Posts filed under Uni

Uni Pi:s And Zebra Mackee Double-Sided Marker Showdown

Markers make my handwriting look awesome. Maybe it's the larger, faster arm movements that are required to keep pace with a wide tipped, fast flowing pen, or maybe it's as simple as the design of the tip itself. Either way, pens like the Uni Pi:s and Zebra Mackee are fun to have around for when you need them.

When you actually need markers like this is the key. These aren't every day writers like the Sakura Pigma Micron. They are task specific, meaning you should know how you will be using these pens before getting started. Both the Uni Pi:s and Zebra Mackee are made to write on many surfaces, such as paper, fabric, glass, metal and more. The oil-based ink allows for this, and makes them water resistant as well.

What sets these two pens apart? Not much to be perfectly honest. They are very similar in design - so much so that I have to find the brand logo on the barrel to determine which one I am using. Each is double-sided, both with fine and extra-fine tips, with the tips on the Zebra being slightly firmer and finer. I doubt I could tell the difference in a blind test though.

The Zebra does have the lone differentiator in the pens with refillable ink cartridges. For a pen like this that is a big deal because you will burn through markers if you use them heavily. The cartridges are a long cylinder with wide openings on each end for good ink flow.

And the ink flow is huge, as you would expect with this type of pen. Any use of these pens on normal paper will result in bleed and feathering. Writing with them is fun, but they are most suited for heavy duty materials like posterboard, fabric, and plastic.

For $2 a pop, the Uni Pi:s and Zebra Mackee both come in a rainbow of colors and will make your inner artist squee with delight. Check them out the next time you have a project that calls for some color.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Posted on February 23, 2015 and filed under Pen Reviews, Uni, Zebra, Marker.

Uni Mitsubishi Pure Color-F Double-Sided Sign Pen - 0.8 mm + 0.4 mm - Orange Review

Uni Pure Color

It is awards season, so the award for longest pen name of the year (so far) goes to the Uni Mitsubishi Pure Color-F Double-Sided Sign Pen - 0.8 mm + 0.4 mm - Orange!!!

Never one to turn down a new porous tip pen, I picked this one up from JetPens back in November. It wasn't the 0.8 mm side that intrigued me, but I was excited about the 0.4 mm option. In that area, the Pure Color did not disappoint.

Normally, porous tip pens are prone to breaking down in the tip area and dulling the line. Uni Mitsubishi markets this pen as having an extra-sturdy tip which should last longer than a normal porous tip pen. I haven't put this pen through rigorous testing yet, but early results are positive. The 0.4 mm tip lays down a crisp line with no bleed or show-through to the back of the page.

The 0.8 mm side is as wide as you would expect, and is unusable for me. Like I mentioned in the written review, I like the 0.4 mm side so much I would gladly pay double for just a single-tipped pen.

For $1.65 the Pure Color is a no-brainer to try and test out for yourself.

Posted on January 16, 2013 and filed under Uni, Pen Reviews, Porous.

Uni Live Pigment Sign Pen Extra Fine Blue Review

Uni Live Pigment Sign Pen Extra Fine Blue

I have talked about the Uni Live Sign Pen on many occasions but only recently realized I never posted my review of it. This is a new to me offering from Uni but is actually an older style of pen and may have been available in Japan for a while. Pentel is well known for its Sign Pen that has been around for decades - is the Uni Live a worthy competitor?

It is more than worthy in my book. In fact, it is one of my favorite pens I have tried in a while. While it has a slightly different tip style, it reminds me of when I first tried the Sharpie Pen. The porous-style tip leaves a sharp line and the blue ink is deep and solid. So far, the tip seems to be retaining its shape well too.

It is hard to put my finger on it but there is something about this type of pen that really appeals to me. It is inexpensive, looks good, feels good, has a few color options (I have the black and red ink models as well), and comes in several widths. What’s not to love?

Posted on July 19, 2012 and filed under Pen Reviews, Sign Pen, Uni.