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.

Pentel Sharp Mechanical Pencil - Metallic Blue Body Review

Anyone who has been a pen and pencil fan for more than a few years has certainly seen or used a Pentel Sharp Drafting Pencil. This all-time classic has been around for decades. I remember using them in the 1980’s when I would liberate them from my dad’s office, and to this day the design hasn’t changed one bit. That is, until the introduction of the Metallic Body Series.

George from My Supply Room first alerted me to this update several months ago, and I had seen them floating around on ebay as well, so I knew JetPens would come through before too long. I picked up the Blue Metallic based on looks and tradition - my first P205 was the blue one after all. They also come in Pink and Purple, and all are 0.5 mm.

What you need to know about the Metallic Pentel Sharp is that it is metallic in color only. This is not a metal barrel pencil. While that would be nice, it does stick with the traditional plastic construction. It extraordinarily lightweight and makes for a great portable pencil.

From a performance standpoint it is exactly like the original P205. The long, sleek body is comfortable to hold, and the shape of the tip and lead pipe give you plenty of sight clearance. If you have enjoyed the Pentel Sharp in the past then you will find these updated colors to your liking.

And if you haven’t, then what are you waiting for?