I have a soft spot for pens that have remained essentially unchanged for 60+ years, including the Lamy 2000, the Pilot Capless Series, and even less expensive pens like the one I plan to review here: the Pentel Sign Pen. Introduced in 1963, the Sign Pen is famous for its moderately flexible tip that allows for expressive line variation while remaining just firm enough to use for everyday writing. Long a favorite of calligraphers, I had written this one off as an “art marker” that wouldn’t be suitable for my more everyday needs. Let’s say I’ve had to reconsider.
An example of how I’ve been using these pens for my personal planner layouts.
Expanding My Japanese Fineliner Repertoire
Back in December we brought an assortment of Craft Design Technology products into the shop, which included CDT’s versions of a wide range of Japanese stationery items that I had never tried before. This shipment included not only the Sign Pens, but other unique finds including the Pentel Tradio, the Pilot Frixion 3 multi pen, and paper items such as the CDT Memo Rolls and Desk Note Bagasse notebooks. Of all the new additions, however, the Sign Pens and the Tradios were my favorites.
The brush/marker tip is adequately firm for writing, and the colors are quite vibrant. Writing sample here is shown on the CDT Desk Note (Large), which contains ink-friendly, sugarcane-derived Bagasse paper.
I’ve long been a proponent of fountain pen users trying out fineliners as an “everyday” alternative. Fineliners add a degree of expressiveness (meaning line variation) to your handwriting, and have a soft feel that, like a fountain pen, requires very little writing pressure. The Pentel Tradio is actually modeled after a fountain pen, but with a stiffer tip that will feel familiar to U.S. users accustomed to standard felt-tip pens and markers. The Pentel Sign Pen invokes a traditional Japanese brush pen, with a softer tip capable of more significant line variation. As a result, the Sign Pen has become a favorite for calligraphers and artists, though the tip remains firm enough that you can use it for standard handwriting and journaling.
The T.G.S. back-office work table.
So how do I use my own set of Pentel Sign Pens? I’m no calligrapher, and I long ago allowed my art skills to lapse, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed these pens as journaling and planning tools. The tip is flexible enough to go from a relatively fine line to a bolder marker-esque line, making them useful for drawing layouts. I’ve also been trying to improve my cursive and reduce the amount of pressure that I use while writing by hand, so these are great given that the ink flows similarly to a fountain pen. Unlike many markers, the Sign Pens show relatively little bleedthrough and feathering on decent papers, with the ink behaving similarly to fountain pen ink in that regard.
The Pentel Sign Pen features color-coded end caps so that you can conveniently locate the pen you’re looking for.
Takeaways and Where to Buy
I keep a jar of the Craft Design Technology Pentel Sign Pens on the main worktable in the T.G.S. back office - that’s how much I’ve grown to love these things. I’ve always been a fan of fineliners and other fine-tipped markers, but the Sign Pen is different enough that I sometimes feel as though I’ve discovered an entirely different product category! I have one of the 10-pen sets, and I even kept the zippered pouch so that I can take these with me when I travel. They make an excellent addition to a journaling kit if you like to write in different colors but don’t feel comfortable bringing multiple fountain pens and inks.
If you opt for one of the multi-packs, be sure to save the pouch, as it’s quite nice for travel. (Or you can upgrade to one of the CDT Custom Leather zipper pouches.) :)
As noted above, we stock the Sign Pen in the exclusive Craft Design Technology mint green finish. For those unfamiliar with CDT, it’s a Japanese design house that collaborates with various stationery manufacturers on their own unique versions of classic items, including Pentel items such as the Tradio, Sign Pen, Energel, Sharp Kerry, and even more paper products and desk accessories. Most of their releases incorporate some version of their signature green colorway.
The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.