4 Jul 2012

muji pack of 12 gels

Having used Muji gel pens for 5 years now, I think I can safely call myself a Muji pen veteran. I first came across them in Hong Kong when I was 16 and the 0.5mm gel nib had me at 'hello'!

Back then, the gel pen sets had 18 colours; not the measly 12 the current ones have but the prices have lowered in line with the reduction in colours so the price point still seems quite fair. Anyway, this review is for the 12 colour set. 

First, I thought I'd show you how they look in my pen pot - they look a bit lonely without the other pens in there with them!


And this is how they look when all laid out in their full glory.


And how they look when put to paper...


And behind. No show through on Oxford paper!


So, what do you think? Have you tried these pens? What is your opinion on them? Overpriced or worthy of the £££ for somewhat minimalistic-looking pens? If you don't use these, what is your pen of choice?

I currently have pen envy for all you Lamy owners. I want one but I don't know where to start on what variations there are, etc.

NB: Photos updated October 2015.

15 comments

  1. Would you like to borrow a Lamy?

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    1. I would love to! But I can't possibly say yes because I'd be so scared of breaking it or losing it. I just can't borrow things from people at the moment without a feeling of guilt! Thank you so much for the kind offer though :)

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  2. I love Muji pens, they're my cheapie pen of choice, but I prefer the retractable body and refill; I love being able to buy just refills cheaply.

    I'm not a fan of the Lamy Safari, I suspect it has to do with how I grip the pen and the angle at which I write (no fault of the pen). Muji has a cheapie fountain pen that I've liked, but my current favorite cheap long-writer fountain pen is the Sailor Clear Candy, a great starter pen. Have fun with pens!

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    1. Completely agree with everything you've said about Muji pens!

      Ohh, yeah, I've seen that the Lamy has a weird pen grip bit. I'm still researching them at the moment though so I'm not sure if all Lamy models are like that? I've always used a Parker fountain pen, which was my mum's of about 30 years. It broke though :( So I replaced it with one of the exact same model but somehow it's not the same?

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    2. Oh yes, fountain pens are all different, so replacing an old favorite with a new one of the same model doesn't always work. Sometimes it's a matter of "breaking in" the nib, because over time the nib will wear differently depending on how you hold it.

      Lamy Safari/Al-Star lovers say the nibs soften with use, but I've had a Safari for 1.5 years and it still refuses to do as I wish. The Safari and Al-Star Lamys have the weird grip, I believe their other, more expensive models do not.

      My first-love pen was also a Parker, belonging to my father's father. The threading from the section snapped off and could never be repaired properly. I still keep it in my pen cup, though. My grandfather must have held his pen exactly how I do, too low and tight, nearly at a 90 degree angle to the page.

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  3. I put gel inks in the Muji 6-color multi pens and they work fine. The inks are 0.5 I think, write well, don't skip, ok all around. I prefer Uni Style Fit though for the range of colors and that they are semi-waterproof.

    I have a few Lamy Safaris. I haven't used fountain pen in ages, and these are my foray back into them. I'd say start with a Safari first in the color you want (or can find), and with a cartridge so you don't get overwhelmed with using a converter, choosing the ink, etc., etc. (I bought inks and converters and just can't be bothered with cleaning, replacing ink, and all that jazz! I just use cartridges for now.) Based on what I've seen of your writing, you might prefer a Fine (F) or Extra-Fine (EF) nib. I prefer EF myself, I have tiny handwriting.

    Hope that helps.

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    1. That sounds like such a plan! I'm tempted to copy you and do that with the Muji 6-colour multi pens! I've never heard of Uni Style Fit so I will have to research them!

      And wow, that's such an awesome introduction to Lamy Safaris! It just seems there are so many variations and I do prefer a finer nib so your recommendation sounds spot on :) Gonna have to add that to my Lamy research page in my Filofax ;)

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  4. Ouuuu these are so cute!! I must order some for myself from Muji!!

    I love my Lamys. I've got extra-fine, fine, medium and 1.1mm and 1.5mm nibs. I'd be happy to help you if you need any guidance or want to see some pictures of the lines they product or anything! But I see up there Ray has offered you to borrow one - best idea for picking a fountain pen is to try it out so you should take him up on that offer :D

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    1. I'm sitting tight for a Muji discount code to land in my inbox hehe, because I want to order another pack. I'm such a fan of these pens, it's unreal.

      It would be great to see some pictures of some of their products. Such as how they write (or how they look on paper), how you grip them (as the way I hold pens isn't the right way - according to my mum!).

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    2. LOL! Well, Lamys certainly require a certain grip (the Safari and Al-Star and Vista anyway) because of the grip section. I will take some pictures for you and put them up and send it to you when I'm done :)

      Must order some of these pens for myself..

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  5. I'm a pen girl. I was actually turned on to Muji pens by your blog and I absolutely adore them. Currently, my planner is home to Pilot Frixion, Muji and Staedtler Triplus Fineliner pens. However, my pen drawer contains many more. I also want a Lamy. :-)

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    1. Haha, I've vowed not to buy anymore pens until I've finished my current stock; but somehow, I don't see that happening!

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  6. I have two Muji erasables, one in pink and one in the bright blue, one in the pen loop of my Filofax and the other in the rings. Perfect combo and it means I don't have to worry about pencils.

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    1. I've found the Muji Erasables to be more my cup of tea when it comes to erasable pens. The Frixions, though nice and are maybe the more popular option, just don't cut it for me? Maybe it's because of the thicker nib and the fact that the rubber isn't on the cap (something which I love about the Muji version).

      And totally agree about the pencil bit! Pencils, to me, remind me of primary school hehe.

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