Pentel Vicuna EX 2 Color 0.7 mm Ballpoint Multi Pen + Pencil Review

Among the hybrid ballpoint ink pens the Pentel Vicuna is a sneaky good option. For me, it ranks only behind the Uni-ball Jetstream and the Pilot Acroball, and it may have darker black ink than both of them. The Pentel Vicuna EX Multi Pen stepped up the Vicuna's game with an upgraded barrel to hold two ink cartridges (red and black) plus an 0.5 mm pencil.

The three cartridge setup works well with the pen design. The barrel diameter is just big enough to fit everything and not have an overly large pen. In fact, it is just about the perfect size. Some multi pens get too wide or have cartridges that come out at a slight angle but that is not an issue with the Vicuna EX.

As I anticipated, the ink cartridges are as smooth, solid, and vibrant as the single color pens. The black leaves a solid line and the red is sharp and bright (my photo makes it look duller than it actually is). The 0.5 mm pencil is a nice addition, and unlike many other multi pens it contains an eraser under the end of the cap.

I won't be leaving my Jetstream's for the Vicuna anytime soon but it is a tougher decision than you would think. Maybe one day Pentel will see fit to bring them to the US.

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)

Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pen Review

I'm having a hard time classifying the Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pen. By definition, fude is a Japanese term for brush pen, then Pentel went and encased the pen in their traditional Sign Pen barrel. When writing, it is a mix between a marker and an art pen. So, Pentel Fude Touch Sign Marker Art Drawing Pen might have been a better name for it.

The tip is very soft like a brush pen and that is the general action you get when putting the tip to the page. But, the business end of the brush tip is a very small area. This makes it act more like a marker to me. I can get a small amount of line variation, but a traditional brush pen this is not.

There is something unique about this pen that makes it very enjoyable though. I have never used a brush/felt/plastic tip pen that has been this soft and smooth. Buttery is not an adjective normally used with brush pens, but that is the feeling I get from it. Honestly, I have never used a pen with this type of feedback. I'd say it was odd if it wasn't so cool.

The Violet color I am using here is a favorite of mine. I wish more purple pens came in this shade. Just that little bit of lavender black does it for me.

Has anyone else used this pen? I'm wondering 1. What you use it for, and 2. What you think of the feel? Let me know in the comments section if you have.

Pentel TRF91 Tradio Fountain Pen Review

Can expectations get in the way of a product review? I think the answer is yes, but I try not to let any preconceived notions jump onto the page and screen. I do try to be honest about my true feelings for a product though, whether good or bad. So, my honest, preconceived thoughts of the Pentel TRF91 Tradio Fountain Pen before reviewing it? I thought it would be terrible.

That is one of the reasons it took so long for me to order it - I didn't want it to be a waste of money. I did like the looks of it, and was generally happy with the similar Pentel Tradio EnerGel Combo Pen, so I bit the bullet and bought one. And you know what? It is better than I expected.

What we have here is a true entry level pen. There are six barrel color choices but only one nib option - medium. It is made to be used with both short and long international cartridges so you could probably find a compatible converter as well. The design is comfortable with just enough style points to set it above more run of the mill pens.

The surprise factor with the Pentel Tradio Fountain Pen is the nib. I don't have many other M nibs to compare it to, but this one is unbelievably smooth. I think this is what fountain pen people refer to as "glassy" - there is little to no friction or feedback when the nib hits the page. It is as smooth of a writer as you can get.

The one gotcha with the Tradio is when posting the cap. It goes on firmly, or so it seems, but as you write it works its way up the barrel until it is loose. The Tradio Energel did the exact same thing. If you write with the cap posted this might be an annoyance.

Will the Tradio Fountain Pen move ahead of the Lamy Safari as one of the best entry level fountain pens? No, and it is not even close. The Safari offers way too many options to ignore. But the Tradio can hold its own performance-wise, and if you are searching for a good looking, good performing entry level fountain pen you could do much worse.