Uni Signo DX Gel Pen Review

When I started this blog, I didn't intend for it to cover fountain pens exclusively, though I've gone in that direction.  I do use other kinds of writing implements, primarily woodcase pencils and gel pens.  This past week, for some reason, I just felt like using these more, probably because I had not broken them out in a while.  So this week I'll take a break from my fountain pens and explore a different aspect of analogue writing.  First up:  the Uni Signo DX. 

From left:  Blue-Black; Orange; Red-Black; Green-Black; and Brown-Black.

I would say that the Uni Signo DX is one of the two most popular Japanese "micro" gel ink pens that are available in ultra-fine tip sizes, the other being Pilot's Hi-Tec-C.  I'm a huge fan of both.  The two pens have similar performance, but are built differently.  The Signo DX has a conical tip, and the Pilot Hi-Tec-C has a needle-point.  The ink in both pens is similar in terms of behavior, but I do find that the Hi-Tec-C writes a sharper line.  

Here's a shot of the Signo DX conical tip.  Compare with the Hi-Tec-C's needle point, below. 

I'm just a fan of needle-point pens in general.  The Hi-Tec-C does it as well as any.

Personally, I favor the Hi-Tec-C, but ultimately it's a matter of personal preference and I use both.  I do find that the Signo DX is more sensitive to the pen's position vis-a-vis the paper, and it tends to skip unless you are holding the pen close to vertical.  With few exceptions, I have not had that issue with the Hi-Tec-C.  Some people have had the exact opposite experience, but part of this may be that I favor the .4mm Hi-Tec-C, which is somewhat less temperamental than the .3mm (or narrower) tip sizes.  What the Signo DX does have going for it is the wide selection of colors.  Here, I've provided a sample with the five that I have:  Green-Black; Blue-Black; Orange; Red-Black; and Brown-Black.  I can't say whether or not the Signo DX "Black" colors are the same that you find in the Uniball "BLX" series you see in U.S. office supply stores, but that may be an interesting experiment for a different time....

Writing Samples from the five Uni Signo DX Gel pens that I have, all in .38mm tip size.  For comparison purposes, I've also included a writing sample from a blue-black Pilot Hi-Tec-C gel pen, which I find writes a slightly cleaner line than the conical-tip DX. 

The Signo DX is technically Japan-only, but it's relatively easy to find.  I purchased these at Kinokuniya Bookstore in New York City, but you can also find them at Jetpens.com. 

Delta Fusion 82, Part II, the Nibs

Part II of this review will focus mainly on one nib in particular:  the Pompeii celluloid Fusion 82 that I had Richard Binder grind from a broad nib to a Hebrew Italic nib.  This grind is quite unique, and is the opposite of the typical italic grind, which has wide vertical strokes and narrow cross-strokes.  The Hebrew Italic nib has wide cross-strokes and narrow vertical ones, which gives your handwriting what some have described as an "architectural" look, because it resembles the handwriting of Frank Lloyd Wright.  As always, Richard has done an excellent job on this grind.  The pen is a lot of fun to write with, and despite the unusual nature of the nib it's very easy to use as a daily writer--much easier than some crisp italics I have used.  I've included several photographs of my handwriting with the nib, from a variety of angles.  In the longer handwriting sample below, you will see that you can flip the nib, as you can with Richard's Italifine, to write an ultra-fine line.   

This is the best picture I've managed to take that shows the nature of the grind, which gives narrow vertical strokes and wide cross-strokes.  Because this nib started as a broad Fusion nib, which is narrower than most broads, I get less dramatic line variation than a grind which started with more tipping material. 

Second, my thoughts on the Delta's "Fusion" nib generally:  Overall, it's an excellent steel nib.  The nibs are exceptionally smooth, and are paired with a good feed that supply adequate ink flow.  I probably would not, however, pay a premium for this nib alone.  The approximately $236 for the standard acrylic Fusion 82 is a very steep price for what is, essentially, a steel nib pen, absent any compelling explanation (which I have yet to see) as to how the Fusion "technology" works.  As I mentioned in my previous review, however, I justified the purchase price of these pens on the basis of the celluloid material, not the nibs, although I'm happy that the nibs are more than functional functional and don't detract from the pens at all. 

Handwritten review on Exacompta card stock.  The top writing sample is the Hebrew Italic in Sailor Yama-Dori (a little light because I had just cleaned the pen and there was some water in the feed); the bottom sample is Sailor Souten in the sta…

Handwritten review on Exacompta card stock.  The top writing sample is the Hebrew Italic in Sailor Yama-Dori (a little light because I had just cleaned the pen and there was some water in the feed); the bottom sample is Sailor Souten in the standard Delta Fusion medium nib.  Note the ability to flip the Hebrew Italic and write with an ultra fine point.

Pen Review: Edison Pearlette

I've had a mixed history with Edison.  Several years ago I purchased a Mina (regular length) that I really loved, at least aesthetically.  The trouble was that I could never get the nib to write consistently enough for me:  it was periodically dry and skippy.  This continued through two different replacement fine nibs, and then with a broad replacement nib that I purchased from Goulet Pens.  Needless to say, I grew frustrated with that pen and sold it. 

Over the years, I kept hearing great things about the brand, and I really admired their design.  Past experience, however, kept me from trying again, until I read a review on one of the forums written by a user discussing how he had similar difficulties with the Edison nibs until he purchased one set up by Richard Binder.  So I decided to take the plunge, and try again.  

My first of two Binderized Edisons:  a Pearlette in Deep Indigo Flake.

Confession:  I actually purchased two Edisons from Richard at the D.C. Pen Show.  I picked up a Pearlette in Deep Indigo Flake, which is a very dark blue acrylic (pictured and reviewed here), and an Edison Herald in Crushed Shell Acrylic.  I thought about going for a Menlo direct from Edison (and I very well may in the future), but I wanted to purchase through Richard first to see if he could resolve the nib issues. 

I purchased my Pearlette with a fine stainless steel nib.  Edison Nibs are made in Germany by Jowo, and I believe, but am not 100% certain, that Edison Pens is Jowo's North American distributor.  All Edison Nibs are laser-etched with the Edison logo.

The Nib.  I won't keep you all in suspense.  The nib writes superbly, but did not do so out of the box.  Howard Levy (of Bexley Pens) was sharing a table with Richard and inspecting all newly purchased pens to see if they needed tweaking prior to purchase.  He determined that both of mine needed to have the tines aligned and the flow increased.  Once Richard worked on it, however, the pen wrote perfectly.  Honestly, I'm wishing that I had not sold the Mina but rather just bought a replacement nib from Richard. 

Build:  Brian Gray of Edison designs and makes all of his own pens.  The build quality and machining is superb.  The threads are perfect:  tight, and the cap closes flush with the body of the pen without leaving a gap or an ugly misalignment you sometimes see on pens of lesser quality. 

I will note that this pen is from Edison's "production" line.  Edison makes two lines of pens:  the "production line" is mass produced (by Edison) and comes in a set range of colors, while the "signature" line is customizable--the buyer can work with Brian to design and build his or her own pen from a variety of materials, using one of several very cool filling mechanisms ranging from the traditional cartridge converter to the "pump filler" featured on the Menlo.  The difference is price:  the production line pens run at approximately $150 for a pen with a steel nib, while custom pens start at $250 and go up from there, depending on what features you want.  (Edison sometimes offers "group buy" discounts on the custom pens, and I believe they have one running right now.)  Anyone interested should check out their website, available here.

Material:  The production line Pearlette comes in three acrylic options:  Aztec Gold, Deep Indigo Flake, and Violet Flake.  All of them were gorgeous, but I feel in love with the color of the Indigo pen.  Of course, you can purchase a signature line Pearlette as well and get it in any of the countless colors and/or materials Edison offers.

Close-up of the Deep Indigo Flake material, which I find stunning.

The Verdict:  Great pen, and one I've been using nearly every day since I bought it earlier this month.  Edisons are exceptionally built, and the nibs are quality, though it's worth the few extra dollars to have them set up by Richard or another nibmeister if you are extremely finicky about how your nibs write, like me.  To buy one from Richard, follow this link here.

Here's a scan of a handwritten review using my Edison Pearlette.  The ink is Sailor Jentle Miruai.  Paper is Clairefontaine French Ruled.