In Pen Review

Pen Review: Writech Clictek Liner (Set of 9)

Author AnaPosted on 1 Comment
Pen Review: Writech Clictek Liner (Set of 9)

A long time ago, Sharpie pen was available as a click pen. I freakin’ loved it. And then it disappeared. I think I hoarded the last one I had until it finally dried out.

A decade passed and then Writech, the little pen company that could, has released a new clickable felt tip style pen, the Writech Clictek Liner (9-color set, $22). The Clictek is what would happen if that legendary Sharpie retractable pen was combined with a set of Sakura Pigma Microns. Really.

So, if you’re a felt tip pen fan, stay tuned.

The Clictek Liner pen is available in 9 different tip sizes from .005mm up to 1.0 AND (yes, AND!) a brush tip! This makes the Clicktek competitve with the Sakura Pigma Microns.

Above is a picture of all the tips from left to right. I use the thinner tips most but wanted to test drive all of them. The wider tips are great for larger sizes or for filling in larger areas in sketches, doodles and art.

So let’s see how they work.

OMG, how do I make this sound like a well rounded review? I can’t. Look at this! They write just like Sakura Pigma Microns but I can click to close and switch to another size. My first love in pens was the LePen and this is so much better (okay, these are lacking the range of colors that the LePen line has but I’m willing to give Writech time to launch colors too).

But the biggest test, are these pens waterproof?

YES!!! I let the ink above dry for about a minute and then literally dumped water on to it. This is dry. No bleed, no feathering, nothing. Which makes the Clictek Liners perfect for multimedia art, combining with fountain pens, watercolor, brush markers, colored pencils and more.

If you have a favorite tip size in felt tip pens, you do not need to buy the whole set, you can cherry pick the sizes you use most for $2.45 each, including the brush tip.

The only test I was not able to do before posting this review is what is the longevity of these pens? Will they dry out faster because of the click style closing? I don’t know — yet. But I will keep using these and let you know as soon as I know.

DISCLAIMER: The items included in this review were provided free of charge by JetPens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

In Pencil Review

Colored Pencil Review: Pentel Mulit8 2mm Lead Holder

Author AnaPosted on 1 Comment
Colored Pencil Review: Pentel Mulit8 2mm Lead Holder

I was tickled when my husband mentioned that I had gotten a lot of cool things to review recently. I was curious what caught his eye. When I asked, he said the Pentel Multi8 Lead Holder Set (2 mm 2026 Version, $30)! Well, I will have to keep my eye on it!

What’s the appeal? The Multi8 is a multi-pen(cil) with seven colored pencils and one graphite pencil with 2mm lead.

In the box:

While $30 seems high for a clicky mechanical pencil, the fact that the kit include replacement leads for all 8 slots and a lead sharpener. All the sudden, this feels like a much better value.

How to use:

To access each color, you just have to twist the black clip to the numbered slot. Then push the button at the top to release the pencil down the barrel. Because this is a 2mm lead holder, pushing the button will fully release the lead so I recommend holding it just a few millimeters over your desk or hand to get the right length of lead other wise the lead will just fall out. Release the button an use like a normal pencil or colored pencil. If the tip gets dull just sharpen the end with the provided sharpener.

When you want to switch the lead color, turn the pencil upside down and depress the button again and the lead will slide back into its slot. Release the button and then twist the clip again to choose a new color.

As a colored pencil, a device like this is great for travel, outdoor urban sketching and just portability.

The colors:

The set includes pretty standard colored pencil colors: Blue, Red, Violet, Pink, Yellow, Orange, and Green plus a standard graphite lead. Like most colored pencils, on smooth paper like Tomoe Rive, the colors feel a little washed out. Colored pencils perform better on paper with a little tooth.

So I tried the pencils on Col-o-ring paper and BOOM! what bright, vivid colors. All the sudden these leads are so much more fun.

So, I do recommend this set. Its a great value, travel ready and its so fun to be able to click and twist to switch colors. But I do have the caveat that more textured papers will make a huge difference. If you do decide to try these pencil leads, do yourself a favor and use more textured papers.

DISCLAIMER: The items included in this review were provided free of charge by JetPens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

In Link Love

Link Love: Zento Hype

Author AnaPosted on 1 Comment
Link Love: Zento Hype

Awhile back I reviewed the Uni Zento pens and, while these were the less expensive Standard and Flow models, I never quite understood the enthusiasm around the Zento Signature. From the review below form Joe at Gentleman Stationer, he is not as wowed as the rest of the internet. Maybe I’ve owned too many pens to be swayed. I don’t actually like magnetic caps because inevitably they will stick or have something stuck to them that I don’t want — bobby pins, paper clips, keys, etc. I don’t find it very aesthetic. The shape to me is odd. And finally, the refill that it uses is a fairly standard size which means it can be used with a pen that I find much more visually appealing. Have you tried the Zento Signature? What’s your take?

Pens:

Ink:

Pencils:

Notebooks & Paper:

Art & Creativity:

Other Interesting Things:

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In feature

Fountain Pen Review: Kaweco DIY Glow-in-the-Dark

Author AnaPosted on 5 Comments
Fountain Pen Review: Kaweco DIY Glow-in-the-Dark

I have been collecting Kaweco Sport Fountain Pens from the early days of my fountain pen collecting days. I have way more of these tiny little plastic pens than any one human needs. I have gotten better about NOT buying every single colorway option that hits the market but sometimes I get really tempted (last year was the Limited Edition Hello Kitty edition) but this year, I fell for the DIY Glow-in-the-Dark model.

However, the only way to get a Glow-in-the-Dark Kaweco Sport you must attend one of the DIY events which are held in-store only. So… you need to live in a community that has a pen shop large enough to support an event like that or have a friend who lives in the community. Which is what happened for me. (Thanks, friend!)

Flax Pen to Paper hosted the Kaweco DIY event a couple weeks ago and my friend kindly trekked over and was able to grab two of these delightful little pens.

I keep giving props to Kaweco for continuing to experiment with materials in their signature products. The iridescent models, the translucent glitter models, and now a Glow-in-the-Dark model.

So… does it glow-in-the-dark?

Yes it does! (Apologies for the slightly blurry photo, it was a long exposure). And the next question is WHY would you need a glow-in-the-dark pen? Ever hunted in the bottom of your bag for your pen? Ta da! My number one reason for glow-in-the-dark model.

I appreciate the ability to find a pen in low light — lost in the cushions of the sofa, the bottom of my bag, on my bedside table, etc.– which is what makes the Glow-in-the-Dark Kaweco special to me.

I honestly think the Kaweco F and EF are almost exactly the same width. Have you had a similar experience?

I paired the glow-in-the-dark DIY Sport with Sailor Manyo Ayame which has a little bit of a glowy vibe with its multichromatic reddish purple-to-green which is a weird color match but I kind of like it.

From top to bottom: Mellow Blue, Sage, Glow-in-the-Dark, Frosted Lime and Iridescent Pearl.

Do I have too many Kaweco Sports in the same color scheme? Maybe. Do I still want the new Lunar colors? Yep. Thankfully, they are cheaper than my other pen weakness, Sailor Pro Gear Slims.

Do you have a pen you tend to collect because of the colors? Are you able to resist them? Which one made you buy another one?

In Fountain Pen Review

Fountain Pen Review: Hong Dian N8

Author AnaPosted on 1 Comment
Fountain Pen Review: Hong Dian N8

Over the years, I’ve bought a few Chinese-made fountain pens. I’ve tried to steer away from Chinese-made pens that are visible dupes to a pen being made by another manufacturer (i.e. the endless Lamy Safari or Kaweco Sport knock-offs). Over the years I’ve seen a real move to create more unique designs with unusual details. Sometimes, this results in pens that look like Franken-pens but sometimes the results are pretty interesting.

For example, the Hong Dian N8. This pen has some aesthetic elements from the Pilot Prera and the Sailor Pro Gear without being a direct copy of either. The translucent white acrylic resin swirl body reminds me of a Pelikan-esque material but is paired with an etched opaque white cap with feather art.

When you consider the unique details like the feather etching on the cap (very different) and the option for the Long Blade nib (similar to an Architect style nib grind).

About the pen:

As I mentioned above, the Hong Dian N8 features a mix of materials from the etched cap (painted metal, I suspect based on the metallic effect of the etching and the weight) and the translucent resin swirly body.

The pen comes in a plain, un-noteworthy metal tin and did ship with a converter!!

One thing I noticed the moment I picked up the N8 is just how heavy it was. I was expecting it to be all resin but the cap being metal adds weight. If you plan on posting the pen, be prepared for the possible weight shift as the cap is heavier than the pen.

The N8 weighs 31 gms capped or posted and 18 gms unposted. When compared to the TWSBI Eco and a Sailor Pro Gear Slim, it was a little surprising. The Pro Gear weighs 20 gms posted and 12 gms unposted while the TWSBI Eco comes in at just one gram heavier at 21 gms and 13 gms respectively. The 10 gms difference was quite noticeable.

The nib and hardware are all silver-tone metal. The ends are flat which is what reminds me of the Prera.

Check out the nib! The fact that you can get a medium/broad architect for less than $30 is kind of amazing. The nib has a nice feel on paper. There is a little friction, depending on the angle but overall it is smooth and performed well no matter what angle I held it. (More about that in the writing samples.)

And the cutest little detail was the bird etched on the end cap. I wasn’t expecting it but found it charming.

Writing Sample:

In writing, I was struck by the variation in line widths I was able to accomplish depending on the angle I held the pen. As a lefty, I sometimes over-write, sometimes side-write and sometimes under-write. Each of these produced slightly different line widths and quality and if I held the pen at a high angle like a ballpoint or gel pen, I would get even different results.

On the plus sign, the nib is tuned well enough to work at ALL those angles. On the negative, it made my writing look inconsistent. This is a ME problem.

Also, the “Long Blade” is indeed long, comparable to a broad or medium nib being ground to an Architect which can be a little wide for my tiny regular handwriting.

Size Comparison:

I’ve included some photos for size comparison based on the pens I referenced for weight. The N8 is about the same length and width as the TWSBI Eco (but notably heavier). Somehow, in my head when I ordered it, I thought it would be closer in size to the Sailor Pro Gear Slim, hence the comparison. The PGS is shorter.

When looking at the nibs though, the Hong Dian N8 has a larger Size 6-ish nib compared to the smaller size 5 nib in the TWSBI Eco and the 5-ish nib in the Sailor.

When posted, the N8 is slightly shorter than the Eco.

Final Thoughts:

I am not sure I knew what to expect from a sub-$30 pen. It’s pretty, the nib is super cool and well-tuned though a little wide for me. I am not sure if it will be a regularly used pen despite its stunning quality since it’s a bit wide for me and heavier than I expected. However, it does make me more confident about trying other Hong Dian pens.

DISCLAIMER: Some items in this review include affiliate links. The Well-Appointed Desk is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Please see the About page for more details.

 

In feature

Two Week Until Chicago Pen Show!

Author AnaPosted on 6 Comments
Two Week Until Chicago Pen Show!

I cannot believe that it’s only two weeks until the Chicago Pen Show!

I am working on new sticker designs (proofs soon!) and we have a limited edition Col-o-ring available at the event as well. The design for the “Land of Inkin'” Col-o-ring came from my very first license plate. I hope it will be as nostaligic for other Illinois natives as it is for me and that it will be a fun keepsake for any visitors’ trip to the 2026 Chicago Pen Show.

Come visit us and all the other awesome vendors who will be at the event!

I also wanted to remind anyone attending that I am teaching two workshops over the weekend: Gamify Your Life and Sigils: Make Magic with Pens & Ink and there are still spaces available in both! Find new ways to use your planner or journal with fun or a little magic!

And just weeks later will be the St. Louis Pen Show with more workshops and chances to visit, meet and chat with pen fans!