Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen Review

As a Review Crew, we have shared our thoughts on the Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen on a couple of occasions in the past. In general, it gets solid marks across the board, but I personally haven’t put it to the test. Time to change that - I can’t let everyone else have all the fun!

Not to be confused with the original Pilot Explorer, or visually with the porthole-capped Pilot Precise, the Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen sits in an interesting spot in Pilot’s lineup. Their popular Kakuno Fountain Pen costs around $14, the classic Metropolitan is around $24, and I’ll even list the $64 Prera here (ouch!) since it sometimes slides into this conversation. The Explorer is around $25, putting it closer to the entry level range like the first two I mentioned.

Construction-wise, the Explorer barrel is plastic, and comes with a Steel nib. It is a cartridge/converter filling pen, and ships with a Pilot Black ink cartridge. If you want a converter, that will cost extra if you don’t already have one (mine did ship with a squeeze converter, but I don’t know that they always do.) I have many, and luckily, the barrel of the Explorer is long enough to fit Pilot’s CON-70 converter, which is my favorite of an uninspiring bunch.

Pilot’s nibs are some of the best on the market, and that includes this price point. Platinum has an argument here, but the firm feel and consistent line width combine for near-perfect performance. I inked my Turquoise Matte model with Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-budo and smile every time the Fine nib hits the page. The only other option in this lineup is Medium, which is a great choice for an all-day writing nib.

The Explorer was reimagined in this form a few years ago, and since then, I’ve wondered who it is made for? The Kakuno uses a plastic barrel and the same nib for $10 cheaper, and the Metropolitan is the metal barrel option with a classic fountain pen feel for essentially the same price. The Explorer has a different style, a very Pilot style, but where does that put it? I think it’s the best of the bunch.

Two main use cases for the Explorer are as a good choice for a beginner fountain pen user, or as an every day carry fountain pen. The beginner case is an easy one: it’s rock-solid, and simple to use. The nib is flawless, and with a pack of Pilot ink cartridges, a new fountain pen user has all they need for quite some time.

As a carry pen, this is Pilot’s answer to the LAMY Safari. As a Safari super fan, even I think Pilot has something going on here. The one knock could be the weight of the pen, and how that might affect its durability. It checks in at 11 grams, while the Safari is 17 grams, and you can feel the density difference in hand. The Explorer has a cylindrical grip section, so those who don’t like the Safari’s molded grip have an option here. Plus, the clip is much more streamlined.

The best thing I can say about the Pilot Explorer is that I get it. I wasn’t sure I did at launch, but the more I see it and use it, the more I enjoy it and appreciate it. Will it replace my beloved LAMY Safari? I’m not ready to go there yet, but the fact it is making me think about it says a lot.

(Goldspot Pens provided this product at a discount to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Tombow MONO Graph Lite Gel Pen Review

What is the most underrated stationery brand on the market? There are many contenders, but my vote is going to Tombow - at least for today!

They have great name recognition, and one of the best logos in the business, so what’s the first stationery item you think of when you think Tombow? Markers, probably, including their excellent brush pens. Pencils and erasers, maybe, with the classic Mono 100 wooden pencil leading the pack, and their classic Mono eraser. But what about standard pens, such as ballpoint, rollerball, and gel? Not so much, but I’m here to tell you that you are missing out.

Tombow MONO Graph Lite Gel Pen is the latest to cross my desk (thanks Jacob!) and completes the trifecta of standards I’ve reviewed in their “Lite” series.

As best as I can tell, the Lite series is designed to be their entry level pen and pencil in several categories, each with a price point of $3.00. While Tombow sells more expensive rollerball pens, it’s only been in the last few years that they have leaned into this market - and have done a great job.

The refill is compatible with many uniball, Pentel, and Zebra pens.

This 0.5 mm Black gel flows exceptionally well, and leaves a rich, dark line. Compared to some of the sharper tips in the category - the uniball Signo DX and Zebra Sarasa Clip, for example - the line is wider, rounder, and smoother. My preference lies with the pointy ends, but I’m impressed with the line consistency, flow, and ink darkness of this pen.

Wonderfully consistent writing from start to finish.

The barrel design keeps with the Lite moniker. It’s almost airy, which can be a pro or con depending on your preference. The barrel and knock feel strong, but the clip feels less so. The grip is the standout, with alternating ridges and flat areas vertically around. It’s also rubberized, and very comfortable.

It’s tough to tell in this image, but the same size uniball UM-151 refill has a thinner line.

How does Tombow’s gel pen entry rate versus a completely stacked category? It's outside of my top three of uniball, Pentel, and Zebra, but I’d say it can hang with what Pilot, Sharpie, and others are doing on the store shelves. Until it gets more ink color options outside of Black, Blue, and Red, it is going to have a hard time moving up the charts, but it is excellent for what it currently is.

Impressive ink performance.

Now I just need to try the 0.38 mm gel ink model so I can see how it lines up within the micro gel category.

(Thank you to Fudefan for sending me this pen!)

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Writech Clictek Liner Pen Review

I’m always on the lookout for new fineliners, especially ones that offer something different, so you can bet I was looking forward to trying out the retractable Writech Clictek Liner Pen.

Retractable fineliners aren’t normally a thing, with the last one I can remember reviewing being the Sharpie Pen RT all the way back in 2009. I’m sure there have been other models that have hit the shelves in the interim, but nothing that has broken through into the mainstream of fineliner usage.

Why aren’t retractable fineliners more of a thing? I have no definitive answer, but my guess is that the tip does not seal as well, or for as long, as with a traditional cap. These tips are more prone to drying out than a ballpoint or gel ink, and need good closure.

The second issue is likely the added requirements of the mechanism. That bit of complexity isn’t necessary for a product that doesn’t need to be quickly deployed. Fineliners are more of a sit and draw product, not run and write. One good thing is that the click mechanism does allow the pen to be refilled, which is not a normal option for these types of pens (the tip often fails before a new refill is needed.)

From a sealing perspective, the Writech Clictek uses a trap door system, as seen in retractable fountain pens like the Pilot Vanishing Point or Platinum Curidas. Notice I didn’t say the Writech Clictek Fountain Pen, because that design in an abomination. Luckily, Writech keeps it internal on this one.

The knock is rock-solid, with a loud click when deploying the tip, which is a classic needle fineliner tip. This is the 03 model - which has an 0.35 mm line - and uses Black ink, which is the only option. The cylindrical barrel is a nice overall diameter at 10.2 mm, compared to the classic Sakura Pigma Micron, which is 10.4 mm in the barrel, dropping to 8.1 mm in the grip.

L to R: Writech Clictek Liner Pen 03, Tombow Mono Drawing Pen 02, Sakura Pigma Micron 03.

Comparison, as far as the writing experience, is where the Clictek Liner Pen falls short.

It is difficult to see in the image, but I switched pens each three lines in this order: Writech Clictek, Tombow Mono, Sakura Pigma Micron. The Clictek is more of a Grey tone when compared to the other two. It’s also a drier writer. The blocks on the left show the difference well.

From the first click, I could tell the Black ink wasn’t as black as most other fineliners. This is a pen type I use almost daily, so it was noticeable to me from the jump. On it’s own it may seem fine, but side-by-side with my other two testing pens - the Sakura Pigma Micron 03 and the Tombow Mono Drawing Pen 02 - the Clictek has a Grey/Brown tint. On top of that, it is drier than the other two. So it’s lighter in color, and more difficult to put that color down on the page. That type of performance isn’t going to cut it.

As I mentioned earlier, the one saving grace of the Clictek Liner Pen is that it is refillable. But $1.65 for a sponge-filled ink stick for a $2.45 pen is not compelling. That does not include a tip replacement, which, again, is the larger durability issue for fineliners.

For the price, it was worth the test, but there is no reason to use it over any other name brand Black ink fineliner on the market.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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