Ok, so I finally got my hands on a Uni Zento Signature - Uni’s latest “it” gel pen that flies off shelves so fast in Japan that it hardly ever makes it’s way into the U.S. market, and when it does, it often appears at grossly inflated secondary market prices. (I’ve seen these pens priced as high as $200+, but fortunately as they become more available this degree of silliness is less common.) I’ve been trying to get my hands on a Zento Signature for about a year, and when Vanness Pens obtained a (very) small shipment for the California Pen Show in February, I managed to snag one of the black ones in the .5mm tip size. After a few weeks of use, here are my initial impressions.
What I Like About the Uni Zento Signature
Magnetic Cap. The Zento Signature features a magnetic cap which closes and posts securely. This feature alone makes the Signature an excellent pen for everyday carry. Standard “click” gel pens can accidentally deploy in your bag or pocket, causing a mess. You don’t have that issue with the Signature.
Sturdy Clip. The Signature features an upgraded metal clip that’s a bit heavier duty than the wire clip on the standard and Flow pens. I haven’t had the pen long enough to know whether it will make a real long-term difference in terms of durability, but it feels secure and does lend the pen a higher-end look.
Matte Grip. The grip section on the Zento Signature has a matte texture that reduces slippage in the hand. The metal barrel on the Zento Flow might be a touch slick for some people. If you’re writing outdoors, in a variable travel environment, or if you tend to have sweaty hands, the Signature is a good choice.
All-Metal Construction. The Zento Signature feels durable due to the nearly all-metal construction, including interior metal threads. There’s even an o-ring to prevent leakage if a refill goes bust.
The Zento Signature posted in-hand. The grip section is comfortable, though I find the overall shape of the pen a touch short for my hand.
The Uni Zento Flow, which is a traditional click pen format with a lower aluminum barrel.
Do I Prefer the Zento Signature Over the Zento Flow? A Few Considerations that have me leaning towards the Zento flow
Price Point. Even at the standard pricing ($30), the Zento Signature is nearly 3x more expensive than the Zento Flow, and 10x more expensive than the standard Zento. All three pens use the same refill, so in order to justify the price difference, you need to really like the format. I would NOT suggest that anyone pay $100-200 on the secondary market for a Zento Signature under any circumstances - it was never intended to be sold at this price point and the value proposition is not there.
Balance. I don’t consider the Zento Signature unbalanced, but for longer writing sessions the Zento Flow fits my hand better. Posted, the Signature is only slightly shorter, but the difference in weight and balance feels more pronounced. I think I prefer the more front-weighted Flow overall.
Hype. The stationery industry goes crazy over certain products from time to time, and I’m usually able to ignore the hype but with the Zento Signature it can be impossible. This pen has drawn so much attention that I dislike using it in public and carrying it with me at shows and meetups due to the number of people constantly asking whether I’m willing to sell it. (I’m not.) In my opinion, this pen is nice but does not justify the level of social media FOMO-driven hype that it receives.
Most of the price point of the Zento Signature goes into the metal barrel. As you can see, the barrel threads are metal as opposed to plastic, which suggests that the pen will be more durable over time as one would expect for the price point. That said, both pens use the same refill, so your writing experience is nearly identical.
Further Reading on the Uni Zento Lineup
I’ve previously reviewed the standard Uni Zento and the “mid-tier” Zento Flow, which uses the same refill and features an upgraded metal barrel in five different finishes. I think the Zento refill is excellent, and consider these pens exceptionally good everyday writers for those who value a smooth writing experience. The Zento is designed to be “low friction”, and performs as advertised. At the end of the day, is the coveted Zento Signature 2-3x as good as the Flow? If you’re just looking to write with a Zento, probably not, but if you are looking for a pocket-carry EDC pen with a magnetic cap, at $30 the Zento Signature is a reasonable choice as long as you can find one at standard pricing.
We currently have a fairly large selection of Standard Zentos and Zento Flow pens in stock in our shop, including the cool “Birch” Flow that pairs a white upper barrel with etched aluminum. We recently added some .7mm options for those who prefer a wider tip size. Unfortunately, we do not have any Zento Signatures available for sale as they remain largely unavailable in the U.S. Our friends at Vanness Pens are also currently sold out. Please note that I am not interested in selling my personal pen and generally do not respond to emails and comments regarding purchases from my personal collection. Thank you for understanding!
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