Multipens Anyone?

[MYU]

Generally, I rarely use more than one ballpoint color... so, it's really fine to have just 2 writing types -- ballpoint and pencil.

 

 

This is made by Mitsubishi. I'm impressed with the quality of construction. Very similar to Pilot... although I'd give a slight edge to Pilot. But Mitsubishi isn't well known for writing instruments outside of Japan, thus their vintage resale prices are quite a bit lower. This all steel multi-pen is fairly light weight, just heavy enough to feel like it's reasonably substantial. This is a twist mechanism -- right for the ballpoint, left for the pencil. It's not particularly smooth, but it does notch into place well. It acts like a vanishing point, as there's no pesky tip protruding that would poke a hole in your pocket.

 

But what's so great about it is the form factor. It's just thick enough for comfort. And the black stripes provide ample grip. Really a "flying under the radar" value on this one.

[RMN]

Where on earth (literally) do you get such pens?

 

 

D.ick

[MYU]

Japan!

 

There are several buyer proxy services out there, plenty to choose from compared to how it was some 5+ years ago. I still use Shopping Mall Japan, because their service is first rate and reliable. You do need a deposit to bid. If you prefer to go with credit card authorizations, there's From Japan.

 

Browse Yahoo Japan, find an auction, and then go for it. You'd be surprised at what you can find there. Unfortunately, what's highly sought after in the US/UK/EU is usually expensive in Japan as well, although with a favorable exchange rate you can still do a bit better buying through Yahoo Japan with a service.

[TitoThePencilPimp]

I have the same one the original poster has. It is a newer model, however. It has a great and solid construction.

[dgcom]

Interesting topic... This mutipen is what probably started my entire admiration of writing instruments - very long time ago.

This was one of my dad's pen and I am not sure when it was bought, probably sometime in late 1970's... He gave it to me as a gift (after I begged him for it).

Bought in Moscow, Russia, probably made somewhere in eastern block - Germany or Czechoslovakia.

There are no markings of any kind. Single hexagonal tube construction with mechanism inserted from the top.

Uses four D1 refills (currently loaded with 3 Fisher refills and a green one from some unnamed company).

Mechanically still operates as new, replacing refills is done from the working end.

Very solid and I was wondering if there is anything similar to this available - so far as I can tell, multipens with similar operational mechanism are very expensive...

This pen also had a "brother" - with more golden tint, unfortunately, I do not know where is it right now

 

 

[JoeyZ]

I have been very attracted to the quality multipens, but I have resisted as I know that I will not really use one. Luckily, I was able to interest my wife so I can fulfill my desire to order without the guilt of not using it. One Uni Style Fit Meister is on the way - if she likes it I will upgrade her to a Zebra Sharbo.

 

Its so nice being able to scratch the pen buying itch and have it be about someone else.

[TitoThePencilPimp]

Interesting topic... This mutipen is what probably started my entire admiration of writing instruments - very long time ago.

This was one of my dad's pen and I am not sure when it was bought, probably sometime in late 1970's... He gave it to me as a gift (after I begged him for it).

Bought in Moscow, Russia, probably made somewhere in eastern block - Germany or Czechoslovakia.

There are no markings of any kind. Single hexagonal tube construction with mechanism inserted from the top.

Uses four D1 refills (currently loaded with 3 Fisher refills and a green one from some unnamed company).

Mechanically still operates as new, replacing refills is done from the working end.

Very solid and I was wondering if there is anything similar to this available - so far as I can tell, multipens with similar operational mechanism are very expensive...

This pen also had a "brother" - with more golden tint, unfortunately, I do not know where is it right now

 

 

 

Looks like a Rotring, but I know it is not. Maybe it was the competitor to Rotring's version. My brother has the exact same pen you posted. I will take pictures of it and post.

Edited August 8, 2016 by TitoThePencilPimp

[dgcom]

 

Looks like a Rotring, but I know it is not. Maybe it was the competitor to Rotring's version. My brother has the exact same pen you posted. I will take pictures of it and post.

 

That would be interesting... Does he know where it is from? I bet this is something made in East Germany on the pre-war equipment

[Algester]

Generally, I rarely use more than one ballpoint color... so, it's really fine to have just 2 writing types -- ballpoint and pencil.

 

 

This is made by Mitsubishi. I'm impressed with the quality of construction. Very similar to Pilot... although I'd give a slight edge to Pilot. But Mitsubishi isn't well known for writing instruments outside of Japan, thus their vintage resale prices are quite a bit lower. This all steel multi-pen is fairly light weight, just heavy enough to feel like it's reasonably substantial. This is a twist mechanism -- right for the ballpoint, left for the pencil. It's not particularly smooth, but it does notch into place well. It acts like a vanishing point, as there's no pesky tip protruding that would poke a hole in your pocket.

 

But what's so great about it is the form factor. It's just thick enough for comfort. And the black stripes provide ample grip. Really a "flying under the radar" value on this one.

I'm assuming when you say Mitsubishi this is the Mitsubishi pencil company aka uni-ball... And not the heavy industries mitsubishi which makes the cars, planes and boats among other things... Because I remember the mitsubishi heavy industries never went to the stationery business

[Jordan N]

 

Looks like a Rotring, but I know it is not. Maybe it was the competitor to Rotring's version. My brother has the exact same pen you posted. I will take pictures of it and post.

 

 

It is not Rotring, but could be made in Germany. I remember those pens from my childhood. They were cheep and I destroyed few of them to see "how it works".

[dgcom]

 

 

It is not Rotring, but could be made in Germany. I remember those pens from my childhood. They were cheep and I destroyed few of them to see "how it works".

 

Cheap, but quite solid Wonder if their mechanism is in any way similar to any of the current slide button type multipens?

[MYU]

I'm assuming when you say Mitsubishi this is the Mitsubishi pencil company aka uni-ball... And not the heavy industries mitsubishi which makes the cars, planes and boats among other things... Because I remember the mitsubishi heavy industries never went to the stationery business

 

Yes, that is correct. Although... they have the same triple diamond insignia, as you can see in the photos (engraved on the pen and imprinted on the sticker). I have a feeling this is a subsidiary of a Mitsubishi holding company that includes the automotive maker.

 

Incidentally, they also have a pen line called "Jaguar" that uses the same animal logo as the car brand Jaguar. Pretty ironic.

[Algester]

Yes, that is correct. Although... they have the same triple diamond insignia, as you can see in the photos (engraved on the pen and imprinted on the sticker). I have a feeling this is a subsidiary of a Mitsubishi holding company that includes the automotive maker.

 

Incidentally, they also have a pen line called "Jaguar" that uses the same animal logo as the car brand Jaguar. Pretty ironic.

Well its what you get when the Mitsubishi mon is quite common...

[Mike 59]

I thought ( and have heard mentioned by a reliable pen/pencil trader who should know), that the heavy industries company who make cars and ships etc, are a different company from the pen maker.

Edited September 2, 2016 by Mike 59

[lovemy51]

i've used this Zebra 5 components for years and love it: http://www.jetpens.com/Zebra-Clip-On-4-Color-0.7-mm-Ballpoint-Multi-Pen-0.5-mm-Pencil-White-Body/pd/475

[Mike 59]

I take this one as an EDC pen, it's cheap enough that I could lose it and not worry, but writes well with Inkjoy refills in four colours.

Cost was about £2 in the UK.

[LuisAAbrilRomero]

does anybody have ever used a Sailor Multipen Imperial Black? Any comments? And what about the refills? Are they any good? Does the pen accept other standard D1 refills?

 

Thanks for the help!

[sciumbasci]

Hijacking the thread since it's somewhat related to my question: Can the humble 4 colour BiC be refilled, or once you run dry of one of the colours it's over?

[usk15]

In theory yes, but is so cheap to buy the whole pen...

I manage to replace a black one from a advertising pen, just cut to adjust length.

[Mike 59]

Agreed, although the BiC 4 colour refills are replaceable, in the UK a new pen is about £1.50, so really not worth the time and expense, even if you could find the spare refills for sale.

I have just tried the refills from the 4 colour PaperMate Inkjoy, they don't fit either.

Neither do the common D1 multi-pen refills.