Ohto Graphic Liner Needle Point Drawing Pen - Pigment Ink - 1.0 mm - Black Ink

I really like the line that this pen (and its smaller companions) puts down. It is bold, dark, and usually smooth. One problem that I have experienced from this pen in particular is that when you first pick it up to use it each time, it tends to skip around much like a cheap ballpoint pen. I figure that this is probably due to the high output of ink that places a high demand on the ink volume. I bought the full pack of these pens in all sizes and ordered an extra of this size to use for random notes/sketch ideas and to write in my to-do list (because I love the dark boldness of it). I found out that if you use it on regular cheap notebook paper (or even the more durable Campus brand), it writes strikingly as well as a cheap ballpoint. I can't knock off points for this though, because it is meant for drawing. It lays down a beautiful line on sketch paper (which is rougher in texture), but it still skips on start-up. I have found that the slower you move it, the better the flow, which could be an issue for some sketching practices. I also noticed that on cheaper paper, it fades to this very strange gray-brown color that is not very attractive at all. For me, that is saying something because I absolutely love writing in brown ink. This color is not pleasant, however.

Pros:
- Bold, dark lines
- Multiple sizes available
- Beautiful for sketching
- Zero risk of crushing a delicate tip (as it is metal)

Cons:
- Only good on rough or "expensive" papers
- Fades on cheaper papers
- Skips like a cheap ballpoint when you start drawing/writing

Overall, if you stick to using it only for its intended purpose and give it a little time to warm up each time, it's a great instrument.

Love, love these drawing pens. First of all, they AREN'T felt tipped! Which is a must for those of us with heavy hands. The rollerball is unbelievable smooth. Definitely note that the width of the line you get with these pens (1.0, .5, .2, etc.) is a bit wider than what you'd get with lead of the same size, because the ball does spread out the line a bit.

Excellent. I've used these before and am glad JP has them now. Could be the best liners out there. Remind me of Rapidograph without the need to refill and fuss with fragile tips that Rapidograph from Rotring or Koh i Noor has OR with faber tips that wear out after a while and produce different line thickness.

Regarding tip sizes, as with all manufacturers the tip size (eg 005 = 0.3mm not 005 mm) is not universal but company assigned.
So, as per some Japanese web sites, Ohto Graphic liners are as follows:

005 = 0.3 mm
01 = 0.4 mm
02 = 0.5 mm
03 = 0.7 mm
05 = 1 mm
1 = ? (could not find this one)

I have been using them for a few days now on a variety of papers (Moleskine and regular paper). So far I love them. I've used a wide variety of technical pens in the past from Rapidograph and Staedtler to Copic, Sakura and Faber Castell. All of the traditional tech pens tend to clog up. The fiber tip markers like the Copic and Sakura tend to push back up into the metal ferrule. Probably because I push too hard but that's the way I draw. I also travel a lot so the pens have to stand up to changing air pressure without leaking. I also ink on top of pencil sketches so I need a pen that won't clog or skip. So far the Ohto line work great. The line is very smooth and even and black. It dries fast and holds up under erasure better than the others even when I have inked over pencil. They don't leak on flights so far. And of course there is no fiber tip to mush down or retract within the metal ferrule. I highly recommend them for sketching.

These are wonderful pens. I tried them on some cheap notebook paper and didn't experience any feathering or skipping with any size pen point. They are also surprisingly smooth and more pleasant to write with than some pilot roller ball pens I've used in the past. They are wonderful for sketching, technical drawings, and even taking notes in some of my classes.