Introduction to the colorful world of Pentel
I prefer those writing instrument brands that have their own origin story, their own legendarium. These stories often tell about the rocky paths the founders traveled, how heroic struggles they fought to make their product successful. Most legendariums are built around a personality who unwaveringly believes that the product they created is special and represents value for others.
This is true on the old continent just as it is in Japan.
The beginnings
Such a personality was the Japanese Yokio Horie (1911-2010), who took over a business dealing with brushes and inks directly after the Second World War, in 1946, and then founded his own company called Nihonbungu Kabushiki Gaisha. Mr. Horie was convinced that Japan could only recover from the post-war disaster by educating new generations, which is why he began manufacturing products intended for school use, such as crayons and pastel paints.
The company entered the market in 1960 with its first pencils, and three years later introduced the „Sign Pen,” the world's first fiber-tipped felt pen. The radically innovative writing instrument's tip, suitable for both writing and drawing, was initially made of bamboo, which was later replaced by synthetic fibers.
The popularity of the Pentel Sign Pen in the United States is thanks to an extraordinary brand ambassador: President Lyndon B. Johnson purchased a dozen Sign Pens, which he used to sign official documents and photographs.
The Sign Pen is clearly a product of the space age, as this small writing instrument embodies a belief in innovation, research and development, and technology. It also performed well in outer space: during the Gemini 6 and 7 space missions in 1966, it proved its reliability, as it was found to be dependable even under extreme atmospheric pressure changes. Astronaut Gordon Cooper was demonstrably using a Pentel Sign pen during the last Mercury mission (the writing instrument was auctioned off in 1995).
The Sign Pen became so popular that production could not meet the demand. The first subsidiaries opened outside Japan in succession: Pentel conquered the American, Asian, and European markets as well.
Although it is over 50 years old, it is still one of the best products on the market, thanks to its excellent quality, brilliant colors, and the company's continuous quest for innovation.
Innovation the Pentel way
Although undoubtedly the Sign Pen is Pentel's most famous product, it is just one product in a truly vast product range. Its pens, mechanical pencils, and oil pastels have won the sympathy and recognition of many artists due to their superb, vibrant colors and affordable prices. Its special brush pens are also favored by calligraphy lovers and comic artists as an alternative to traditional brushes, fountain pens, and ink pens.
Innovation has always played an important role in the life of the Japanese brand. Its own research and development laboratory, opened in 1960, still plays a significant role in product development today. Over the past 70 years, the company's products have greatly contributed to the development of various types of writing instruments. Among other things, we owe the automatic push pen and the whiteboard marker to Pentel, which was the first to enter the non-alcoholic marker market.
The company celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2021, and the good news is that a significant portion of its innovative products is finally available for purchase in our country as well.
Designed for the future
Pentel is proud of its environmentally friendly writing products marked with the Recycology logo, which contain at least 50% of recycled materials.
During production, special emphasis is placed on the use of resource-efficient and recycled materials, reducing CO2 emissions, and avoiding waste. Accordingly, the company produces long-lasting or refillable products to reduce the need for discarding usable products.
Two-thirds of the fast-drying EnerGel product line also carries the Recycology label: the most popular EnerGel X rollerball is made from at least 84% recycled material – and of course, it is refillable…
Pentel EnerGel rollerball family
Pentel introduced the EnerGel product line, promising a top-quality writing experience, in 2002. The company's research and development team worked for several years on the development of the in-house liquid gel ink technology. The result is, without exaggeration, close to perfection: the ink almost dances on the paper as it spreads evenly during use with the slightest pressure.
Its impressive performance is not just a promise: in the case of material and manufacturing defects, Pentel will replace any product without hesitation beyond the statutory warranty period if the defect occurs during normal or intended use.
The water-based ink dries extremely quickly: this not only makes writing, drawing, or creating Bullet Journals easier but also provides a reliable solution for left-handed users.
The EnerGel family has numerous models and variations, practically catering to any individual preferences. From simple-shaped plastic pens to ergonomically designed writing instruments, and premium metal pens in special colors, everything can be found in the range.
If that hasn't convinced someone yet, I will reveal that the EnerGel product line includes more than 10 different product lines, in various versions, colors, and writing thicknesses. The selection is truly amazing, or rather: the selection is incredibly colorful, and we haven't even mentioned the limited editions yet…
Meeting the Pentel selection
I had previously encountered Pentel's great and reliable mechanical pencils, but I honestly admit that I had no knowledge of the company's other products besides these. That's why I was pleased that product manager Zoltán Maróti accepted my invitation.
Zoli is the kind of person you feel like you’re with an old friend. He is direct, friendly, and a lover of his profession. Two minutes after our first meeting, we were already talking about various writing instruments. I’ll also reveal that his email signature is pretty cool: it includes one of my favorite logos from childhood, the emblem depicting a sailing boat from Fűzfői Papír.
At the beginning of our conversation, he unpacked several EnerGel pens from a paper bag onto the table, and I looked at the piles of plastic ballpoint pens in various colors with a bit of disbelief. Zoli quietly asked:
„...you do know that each pen writes in the color of its casing, right?”
My jaw dropped, as by then 20 different colored pens had appeared on the table – as I later found out, the models from the BL77 series were dazzling before me in various colors.
As I mentioned, the colorful selection is just one of the many variables. The different model series of the product family have received distinct designs. User-friendly solutions are clearly emphasized in the designs: the non-slip rubber grips, ergonomic clips, and well-functioning push buttons all indicate that form serves function. Pentel is a humble writing instrument that has been perfected to fulfill its function perfectly and provide a true writing experience for its user.
Despite the colorful selection, I felt a bit of a void. The reason is simple: I have pens in my desk pen holder that look similar (though it’s true they are less colorful). I primarily use these cheap, mass-produced ballpoint pens as workhorses: they get the job done, but I don’t prefer using any of them. „Faceless,” characterless, plastic writing instruments that do not convey quality to me. Therefore, I also appreciate aesthetics, simplicity, and the use of different materials when it comes to everyday writing tools.
It was as if Zoli had read my mind: he reached back into the „magic box” with good rhythm and placed a few special models on the table. Among them were EnerGel pens with metal casings in pastel(!) colors… I was no longer surprised when it turned out that there are also several versions of the metal-cased pens.
The entry-level metal pens (BL407) are push-button and have a ribbed gripping area. The coolest part is the color selection: it is available in 10 beautiful colors (the rose gold color turned out incredibly well!) In the case of the gold pen body color, real gold was used in minimal amounts during the color mixing process to achieve a truly golden effect.
At the top of the EnerGel series, there are three model numbers: For the BL2007, the clip, ring, and pen tip are silver, for the BL2507 they are matte black, while for the BL2007-PD pastel pen body colors, they are gold. These pens are not push-button, but the pen tip can be activated with a twist mechanism. The models available in pastel colors are visually stunning and simply attract the eye.
By 2023, Pentel EnerGel has become one of the most produced and sold rollerball pens, thanks to its special ink formula, countless pen bodies, and last but not least, the product's excellent performance and reliability. The company occasionally launches limited edition models and colors to the delight of fans.
EnerGel is a pen family that delights lovers of writing and drawing with fantastic colors, excellent quality, and reliability. The wide range of colors and models allows anyone to find their ideal EnerGel pen. Just give it a try – believe me, you will like it too!
If you want to see what Pentel products are capable of, be sure to visit the Brisign – writing by hand is cool! page, where you can even get acquainted with these wonderfully colored writing instruments in a workshop setting!
I will also reveal that Zoli's „magic box” contained a few more special items from Pentel's fantastic product range. But that's another story 😊
Source:
- Test: Pentel EnerGel-X BL107
- The Pen with Perfect Flow: Pentel and the EnerGel Pen
- Pentel stands for quality stationery from Japan – An interview with Michael Scholz
- Flown writing instruments from the Mercury, Gemini & Apollo missions
Featured image: Melinda Bubán
