Out of all the different feels stationery provides, there is nothing I like more than how a quality mechanical pencil feels in hand when writing. Yes, it’s little weird to kick off a product review like that, but I know I’m not alone in having an outsized love for the tactile aspect of the products we use every day.
I knew the KAYOU+ Aimvision Pro Mechanical Pencil was special when I first picked it up, simply because of how it felt in my hand. We will get into more of the “why” in a minute, but first, who are KAYOU+?
Founded in 2025, KAYOU+ are the Japanese subsidiary of the Chinese company Kayou, who are one of the world’s leading card game and collectibles companies. It’s an interesting offshoot, but if what I’ve seen so far is the result, I’m here for it.
KAYOU+ products began showing up in my feeds last year, and I was immediately intrigued by what they were making. Mechanical pencils seemed to be at the forefront, and they offer a few pens as well. I didn’t rush out to purchase anything at first, but having products on my radar early helps when I come across them in the wild. That’s exactly what happened at Stationery Fest this Summer.
It wasn’t necessarily like finding a needle in a haystack, but coming across the Aimvision Pro at the Hachimojiya tables was a pleasant surprise. I was stopping by their table anyway, but upon seeing this pencil I knew what I was coming away with.
There are three colors of the Aimvision Pro - Meteor Black, Snow White, and Titanium Gold - but there was only one choice for me. White barrels are a favorite of mine, and with everything the Aimvision Pro has going on, I think it looks the best.
Who did it better: Rotring 600, or KAYOU+ Aimvision Pro?
Those goings on? Let’s list them. This is a machined Brass barrel, with a knurled grip. On top of the grip are rubberized ridges for added control. The grip is heavier than the barrel, giving the pencil the forward weighting I want in an engineering-style pencil. There is a rotating lead grade dial with a satisfying click when turned (only in one direction,) a knurled edge on the eraser cap for easy gripping, and a short clip to stay out of the way more than a traditional length clip.
With all of that listed out, the next question is does all of it work together? For the most part, yes.
What I’ve found interesting so far is the “short clip that stays out of the way” is just as in the way as any other clip on any other mechanical pencil. When writing in pencil - with the exception of the uniball Kuru Toga (and still even then if I’m being honest,) - you rotate the barrel in your hand to find the sharp edge of the graphite. Pencil clips are always in the way because of that, and with this one, the leading edge hits my hand. I think the clip is a cool design element and thought it wouldn’t be any different than any other pencil clip. It’s no better, and might be worse.
The other concern I have are the rubber strips on the grip section, and how they will handle usage and time. I enjoy its current state, but I’ll have to check in over the months and years to come.
Any small annoyances you can find in a product like the Aimvision Pro are exacerbated when you tie in the cost. This is one of the most expensive mechanical pencils I’ve bought at around $60. I say “around” because I bought it in person from Hachimonjiya at Stationery Fest and I was thinking it was marked at $58. Looking at the pencil on Hachimojiya’s website (based in Japan,) it is listed at $68. In the US, Yoseka has it listed for $80. Regardless of my memory, or where you acquire it, it is a pricy one.
And I still really like it.
It goes back to what I mentioned up top: the Aimvision Pro just feels good. It is a rock in the hand, and firm when writing. That’s what I’m looking for in any engineering style mechanical pencil. And despite some minor concern with the clip and grip, I think it is Top 10 material in my personal rankings. That’s something I can look into soon, and see what changes need to be made.
Until then, the KAYOU+ Aimvision Pro will be within arms reach or in use for the foreseeable future.
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