[Pen/Pencil Review] Uni Jetstream 4 + 1 Multi-Function 0.7mm
My friends currently living in Korea came back to the States for the holidays, and brought back pens. One of them is the Uni Jetstream 4 & 1 Color 0.7mm Ballpoint Multi-Pen plus 0.5mm Pencil. This one is the lime green barrel with the black rubber grip.
This is rapidly becoming a favorite and a “go to†instrument. My previous 0.38mm multi lives in my purse. This one has been the one I grab at work since Christmas to add stuff to my calendar and take multi-color notes. Having the four color AND pencil option in one case is almost a necessity when you might need to change color or medium for whatever reason on the fly – various calendars or projects. This one turns out to be totally worthwhile – with a touch of a learning curve if this is your first one.
This one feels more like a ballpoint than the 0.38, but with the 0.7mm, it’s a fine point (in the US standard) and comfortable. The inks are water-resistant, vibrant, and flow well. There’s definitely no skipping and glop with this The clip is the advancer for the pencil. That’s not immediately intuitive, but brilliant to get all the function possible out of one instrument.
The green barrel is apparently only available in the 0.7mm inks – different sizes have different barrel colors, there could be some crossover. The matching cap at the top covers the white, refillable eraser that’s a touch crumbly but otherwise good. The grip is a black rubber for a bit of comfort. There’s a rounded metal band between grip and body that smooths out any ridges. It’s a plastic body with metal accents and push plungers for the activators. It’s just over 5.75†long, which makes it a comfortable length.
The barrel is obviously wider than a normal barrel to house the reservoirs, but not so wide as to be uncomfortable. It’s got to be to handle all the reservoirs. This pen is refillable with the Uni SXR-80-30 refill. If this is too wide a point for you – they also come in several options narrower, I love the 0.38 mm and I totally want to try the 0.5mm. The instrument is refilled by twisting open the barrel and pulling out the reservoir and replacing either ink or lead.
It’s not cheap at the outset, but being refillable and an instrument that could see lots of use? It’s worth the outlay. These are only available online – Tokyo Pen Shop has the widest variety of sizes and barrel colors. JetPens is a little more limited in what they offer.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 – It works surprisingly well for a regular sized point. The plungers may take a bit of getting used to, especially since the lead mechanism is the clip. You can leave lead advanced while having the point retracted. The lead and ink flow smoothly. The clip is secure.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – For a multi-function, it’s actually comfortable. The diameter is comfortable. There’s very little ridge between grip and barrel to be uncomfortable because of the decorative band. It’s long enough to fit comfortably in the hand. I’m actually surprised by this.
3. Material – 1 – It is plastic and base metal…however with the nice inserts, and sturdy feel, it’s decent. The transparent plastic of the barrel lets you see ink levels. Some might think it’s expensive for plastic and base metal, but it’s environmentally conscious and FIVE good quality writing instruments in one.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – I am going to knock a half point off here just for the pencil refill. It’s not intuitive. I kept looking for the pencil refill to be through the cap, but it’s not. I had to find out how to do it by looking at another review and trying that and figuring it out. And I had to teach someone how to use it.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – It’s not cheap, but it is SUPER useful. I used it a ton last week when I needed a pencil, and this is what I had. It’s refillable. The ink makes it worth the price. But it’s only available online and at JetPens, it starts at $10.50 on Tokyo Pen Shop they’re $16.50 with refills running $1.55. But for something you might use A LOT? It’s probably worth the investment. This one is one I’m keeping handy – like always in my purse or with a notebook.
That’s 4 of 5 bronze pencils.
[Write the Story] Caught in the Rain
Prompt: Caught in the Rain
Words: Las Vegas, radiology, etch, funeral, textile, sweep, muslin, wholesale, wildlife, English
Story
Who knew you could get drenched in Las Vegas, but you can while on your way to a funeral and while wearing muslin. I couldn’t show up to Dr. English’s services looking like a drowned rat in wrinkled and now see through outfit. It wouldn’t be respectful or professional. Most of the others would be our colleagues in radiology.
I saw a wholesale textile shop. I could do a quick sweep, grab a new outfit and be on my way. I hit a snag; all the prints had wildlife. I don’t know which was worse, but I had to go. So, I picked something, dashed back out.
“Karen!â€
I turned to see a rain blurry figure hurrying toward me. “Alec? I thought you’d be at the service already.â€
“Forget the service, you have to come with me.â€
“How could you say that? Dr. English…â€
“Would totally understand. What we’ve discovered could etch our names in history.â€
Who talks like that? Fortunately, I managed to not say that out loud. “What are you talking about?â€
“Dr. English’s weather research. We cracked it. We can influence the weather.â€
“What?â€
“How else do you think this rain on his funeral happened? It’s Nevada.â€
“Show me.â€
Word Count: 202
Written: 1/14/2020
[Pen/Pencil Review] Retro 1951 Tornado Fountain Pen – Pen World Edition
Welcome to Part Two! This week is the Pen World Retro 1951 Tornado Fountain Pen. Pen World Magazine brilliantly partnered with Richardson, Texas, based Retro 1951 to create their classic Tornado style fountain pen with their name in various fonts in black on the relatively unique Retro 1951 white background which – if you’ve seen their skeleton model (which my primary care doctor has) GLOWS IN THE DARK. This is serious cool.
I want to love the Tornado fountain pen as much as the rollerball. These are solid pens with good heft and balance. The fountain pens come with a range of nibs from 1.1 mm broad to Extra Fine. I was given for Christmas the fine point fountain pen nib. The pen is longer than the rollerball (out of necessity). It’s 5.5†long capped and just over 6.25†capped. The cap has a sturdy scrolled metal clip and a top that has the same pattern as the rollerball. The cap screws on but doesn’t post quite as securely as I would like. It can slip off.
The nib is metal with lovely scroll work and the size just under the etched 51 on the body. And here’s where I don’t love it as much as I would like. I need to get another nib for it. This one isn’t very flexible (and I do like a flexible nib apparently). When I put the first cartridge in it (it came with 2 standard short cartridges and a converter) I couldn’t get the ink to flow. I put Edelstein Onyx in the converter and was able to get the ink to flow, but it’s very skippy. I’ve had to dip it in water to help it get going a time or two.
Retro 1951 does have replacement nibs, and I’m probably going to have to get one. I think this one has something going on with it, but I don’t necessarily want to go bending the prongs too much – these might be too close together. I like the size of the line and grip. There are a few ridges around the screw threads that might dig in, but it’s still pretty comfortable.
It’s a good solid pen, but it’s not super cheap. Actually, it’s not cheap at all. These run $95 – because it’s a limited edition — and Pen World does have a set going for $120 ish which is a a bit of a discount from buying them outright. Which we did because the fountain pen wasn’t yet available and my darling husband and enabler bought it for me for Christmas.
The Numbers.
1. How does it work? – 0.5 – This is a solid pen. Good length with a variety of nib sizes. However, my nib has some issues that I will either somehow figure out how to fix or replace. This one skips and scratches.
2. Look and feel – 1 – It’s a classic Tornado design. It has good weight; the design is lovely. And did I mention IT GLOWS IN THE DARK!
3. Material – 1 – It’s a solid metal pen with secure clip. The design is like a resin wrap—maybe vinyl? But doesn’t feel like it’s going to chip or peel.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – It’s a good length and diameter. The weight is solid. It’s a good-looking pen. The nib issue is one that I’ll have to correct, and I’m not sure how much that’s going to cost.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – For a collectible, it’s reasonable—and this a limited edition For an everyday pen? It’s not cheap. This is not limited edition and runs $95. It is refillable by either cartridge or the converter so you can put any good ink it.
3.5 out of 5 bronze pencils.
[Write the Story] A Hermit is Forced into a Crowded Place
Prompt: A Hermit is Forced into a Crowded Place
Words: typewriter, water bottle, lenient, clerk, render, runner, soil, sewn, chauffer, waterway
Story
Isaac gripped his water bottle until his knuckles nearly glowed white. His heart and breathing billowed like a long-distance runner after a race, even though he knew he was over-reacting—maybe.
“There you go, sir, the bellhop will take it from here.†The chauffer gently lay the vintage typewriter case on the top of Isaac’s duffle bag, tipped his hat and bolted for his car.
Isaac stared up at the Waterway Grand Hotel marquee and dug out his cell phone. “What have you done to me, Scott.â€
“You’re here! In the City!â€
Isaac pulled the phone away from his ear. Scott’s exuberance was about to render him deaf and if not Scott, then the cacophony of students in the lobby of the hotel would finish the job. “Do you know what’s going on at this hotel you booked me in?â€
“It’s a nice, boutique hotel…â€
“That’s currently being overrun with teenagers,†Isaac interrupted.
“It can’t be that bad. Now go inside and check in before you soil this lovely day. I will see you at the Sewn Shoe Theatre at seven for your play.
Scott hung up on Isaac. He had no choice but to heft his bags and shoulder through. The throngs of screeching kids did not put him in a lenient mood as he handed his ID to the harried clerk. But it wasn’t the staff’s fault he was about to claw off his skin. He couldn’t get to his room and bolt the door fast enough. What hell had he gotten himself into?
Word Count: 256
Written: 1/9/2020
[Pen/Pencil Review] Retro 1951 Tornado Rollerball – Pen World Edition
I now have a set of pens that I am probably going to have to do a two-parter on. Between the Dallas Pen Show and Christmas I have acquired the Retro 1951 Tornado roller ball and fountain pen built for Pen World Magazine. It mixes my two loves – reading about the pens and actually having the pens. I was going to do them together, but maybe I need to do them separately, because that would be fairer to the rating system – and that there is a price differential in the two pieces – they didn’t COME as a set. And I do love Retro 1951 because not only do they do amazing designs and collections – they’re local to me. Retro 1951’s headquarters are in Richardson – which is just north of Dallas.
This week will be the rollerball since I’ve had it longer. Then next week will be the fountain pen. Pen World Magazine brilliantly partnered with Retro 1951 to create their classic Tornado style rollerball with their name in various fonts in black on the relatively unique Retro 1951 white background which – if you’ve seen their skeleton model (which my primary care doctor has) GLOWS IN THE DARK. This is serious cool.
The Tornado rollerball pens are a little on the short side. They’re about 5†long retracted and just slightly longer with the point extended. The retraction mechanism is a twist of the cap – like a screw. The clip is metal and is a cuff the way around the top of the pen. There are no ridges to dig into the thumb web. It has a comfortable diameter and a good balance.
The ink is dark and rich in a 0.7mm black conical point and there’s little smearing or skipping. It comes with the Retro 1951 branded ink and you can get those from refill retailers, but Schmidt also sells a compatible refill. It’s one of the capless rollerball refills – not Parker style.
The Numbers.
1. How does it work? – 1 – This is a solid working pen. The ink is well-pigmented. The point is a solid conical.
2. Look and feel – 1 – It’s a classic Tornado design. It has good weight, the design is lovely. And did I mention IT GLOWS IN THE DARK!
3. Material – 1 – It’s a solid metal pen with hearty screw mechanisms and clip. The design is like a resin wrap—maybe vinyl? But doesn’t feel like it’s going to chip or peel
4. Overall Design – 1 – It’s functional. It’s a little short but not uncomfortably so. It feels good in the hand diameter wise.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – For a collectible, it’s reasonable. For an everyday pen? It’s not cheap. This is not limited edition and runs $45. It is refillable and refill costs will vary depending on which refill you get where.
4.5 out of 5 bronze pencils.
[Write the Story] A Blind Date
Prompt: A Blind Date
Words: park bench, manager, beastie, honeydew, justice, manmade, placement, fabric, prevention, basket
Story
The manager’s advice on placement had been spot on. Everything surrounding the picnic scenario was perfect. The honeydew melon set at angles to the disposable dishware with the classic woven basket just there on the checkered fabric table cloth. There were no weird besties in sight of my manmade oasis in the middle of the wildlands decreed by environmental justice advocates for years – otherwise known as a park.
I had done everything I could to make this outdoor sanctuary ready. I’d even paid extra for the inclement weather prevention package. Nothing was going to spoil this moment for me. For us. Not with everything that had prevented us from getting to this point.
I saw Amaru coming toward me and my heart clenched with joy – with love. Then I saw Amaru stumble against a park bench. That’s when I realized. I ran toward Amaru, wrapping that wonderful spirit in my arms as tears fell on both our parts.
Amaru was blind now. The virus whipping through our community had reached home. I didn’t care. I couldn’t care. Our lives were intertwined forever. I would go through with my proposal. I wanted both of us to remember Amaru’s blinding date as something more than disease – but also joy. I would be a limited memory for both of us.
Word Count: 217
Written: 1/2/2020
[Pen/Pencil Review] Happy New Year – 2020 edition
We are all going to be doing “vision” jokes for the next year. I wish I could say everything was going to be on time and brilliant – because it’ll be one or the other, and sometimes neither, consistent might be a thing. But I promise to do my best. There will always be things to review.
Not only do I still have this group of multi-function pens from Korea (because of awesome friends), but there is this grouping of things to work through from the holidays (and it’s not all of it because I remembered there are a couple I’m missing.
And, one of my Christmas presents is a subscription box from Graphite Pencil + Paper which will be a quarterly surprise for the next year. We’ll have some adventures with that. Maybe I’ll do unboxing videos for those, just to have something different on the blog. That’s an idea.
We’ll see how this all goes.
[Write the Story] Escaping a Natural Disaster
Prompt: Escaping a Natural Disaster
Words: museum, exonerate, epicurean, senseless, literacy, software, solar, tear, coloring, quarry
Story
We stared up at the imposing classical-style building before girding our loins and going inside. “Why’re we here again?â€
“Because our literary software hit so big that we were given a night at the most exclusive restaurant in town. Come on. Let’s see how the senseless rich eat.†Joel shook his head.
Thus we entered the Saturn City Museum. The building was built from rock from a single quarry – in the quarry. The coloring rich in shades of pink and blue sparkling when the solar radiation hit.
“Welcome. Your table is right this way.†The maitre’d took us through empty tables. “We will tear apart any preconceived notions of epicurean delusions and exonerate your past culinary sins.â€
“I have no idea what he just said,†I said. “And where is everyone else? If this place is so fabulous, why is it empty?â€
Joel picked up the short menu page. “Holy cow!â€
“What? Expensive?â€
“Yes, but no. It’s literally Holy Cow – from India – on the menu.â€
I snatched the menu away and scanned it. “Come on. I know why this place is empty. We have to go.â€
The floor began shaking as we fled. Wind whipped everything everywhere. As we burst out the door, the roof was hit by lightning. We skidded to a halt and watched the museum be swallowed by every weather system and vortex ever.
Word Count: 227
Written: 12/27/19
[Pen/Pencil Review] Christmas Eve 2019 Edition
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all out there – and Happy Holidays to those who celebrate something else or nothing else. Being Christmas Eve and full of family and Santa tracking and the like, this is going to be a bit of a wrap up blog, with next week being the look forward/new pen haul blog.
I know this year has been somewhat sporadic about timing and such. I wish I could say that it’s going to be totally on time and on point going forward, but realistically? Good luck with that. I do promise to do my best. I will keep doing this blog. I love pens too much, as evidenced by the pile on my desk. These are my “holiday” pens. Red and green ink, the reindeer pen, and the beginning of the new pens.
The RESPECT pen is a basic retractable ballpoint with a stylus but it’s from the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum gift shop. I went to the museum for a meeting and want to go back to check it out. I know it’s going to be hard and powerful – which is the point. I wanted everything from the gift shop to help keep the history alive. I also just want to keep the pen around to remind myself to give to others AND RECEIVE from others the respect we all deserve.
This is a lovely tube of multi-function pens and a brush pen/marker from Korea. Our non-biological family is in town and they always bring me a handful of great writing instruments from whence they came.
So happy holidays this season. I wish you joy, peace, strength where needed, and rest if you can get it. See you in soon.
[Write the Story} The Main Character is Startled Awake By…
Prompt: The Main Character is Startled Awake by…
Words: subway, evergreen, core, emblem, wild, swine, poised, occupation, inspector, gate
Story
“Honey, wake up.†Candace shook Jeremy’s shoulder. “Wake up! I heard a noise.â€
“It’s probably just the subway,†Jeremy mumbled in his pillow.
“Not unless the Red Line started sounding like wild swine. Come on. Go check. Please?â€
Jeremy rolled out of bed and stumbled to the baby gate at the top of the stairs. He paused, poised to descend with Candace crowding behind him. He knew in his core there was nothing, but for Candace’s peace of mind he’d go sown so he could get it over with and back to bed.
He eased toward the living room when in a flash he was wide awake. A large person in red and white bent over their small, living evergreen decked out for Christmas.
“What the…?â€
The man turned, just as startled as Jeremy – and from the gasp behind him, Candace. “Oh my! Jeremy Dunn, occupation – postal inspector. Candace Dunn, occupation – owner Emblem Fashion Boutique. Both on the Nice List. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.â€
Then he was just…gone.
“But we don’t even have a chimney,†Candace stammered. “And we’re not…â€
“Children?†Jeremy finished.
“I was going to say Believers, but that’s not true anymore is it?â€
“We can’t tell anyone, Candace.â€
“Why not? It’s the biggest mystery solved.â€
“And the greatest threat of all. Don’t risk us leaving the Nice List.â€
Word Count: 227
Written: 12/19/19