Jet Pens
Japanese pens are simply the coolest pens on the planet. Whether for writing notes, manga, or drawing, Japanese pens are the best. The finest are .18mm while the widest are brush pens that will allow you to practice your kanji. They also come in colors that will never see the inside of a Staples or and Office Depot.
The best place to get them is a web site called Jetpens.com. Given the exotic character of the merchandise, the prices are fine, but the extras, such as Japanese stationary, erasers, pen holders, and notebooks are simply amazing. Where else can you buy erasers that are also a game of balancing the erasers in an ark on your desk? And the colors, ranging from yellows and pinks to the office standards, are just awesome.
In the end, it is a very cheap way to gain a bit of understanding of a very different culture, while also getting some really cool pens.
--Michael Aaron Dennis
Like many others I have an unhealthy obsession with office supplies, especially mechanical pencils. I'm always looking for the perfect pencil. JetPens.com offers a great selection of mostly Japanese pens, pencils, highlighters and supplies. Many of the name brands they offer are familiar in the U.S. (Pilot, Pentel) but you won't find any of these at your local office supply store. JetPens also carries the hard-to-find Uniball Paper Clipper and Clips - a reusable paper binding system.
-- Amy Kahle
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A cool tool is anything useful that is superior to comparable items. If you think this tool is inferior suggest a better one. You are welcome to insult a tool, but comments containing insults to individual people will be deleted. Corrections of fact are always welcomed, if stated politely. Recommendations of better tools are dearly wanted and may be elevated to the front page.
jimbear
I have used Jetpens often and they are a great company to work with, lots and lots of stuff totally unavailable in the states. definitely worth checking out.
Mike
I've bought Jet pens for daughter who's studying Chinese, and my sister who does a lot of calligraphy. They both love the brush pens.
Bruce
If you haven't yet tried the Kuru Toga mechanical pencils, you are missing out. They continuously rotate the lead while you write so they never get dull! Another place to shop for Japanese pens/pencils and stationery items is http://www.tokyopenshop.com I highly recommend them and they have good prices.
PaulD
My favorite from JetPens is Pilot's Hi-Tec-C Slim Knock, 0.3 mm, blue-black ink. For some reason I like that kind of scratchy resistance when I'm doing serious writing. For writing grocery lists or helping my son with his math homework I prefer something that flows more easily, say a Muji 0.5 mm gel pen (not carried by JetPens).
Lance
I agree with Bruce on the Kuru Toga pencil. I found it via Cool Tools and bought them as stocking stuffers for my family. It is by leaps and bounds the best mechanical pencil I have ever owned.
Moe Rubenzahl
I love the Pilot Hi-Tec-C pens. I like the 0.5 best. Best ink pens anywhere. Smooth, even lines, vibrant colors.
JetPens is the only place they are available, as far as I know, and they're a great supplier.
BrianSJ
For those in the UK Cult Pens is very good (no association, just a happy customer).
http://www.cultpens.com/index.html
Rick
For those of you in the SF Bay Area, look up a store called Maido. They have a location in the mall in downtown SF, and another on Santana Row. Maido carries a wide range of Japanese stationary products.
Unfortunately their site is pretty basic (http://www.maidostationery.com/maido_downtown_store/), so I don't know if they have the specific models mentioned here in stock.
I'm not sure how their prices compare to JetPens either, but if you're like me you might like to see and/or use a product before buying.
Lexica
In SF, the Kinokuniya stationery shop in Japan Center (opposite the Kinokuniya bookstore and near the crepe shop) also has a pretty good selection of writing implements.
Ben
I have to echo the comments of the recommender's of JetPens.com. I recently ordered from them, had a hassle-free experience, and wonderfully inexpensive, high-quality pens. Their selection ranges from disposable fountain pens (which are awesome for those who like liquid ink feel, but don't have the budget for a Waterman) to gel and ballpoints with color selections not available in standard office supply locations. The low cost and interesting selection means that I often will go look for some pens just for the fun of it! If you like pens but don't have the means for a serious collection, have fun with jetpens - I have been excited to the point that I signed up for their newsletter (comes monthly) with specials.
brh
I -believe- that JetPens is the place that was started by a guy who used to (maybe still does) frequent the fountain pen network forums. If I'm right, good guy, and definitely a good place to shop. But it's been a while since I've had the money to be collecting a variety of pens, so I'm really no longer 100% certain.
Agree with the recommendation for Kuru Toga though, I was able to pick one of those up locally, and while I thought it would be a silly gimmick, it actually works really well!
Lily
Thanks Michael and Amy for the post! The JetPens team is always happy to meet others who appreciate fine writing instruments as much as we do. We are honored to be featured on KK!
jae
QQ ... is there a great source for good "add-on" pen grips? most pens that I would like to use are too narrow for my "99% typing" and mildly arthritic hands.
don't care much for the kind that are made of that sticky, gel-like material because dust and pet hair sticks to them like mad. t f y h.
.......
p.s. noticing the captcha is not appearing in my Chrome. not sure if that is a kk.org/comments issue or mine as yet. works fine in Firefox.