Multi Pen Versatility: Combining the Pilot 4+1 Multi Pen with the Uni Style Fit Gel Refill

When I had ordered these Pilot 4+1 Multi Pens, I knew that they used the exceptionally good Acro ink BVRF-9 low-viscosity refill. I was NOT aware that Uni’s Style Fit gel refill uses the same format, and therefore fits this pen. For today, I wanted to do a quick post showing off this feature because I love when multi pens are versatile enough to allow you to use both ballpoint and gel inks at the same time, and the contoured grip on this Pilot makes it not only versatile but extremely comfortable to use.

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Here, you can see that I have taken one of the blue Pilot 4+1 pens and swapped in two .5mm Style Fit refills in Mandarin Orange and Blue-Black. The Acro Ink and Style Fit refills are exactly the same size and shape, allowing you to choose from among the 16 Style Fit gel colors in addition to the Acro Ink set.

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The Acro-Ink Refill (left) alongside the Style Fit (right). Note that the Style Fit and Pilot BVRF-8 refills DO NOT fit Uni 4+1 Multi Pens, as these use a shorter Jetstream Refill. It’s also excellent but just a different format.

Both the Uni Style Fit and Acro Ink refills provide a smooth writing experience. Of course, the edge in smoothness and color saturation will go to the gel pen, but Pilot’s Acro Ink deserves a place among the best ballpoint refills on the market. We added one of these Pilot multi-pens to our most recent Patreon Curated Box, and received a ton of positive feedback on the stock refills so these will be a shop staple for as long as we can continue to get them. (They are imports.)

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From top: Pilot Acro Ink in black, Uni Style fit in blue black, Pilot Acro Ink in red, and Uni Style fit in Mandarin Orange.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Personally, I favor the Pilot 4+1 body over the Uni Style Fit Meister 5, though both are good. The contoured wood grip on this Pilot Multi Pen is among the most comfortable I’ve used, and I was thrilled to discover that there is a gel refill I can pair with it that offers .28mm, .38mm, and .5mm options in 16 different colors. (Just to be clear, the reverse is also true - the Style Fit body will take the Pilot refill.)

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The Pilot 4+1 Multi Pen (Top) next to the Uni Style Fit Meister 5 (bottom). I prefer the Pilot’s grip, but the Uni does come in nearly a dozen different colors.

You can get the Pilot 4+1 and Uni Style Fit Multi Pens in our shop, along with the refills for both. As noted above, the Pilot 4+1 ships with four .5mm Pilot BVRF-8 refills (black, blue, red, and green, plus a .5mm mechanical pencil). The Uni Style Fit bodies are sold separately from the refills, so you can assemble your own customized pen.

Come see these pens in person! We are open this week from 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-6pm on Saturday. Check out this page for up-to-date hours and news on special hours when we have to travel.

Pen Review: Is the Uni Zento Gel Pen Worth the Hype?

One of the most-discussed releases of the past year has been the Uni Zento gel pen, which has captured the attention of the stationery communities in both Japan and the U.S. In particular, the “Zento Signature” - which features a cap as opposed to your typical retractable mechanism - prompted rushes reminiscent of the Uni Kuru Toga Dive mechanical pencil. While I’ve yet to get my hands on one of these “upscale” models for an extended test drive, I’ve had the opportunity to write with both the standard Zento and the slightly upgraded “Zento Flow” (both retractables) for a couple of weeks now. While I’m not sure I would pay more than standard retail for any version of this pen, the Zento is an excellent gel pen and so far I prefer it over the Uni One and any of the basic Uni Signo “office” inks.

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The Uni Zento Flow Gel Pen in the Jade Colorway, in-hand. I also went with a Canary Yellow standard Zento.

So What’s the Story Behind the Zento?

Uni’s gel pen lineup can be confusing - the company has released multiple iterations of your standard black/blue/red gel pen and left them all on the market simultaneously, the only difference supposedly being different inks that to most people will seem quite similar. The Zento is advertised as formulated for “stress free” writing, which apparently refers to a combination of smoothness and cushion. The Zento is indeed quite comfortable to write with - the pen feels very smooth with little to no scratch, and the ink glides on the page and dries instantaneously. The ink is also advertised as formulated to reduce feathering and bleedthrough, and I can confirm there is none. Now was this actually so much of an issue with Uni’s other pens that it warranted an entirely new product line? I’m not sure, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Zento is good.

Ink Comparison: Zento Black Ink (top) has a more matte look, vs. the glossy black Uni One (bottom). To draw a comparison to fountain pen inks, I’d compare the Zento ink to something like Platinum Carbon Black or Sailor Kiwa-Guro, while the Uni One ink is more of a glossy black like Aurora.

How Does the Uni Zento Compare to the Uni One?

As I noted, in addition to the Zento, Uni released the Uni One a few years ago, which was supposed to be another “specialty” ink that’s a step above your standard office gel pen. I’ve found the Uni One and the Zento to offer somewhat different writing experiences, so I can confirm the distinction is real. The One contains an ink formulated to be extremely dark (standard black) and/or vivid (other colors), with a glossier finish. So if you prefer a darker, wet look to your gel ink, you might prefer the Uni One, especially if you’re using the pen for drawing or doing layout work in a bullet journal or planner. The Zento seems better suited to pure writing, as it lays down a remarkably smooth line and, in my opinion, has the more comfortable barrel.

Update: You can now view the Uni Zento companion video review on our YouTube Channel!

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The array of barrel colors available for the Uni Zento standard. There are some great colors available.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Uni makes a great gel pen, and I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed the Zento as I don’t typically do much writing with gel ink beyond quick notes and annotations. I strongly prefer the barrel on the Zento over the One and pretty much any other standard gel pen - it’s got a nice balance, the perfect diameter for my hand, and on the standard model, a soft texture that’s comfortable over longer sessions. I will also say that the clips on both the Uni Zento and the Uni One are excellent - the wire design is highly functional - with the slight edge to the Zento as it feels a bit tighter on both the standard model and the Flow. That said, if you prefer the barrel on the One but want to try Zento ink, the Zento refills fit the Uni One, and vice-versa.

We currently have a large selection of the standard Uni Zento gel pens available in our shop, as well as a smaller selection of the Zento Flow, with the upgraded barrels. Zentos are priced at $3 and $11, respectively, with extra refills available for $1.75. You can get a nice pen at a reasonable price, or pick up a refill that will fit one of your existing Uni pen bodies.

Come see these pens in person! Visit our shop, currently open Thursday and Friday 1-6pm, and Saturdays 10-6pm. Check this page to keep up to date on our current hours, which may change depending on travel schedules during pen show season.

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You can tell the difference between the clip on a Zento (top and bottom) because it has the round holder, whereas the holder on the One is rectangular.

Diving Deep: On Exploring the "Back Catalog" of Established Brands

People frequently criticize established brands such as Lamy and Pilot for not introducing new products at a rapid clip, but what they overlook is the extensive back catalog of existing products that these companies have developed over decades, including dozens which don’t receive a lot of hype. Entire product lines have been ignored for so long that I was unaware of them despite nearly a decade as a blogger in the stationery world, and it was only after I opened a retail store and gained access to the full catalogs and pricing sheets that I somewhat shockingly “discovered” a treasure trove of great options that many people don’t know exist. These are excellent products that should receive far more promotion, not just by the community but by the manufacturers themselves. My observation is that most of these fall into three categories: multi pens (subject to the most egregiously unfair treatment), rollerballs, and mechanical pencils.

The Lamy CP1 Twin Pen (right) shown next to my vintage Lamy Unic (Thanks, Jim!)

Multi Pens: “Tri Pens”, “Twin Pens,” and 4+1 Options

Is ignoring multi pens a U.S. thing? Did the proliferation of low-quality multi pens in the U.S. market during the 1980s and 1990s spoil the category for most people, outside of dedicated Japanese stationery aficionados? Apparently Lamy, Pilot, and Uni all have deep lineups of multi pens in their back catalogs, but with very little presence at U.S. retailers. I find this surprising given the enthusiasm among my own readership and customer base for multifunction pens, especially those slimmer models that take nonproprietary D1 refills. I took a flyer from Lamy on three multi pens that I had never used before: the Logo Tri Pen, the CP1 Multi Pen (both Twin and Tri versions) and the ST Tri Pen. All of these are exceptionally good, and I’ll call out the CP1 Twin Pen as my personal favorite of the three. The matte black finish and squared off clip are reminiscent of the Lamy 2000, and I like the slim design. Fun note: Gerd Müller, designer of my beloved Lamy 2000, also designed both the Lamy CP1 and ST series of pens. All of the multi pens take the D1 refill so you can customize them with the gel or ballpoint refill of your choice.

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The Lamy Swift in the Special Edition “Black Forest”. Did you never hear about this one until a year after it was released? Me neither. I just got mine yesterday.

Rollerballs

Many people (including myself) had essentially written off rollerballs as overly wet, gloppy writing instruments that tend to bleed through every type of paper and offer very little variety in terms of writing experience. There are some excellent rollerballs out there, however, including the Ohto Ceramic Series (CR01 and CR02), as well as the underappreciated Lamy Swift retractable rollerball. The Ohto Ceramic Rollerball refill is one of the best “capped” rollerball refills I have used, and with modifications (i.e., a spacer) it can even fit into the Lamy 2000 Rollerball. The Lamy Swift is a retractable rollerball with a cool design feature: when you depress the knock to extend the refill, the clip retracts into the body of the pen. This not only gives you the comfort of a clipless pen - no clip digging into your hand - but it prevents you from accidentally sticking the pen in your bag or pocket with the tip extended (and ruining fabric).

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There is no better $4 mechanical pencil than the TWSBI Pagoda. I’m confident of that.

Mechanical Pencils

Ok, so it’s probably not fair to say that mechanical pencils go “overlooked”. There are vibrant online communities solely dedicated to pencils (woodcase and mechanical), but for much of the stationery community mechanical pencils don’t receive a lot of attention. Personally, I think it’s because apart from the Uni Kuru Toga Dive, companies haven’t innovated all that much over the years, and most of the excellent mechanical pencils on the market have been around for a while. (In some cases since the 1960s, like the Pentel Sharp Kerry. If you’re interested, I did a review a while back looking at the Kuru Toga Dive and Sharp Kerry side-by-side.) In addition to the Sharp Kerry, check out the TWSBI Pagoda ($4, really?), and the gorgeous Pilot S20 at 1/4 the price of a Kuru Toga Dive, which is a great pencil but I would question whether it’s worth the current U.S. asking price.

And because I will get a dozen comments/emails asking if I don’t do this, the pens are, from left: TWSBI Pagoda, Uni Jetstream 4+1 Lite Touch, Uni Jetstream 4+1 Standard, Uni Jetstream Lite Touch 3 Prime, Lamy CP1 Twin Pen, Pilot Acroball 4+1, Pilot E95s fountain pen (because it IS underappreciated), Pilot S20 ballpoint, Pilot S20 mechanical pencil.

All of the pens and pencils discussed in this post are available to enthusiasts if you dig around enough, though sometimes U.S. retailers have to import directly from Japan, especially with some of the more uncommon mechanical pencils. While new product releases can be fun, I don’t get my stationery thrills from special and limited edition releases, but rather undiscovered (to me) gems that many people have been using as their everyday writers for years. Personally, I find many of the “innovations” in recent releases gimmicky, and would prefer to concentrate my efforts on raising awareness of existing products that are well made, that meet the needs of most people, and that I want to promote and support so that companies will continue making them.

Do you have a long-term favorite stationery item that you think tends to go un- or under-appreciated among stationery enthusiasts? Drop a comment below or send me a note. As you know, I’m always looking for new products to explore, and yes, we are still growing our own shop and looking for unique stuff that nobody else carries!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We will be open this week from 1pm-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-6pm on Saturday. Be sure to check the shop page for up-to-date hours.

Workhorse Pens: Vanishing Point or Decimo for a Capless Fountain Pen?

A handful of iconic fountain pens appear on everyone’s “you-need-to-try-it-at-least-once” list. The Pilot Vanishing Point is one of those pens. Not only has it been around since the 1960s, making the original design approximately the same vintage as the Lamy 2000, but after all these years it remains the default option for a retractable nib fountain pen.

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I did a review of the Pilot Decimo several years ago, so I won’t go into the nuts-and-bolts details again. I will, however, spend today’s post talking about 5 specific things to understand about the Vanishing Point and Decimo, including what I consider to be key differences between the classic VP and the slimmer Decimo, and how those differences have impacted the pens’ functionality for me over the years. The purpose here isn’t to say that one is better than the other - it’s purely a matter of preference and what will work for you based on how you hold and intend to use the pen. Both pens are the same price, after all, so it’s not a question of saving money by going for one as opposed to the other.

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No, this “Harvest Green/Yellow” color isn’t available anymore. And no, my pen is not for sale. :)

Vanishing Point vs. Decimo: 5 Considerations

• Both Pens Use the Same Nib, Cartridge, and Converter. Since the Pilot Vanishing Point and the Pilot Decimo use the same nib units, ink cartridge, and converter system, you can experiment with both pens without worrying that your parts and accessories will only fit one or the other. This also means that you can easily move nib units between pens, and purchase additional nib units for more versatility without accumulating additional pens that you won’t use. As an aside, you can check out this short video showing how to install a cartridge in both pens. (They work the same way.)

• The Decimo is Slimmer. The Decimo is lighter weight and slimmer than the Vanishing Point, which means that it will fit many people’s hands better. This is purely a matter of personal preference, since the pens otherwise function in the same manner and use identical components, as noted above.

• Both Pens Feature the Same Clip (But Consider…). One “controversial” aspect of both the Pilot Vanishing Point and Decimo is the clip placement. The clip necessarily has to sit on the nib end, since the pen must be carried nib-up, but some find that it interferes with their grip due to finger placement. This is yet another matter of personal preference, but I tend to find the Decimo more comfortable because the slimmer barrel alters how the clip fits in my grip. (And, yes, you can remove the clip entirely, but understand that it will void your warranty.)

• The Decimo Fits More “Pen Loops,” Including on Plotters. One reason I absolutely love the Decimo is that it fits my Plotter pen loop and in most other planners. The extra-fine nib writes well on most papers, regardless of quality. This makes it a perfect “planner pen” for me.

• The Vanishing Point Comes in a Wider Range of Colors. If you’re looking for matte black trim or the iridescent “carbonesque” finishes, you’ll be limited to the Vanishing Point model. That said, Pilot periodically releases Japan-only Decimos in gradients and other unique finishes, though you may have to pay a premium.

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A comparison between Vanishing Point/Decimo nibs (top) and the E95s nib (bottom).

TLDR Version: Pilot’s retractable nib Vanishing Point and Decimo Capless fountain pens are the best version of the “Retractable Nib Fountain Pens” product segment. Over the years, I’ve gravitated towards the Decimo, since a slimmer pen better fits how I use retractable fountain pens, but I do own and use both. As you can see from the photos, I’m also experimenting with the E95s, which is not retractable but highly portable, and which also features an excellent inlaid nib that’s the spiritual successor to the Pilot Myu.

We currently carry select models of the Pilot Vanishing Point (Matte-Black Trim and Carbonesque) and Decimo, with most nib sizes available in pens and as separate nib units. If you enjoy our content, we are entirely self-supported through our online shop and physical store, as well as the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Yes, Micarta for me! I finally got my hands on Some Micarta Pens, Plus My Own Special Edition

So right off the bat, for those who may not have been with me back in 2015, the title of today’s post is a throwback reference to my one guest appearance on Episode #161 of the Pen Addict: No Micarta for You, in which I lamented my inability to get my hands on one of the rare TWSBI Micarta pens. Though I haven’t listened to this episode in a while, it offers some insight into the origins of T.G.S., how it began, and how my interests have evolved over time. And, no, I never did get my hands on one of the TWSBI Micarta pens, from either of the two releases, but I may have something better to discuss today: More micarta!

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A Leonardo Momento Zero fountain pen in brown canvas Micarta, which was an exclusive to Stilo e Stile and is no longer available, unfortunately.

What the heck is “micarta”, and why do people like it?

Micarta is a lightweight, durable material used to make anything from pool cues to guitar nuts to knife handles, in addition to smaller “everyday carry” items such as pens. Micarta’s cloth-like texture is due to the fact that it’s actually made by compressing fiber (cloth, canvas, paper), infusing it with resin and curing it under heat and pressure into blocks or rods that can be machined. The resulting material lends a tactile feel to fountain pens and will patina nicely over time. (Especially if you don’t baby it and worry about ink splatters.) In the decade since the Pen Addict podcast episode was originally recorded, I’ve accumulated a few different “micarta” fountain pens, as well as handful of other micarta products such as pocket knives.

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Two fountain pens made of canvas micarta: A Skogsy pen (top) and the Leonardo. Note that the Leonardo paired metal threads with a plastic-lined inner cap for increased durability, though I’ve not had issues with the Skogsy threads wearing and they remain functional two years in.

A note on terminology: Micarta has been around for a century or more. When capitalized, “Micarta” typically refers to the trade name of the original product. The lower-case “micarta” more generally refers to the broader category of resin-infused fabric materials that share the same general properties but each of which may have its own unique look and feel. I enjoy micarta in the same way I enjoy other tactile materials such as waxed canvas and wood. As the products age, they will take on their own character, and generally will darken due to exposure to things like ink and hand oil. Because micarta is durable, it’s unlikely to break, though you may get some stray threads and minor fraying over time. All of my personal pens shown here have held up well.

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Another shot of my Skogsy Cholla in black canvas Micarta. If you look hard enough, you will see that the section and cap have an awesome greenish hue (due to me filling them with green ink). :)

Despite its popularity, micarta pens still remain relatively uncommon. Because the material can be hard on tooling and difficult to work with, some penmakers can’t or won’t use it, and the pens end up being relatively expensive as a result. Also, as I referenced above, because it’s a fiber-based material, micarta can absorb ink if you dip the section into an ink bottle or have a spill/inksplosion into the cap. This tendency to “stain” drives away some consumers, but I personally think of it as more of a feature. I dip my micarta pens into ink bottles all the time (especially the black ones), and over time the pens develop a unique patina as a result. If you’re someone who loves the look of aged/worn leather or canvas, consider adding a micarta pen to your collection.

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No matter how careful you are, you will get a drop of ink somewhere on the pen. This red splotch was either transfer from my desk or the result of posting the pen.

Where can you get micarta pens today?

While the TWSBI Micarta was a bit of a unicorn at the time, as more penmakers gain familiarity with the material, you have started to see micarta pens released in small batches by smaller specialty makers. Leonardo did the micarta Momento Zero collaboration with Italian retailer Stilo e Stile, and Skogsy Pens and Hinze Pens actually sub-specialize in micarta pens (though you may have to visit a pen show to get the best ones). In addition to traditional “canvas micarta”, suppliers such as CrazyFiber are now making micarta-style materials in a variety of colors and even some wild patterns. I have three micarta fountain pens in my collection: a Skogsy Cholla in black canvas micarta, one of the Leonardos, and two Hinze Taschenstift prototypes from the development of our latest exclusive release.

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A better shot of the green-toned section on my black Skogsy.

to Conclude, a Shamless Plug for the latest TGS x Hinze RElease

Given my history, I felt like I had to do a micarta pen as one of our special editions. For our latest collaboration, we worked with Hinze Pens on a pocket-sized fountain pen in a dark purple and black CrazyFiber material they call “Violet Tendencies.” This particular design features a cap that friction-posts, as opposed to the threaded barrel that Hinze typically uses. In my experience, CrazyFiber isn’t quite as absorbent as the canvas-style micarta, but given that this pen includes a metal section, those of you who might be squeamish about staining your pens won’t have to worry about this one. Especially if you use purple ink. I hope to do more with micarta in the future, including adding some full-sized pens to the shop.

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We went all-in on the purple as something different. Believe me, it’s purple.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also swing by our brick and mortar location and see this pen and more in person!