I Get Mail: Does the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Slims refill fit in the Zebra Sharbo X?

I am always happy to answer reader mail and over the years I have answered a lot. I'm not exactly the fastest responder, but I do my best to answer them all. On occasion, I get repeats of the same question so I thought it would be good to answer some of those publicly to help out other readers who may be wondering the same thing.

So, here is the first one, from Mike: Does the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Slims refill fit in the Zebra Sharbo X?

Both of these pens use what is called a D1 size refill, so yes, the Slims refill fits fine in the Sharbo X. Most D1 refills are interchangeable between brands, although the small tolerances might make the fit tighter or looser depending on the pen. For example, the Slims refill fits in the Sharbo X like a glove, but I had to force the Sharbo X refill into the Slims barrel. In the end it fit and worked fine, but some force was required to seat it properly.

Mike also wondered if the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Slim Knock or the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto refills would work, and the answer in no. Those refills are much to long to fit in the Sharbo X.

I hope this helps you out Mike, and hopefully this helps other readers who had the same question.

Hacking a Pilot Hi-Tec-C Refill into a Retro 51

Podcast listeners have heard Myke and I discussing the Retro 51 Tornado ad nauseum for months now, and one of the recurring themes on my side of the ledger is the fact that I would prefer a finer tip than the provided 0.7 mm. There is nothing wrong with that refill - it is one of the best in that size range I have used - but as you know, my preferences lie in 0.5 mm tips and smaller.

Admittedly, I have been lazy in finding substitute refills for my Tornado. The provided refill is manufactured by Schmidt (one of the largest and best cartridge manufacturers in my opinion) so if nothing else I should be able to find a suitable replacement. I just haven’t made the time to research it properly.

Enter @Joe_Austen. Joe is a Twitter follower and was kind enough to share his pen hack involving a Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto refill and a Retro 51 Tornado barrel. Here are his instructions:

So, you enjoy the body and mechanism of the Retro 51 Tornado, but can’t get along with its fat Western refill? Too many years of Japanese gel pens preventing you from loving the 51 like you should? Want a pretty, but durable, home for your Hi Tec C obsession? Tired of ridiculous questions?

Convert your Retro 51 Tornado to take Pilot Hi Tec C refills in several easy steps.

1. You need to start with a Pilot Hi Tec C Coleto refill:

2. Cut the coloured plastic end cap down to size. The trick here is to start by making it too long, and taking off small amounts until it’s the correct size (don’t worry, this is a one off procedure per pen you want to convert). To gauge the correct size, you need to put the refill into your Retro 51 body without the spring ( and with the rollerball refill removed). When the tip is retracted you don’t want to see it:

and when it is extended you want about this much showing:

When your end piece is about the correct length it should look something like this:

(I reiterate, start too long and work down).

3. Place the spring from the Retro 51 over the tip of your shortened Coleto refill, so that the wider end of the tapered spring goes over the tip first:

Stop when the smaller end of the spring is just covering the tip.

4. Make a shoulder for the spring to rest on at this position, using tape:

5. Slide the spring back onto your refill (again, wide end first).

Your completed refill should look like:

6. Stick the refill into your Retro 51 and test.

7. Do the same for all of your Retro 51s:

To change the refill:

1. Take plastic end piece of your empty refill and stick it on your new refill.

2. Use tape to make a shoulder for the spring to rest on the new refill.

3. Put together and enjoy.

Thank you so much for putting this together Joe! While this may be more of an advanced hack it goes to show you that there are other options out there for the Retro 51 Tornado.

Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Smart 3 Multi Pen Review

I have reviewed many Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto multi pen barrels over the years. It is the first multi pen I fell in love with and is still the best in my mind. While the ink cartridges haven’t changed, new barrel designs hit the market frequently. The Coleto Smart 3 is the most recent I have tested out.

Compared to the older Coleto barrel designs the Smart 3 is an excellent visual upgrade. The clear plastic grip area is the biggest change, allowing you to see a large section of the ink cartridges. It is eerily similar to the original Uni Style Fit.

The updated look is great but that change comes with a slightly wider barrel diameter. I don’t have the exact measurements, but this barrel looks and feels wider than the standard 4 Color Coleto barrel. That, to me, makes it less desirable. If I can fit four cartridges in a narrower barrel I am going to take that more often than not.

In the end it is only $2.50, so you don’t have to break the bank to try it out. If you have a few spare Coleto refills laying around it is worth a shot.