My New Pilot Kakuno & My First Review

[httpmom]

When I saw it was a Pilot and it had a smiley face nib...I had to have it! Not bad for a pen that cost less than $15, I'd say. Knowing it was from JapanI opted for the medium nib, which is more or less somewhere between a fine and a medium nib in the USA. Yes, it's a cheap plastic pen...with a lot of character! It's a remarkably smooth writer at this low brow price point and what's not to love about a smiley face nib that uses the air hole for the nose? It puts out a fairly wet ink...I like that. I have had no negative issues with this little Kakuno (even the name is cute) to date. If you have a large hand, I would suggest you stay away...but my hands are so small I can purchase gloves in the children's department. The cap comes in an array of cheerful colors but the body is a not so cute see thru gray. I would give it an 8 on a 1-10 scale because I think it would be so much more appealing if the barrel was an opaque white. It comes in an adorable box with one black Pilot ink cartridge. I think it is a terrific gift for a child...like me. (I'm thinkin'...baby's first fountain pen...well in my case...grand baby's first fountain pen). I quickly put Kakuno right next to my shopping list in the kitchen. Where will you put yours?

 

P.S. The plastic grid behind the pen and note in the picture was another new purchase from the amazing little/big country of Japan. Its called a shitajiki mat and I use it with my light box to keep my lines properly aligned while I write letters or practice calligraphy. It has the added advantage of creating a soft glide to the surface between you table, paper, and pen (We call it a paper towel here). It comes in two sizes and can be found at jetpens.com.

[Tasmith]

Very nice review.

[Jimmy Joe]

There are Kakuno with white bodies. The caps are a different range of colors, though: pink, violet, yellow, and light blue.

 

Shitajiki means "under layment" and are a typical piece of equipment for school children. They make a smooth surface for writing, no matter the actual condition of the desk top below. The ones kids use are usually decorated with some popular character.

Edited April 17, 2015 by Jimmy Joe

[Moynihan]

Agree, the Kakuno is actually a very nice pen. Have 3.

[fireant]

There are Kakuno with white bodies. The caps are a different range of colors, though: pink, violet, yellow, and light blue.

 

 

 

Those have winky faces!!

[a_m]

Thanks. Very nice review.

[httpmom]

Thanks. Very nice review.

I visited you web site and had a lot of fun reading your articles...isn't it nice to while away the hours reading about FPs?

[a_m]

I visited you web site and had a lot of fun reading your articles...isn't it nice to while away the hours reading about FPs?

 

Yes. Reading and writing about FPs is fun :-)

[sannidh]

 

Thank you . Got to know about the nib-smiley from your review.

[rollerboy]

Thanks for the review. The Kakuno is certainly a strong entry at its price point - strong enough that I tolerate the smiley face which is a little *too* cute for my tastes.

 

I feel the comment about the Kakuno being "little" may be misleading though. The Kakuno is not a particularly small pen. If you compare an unposted Kakuno and unposted Lamy Safari, the Kakuno is only 3 - 5 mm shorter. In terms of girth, through the barrel the Kakuno and Safari are pretty much identical. In the grip section though, the Kakuno is less aggressively faceted so the overall feel is of a wider pen than the Safari.

 

Just thought I'd point out the size thing because I wouldn't want someone to pass up the pen because they thought it was tiny.

Edited April 28, 2015 by rollerboy

[httpmom]

Thanks for the review. The Kakuno is certainly a strong entry at its price point - strong enough that I tolerate the smiley face which is a little *too* cute for my tastes.

 

I feel the comment about the Kakuno being "little" may be misleading though. The Kakuno is not a particularly small pen. If you compare an unposted Kakuno and unposted Lamy Safari, the Kakuno is only 3 - 5 mm shorter. In terms of girth, through the barrel the Kakuno and Safari are pretty much identical. In the grip section though, the Kakuno is less aggressively faceted so the overall feel is of a wider pen than the Safari.

 

Just thought I'd point out the size thing because I wouldn't want someone to pass up the pen because they thought it was tiny.

 

Good point! You are very right it's not that tiny...maybe it's just emotionally "small" because it's so childlike.

Thanks!

[EricTheRed]

I have a fine nib kakuno that writes smooth as silk. The smiley face is whimsical and makes it different from my other fountain pens. Its probably the best pen for the buck in fountainpendom

[PortiaDaCosta]

I just got a Kakuno, and I have to agree, it's a fantastic pen for the price. It feels quite sturdy, and is a good fit for my medium sized hands. And the nib is amazingly good. I got medium and it's really smooth and flowing, one of the nicest in my collection. It's a real pleasure to write with.

 

Couldn't resist ordering another in a different colour. I've gone for lilac and white this time, as my first one is a rather utilitarian grey.