again with the japanese pens

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I know it’s kind of a disease right now, this obsession with Japanese pens. I can’t really explain it. Today my mother and brother left for Japan*, and I gave my brother a rather detailed list of the pens and pencils I want him to bring back (all I requested are writing implements and the earl grey tea lip balm).
But anyway, my love affair with JetPens continues. Not only do I belong to their flickr group, but now I also am a member of their Facebook group. As a result, I have had the opportunity to participate in a couple of their promotions, which means, score! Free pens! Most recently I received two of the Uni-Ball Signo DX pens, one in 0.38mm in sky blue and one in 0.28mm in mandarin orange. The Uni-Ball Signo pen is a definite fan favorite. The PenAddict ranks these in his top five! They’re gel ink pens and have a nice, strong, fine point. The ink flows smoothly and without hesitation. I think I’d like a deeper color saturation, but this might be due to the colors I have. I asked my brother to pick up a couple in “normal” colors so I can test out my theory.
Some compare the Uni-Ball Signo DX to the Pilot Hi-Tec-C pens, but I think they are completely different animals. Here, I’ll prove it. Check out the following photo:
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On top is the Pilot, and the Uni-Ball Signo is below. See how different the points are? I like both, really, but I REALLY love the Pilot. I find the uber skinny tip and the ink flow to be superb, and the colors are nice and deep. You know, these pens are also similar to the Pentel Slicci. I’m not sure which I prefer between the Pentel and the Uni-Ball. The Uni-Ball is definitely more comfortable in my hand, since it has a rubberized grip (the Pentel sports a ridged plastic grip). Guess you’ll just have to order your own to see which you like better!
I have to say, too, that if you have any love for Hello Kitty, you definitely need to go to JetPens, because right now they have the Pilot Hi-Tec-C pens in a limited edition Hello Kitty series. I would not kid you about something like this.
*Since my webmaster is in Japan for two weeks, and my server lives in his basement, if there are any power surges or glitches, my blog may die and be dead until November 6 or so. Be warned. You can find me on flickr or, if we get the magic puff daddy scarflet going, on ravelry (I am supereggplant, goo goo ga joob).

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14 Responses to again with the japanese pens

  1. molly! says:

    I think you do have weird Signo colors. Who wants a sky blue colored pen? I particularly like their navy and brown pens because they are dark and plain but still kind of different and exciting.
    I think the Sliccci and Signo pens are totally different, but both nice to use in their own ways. I have several of each and use them interchangably. Nevermind that I have enough pen supplies to last me for another 10 years…

  2. Kay says:

    Who are you and what have you done with Super Eggplant?
    PEN FREAK.

  3. sara says:

    You know, I too adore Pilot Hi-Tec-C pens but I’ve had problems with them if I don’t use them regularly. If they’ve been sitting around for a while (with caps on, mind you) I find that ink does not come out. Even if I scribble with them for a while….Am I doing something wrong here?

  4. shokufeh says:

    I love pens! But I’m really intrigued by the Earl Grey tea lip balm. I imagine it’s divine.

  5. Rachel says:

    Don’t forget to check out the Pen Addict group on Ravelry.

  6. Siew says:

    The company I work for is half owned by a big Japanese company and when the merger first took place there were millions of Japanese advisors and many trips (sadly none by me) to Japan. They all gifted me with pens when they found out my love for fine point pens. Sadly, all the Japanese advisors are gone now. Thank God for internet shopping!

  7. sil says:

    OMG! If Peter ever needs proof you are insane, he can just product this entry. There are Facebook groups for pens? There’s a whole new world out there for me now.
    Is there any good pen available at the Daiso? I’m curious enough to go there now.

  8. amy_in_az says:

    Pay no attention to the nay-sayers… keep the pen mojo a-pumpin’. The section of pens at NYC Kinokuniya on 6th Ave, was amazing. Buying the Hello Kitty pens ASAP- thanks for the tip.

  9. Seanna Lea says:

    OK. I need to get myself to JetPens for uber fine point Hello Kitty pen-related goodness.
    Dang. Pens are the best toys.

  10. Romila says:

    I miss getting all my signo pens at the 100 yen store when I lived in Okinawa! What a deal!

  11. OH the goodness of pens… (*_*)’

  12. Virginia says:

    Pens are great for sure, but *I* would like to know about that to-do list.

  13. Susan says:

    I totally love those pens! I was just thinking about when I’m going to go to Muji and buy every single color they stock. Their pens are pretty good for the price, they’re only like $1 each one! I love full sets though, and Asians make the absolute best in the world…..

  14. Malinda says:

    I love japanese pens!what a good review too!

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