Pentel Pulaman JM20 Disposable Fountain Pen Review

Everyone I know who uses or has reviewed the Pentel Pulaman JM20 (or mainly the Pentel Tradio - same tip) either loves it, or has no use for it. So, I won't say there is a love/hate relationship with this pen because that would be unfair to a perfectly fine pen, but you either have a use for the Pulaman, or you don't.

The groups I find that have the most use for the Pulaman are artists, sketchers, and other creative types. The flexible nib allows for a wide range of line widths, similar to a brush pen but more sturdy. The ink flow is heavy, making it useful for large-motion sketching, but not really small detailed writing. I am a small, detailed writer so it isn't the best pen for me.

What I can't figure out about this pen, or its relative the Tradio, is why it is always referred to as a fountain pen? On looks alone, no one is going to mistake this for a metal nib pen, but it is odd none the less. Anyone have thoughts on this?

Read another review of the Pentel Pulaman JM20 at Office Supply Geek

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Pentel Finito! Extra Fine Porous Tip

Does the Pentel Finito! really exist? They obviously do, I have three of them in the picture right up there. But if I wanted to link to them online for more information or even a place to buy them, that is a bit more difficult. I bought mine at Staples a month or so ago, but they are nowhere to be found on their website. No problem, Pentel will certainly have some info on their website. Or not.

I gave up looking eventually. Sure, there are ebay listings, and out of stock Amazon links, but I have already wasted more time than this pen deserves. It is not a terrible pen but it doesn’t fit my writing style. The ink flow is massive. So fast that I can barely stay out in front of the bleeding. Extra Fine it is not.

It does look the part though. The barrel is nice and sturdy and the tip is well designed, but compared to similar pens like the Sharpie Pen the Finito! doesn’t even come close performance wise. This is more of a marker pen than a writing or drawing pen, so adjust your expectations accordingly. That is if you can actually find a place to buy them.

Finito!

Pentel Slicci Techo Mini Gel Ink Pen Review

Mini pens are a tough category. Some of the best designed pens come in small packages, but using those small packages often comes at a price. Most of the time the cost is comfort at the expense of barrel diameter. A thin barrel often leads to faster writing fatigue, and therefore limits how long you can write with a pen.

A few mini pens try to shorten the length while keeping the same barrel diameter (the now discontinued Pilot Pockel comes to mind), but most shrink the barrel diameter to almost uncomfortable dimensions. I haven’t found the sweet spot for the perfect mini pen size, but the Pentel Slicci Techo is at least in the conversation.

What I like about the Techo is that barrel diameter isn’t as extreme as other mini pens. Sure it is small, but if you are already a fan of the Pentel Slicci you are used to a narrower than normal diameter to begin with. And if you aren’t but already use mini pens you will enjoy the feel of the Techo in comparison to other pens in this category.

From a writing standpoint it is the same as the Pentel Slicci, and that is good. The Slicci tip has always been a favorite of mine and having it available in a portable, EDC-type package is great. I am seeing a little bit of skipping in my first experience with it but hopefully that will work itself out. Copper also isn’t my first choice in barrel color, but I’ll make do.

There are many boxes I need to check off on the perfect mini-pen checklist and the Pentel Slicci Techo ticks nearly all of them.