving the pen in the mail. Four days later, there it was in my mailbox.

When I opened the envelope, I discovered a gray cardboard box, vented, a sticker with the price ($28.00) and the name Lamy Nexx Fountain Pen Ex-Fine Black. Inside was a warranty slip with CEO and Founder C. Josef Lamy's name, address and phone number in Heidelberg, Germany. Then I opened the box and behold, there it was. Above the rubber grip was a cardboard ring with the word "remove" on it. Once the ring was removed, I screwed the pen back together and began trying it out on paper. It began inking after a few trys and behold, a smooth writing experience began.

As I began writing, I thought, I can't remember using a writing instrument that felt this good, with the exception of my Lamy Accent 4 in 1. But this proved to be a totally different writing experience. The aluminum barrel with its industrial look, felt smooth and sensual. The rubber grip gave the feel of comfort in my fingers as though I could continue writing for hours on end.

But alas, I had only the one ink cartridge, and ink seemed to be pouring from the Nexx's nib as I wrote. So I sum this review up by saying, the Lamy Nexx is truly an experience to be had by those who enjoy the feel of pen to paper. It is one of a kind, and highly recommended.

Multi Tool 4 in 1 Level Pen

2011-07-22T22:18:00.000-07:00

I was looking for a pen that I could use when doing woodwork and one that would fit in a workshop environment. It had to be a pen that was durable, but one that had the natural look, feel and function of a tool. It had to have practical applications that would be used on a regular basis.

Enter the Mult Tool 4 in 1 Level Pen. An offering by the Brink Collection, a trademark of Present Time, a company based in Holland. This pen is constructed of brass and steel components, with a matte silver color and has a utilitarian appeal. When holding it, it is somewhat hefty, not overly so, but is of average length at 14 cm. There is a lot to like about this pen, so I will try and break down the highlights beyond the obvious.

Features
Pen cartridge - The Multi Tool 4 in 1 Level Pen employs the Fisher pressurized gravity refill cartridge for multi pens. Easily engaged, writing with this pen is simply a pleasure. It literally glides across the paper. Fisher is known for their pressurized cartridges which are able to write at any angle, on any surface, even underwater. This is a huge plus, especially when using this pen in a workshop.

Pen Body - The body is mostly hexagonal in shape, which allows the pen to sit on a flat surface without rolling, even though it has a pocket clip. But more importantly, it allows the ruler component to be effectively used in taking measurements on any surface. The lower portion of the body is knurled to provide the writer with precision gripping and in many ways allows you to write better at those odd angles and surfaces. The cap is also knurled partially and screws off with precision.
The overall pen body is one of the finest works of machine produced writing instruments I have seen and had the sheer pleasure of using to date.

Functions - The pen cap screws off to reveal a Phillips screwdriver which can be reversed with some effort to reveal a Flathead screwdriver. It is a genuine micro tool and not a novelty, and when using, the cap will easily screw onto the pen tip area for safekeeping.

Next is the ruler, which is displayed in inches and centimeters - a total of 3 inches, or 7 centimeters, which is half the pen's body length. Because of its hexagonal shape, using the ruler is an easy task.
As is its next function, the level. Built inside the barrel, a green liquid provides enough contrast to visualize the bubble when level surfaces are in question, and a regular size level is not available.

I am thoroughly impressed with the quality and craftsmanship used in constructing this pen, and I look forward to having many years of use with it. You can purchase the Multi Tool 4 in 1 Level Pen at the neatoshop.com for $14.95 plus $5.00 for shipping. You won't be sorry you did.

Pilot Dr. Grip 4 + 1 (Series 1)

2011-07-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

I read some reviews on the Pilot Dr. Grip 4+1 Multi Pen on Jetpens.com and I was thoroughly impressed. I had previously used the Dr. Grip 1+1 and found it to be rather generic, but this Multi Pen had four colors of ink plus a mechanical pencil, and much more pizazz. Reviews also spoke to its superb writability which by itself was laudatory. In addition, its form was sleek, like a sports car, especially for a 4+1 Multi Pen.

I was sold, and had to have it. In the product description, it said: "this Dr. Grip 4+1 has not yet made its debut in the United States and doubt if it ever would." I was even more intrigued. Cult pen? Possibly. So I placed my order on a Friday at Jetpens. The shipping was free as I had also purchased several other writing implements which I review at a later date. However, I was supposed to wait 3 to 7 days for delivery. I just figured I would receive it the following Friday. To my surprise, the following Wednesday, there was a small white shipping envelope in my mailbox.
My first impression after opening the package was how long the pen seemed. However, it measured 14.5 cm; an average size pen. Then I was immediately drawn to the overall design and how the orange and silver colors enhanced its gorgeous architecture. Yes it is constructed of mostly plastic material, but this is a quality plastic that feels solid in the hand when writing. The silver metal area is covered by a white, soft to the touch rubber grip, and feels comfortable in my fingers. On Jetpens its says this pen is recommended by the Arthritis Foundation; so it comes highly recommended. The bottom is a shiny metal, and is a perfect contrast to the orange color barrel. It also matches the pocket clip, which I will discuss later. The top houses a small white eraser under its cap. The familiar Pilot plunger system for changing ink color is incorporated here as well. It works flawlessly.

However, this Multi Pen has one added feature not seen before by me. The pocket clip slides down to engage the mechanical pencil. Wow! Who knew? What a nice touch by Pilot. Giving the pocket clip
a dual role in the pen's functioning was genius. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

Performance
Well, I could not wait to try this magnificently crafted instrument out on paper. Just as I suspected, this pen did not disappoint. The four 0.7mm color cartridges; black, red, blue and green, all flowed smoothly when tested on paper. I found by having four colors to choose from allowed for a broader, creative toolbox. Not having used green ink much, I was surprised at how it captured the essence of certain thoughts within the context I needed at the time of writing them down.
The mechanical pencil holds 0.5mm lead refills. The pocket clip easily slides the lead in place and writes as smoothly as its ink counterparts. And surprisingly, I did not manage to break one while applying it to paper. Not previously a huge fan of pencils, I find this unit easy to use, and one which I will call on more frequently. The eraser is small in size, but there to use; and that is what matters.
Overall, having this pen is the same as having a set of fine paint brushes ready to create written masterpieces on paper. I highly recommend Pilot's Dr. Grip 4+1 Series 1 Multi Pen.

Pilot Pentopia T2300-P 2 + 1

2011-07-07T21:49:00.000-07:00

It was the year 2000 and I was in a campus book store buying office supplies. There it was on a shelf at the cashier's counter. I had recently purchased a Palm PDA and was not a real fan of the provided stylus. But when I asked to see the Pilot Pentopia 2 + 1, lo and behold it had a built in stylus that when tested on my Palm's glass screen writing graffiti, it had the same feel as writing with a pen. Additionally, pen and pencil were housed in the same chamber barrel side by side. Not only that, it was constructed of very strong stainless steel. The lower portion of the barrel ribbed for easy finger grip when writing.

Well, needless to say, I had to have this pen. I had not seen a pen like this in about ten years when I bought my first Pilot multi color pen while stationed in Saudi Arabia. The same quality and craftsmanship was in the Pilot Pentopia 2 + 1.
Fast forward to 2011. The Pilot Pentopia 2 + 1 is still a relevant multi pen. As I have stated in other posts, I am an avid user of a Palm PDA (T3), and use the stylus to make entries on a regular basis.
Also, the fine tip pen is able to make the sharpest of entries on forms while writing quite smoothly in narrative form. The 0.5 mm pencil lead is strong enough to resist breaking during mid-stroke. The eraser is large and swiftly removes pencil errors without leaving shadows on paper. It is housed under a stainless steel screw on cap at the pen top. The classic Pilot plunger mechanism for switching between pen functions also remains relevant and is easy to use when changing functions, without jamming or catching erroneously.

A timeless writing instrument, and still available in both silver and matte black, the Pilot Pentopia T2300-P 2 + 1 is a worthy addition to my multi pen collection.

Lamy Logo Tri-Color Pen

2011-06-30T21:57:00.000-07:00

The Lamy Logo Tri - Color Pen is one of those Multi pens that is somewhat of a cult pen for me. When I first saw it about seven years ago, what struck me was its simple clean design, and how Lamy incorporated the mechanism for changing ink colors within the pocket clip housing. It operates smoothly and seamlessly. The only thing I would have done differently is to close the opening behind the clip that exposes the inner pen workings. This personal quip aside, the high quality matte black plastic/metal barrel engages the desired ink color when facing you and pressed down in place.

Performance
Employing Lamy M 21 refills, the Logo Tri - Color has a smooth flow, when pen meets paper it produces a medium pen stroke which is good for writing narratives such as this. For writing in more finer detail, I would prefer a fine tip. When using the red tip, I found no difference in ink flow, but I was pleased with the striking difference the color makes on paper. The red ink color seemed to place a certain emphasis on the written word. Expression for emotional content! Comparably, the blue also allowed for a shift in emotional attitude when trying to convey a certain feeling on paper. While black tended to neutralize the written content. The grip toward the pen bottom was slight but efficient.

For a Multi pen, I find the slim build an attractive change from the more chunkier, thicker Multi pens I have in my collection. Fast forward seven years later, this pen still gets used on a regular basis by me. It should be mentioned, the Tri-Color Logo multi pen is part of a larger Logo family that includes a matte silver Tri-Color, single ball point, and a fountain pen.

The overall feel of using the Lamy Logo Tri-Color pen is very much like using paint brushes on canvas in terms of the writing experience and feel. A cult pen? Maybe. A finely designed and constructed writing implement? Without a doubt.

Lamy Pickup

2011-06-22T22:01:00.000-07:00

When my wife was studying for her Masters degree, I noticed that she frequently used two implements apart from her computer; ink pen and highlighter. She seemed to have either one while searching for the other, or vice versa. In her searching, she would ultimately come and ask me for a highlighter or a pen.
So when I went online looking for a solution to her continuing problem, of course I looked to my favorite pen maker, Lamy, for assistance. Enter the Lamy Pickup, a stainless steel multi pen with both solutions to my wife's dilemna. Not only did the pen have a highlighter and a pen, but it had the "cool" factor that I have come to love about Lamy products.

What "cool" factor you ask? Let's start with the obvious. Centered on the barrel is a green and black bullseye which when pressed, releases on the pen top, a yellow highlighter. Intriguing? Yes, and cool!
The Lamy M 51 highlighter reveals itself and once the job is done, pushes back down into the pen barrel with a snap to secure itself there.

Done yet, no! The act of engaging the pen is accomplished by turning the rubber grip to the left. However, once this motion starts, the chamber below the grip appears to move up and reveals the writing pen tip. And when turned in the opposite direction, the pen tip literally disappears inside the barrel chamber. To make this magic happen, Lamy has employed the M 22 pen refill which is small in stature, but compensates by being much wider than the average pen refill.

Well when my wife received this incredible multi pen, it became her writing implement of choice and continues to be today. Lamy has made a followup to the Pickup, but I have not had the pleasure of using that one yet. Lamy has once again knocked it out the park with the amazing Pickup. Way to go Lamy!

Classic Wagner Swiss Army Pen

2011-06-17T22:27:00.000-07:00

Being an affecianado of pens that have multiple functions, it was only natural that I acquire a classic Swiss Army Pen, made by Wagner of Switzerland. Wagner, since the mid 1950's, has manufactured precision, high quality instruments and tools, and the Classic Swiss Army Pen is no exception.
When I first sighted the Classic Swiss Army Pen, I was given a choice between the red, blue or black upper body. My utilitarian self chose the black one. Now don't get me wrong, they all are works of art.
The craftsmanship is of a very high standard. And my eye was fixated on the one with the ebony upper half.

As I held the pen, I was struck by its substantial weight and size. It is 14.5 cm which is the average length for a pen, but it is rather broad from top to bottom. The lower half is constructed from surgical stainless steel and other metal alloys which make it water resistant, even to salt water.
Inside the stainless steel casing is a Fisher Space Pen pressurized refill which is highly impressive. This allows the user to write in virtually any position, including underwater. A simple twist engages the pen, and in the other direction disengages it.

The upper body is where Wagner employs victorinox tools plus. One side houses a small folding knife / letter opener and a screwdriver / nail file. The other side houses a pair of scissors. The Swiss cross logo in the middle activates a red map light when pressed. The light is powered by a CR 1025 / 3v battery that can be removed. Turn the pen over and you'll find a removable recessed stainless steel clip. This clip would probably peak the interest of would be Macguyvers, as it appears to have multiple potentialities.

I cannot over emphasize the quality and craftsmanship used in creating this multi pen. It has the appeal and feel of a surgical instrument when held, and writes as smoothly as any high end pen could.
It retails for $50.00 on Wagner of Switzerland's site, but can be found cheaper on other sites.
Thw Classic Wagner Swiss Army Pen, truly a gem of a multi pen to own.

Pilot TJM3 Multi Pen

2011-06-13T18:23:00.000-07:00

When looking for a writing instrument, it's important to find that which has proper form and function for the task at hand. Multi Pens come in a wide array of both. When I first saw the Pilot TJM3, "The Just Meet 3," I said: "now there's a pen I could wrap my fingers around. I was immediately drawn to its beautiful real wood barrel, which feels substantial in your hands. Available in both Light and dark colored wood, I opted to purchase the light maple colored pen. The smooth feel of the wood makes for a very comfortable writing experience.

The TJM3 incorporates at its top end, the same familiar plunger mechanism employed in the Pilot Pentopia 2 + 1 which I find efficient enough when changing writing tips. The TJM3 houses a fine tip black pen, a 0.5 lead holder, and a red stylus tip, which can be switched out for another pen refill if so desired. However, it is not designed for tablet use.

The plunger is constructed from a silver colored plastic and is attached to a rather broad pocket clip that appears to be well made and not prone to easy fractures. The wooden barrel is constructed into two parts with a silver real metal ring separating the two halves. The bottom tip is made of the same silver colored plastic as the top and screws off to reveal the three refills inside.

The one thing I find missing, is an eraser under the rounded top of the TJM3 unlike the Pilot Pentopia 2 + 1.
However, at $12.99 from Styluscentral.com, Pilot was able to create an instrument of both beauty and function at a reasonable cost.

This pen goes with me to work daily as of late, and does a great job of filling out forms and initialing small boxes secondary to its fine tip ability. I highly recommend the Pilot TJM3 multi pen.

Why multi pens?

2011-05-18T21:12:00.000-07:00

Greetings,
when I was in school, like so many of my classmates, I used those cheap plastic multi pens which later were lost or liberated by a classmate who didn't have one. I loved the idea of having the different colors at my fingertips in order to place emphasis in a written message. It was like carrying four pens in your pocket at one time. As time passed, I came to acquire better quality multi pens and came to seek an even better quality in the utilitarian nature of the multi pen writing instrument.
Only recently have I been fortunate enough to find others who share not only my enthusiasm for multi pens, but others who have joyous obsession for other writing tools as well.

In this blog, I share my obsession with you mainly about multi pens, but about other writing implements that have captured my penchant for utilitarian uniqueness.

That said, this blog should be entitled "Multi Pen Dimensions... and Beyond! I welcome your feedback as well.
Thanks very much,
Yochanan


Sexy and functional!

Lamy Accent 4 in 1
I am a huge fan of Lamy pens! These pens represent form and function at its best level for me. I came across the Lamy Accent 4 in 1 in 2004, and back then I had seen a lot of different multi pens, but none as sexy and functional as this one. It has an elegance and style that is unsurpassed by many. And its functionality is exactly what I was seeking. The 4 in 1 employs the black m 21 Lamy refill which has a medium tip. Writing with it is a dream as it glides across the paper like an Olympic ice skater.
I'm a lefty, and this pen supports the angle at which I move the pen across paper without smearing, which some lefties have a tendency to do. Next is the pencil which holds 0.7mm lead that works for me because I have a tendency to lean on my pencil lead and ultimately break it off in mid stroke. Also, the small white eraser under the top is an added attraction. Next is the delightful orange highlighter. The m 55 refill, is extremely useful for me when placing emphasis in a note or when reading text in a book where underlining is called for. I have written entire notes with the highlighter, which gives the reader a better sense of the emotion emitted when reading.

I am one of those people who still uses a PDA (Palm T3), so for me the stylus is still an important implement for the 4 in 1 to possess. When doing graffiti it is the same as using the ink nib, smooth and easy.
Finally, I would say, purchasing the Lamy 4 in 1 accent was an excellent investment as I am sure to use this pen for years to come.