- Mitsubishi/uni hat die Zento-Produktreihe erweitert. Den Zento Standard, den Zento Flow und das Spitzenmodell, den Zento Signature, gibt es jetzt als Dreifach-Gelschreiber in 0,38 und 0,5 mm sowie in zwei bis fünf verschiedenen Schaftfarben.
- Eine interessante Darstellung der Komponenten des Druckbleistifts orenz nero findet sich bei Pentel auf Instagram. – Quelle: Reddit.
- Nach dem Pentel Smash Seasar Brown (Q1005-SSKS) gab es nun die zweite Zusammenarbeit des populären Video-Bloggers Seasar aus Japan mit Pentel. Entstanden ist dabei der Pentel Kerry Seasar Brown, der mit 5500 Yen (etwa 29,80 Euro) das zweieinhalbfache des Standard-Modells kostet. Mir gefallen die Farben und auch das alte Logo mit der „5“, doch der hohe Preis und die Kennzeichnung mit „SEASAR“ halten mich vom Kauf ab.
Nachtrag:
- Bereits im vergangenen Jahr hat STAEDTLER die Produktion des Bleistifts 123 60 eingestellt; Nachfolger ist der Noris natural 130 60N, den es in HB und 2B gibt und der nicht mehr von STAEDTLER gefertigt wird.
- Vom Reddit-Nutzer leo_the_first gibt es eine eingehende Besprechung des Mitsubishi 9800 mit zahlreichen historischen Details. Großartig!
- Schon seit dem 1. August gibt es den Hobonichi Techo Preview Forest, in dem täglich Neues zum Sortiment des Jahres 2027 präsentiert wird, und am 25. August ist die komplette Produktpalette zu sehen.
- Grandios: „Japanischer Student eröffnet Museum für Druckbleistifte in Kyoto“ und (offenbar der Originalartikel) „Student opens museum showing his mechanical pencils in Kyoto“. – Danke an Matthias von Bleistift für den Hinweis!
I’m yet to get a Zento for myself but I really like the design aesthetic of this particular series. Thanks for sharing the new models.
As for the Orenz Nero, compared to the original, this pencil is a prime example for complication. Prefer the base Orenz that went the opposite direction. The Orenz Nero is the most overhyped and disappointing pencil I’ve known.
The Zento range ist really great, and I particularly like the Signature model. The cap which is held by a magnet is a nice detail! The Zento ink has a significantly lower viscosity than, for example, the inks in the Signo range, and certainly compared to the ONE inks (unfortunately, the latter skips sometimes – at least for me – but the black one is impressive).
I’m sorry to hear that you are disappointed with the orenz nero. To be honest, I haven’t used mine very often so far but I like its design and the material the barrel is made of.
Definitely gotta try some of those Zentos.
As for the Orenz Nero, the design doesn’t really bother me, kind of like it. The original postings claiming it was metal got me started, so when I received mine and confirmed it was plastic, was kind of a let down but the heft was ok. But what I really can’t stand is the auto-feed system. I was expecting the same functionality as the base version, the added complication was IMHO not neccesary, specially in 0.2mm
Mine only gets to see the light of day when I truly force myself to use it. And that doesn’t happen often.
You won’t regret trying a Zento!
As far as I know the barrel of the orenz nero is a plastic/metal compound. It feels like plastic but it is a little heavier (which I like). To be honest, I haven’t used it often enough yet to be able to say anything about the automatic lead feed. However, that isn’t one of my favourite features of a mechanical pencil either ;-)
Yeah the barrel has some kind of ferrous compound on it as it is magnetic. Which in retrospect, makes it quite unique. Don’t know of any other writing instruments made out of a plastic and metal compound.
BTW What is your take on the Kerry MP? I’ve always been intrigued by it. Do you like it? Do you find it unique enough to add to your collection?
It would be great if this material were also used for other pencils and pens! Speaking of unusual materials: Have you heard of the Tombow FUMI?
I really like the Pentel Kerry, and I already own quite a few of them. I consider it a classic, and every fan of Japanese mechanical pencils should have one. However, if you have very large hands, it might be a bit too small, even with the cap posted.
Oh yes! I read about the FUMI on the wonderful blog of a friend of mine: lexikaliker.de Ever heard of it?
I plan to order one from Jetpens as soon as I can. An interesting material no doubt.
Must try the Kerry then. Any color recommendation?
Gving the Orenznero a second try. Just pulled it out of the box yesterday.
Yes, I’ve heard of this blog before ;-)
The FUMI feels unusual in the hand but I like it. However, I haven’t used it for very long yet.
Of course colour is a matter of personal taste. At the moment, I really like the limited-edition version in ‘retro green’, as the shade of green is really lovely and the grip is slightly transparent. Also of interest is the special edition of the Kerry for Craft Design Technology which has a different centrepiece.
Enjoy your orenz nero!
By the way, I’ve rediscovered the Mitsubishi/uni Kuru Toga Metal. The engine used in this version (upgraded KS) is the one with the least play, and it’s a pleasure to use.
Can’t seem to find that edition locally, but I managed to find a “Million Years” limited edition in orange that looks interesting, but its twice the price of a regular one. Will keep looking for the one you mentioned. The CDT version is available on eBay. Let see which one happens to cross my wallet! LOL
As for the Nero, you’d be surprised that I have found it to be more pleasing now. Guess sometimes you just need a little more time for pencils to settle into you.
I don’t have the KT metal yet (it’s on its way) so I will report back as soon as it arrives. Excited to test that one. The Dive is still quite an expensive bit of kit over here. So that one will have to wait even further. Do you have the KT Wood? Isn’t it the same as the metal but with different grip?
The orange Pentel Kerry is beautiful! It was still easy to get last year, so with a bit of luck you should be able to get it at a reasonable price. There was also – and, fortunately, there still is – a silver/transparent Kerry (a limited version for the Tokai region) which is really nice too.
I’m happy to hear that you find the orenz nero more pleasing now! Yes, sometimes it takes a bit of time.
I’m eager to hear what you say about the Kuru Toga Metal! I think it’s very well made, also because of the very fine grooves on the barrel, and to me it’s the best model in the Kuru Toga range. Yes, unfortunately the Dive is still quite expensive and difficult to find. – I have the Kuru Toga Wood, and the only difference is the grip (see also „Kuru Toga Wood vs Kuru Toga Metal“ in the Knockology forum).
That transparent Kerry certainly looks cool. So many limited editions that is hard to keep track of.
As for the Kuru Toga, am eagerly awaiting its arrival. It’s one pencil I’ve been wanting for quite some time now.
BTW have you read about the Dive clutch issues? And what is your take on the Safari Kuru Toga, do you have one already? Are you planning to buy it?
Yes, there are many limited editions, not only of the Pentel Kerry – too many …
I think you will like the Kuru Toga Metal!
I have heard about the Dive clutch issue. It looks as though graphite dust is clogging up the feed mechanism, and this is a common problem with automatic pencils. (As far as I know, this also led Faber-Castell to discontinue production of the Alpha-Matic and TK-Matic pencils – there were simply too many repair requests.). I doubt there’s a solution to this, as there’s no easy way (if any at all) to clean the clutch.
I won’t be buying a Safari Kuru Toga, mainly because of its distinctive three-sided grip, as I hold my writing instruments differently. In addition, it is neither a genuine LAMY pencil nor a genuine Mitsubishi/uni pencil.
Wow, that detail on auto-feed mechanical pencils is new to me. Would have thought that by this day and age the Japanese would have foreseen a fix to this. Sadly, it seems they do not. BTW the always-on lead on the Dive is quite a marvelous feature. They found a pretty claver way to make use of that magnetic cap. Someday I will get my own. Considering how sparingly I use them, it is sure to last my lifetime! LOL
As for the Lamy, I totally agree. It feels quite like a travesty. When I read the news on that super blog I told you about -lexikaliker, my first thought was “I need to buy one of the original versions before its too late”. I was pretty alienated from Lamy but I recently had the opportunity to buy their 2000 fountain pen and I’m back in love again. Their design aesthetic is quite unique and the philosophy was also pretty distinctive from any other competitor on the market. Now it is slowly flowing to become just a brand for Uni products IMHO. Hope the Japanese can respect its legacy.
I think the automatic lead feed mechanisms have now been improved, thereby reducing the problem. However, it is not certain whether the problems with the Kuru Toga Dive are actually caused by graphite dust. And if the problem were really that serious, we’d be hearing about it much more often, and then production might even be stopped (as was the case with the Pilot S30, where the lead slipped inside the mechanism). – The always-on lead feature is indeed very clever! It’s almost like witchcraft ;-)
The Lamy 2000 is a classic! I’m happy to hear that you like it. (I have the 2000 pencil that I bought many years ago.)
I almost forgot to mention that I’d bought a Lamy Safari vista ballpoint pen for the Mitsubishi/uni M17EF refill (yes, I know, normally you do it the other way round). However, I had to return it because of the two mould lines along the entire transparent barrel which felt very uncomfortable. Later, when I was in a shop and had a chance to look at other versions, I realised that all of them had these ugly mould lines. I just can’t get my head round the idea that Lamy would do something like that. But as far as I’ve heard, this manufacturing issue is no longer present in the models currently being offered by Mitsubishi/uni.
Then again you always have to consider user error. I’ve seen my fair share of people using their writing tools in pretty odd ways -specially fountain pens. And yes, I do remember all the stir caused by the S30, which by the way, is not a pencil that entices me to buy it. Much prefer an S20 or even better and S15 which am yet to create following that famous GS-recipe!
Do you recommend the 2000 MP? I was in love with the Lamy Scribble whose aesthetic I find somewhat similar to that of the 2000, but never got to buy it. I was pretty close while in my Berlin visit, as it was on sale on the Bauhaus museum. Should have buy it then, now its rare and quite expensive when it comes about.
Interesting detail on the Safari. I got a fountain pen on my desk right now and I can’t find any moulding lines on it. Really a shame they didn’t kept the same quality level on the BP but glad Mitsu managed to fix things up. I don’t own any BP, MP or Rollers from Lamy other than a very vintage pair of Black Pens.
Of course it is quite possible that the problems with the Kuru Toga Dive are down to how it has been used. I’m afraid the mechanism is quite delicate, and I think that even applying too much writing pressure can cause damage. – I also prefer the S20 (and certainly the S15) to the S30, but I still find the S30 quite appealing.
I haven’t used the Lamy 2000 for a long time, and to be honest, I don’t really need it any more. Unfortunately, the Scribble has become an expensive collector’s item!
The fountain pens in the Safari range appear to be much better made than the mechanical pencils and ballpoint pens, and I’m pleased that Mitsubishi/uni has fixed this problem. – I have a few pens and pencils from Lamy, including the noto, designed by Naoto Fukasawa who also worked for MUJI, and some multi pens.
Sad to hear that you no longer use that Lamy 2000 MP. Are you up for a trade?
Have you seen the new meteora and meteorite Safaris? That might confirm that Uni is indeed messing with the moulds, as these add a knurled texture to the grip and barrel.
I’m quite familiar with Naoto Fukusawa’s design work. He and Jasper Morrison co-authored an interesting design book manifesto under the title “Super normal”. If you haven’t read it, I recommend it. Jasper also designed a pen for Lamy, the Aion.
BTW The KT Metal is here. First impressions: lighter and thinner than I was expecting but the clean design, the tiny KT engine window, the textured barrel and the striated grip look stunning! Will get back with more.
I bought the Lamy 2000 because of its design but then realised that I prefer other mechanical pencils for everyday use. Yes, I’d sell it or trade it.
It’s great to hear that you are familiar with Naoto Fukusawa’s design work! I bought the book “Super Normal” many years ago but have retourned it. I found the photos disappointing and the details about the objects very sparse. I think the book could have been done much better. – The Lamy Aion is amazing!
The Kuru Toga Metal is indeed very well made, and I’m happy to hear that you like it too. Yes, it’s quite light and thin, but it doesn’t feel cheap. What impresses me most is that the mechanism is very sensitive and responds even with soft leads and light pressure, and on top of that has very little play. I think it’s the Kuru Toga with the best usability!
What would you trade the Lamy for?
Maybe my take on the book was a bit more glamorous having attended the accompanying exhibition. Been looking for it but can’t find it, can you believe that? Do you have the Aion?
As for the Kuru toga Metal, it is indeed the best KT-engined pencil I’ve ever tried. The quality and design details are quite amazing for a pencil this price. Been using it to draw and write and it works beautifully on both tasks. Uni outdid themselves with this one. I’m liking it so much that I might go for the Wood version just to have the green color and not an identical pencil!
BTW The Orenznero has won me over. Even after having a jamming problem -which I solved following the instructions on Pentel’s Japan site, I kind of appreciate the pencil now. The design itself is one of the best Pentel has to offer, probably only second to the Smash.
I haven’t given any thought yet to what I’d trade my Lamy 2000 for.
It’s great that you went to the exhibition – I would have loved to go too! No, I don’t have the Aion. I stopped buying new fountain pens a long time ago because, unlike with mechanical pencils, for example, I no longer switch between them; I always use the same two (well, maybe a third one now and then, but that’s it).
I’m happy to hear that you like the Kuru Toga Metal! Mitsubishi/uni outdid themselves not only with this model, but also with several other pens and pencils.
Your praise for the orenz Nero has made me want to dig it out and use it again! Yes, the design really is great.
Interesting! Which pens do you use regularly?
Yes, you are right, Mitsu/ Uni have quite a lot of all-stars in their range now. Zento comes to mind. Hope to see that product-development creativity put to work inside Lamy but preserving the brand’s identity and German-focus.
Glad you also brought back to life the Nero!
BTW Staedtler Mexico finally decided to bring the Noris to our market. Unfortunately, it is the upcycled wood version. But I might as well buy a pack for the collection. Maybe as a fairwell to that iconic and beloved pencil brand. They also brought the Norix which intrigues me due to its unsual shape. Have you ever used any of these?
I mainly use the Pilot Custom Heritage 91 F with Aurora black ink and the Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink. About ten years ago, I bought the latter out of curiosity, and I never would have thought that it would one day be one of my favourites. Unfortunately, production of this amazing fountain pen was discontinued around 2020.
Mitsubishi/uni never ceases to amaze me! I also hope that the company will preserve the Lamy brand (even if things will never be the same as they used to be – those days are gone).
I haven’t used the orenz nero yet, but at least it’s no longer sitting in that dark drawer ;-)
It’s a shame that Staedtler has stopped making its classic Noris pencil from wood; now the last remaining woodcased pencils are the Lumograph and the tradition (but I wouldn’t be surprised if the latter were also made from upcycled wood before long). Although I find the upcycled wood technique interesting, I no longer like these pencils at all, so I won’t be taking a closer look at the Norix either.
Interesting selection of pens. I already knew you are a fan of Japanese nibs, but would’ve never guessed the Carbon Pen was among your favourites. That pen is still available for purchase in Amazon locally. Might give it a try.
I own 4-5 Platinum Honest pens from the 60’s -70’s (found NOS) that share the same nib and section design as the Carbon pen and I must admit, it is a joy to write with them. They are quite springy for such a small stainless steel nib design. I found them by mere accident and only bought one at first. After using it, I decided to go back for more. Also love the blue-black cartridges that came with them, not sure the formula stayed the same.
As for Staedtler, yes, it is quite a shame the route they are taking. The Wopex is by far the best extruded pencil I’ve ever tried but it by no means my favorite. Also the fact that you need a special sharpener for it, it quite a let down. I mean, you can use whatever sharpener you happen to have, but the material from the Wopex is sure to dull the blades in the blink of an eye.
Lastly, sad to see the 123 60 depart. For some reason, I really liked that pencil!
The Platinum Carbon Pen is really amazing, and I wouldn’t have thought back then that it would become one of my favourites. – Are you sure that it is still available at Amazon locally? The model number is DP-800S, and there is the DPQ-700A which looks similar but has a different nib which is not as good as the one of the Carbon Pen.
It’s great to hear that you have these old Platinum pens! This must have been a fantastic find.
It’s not just the problem with sharpening that makes Wopex pencils a little annoying to use (at least for me), but also the lead – I simply really don’t like the way it writes.
Yes, it’s a real shame that the 123 60 has been discontinued. The successor, the Noris natural 130 60N-2, is manufactured in China, and from what I have heard it’s made from Gmelina. But I’ll have a closer look at it as soon as I’ve got one!
My bad, the nib is definitely not the same. Didn’t pay attention to that nor did it occur to me that the Carbon pen had different models.
As for the Noris, as far as I can remember it was also kind of difficult to get a nice point on them. Let me know your thoughts on that natural wood Noris. Hopefully it might be our last hope for the real thing.
No problem :-) There was only one Carbon Pen, i. e. only one with that specific name; the others are simply referred to as “desk pens“ (Platinum used to have more, but now there is only one left). – By the way, Pilot also makes pens with a similar design (see here).
It is generally very difficult, if not impossible, to sharpen a Wopex to a fine point, as the fine tip always breaks off because the extruded lead does not have the necessary strength.
I will try to get a Noris natural 130 60N-2!
Thanks for the details on the Carbon Pen. AFAIK, pretty much all other pen brands have discontinued desk pens, it is quite interesting that Japanese companies still have them on their catalogs. I always found them uninspiring but then one day I got a Cross desk propelling pencil and found out that the extra lenght in the barrel works wonderfully for drawing purposes. Now am on the lookout for more.
BTW Going thru my collection I found out that I already own a Noris Natural. It writes beautifully and is made out of cedar wood. Unfortunately is been out of production since WWII!
Let me know how good is that Noris.
Yes, Japanese manufacturers still have a few desk pens; however, Platinum has only one and Pilot only two left.
At first I found it a bit odd too, but I’ve come to like this design. I also have Zebra Bankers ballpoint pen in that design, and it’s a pleasure to use it.
Ha, an old “Noris natural” :-) If it dates from the WWII, then it’s actually a standard Noris, and as painting wasn’t allowed at that time, it remained “natural“. It deserves a special place in your collection!
I’ll let you know about the new Noris natural!
I also have a Tradition Natural and several other German pencils from WWII. One of them is a Wehrmatch standard-issue short copying pencil that according to my research, was used on the frontlines to pass orders among the troops. Soldiers used to lick this pencils to activate the permanent marks, can you believe that? It comes with its original cardboard cap.
Do you have any WWII pencils on your collection?
So you have some really nice old pencils in your collection! Licking the copying pencils was certainly a strange habit ;-)
Yes, I have several unpainted pencils from that era, including some J.S. STAEDTLER Lumograph 02886 and a few from Schwan, among them the map pencil Kartothello.
Please do remind me to pay a visit to the Lexikaliker museum on my next trip to Germany. Treasures abound there!
That is one beautiful pencil, thou I prefer its blue/ black ordinary color scheme. The Kartothello is one amazing set. So much beauty on it. Seen that post before.
BTW Do you happen to know if pencils from the WWII-era still used red cedar? I have a few examples with wood that differs a lot from the current cedar used in pencils. Both in texture and color.
Unfortunately, my place doesn’t look like a museum, but more like a museum storeroom where you cram all the stuff you can’t or don’t want to display ;-)
Yes, the blue and black colour scheme is much nicer! I’m glad I managed to get hold of that Karthotello set back then, because these days you hardly ever come across map pencils anymore.
Unfortunately, I have no idea who used red cedar and until when. However, I think that the manufacturers had already switched to incense cedar before the Second World War.
That makes it all the more interesting! ;o)
Gonna take some photos to share with you. I’m pretty sure some of these pencils used a different kind of cedar.
I’m afraid the boxes that have been labelled carelessly aren’t all that interesting ;-)
I’m really looking forward to seeing these photos! It would be best if you could send them by email.
Sure, will send the email. BTW just got hold of the Noris and Norix upcycled pencils. The Noris is definitely a Wopex under a new dress. Unfortunately the local branch decided to import the one with the eraser up top, so it is not only a let down in terms of performance (as opposed to the wood version) but also, it is ugly as hell with that ferule.
As for the Norix, I had somewhat high expectations on it. I knew that it is Wopex-based but was intrigued by its design and supposedly enhanced grip. The reality was far more disappointing thou. The grip is about the same as that of the Noris the only difference are the tiny little dots adorning the grip on one side, which frankly don’t make any difference to me. The quasi-triangular shape might be more ergonomic but at the same time it makes even harder to get a decent sharpening out off it. So in summary, it is an even worse version of the Wopex. No ferule up top at least.
Also, Staedtler seems to be phasing out their old sharpener -the metal version, for a new Eisen-like magnesium version that it’s lighter and that has a German-made blade. It looks exactly as the no-brand Chinese variants being sold next to it, only with the Steadtler logo and packaging.
Last but not least, there are some offerings for H and 2B Noris school pencils of the wood kind on the local Amazon website. Pretty sure this is NOS from somewhere.
Unrelated: ein Druckbleistiftmuseum in Japan https://sumikai.com/nachrichten-aus-japan/lifestyle/japanischer-student-eroeffnet-museum-fuer-druckbleistifte-in-kyoto-378559/
Guillermo: Thank you for the details about the Noris and Norix pencils! What you’re saying doesn’t sound very encouraging ;-) Nevertheless, I’ll keep an eye out for these pencils.
Regarding the STAEDTLER sharpeners: If they look bland and have a German-made blade they could be made by Eisen.
It’s great to hear that there are still woodcased Noris pencils around!
Matthias: Danke für den Link! Ich habe ihn auch in den Artikel gepackt. – Bei meiner Suche nach weiteren Details bin auf „Student opens museum showing his mechanical pencils in Kyoto“ gestoßen. Dies ist wohl der Originalartikel, und er enthält einige weitere Details und Fotos. Dieses Museum würde ich zu gerne besuchen!
Ja, das Museum wäre sehr interessant!