Kokuyo Enpitsu 1.3 mm Mechanical Pencil Review

Stepping out of my comfort zone is part of the deal when reviewing products here at The Pen Addict. There are so many products on the market and only a subset of them make my regular rotation. That doesn't mean the rest of the goods don't warrant any attention though. Products like the Kokuyo Enpitsu are exactly why I write this blog.

By all appearances the Enpitsu is a simple pencil but it has a couple of added features that set it apart. First of all, the lead pipe retracts for protection when not in use. This is always a welcome feature in mechanical pencils to help prevent damage if dropped, or to prevent stabbing yourself if you get a little clumsy.

Secondly - and I'm not sure how I feel about this - the cap is fixed with a hole on top to insert lead through (I discount the fact there is no eraser. I assume most serious pencil users have seperate erasers anyway.). This sounds like a good idea in priciple and assumedly in practice too. It saves you from removing the cap and losing it while allowing you to drop the lead straight in (Forgive my ignorance in the image above. It was late.). I'm not sure of any other pencils designed this way.

Design wise, the rubber coated barrel provides an excellent grip surface, and the overall look of the pencil is great. The 1.3 mm lead was a pleasant surprise too. It was soft, dark, and smooth.

While I'm not a prime candidate to put this pencil through the rigors of everyday use, I see artists, sketchers, and even students as a good fit for the Kokuyo Enpitsu. It is comfortable, built well, and appears ready to handle anything you can throw at it.

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

The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 60 - You Are One Of Us

In Episode 60 of The Pen Addict Podcast Myke and I are joined by special guest Dan Benjamin, founder of the 5by5 podcast network. We dig into Dan's pen and paper background and the tools he uses on a daily basis. We also all work on our pronunciation and have an interesting discussion on grilled cheese.

This episode is a must-listen!

Show Notes & Download Links

The Dan Benjamin Starter Kit. 

My Fountain Pen Education: The Esterbrook LJ

As my knowledge and experience with fountain pens has grown I am finding that my tastes have grown broader. Where before I would only consider a handful of the newest, modern pens I am now looking more and more at vintage models to add to my growing arsenal. Enter Esterbrook.

According to the article on Wikipedia (because everything you read on the internet is true), Esterbrook was once the largest pen manufacturer in the US, producing up to 600,000 pens a day at its peak. How that is even possible in the mid 1900's I have no idea, but we are all benefitting from that prodigious production now. Esterbrook pens provide one of the best values in vintage fountain pens today.

Entry price is one of the main reasons I wanted an Esterbrook. There are many, many options available in the $20-$30 range, and fully restored models go for as little as $40. But honestly, the design of Esterbrook pens is what got me, regardless of price. From bright colors and swirls, to solid black, to Cracked Ice, their range of designs has nearly everyone covered.

I wanted to start with one of the basics, so my friend Thomas sent me one of his to whet my appetite: The Esterbrook LJ Double Jewel in blue. The pattern and color are classic Esterbrook - you will see these pretty regularly in fact. But it was so good looking I went for a similar style when I made my first Esterbrook purchase at the Atlanta Pen Show.

While the vintage look and style would be enough to sell most people I left the best part for last. The amount of nibs available to customize an Esterbrook with is AMAZING! I asked Thomas to try out a stub nib, so he sent along a #9284 to try out. When I bought my own, Brian Anderson swapped in a #9550, an extra fine nib that I have enjoyed. My friend Ana, an Esterbrook junkie herself, sent me the chart in her post "Buying a Vintage Esterbrook", and I also used Brian's reference chart at Esterbrook.net to narrow down my choices. That was much harder than it seems.

Manufacturers today aren't going to go to the lengths that Esterbrook did to make "The World's Most Personal Fountain Pen". Sure, some customization options are available but barely a fraction of what Esterbrook was able to accomplish. If you are looking for a vintage fountain pen to fit you perfectly you need look no further than Esterbrook.