Once in a while, I find it more convenient to carry a single multi-pen with a mix of ballpoint and MP inserts… especially meetings where desk space is at a premium. And if I do carry additional pencils, I’d try to opt for a lead size that is different to the one in the multi-pen; e.g. when most multi-pens come with a 0.5mm pencil, I’d pick a 0.3 or 0.7/9. My exception is Zebra Sharbo, which I tend to equip with a 0.7mm component, which frees me up to choose from the wealth of dedicated 0.5mm options.
Anyway, here’s a triplet of all-black multi-pens that I enjoy using:
Sakura Ballsign Premium 4+1: which I mentally refer to as Darth Vader’s pen because of its all black mechanical design. The grip section is an unusual 5-sided concave configuration that mildly resembles a revolver pistol’s drum chamber. I especially appreciate the super low profile of the color coded selection levers. When I saw these levers, it was like an answer to my prayers. For too long have we been plagued by the unsightly protrusions on the likes of Pilot and Zebra multi-pens. A definite favorite.
OHTO MULTI MF-10R2A: yet another opaque sounding model from the maestro of the weird and unexpected. Just 2 components in a phat and mechanically ostentatious design. The wire clip is a stylistic highlight as is the whole tail end of the pen. Almost like a pen analog to a military shotgun.
Tombow Zoom 414: I’ve shared this one before, paired with its brethren the Zoom 535 rollerball. At the time of its launch in 2005, it was possibly one of the slimmest 2+1 multi-pens in the world. It briefly went out of production before being revived as the Zoom Light L104 in 2017, sporting an array of bright, glossy metallic paint jobs in orange, green, red, blue etc.
What’s your fave multi-pen?
