Ohto Super Promecha 1500P 0.7mm Review

The Ohto Super Promecha 1500P is one of the craziest pencils I have ever reviewed. It is so customizable I bet I played around with the different settings on it for ten minutes before even starting to write with it.

Let’s get the basics out of the way first. This is a fully aluminum barrel with a knurled grip, on board eraser, and lead grade indicator – all of which most drafting pencils in this class have. There are a couple items that separate it from the rest of the pack though.

First of all, not only is the guide pipe fully retractable, its writing length is fully customizable. Twisting the knurled grip brings the pipe from 0mm all the way out to 4mm, and anywhere in between. You can write normally with it in any position.

Secondly, there is a dial built into the barrel that controls the amount or lead extended with each push. You can get anywhere from 0.2mm to 2mm of lead with each click. I spent more time on this than any normal person should! I have never owned a pencil like this before and was pretty fascinated.

If you are a heavy drafting pencil user the Ohto Super Promecha line needs to be on your radar. Casual users may not get the full benefit of all this pencil has to offer, but if you want your pencil your way then this is the one.

Be sure to check out all of the pictures and video on the JetPens product page.

Ohto Rook Fountain Pen Review

Just as I have turned the corner on the erasable ink of the Pilot FriXion, I have really started to come around on fountain pens as well. The more I am around them, the more I want to use them. The more I use them, the more I enjoy how they write, and all the different options that are available. The Ohto Rook doesn’t fall into the category of a traditional fountain pen, but it is a fun portable fountain pen that I am very much enjoying.

When I first took the pen out of the package, it took me a few seconds to realize how to open it up to write with. When capped, it measures just 3.7 inches in length, but once I figured out how to pull it apart and post the cap, it reached its full writing length of 5.6 inches, which is comparable to most standard pens. Getting it to open after that first time hasn’t been an issue.

From a writing perspective, the Rook does a fantastic job. The fine iridium nib lays down a smooth, clean line, and the ink is a nice shade of black. The silver portion of the barrel is made from aluminum, while the black sections are plastic, making for a very light weight pen.

This is about as portable as you can get from a fountain pen. If you would like to get another perspective on the Ohto Rook, check out the review by Brian at Office Supply Geek.

Ohto Capstick Cap-Knock Needle Point Ballpoint Pen Review

The new Ohto product has been rolling in hot and heavy at JetPens, and apprently I am on a quest to try them all. Two weeks ago, it was the Ohto Needle-Point Slim Line 0.3mm Ballpoint, and this time around, it is the Ohto Capstick Cap-Knock Needle Point 0.5 Ballpoint. Both of the are unique in their own ways, with the Needle-Point being an 0.3mm ballpoint - which I had never tried before - and the Capstick having a very unique knock feature.

The special knock feature is the main selling point of this pen, along with its compact size. The way the knock works is you remove the cap from the pen and then just post it. There is a small flange within the cap that pushes the tip of the pen out so you can write, and when you are done, you just pull the cap off and the tip retracts back into the barrel. I was a little unsure at first, but it is a very simple operation that works flawlessly.

From a writing perspective, I see a little line width variation on the page, almost like there is some extra ink flow from time to time, but overall it isn't bad. For an 0.5mm width, the black ink is pretty dark, which is something I like. Overall, I will say it writes cleanly.

If I were to carry this pen around and show it to friends in the non-pen circles I travel in, they would certainly wonder why I am carrying lipstick or mascara around. I admit, this pen is more of a feminine design, but at least I can say I am just holding it for my wife. Right?

Click here for the XL review.