Thursday Drops: Even More Multi Pen Madness, Plus Pilot S20s, Sarasas and Jetstreams

I guess we’re the multi pen people now, huh? This week we received a large shipment of unique multi pens direct from Japan, including the Pilot Legno 2+1 in five woodgrain finishes, Pilot 4+1 multi pens featuring ultra smooth Acro-Ink, and while not a multi pen, additional stock of the excellent Pilot S20 Ballpoints and matching mechanical pencils.

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TWSBI has also released its latest ECO color: Matcha Green, which fills a gap in the current color lineup. After some prodding, we also put in a test order for the TWSBI Diamond 50ml ink bottles, which allow you to fill your TWSBI 580s without dipping the nib. Finally, we’ve reupped on all the Jetstream refills, in both the Uni proprietary formats and the universal styles.

We have slightly revised in-store hours this week: We will be open from 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, per the usual, and then from 8-10am on Saturday morning and 1-5pm on Sunday, due to some scheduling conflicts. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

1. Pilot Legno 2+1 Multi Pens. These gorgeous woodgrain multi pens match the color scheme of the S20 Ballpoint, plus add three new options (Black, Natural Wood, and Mahogany). Each pen ships with two D1 refills (black and red) plus a .5mm mechanical pencil. Because the pen uses the universal D1 size, you can customize with whatever ink/refill system you like.

2. Pilot 4+1 Multi Pens. The Japanese counterpart to the classic “Dr. Grip” 4+1 multi pen that you can find here in the states, this version features .5mm Acro-ink refills in four colors, plus a .5mm mechanical pencil. This series pairs four muted colors with an unvarnished wood grip that shows off the grain.

3. TWSBI ECO Matcha Green Fountain Pen. Looking for something a little lighter to complement darker “Breakfast Collection”? TWSBI’s latest ECO release is a light tea green (as you would expect) and available in all nib sizes.

4. Pilot S20 Ballpoint Pens and Mechanical Pencils. Wishing we offered a set of the Pilot S20 pens and pencils? Now you can build one! The Pilot S20 .5mm mechanical pencil feels just as nice in the hand as the S20 ballpoint.

5. TWSBI Diamond 50ml Ink Bottles. Enough people asked about these that we decided to do a test order! The TWSBI ink bottle allows you to fill your TWSBI Diamond 580 (or similar earlier TWSBI piston-filler model) without dipping the nib in the ink, and allows you to fill other pens using a reservoir system. If there’s an ink brand that you love that otherwise has impractical ink bottles, consider a third-party solution!

6. Pilot Decimo Capless Fountain Pens. All colors are now available, as we just added the burgundy and white models to our selection. Many people prefer the slimmer Decimo to the larger Vanishing Point, and if you’ve found that the Vanishing Point clip interferes with your grip, moving to the Decimo sometimes improves things.

7. Zebra Sarasa Grand Vintage Gel Pens. These high-end Sarasa pens actually match the refill to the anodization, which is somewhat rare. (Usually the “higher end” gel pen bodies ship with a standard blue or black refill.) .5mm and .3mm options are available, as well as additional refills in the muted “Vintage” series of colors.

8. Uni Jetstream Prime Lite Touch 3 Multi Pen. The Jetstream Lite Touch refill has, deservedly, received a lot of attention as an incremental improvement to the already excellent Uni Jetstream low-viscosity ballpoint. This 3 slot multi pen is a very nice higher-end professional option that comes in three unique matte finishes. You can read our full review of this multi pen here.

9. Uni Jetstream Lite Touch 4+1 Multi Pen. The standard Jetstream 4+1 Multi Pen is also available with the updated Lite Touch refills. (You can still buy both the original Jetstream and Lite Touch Jetstream multi pen refills, depending on your preference.)

10. Notsu Index Card Systems and Refills. We are fully restocked on all of the Notsu card sets, replacement cards, and other accessories. These are some of the best fountain pen friendly index cards out there, and are available in a wide variety of different formats.

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Check out the woodgrain on that multi pen grip!

The Jetstream Prime Lite Touch 3: Can Uni Improve on the Jetstream Experience?

The Jetstream Prime is the upscale version of Uni’s ubiquitous Jetstream low viscosity ballpoint pen, featuring sleeker barrels in more stylish colors. While I love pretty much everything Jetstream, I truly enjoy the Jetstream Prime lineup, and the standard Jetstream Prime Twist Ballpoint is one of my most recommended pens for those looking for a no-nonsense everyday writer to use in the professional context. Regardless of the new Lite Touch ink, the Jetstream Prime Lite Touch 3 multi pen was inevitably going to end up in my pen case.

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I’ll talk about the pen first, then offer my thoughts on the Jetstream Lite Touch ink, which is a new ink formulation Uni introduced last year. The Jetstream Prime Lite Touch 3 multi pen is a three-slot multi pen (no mechanical pencil option) that uses a rotational mechanism to switch ink colors. In other words, you rotate the barrel until the clip points to the color you want. As far as multi pens go, this one is far more compact and lightweight than what you usually find. Many multi pens are either oversized or on the heavier side, due to both the relative complexity of the mechanism and the weight of the additional refills, so the comfort and usability of this pen made for a pleasant surprise. The matte texture on the coated metal barrel makes the Lite Touch 3 easy to grip and minimizes slippage. The overall length is such that it sits well in my hand, and the pen fits easily into most pen loops I’ve tried. A couple weeks back I carried this one around New York City in my Lochby Field Journal Mini, and for the past few days it’s been in my Plotter A5.

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So now about the ink. Uni introduced the Jetstream “Lite Touch” as a smoother version of the Jetstream low-viscosity ballpoint, engineered for increased darkness and less resistance on the paper. In other words, if the Jetstream was originally designed as a “hybrid gel-ballpoint” pen, then the Jetstream Lite Touch takes things even further towards the “gel” end of the spectrum. The Lite Touch ink flows exceptionally well, leaves a dark line with all three colors (black, blue, and red) that shipped with the pen, and still dried almost instantly. I guess the only question I have is why introduce this particular ink as a new product, as opposed to modifying the formulation of the original Jetstream cartridge? The Jetstream Lite Touch is different for sure, but I’m not sure that it’s so different the average person would remark on it. That may change as I try different Lite Touch formats, which I currently have on order.

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Of all the colors, I found the difference most pronounced in the black ink, which was smoother and noticeably darker. The difference was less pronounced in blue, and honestly almost indistinguishable in red.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I’m not sure that I like the Jetstream Lite Touch ink “better” than the standard Jetstream - I’m one of those people who actually does enjoy the tactile feel of a standard ballpoint cartridge so the additional smoothness isn’t a huge selling point for me, as I’d typically just use a gel pen. That said, if what you’re looking for is a ballpoint that writes a smooth, dark, quick-dry line and is as close to a gel pen as you can get, give this cartridge a try. Those who can’t write with heavier pressure may also find the Lite Touch to work better for them. For me personally, I will probably continue to buy either Jetstream or Jetstream Lite Touch pens based on whether I enjoy the form factor of the pen itself, since I can happily use either ink.

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Both the Jetstream 4+1 and the Jetstream Prime Lite Touch 3 come in muted yellow colors, which I love.

As far as the pen itself, The Jetstream Prime Lite Touch 3 is one of the better multi pens that I’ve used. The slimmer, more classic profile fits my own personal preferences, and I love the rotational mechanism. Plus it comes in yellow. If you make it in yellow, I will buy one. Now just make it in dark red too. We currently have a small number of these pens in the shop, with more on the way, as well as Lite Touch versions of the classic Jetstream 4+1 Multi Pen. These pens take the SXR-L80 refills, which are currently on order and will also be available. Each of these pens ship with three .5mm refills already installed in the pen, which should last you a while before you need extras.

Thank you for reading! The Gentleman Stationer is supported by the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program. If you’d like to visit our in-person location, you can view directions and up-to-date hours here. Please note that we are experiencing inclement weather (ice and snow) on Feb. 18 and 19, so shipments may be delayed in going out by a day or so.

New Arrivals: The Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Multi Pens!

My favorite gel multi pen of all time is the Hi-Tec-C Coleto, and I still have a long-discontinued matte-black Coleto Lumio (since replaced by the Coleto 1000 series) that remains always at the ready in my pen case. The Hi-Tec-C gel pen series is famous for its needle-tip in .3mm, .4mm, and .5mm sizes, and people love the Coletos because they come in a wide range of colors and the refills tend to be less finicky than the standard Hi-Tec-C Cartridge. I can regularly use a Coleto refill all the way to the end of its life without the pen drying or clogging up, probably because they hold less ink (with less opportunities to develop problems over time).

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The end cap of the Coleto flips up, allowing you to slide in 3 or 4 refills, depending on which pen you choose.

As of this morning, we’re happy to offer Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Multi Pens in three different variations, priced from $3 to $15. Note that the pens are sold without refills - you can customize this pen by selecting from the nearly three dozen different refill possibilities, including mechanical pencils and eraser units, and we’ve spent a considerable amount of time assembling some assortment packs so that you can test all the different refill colors before deciding how and whether to stock up. Options include standard colors, fluorescent colors, pastels, and metallic gels. Happy shopping!

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I’ve personally always found the .4mm size the sweet spot of the Coleto line (and Hi-Tec-C Gel pens in general), but the others write just as well, with the .3mm slightly narrower and .5mm slightly wider.

Pen Review: Uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen

Today's post is somewhat of a hybrid between an entry in the "Review Revisited" and "Mini Collection" series. Since I've somehow managed to collect 5 or 6 of the Uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pens over the years, I figured I should revisit my last review and comment some on why I enjoy this pen so much. While I consider myself a multi pen enthusiast, I really use two on a daily basis: (1) the Lamy 2000 Multi Pen, and (2) one of these various Uni Jetstream models.

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All of the various renditions of the Uni Jetstream multi pens use different materials in the body and grip section.

My Use Case For Multi Pens

Long-time readers of the blog know that I'm a fairly prolific reader and serial annotator, both in my day job and my personal life. For me, multi pens are one of the ultimate annotation tools because they allow you to mark up documents in multiple colors (different colors for different types of notes), and an added mechanical pencil option is a great bonus because it allows you to erase as necessary. The multi pen is a lifesaver when I'm traveling - particularly when I'm working on a airplane - as it eliminates the need to have multiple writing instruments available and minimizes the risk of something getting lost or falling under the seat. Multi pens are also great for when you want to read out on the patio, work on the couch, or another similar context in which you're not necessarily seated and/or writing on a flat surface.

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If I had to pick a favorite to use daily, it would probably be the versions with the bamboo grip. It’s quite tactile and I imagine they will age/patina with time. The Karimoku edition is not bamboo, but rather reclaimed wood from furniture manufacturing, if I’m not mistaken. It also features a ceramic-like coating (possibly Cerakote or something similar).

What Makes a Good Multi Pen?

For me, because I’m not necessarily using this particular pen to write a novel, it all comes down to the refill and how reliable it is. While the Lamy 2000 Multi Pen (ok, "4-Color Ballpoint") might be one of the most versatile multi pens because it accepts universal D1 refills, I find myself using Uni Jetstream refills nearly exclusively in all of my ballpoints, so I've also managed to accumulate a significant collection of the Uni Jetstream 4&1 and 3&1 multi pens. These take a proprietary cartridge, but because I’m pretty much all-in on the Jetstream at this point, I don’t care as much. The "&1" refers to the added mechanical pencil - something the Lamy 2000 doesn't have.

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The 4&1 contains four different Jetstream refills: black, blue, red, and green. All of them write smoothly. It can be extremely difficult to find decent ballpoints in colors other than black and blue, but the red and green refills here write a legible line and have been reliable over time. Jetstream refills tend to last forever without drying up, something that's especially important with a multi pen where you might not use a specific color on a daily basis.

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While some might find the Jetstream 4&1 too large for their hand, I personally find it fairly comfortable due to its light weight. Uni makes this pen with multiple grip styles, however, so be sure to choose the one most comfortable for you. For example, those who tend to grip their pen hard might want to avoid the metal section models in favor of the gel grip, while the plastic and bamboo options present more of a middle ground.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

And this brings us to the "mini collection" portion of this post. At last count, I have in my personal collection six of these Uni Jetstream Multi Pens in various finishes: two of the standard Bamboo models, one model in the limited edition Karimoku finish, one metal-grip "Tokyo Bike" special release, one Tokyo Bike 3-color (no mechanical pencil), and a standard black gel grip 4&1. Five of the six pens are the 4&1 model, so I'm pretty much sold on that version. And yes, I know there are countless more editions and releases out there, but I can only use so many multi pens, and I plan to just pick them up as I come across them "in the wild" as opposed to tracking them down via eBay, etc.

If you’re interested in hearing more about why I like this pen, and multi pens in general, check out this YouTube video that I recently released that discusses how the Uni Jetstream 4&1 compares to other favorites, including the Lamy 2000.

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From left: Sage, Mimosa Yellow, Oregano, Blue-Grey, and Gerbera Pink.

In the meantime, in the interest of making this long-time personal favorite more accessible, I did order an assortment of the Bamboo-grip 4&1 Multi Pens for the shop. I currently have them in five muted pastel shades, including Mimosa Yellow, Oregano Green, Blue Grey, Gerbera Pink, and Sage. If you've never tried a good multi pen, this is an excellent place to start, given the combination of quality and price point ($25). The four included starter refills will last you a very long time, but if you think you might want more, or need to replace refills in an existing Jetstream Multi Pen, we sell all colors, as well as .5mm Uni mechanical pencil leads.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Review Revisited: The Lamy 2000 4 Color Ballpoint (Multipen)

I don’t often revisit old reviews, but I’ve been in a nostalgic mood lately as I prune back my collection and decide what to keep and what I should pass along to others. I also periodically get questions about whether my opinion on certain pens I’ve recommended heavily in the past still feature prominently in my own daily use. One of those pens is the Lamy 2000 4 Color Ballpoint, more commonly referred to as the Lamy 2000 Multipen. For a refresh on my opinions of this pen, you should start by reading my original review.

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A small split in the Macrolon, which is pretty shallow and hasn’t “moved” at all since I first noticed it 2 years ago. I still use the pen without incident.

Nearly five years later, everything I said in that original review still holds true. The “gravity drive” refill system, where you rotate the pen so that the refill you desire to use faces up, continues to work flawlessly, and the pen itself has withstood significant use fairly well, including relatively heavy pocket carry and briefcase travel. My pen does have a small split in the Macrolon around mid-barrel, though it’s stable and hasn’t expanded in the two years since I first noticed it.

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The Sailor Imperial Black Multipen features a .5mm mechanical pencil, which is great even though I prefer the Lamy’s form factor. (The Lamy also rattles less.)

If there is one “regret” I have with this pen, it’s that the Lamy 2000 4 Color Ballpoint doesn’t feature a mechanical pencil option. If I were able to roll with three pens and a pencil in this form factor, this pen would never leave my bag. As it stands, if I think I’m going to be in a situation where a pencil might be necessary, I’ll carry the Sailor Imperial Black Multipen instead. While that particular pen is quite a bit heavier and not as comfortable to use as the Lamy, the mechanical pencil option is a huge plus.

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My two preferred multipen options: the Sailor Imperial Black and the Lamy 2000 4 Color Ballpoint.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

While I don’t use multipens in general as much as I used to, the Lamy 2000 4 Color Ballpoint still makes its way into my regular daily carry. I use the same four D1 refill options as I did five years ago (two .5mm Jetstreams in blue and red, a Lamy highlighter refill, and a standard .7mm blue-black ballpoint refill that I bought in bulk years ago and which I think is Monteverde). While this particular pen is going on six years old, and carries some “battle scars,” I’d consider it stable and a worthy investment, especially given how much use I’ve gotten from it and the fact that I only paid $50 or so. You can still get these in the U.S., though the price these days is more around $80. If this particular pen ends up breaking, I’d have no hesitation about investing in another one. I’ve linked here to Jetpens, the U.S.-based retailer that also features a wide range of D1 refills that should be compatible with the Lamy 2000 Multipen.

Disclaimer: I purchased this pen with my own funds, for my own use, years ago. This post does not contain affiliate links. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges from the T.G.S. Patreon Program.