The Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Pencil Review

This one may just be the best pencil I've ever tried. Not because of any cool finishes or materials. It's just that good.

Having said it's not due to finishes just above I can say that the finish on this pencil is absolutely amazing. A real high gloss that's shown off by that maroon colour. It's the same maroon as the first high school I went to. You might describe it as a red wine red? Even though no wine I ever drink is this colour. What about red wine stain red? Yes, that'll do.

The lead in this one just feels so soft. Lovely detail on the end of the barrel as with all of these high-end pencils. Hexagonal barrel with a round tip. Nice black and gold trim to contrast with the red-wine-stain-on-a-white-shirt coloured barrel.

Despite my joking, I actually really love the colour - much better than dull old black. There are 15 lead grades available for this beauty over at Cult Pens if you like to have a selection. It's made in Japan too and has been since the mid-sixties. It's from the same guys that bring you your favourite rollerball pens.. the uni-ball.

It's priced at £3.40 at the time of writing (hey, if you read this blog in 10 years time and it's 50 quid don't come knocking on my door, okay?

I think this one sits in the top tier alongside a Tombow Mono 100. The lacquer even feels nice against your fingertips as you use it. You'll see what I mean if you grab something like a standard Staedtler.

If you are a collector you need this for the way it looks. If you're a writer, notetaker or drawing person you need it because it feels so good to write with and in the hand.

Comments

Staedtler Norris Eco Pencil Review

Cool little pencil this one. It's made from extruded wood fibers. It's actually only 70% wood which obviously means they can get a lot more pencils out of a tree. Hence that Eco name. They use wood flour which is a by-product of the forestry industry... read about WOPEX here. They are literally making pencils out of the "sweepings off the floor". I'm actually of the opinion that if it's sustainable forestry what's the issue? But when I held this in my hand I noticed something I love about it. The weight... that fancy WOPEX stuff is dense! The branding and text really pops out of that black colour as well and has a much better finish than the Mars Lumograph. Honestly, not sure why the text rubbing off on that pencil sticks in my craw so much. It feels great - has a similar weight to the Caran D'ache Swiss Wood but this one is more of a normal pencil thickness. The writing experience is pretty much the same as the Staedtler Tradition really. Not great...

The Tombow Mono 100 Pencil Review

This is an extremely quick review of the Tombow Mono 100 pencil. Love this thing - the lead feels better for me in comparison to the Caran d'Ache Swiss Wood I have also reviewed. It's softer and darker. The paint finish is sooo shiny. Take a look at the end of the pencil too - the barrel is hexagonal but the end is actually round. Same as a Mitsubishi Hi-Uni - is it a thing? Hexagonal barrel + round end = quality? Price-wise you're looking at £2.57 at the time of writing over at Cult Pens - that really puts it in the high end. It puts it in the snatch it away from your wife-that's-gonna-chew-it end. They are made in Vietnam, you might expect Japan but it's Vietnam as per the stamp on the barrel. Sorry, you can't actually see that detail in my images - my phone camera is a bit old and besides half of it's sharpened off. It's supposed to have a darker more contrasting lead than comparable pencils but I'd say it was just comparable really, the eye of ...

e+m Workman Long Clutch Pencil 5.6mm Review

This is the fattest pencil I own, or should that be the chunkiest? No... most robust? It's good right! I got this as a really quick outlining sort of pencil - for when I'm mind mapping or jotting down process flows or something. And to show off a little bit at the office. Sue me. Call the cops. Why don't I start with what I don't like? The finish on the wood. I went for a black finish and it was wearing off before I knew it. Now I do have a little bit of a sweaty paw so this may have been the issue... but still. Have a look at the pics. The lead does need a little tickle up with a pointer (e+m do a really nice one which I have) You can see this as a pain in the backside or as part of the experience. There's something really therapeutic about pointing lead to me. What's to like about it? Well, that wooden barrel is just really nice to hold in the hand. The finish might be coming off but it gives great grip and a nice warmth. It's a heavy pencil with that ch...

A Gentleman of the Enlightenment

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