Deleter Neopiko Line 2 0.3 mm Review

Any time a new drawing pen hits the market I get an itchy trigger finger. I ordered the Deleter Neopiko Line 2 when it first came in stock at JetPens, reviewed it shortly thereafter, then completely forgot to post the review in a timely fashion. It was only when I saw Alex’s review at Economy Pens that I remembered I needed to post this.

My main concern with this pen is the softness and flexibility of the tip. I’m not sure if this is a design feature as opposed to a personal annoyance, but the tip is very different from the standard bearing Sakura Pigma Micron. The Micron sports a firm, rounded tip while the Deleter has almost a mini-brush pen type of feel. It is not quite that extreme but it doesn’t lend itself to writing, which is my primary use for this type of pen.

If you are using the Deleter Neopiko for its intended purpose - manga art - then the value question may not come into play. For me, since I use it for writing, value is an issue. It is much more costly in comparison to the aforementioned Micron, the Uni Pin, and a few other quality pigment liners. Be sure you know what you are getting into when checking out the Line 2.

For a third take on the Deleter Neopiko check out Brian’s guest post in April. There seems to be a recurring theme.

Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Smart 3 Multi Pen Review

I have reviewed many Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto multi pen barrels over the years. It is the first multi pen I fell in love with and is still the best in my mind. While the ink cartridges haven’t changed, new barrel designs hit the market frequently. The Coleto Smart 3 is the most recent I have tested out.

Compared to the older Coleto barrel designs the Smart 3 is an excellent visual upgrade. The clear plastic grip area is the biggest change, allowing you to see a large section of the ink cartridges. It is eerily similar to the original Uni Style Fit.

The updated look is great but that change comes with a slightly wider barrel diameter. I don’t have the exact measurements, but this barrel looks and feels wider than the standard 4 Color Coleto barrel. That, to me, makes it less desirable. If I can fit four cartridges in a narrower barrel I am going to take that more often than not.

In the end it is only $2.50, so you don’t have to break the bank to try it out. If you have a few spare Coleto refills laying around it is worth a shot.

Uni-ball Jetstream Color Series Ballpoint 0.5 mm Orange Review

It wasn’t but a few weeks ago that I reviewed the 0.5 mm Purple Color Series Jetstream and as I am known to do, I picked up several other colors of the same pen to see how they perform. The Orange Color Series is the latest to be put to the test.

I went with the same 0.5 mm size as the purple to get a feel for how similar sizes compared and I am not as big a fan of the orange as I am the purple. I’m not sure what my expectations were - I’ve reviewed the original Color Ink Series Orange Jetstream in the past and enjoyed it - but the latest version is too light for me. I felt like I had to strain too much to see the ink color. On a related note, I did go to the eye doctor yesterday.

I passed on the Lime Green Color Series because I thought it would be too light. It turns out the orange is in the same boat. The 0.7 mm is probably a better choice for me in this color.

The lyrics in the review are from R.E.M.’s “Sitting Still”. Growing up in the South in the 80’s it was a rite of passage listening to Stipe, Mills, Buck, and Berry and I am passing that along to my kids. The problem is - as with many of Stipe’s lyrics - they are incoherent at best and I have a tough time trying to explain them to my daughter. “Sitting Still” is widely know as the best of the worst of Stipe’s lyrics. Even he admits he has no idea what he is saying.

If you use Rdio, listen to the live version found on “Live At The Olympia”. Stipe jokes at the end of the song about fans trying to search for lyrics on the internet. I wonder why???