I was curious about the SH-1x00LP family, so I reached out to Tombow Japan. The two files attached are what they sent. It’s a scan from the Tombow 1980 catalog and brochure (that we have seen previously). No date confirmation on the brochure.
Not sure why the SH-300LX images are redacted. I am also not sure if they answered my question though – I has asked when they were released. Should I assume that if they sent a 1980 catalog image, I have my answer?
Can you share the email address for enquiry Tombow and PILOT, thanks a lot!!!
Sorry - do not have Pilot. For Tombow I went to the Tombow Japan web site and just filled out the “contact us” form. The info was sent from a “do not reply” address.
WOW, I was having a related doubt/question last weekend and I almost sent them an email (and I forgot)
The guess that I had was, from my market researches in the past year, the SH1500LP with silver ring only available in 0.3mm and with the black ring only available in 0.5mm. I tried to find any counterexample but none existed. So your scan page actually proved my guess is right! They are the same thing! The silver one is 0.3mm only and the other one is 0.5mm only! The silver one is no SH2000LP, SH2500LP, or SH3000LP that people rumored for years. Thank you !
The SH-1500LP-05 looks like a veeery nice and veeery interesting pencil, tip-heavy enough to feel amazing in the hand, slim like an arrow, and yet not at all insubstantial.
One day, one day, I’ll find one to test — hopefully, one a bit cheaper than those currently on the market.
Does anybody here can report on how it differs from, say, a Uchida Drawing Sharp KN, which looks like a close relative?
I think we need a bit of context to compare the Tombow to Uchida KN.
For Uchida, they were transitioning from the peak of their twist technology and craftsmanship in the E series, over to the new push button trend. As such I felt the KNs were a bit ‘hollow’ sounding when I click to advance the lead. This is also true for the knock-type S series with the chunky black grips. The exception for me was the KN 0.3, which sported a different silver/black styling.
Conversely, Tombow had been progressively upping their game with each successive knock-type drafting pencil. SH-500, 500LX, 500LG, 700, 1000… Thus, the 1500 felt like it was peaking, right next to the 1500 Variable. The clicking felt sure and precise. And not ‘hollow’.
MUCH better! Thank you
So basically @Pdunc67 is a celebrity!
Terrific, Patrick! So great to see their enthusiasm for vintage TOMBOW and to provide you with useful info. Were the files they mentioned sending the catalog page scans you embedded above?
Also, you mentioned you’d gone to the “Tombow Japan” website. I find “tombow.co.jp” does not resolve. I noticed the email address in the response shows “tombow.com”, so did you use that site? I just submitted a request on that contact page, to see if they might have a higher resolution copy of the TOMBOW ad for the MONO DELTA series.
Thanks Gary.
Yes it was the two docs I originally posted.
The second URL is the one I used
Interesting. They must’ve changed how their website is managed then. “tombow.co.jp” must be relegated to just background support, like email, as I can’t bring it up. When you do go to “tombow.com” it defaults to Japanese and then you can select English. Do you recall about how long it took to get a response from them after submitting your inquiry? Also, had you ever heard any feedback from them after providing your YouTube channel to them?
Btw, back in October of 2023, I’d submitted an inquiry form to Tombow and asked about the availability of the C1 with USA retailers. Here was the reply. Note that also the responder’s email URL uses “star.tombow.co.jp”
Dear Mr. Gary K,
Thank you very much for your inquiry. This is Kyoko Ishigure from Tombow Tokyo.
We are sorry that the planned date to release the new ZOOM models (C1, L1, L2) internationally has not yet been decided. Currently our plan is to launch next year.
We appreciate your interest in our products.
Yours sincerely,
Kyoko Ishigure
Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd.
http://www.tombow.com/6-10-12, Toshima Kita-ku
Tokyo 114-8583 JAPAN
Tel: +81-3-3912-1593
Fax: +81-3-5390-1629
Email: isigurek@star.tombow.co.jp
