Pentel Tradio Fountain Pen

[rsx]

I am not aware of a previous fountain pen from the Japanese company Pentel, best known for fiber tip pens, rolling writers and gel pens. This is a brief review of this relatively inexpensive pen which cost $26 from Jet Pens. I doubt you can find it in a local pen shop.

 

I wish to point out a few special features.

 

First, the Tradio body type has been around for a while, as a Japanese brush pen and gel pen. I believe the fountain pen version is new. The Tradio is very popular in Japan, a somewhat thick and oversized plastic body with an integrated, large clip that works equally well in a shirt pocket or pants pocket. This is generally comfortable to hold, at least for me, and very durable. It is available in multiple colors. Mine is a shiny silver plastic body.

 

Second, the pen takes international cartridges, both ordinary short cartridges and the long Waterman cartridge. This is unusual, as most Japanese pens with which I am familiar require proprietary cartridges. Since it takes international cartridges, and has a fairly large diameter body, I am certain it will take standard converters, although I haven't had a chance to try that yet.

 

The pen writes very smoothly. Like many inexpensive pens, the nib is stiff without much (or any) flex. It comes only as a "medium", which, as in other Japanese pens, is more like a fine/medium in a European type nib. The nib is gold and silver colored steel.

 

In all, a worthy competitor for such pens as Lamy Safari or Pilot Metropolitan/Cocoon. If you like the Tradio body style and international cartridge type, you might find it to be better than the others.

 

 

Edited March 22, 2017 by rsx

[Zookie]

That is a lovely pen. I'm very fond of Pentel products, and have always found them to be good quality items.

This pen IS available at Staples, but only in white

The good news is that it only costs 10 USD. Maybe I could spray it a different color.

[rudyhou]

i have a couple with a matted plastic body. great performance for the value. they write well and don't give problems.

[Shevock]

Thank you for the information! I just started the new year (2019) with a new hobby (improving my handwriting). What I found online said to practice using a fountain pen. So, I went to Staples and picked up a Pentel Tradio, not knowing one pen from another. The price was right. I like that its thick (I like the feeling in my hands, which are pretty big). I don't like that its so light feeling. I didn't like the color blue it had (it was kind of greyish, and so I ordered some Private Reserve American Blue international cartridges which worked just fine). Mostly, I'm happy to be producing less waste while improving my penmanship. I don't know enough to know if this is writing well or not. It does skip, but that could be my inexperience.

[podvodnik]

Bought a white one a couple of months ago at Staples (marked down to $6!!) I liked it so much that I bought a black one for $15 on Amazon last month. Sturdy, a smooth writer and I like the little cap window under the base of the clip. Best buy, a good knockabout everyday writer.