Update To Pilot Kakuno - Pilot Sumino

[shuuemura]

Just spotted that the Pilot Kakuno now comes in a white body with pastel-coloured caps! The new model is called "Sumino" and is targeted at women of all ages from children to adults.

 

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pilot.co.jp%2Fpress_release%2F2014%2F03%2F26%2Fkakuno_w.html

 

Original link here.

[proton007]

Oh no. Not this.

 

I hope they don't release it outside Japan. It's not going to go well for Pilot.

[xwingrox]

I wish Pilot would add a clip to the Kakuno...

[hot cocoa]

I wish Pilot would add a clip to the Kakuno...

 

This, but I don't see it happening.

 

Not feeling the love for the pastels...too soft.

[holgalee]

The pastel series has a winking eye nib: http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/hunnyhunt/item/pilot-kakuno-wh-fp/?s-id=borderless_recommend_item_en.

 

If you search Instagram, you'll see that most of the Kakuno photos were taken by young adult or teenage girls, even before the new series was released. I've seen the colours in person and they're really nice, especially the blue and yellow.

 

Someone mentioned a shop displaying a demonstrator version of the pen. I'll really like to see that!

Edited April 12, 2014 by holgalee

[Jimmy Joe]

I have no idea how Google is getting "Sumino". The original Japanese just calls these "White bodied 'Kakuno'".

[rochester21]

So cute ! By the way, how many fountain pen user still use the clip? Considering that 99.8 % of pens have a clip, it`s nice to see some variety. I like the design, too bad they don`t come in monocolor bodies.

 

However, for me the biggest drawback is the these pens are not cheap enough. Sure, the pen smiles, but then again a 10 dollar pilot 78G makes me smile, which is even better. The kakuno costs double. Happy faces come at a price these days....

[Jimmy Joe]

However, for me the biggest drawback is the these pens are not cheap enough. Sure, the pen smiles, but then again a 10 dollar pilot 78G makes me smile, which is even better. The kakuno costs double. Happy faces come at a price these days....

It depends where you get them, and perhaps on where you are. They can be had for $14 online in the US.

[Nyanzilla]

As these pens are made for children who rarely carry them in a shirt pocket, a clip would be quite useless and only increase the production costs.

I know some children's pens which have thin and cheap plastic clips that will break easily.

[Algester]

So cute ! By the way, how many fountain pen user still use the clip? Considering that 99.8 % of pens have a clip, it`s nice to see some variety. I like the design, too bad they don`t come in monocolor bodies.

 

However, for me the biggest drawback is the these pens are not cheap enough. Sure, the pen smiles, but then again a 10 dollar pilot 78G makes me smile, which is even better. The kakuno costs double. Happy faces come at a price these days....

but to the Japanese they are cheap do take note Pilot it not selling the 78G to their local market heck their lowest of the low isnt called 78G yeah this(Kakuno) is their cheapest 1K yen that's 10 USD... lower than that would be the penmanship at 500 yen 5USD the Kakuno is nearly the same price point as the Sailor My First Pen

 

and yes it is still called the Kakuno except in white and has a winking laser engraved nib

Edited July 28, 2014 by Algester

[onfountainpens]

I just got a Kakuno myself recently although it's the old grey body which I don't fancy so much. I made a review of it here: http://onfountainpens.com/2014/10/pilot-kakuno-fountain-pen/

 

Speaking of clips, these pens don't have clips, but they have hexagonal bodies which prevents rolling away to some extent. and also a little groove on the cap that protrudes (not significantly) to further stop the pen from rolling around.

 

 

As these pens are made for children who rarely carry them in a shirt pocket, a clip would be quite useless and only increase the production costs.

I know some children's pens which have thin and cheap plastic clips that will break easily.

 

I do agree with Nyanzilla on this. I thought the Kakuno pen is great for beginners and kids, and I'm not sure if clips will be a huge issue for these groups of people...