[Pen/Pencil Review] The Pentel Libretto Pen & Pencil Set
So yeah, about the time I posted last week’s review of the Pentel Kerry, I received an email from them offering to send me their Libretto Pen/Pencil set to review. They also gave me a set to give away. If you like what you see here with the review,go over to the contest and enter to win. The contest is open until Sunday, December 2.
The Pentel Libretto is a matching set. They come in black, cream, and silver. The one they sent me is the silver set. And it’s simply lovely. The pen is 5.5†long capped and nearly 6†long with the cap posted. The pencil is just about 5.5†long with the lead retracted and extended. They have good balance and some decent weight to them. And they have some lovely silver cross hatch etching around the barrel.
The pen comes with 0.7mm black gel ink which is dark and rich, but does take a second to dry – especially on shiny or slick paper. The pen is completely refillable with either EnerGel LR7 or KFR7 refills. I’m going to try to find these refills in a 0.5mm for a finer point. There is a black rubber grip for added comfort. There are some edges to the point, but I didn’t feel anything digging into my fingers after more than a half hour using it.
The pencil is a 0.5mm that comes with 5 Super Hi-Polymer leads. Now the barrel is smooth metal, so there’s no ergonomic grippy bit, but the barrel is wide enough to be comfortable, the point retracts completely to protect lead and clothing or purses. And this lead they use? It’s tough. I had a hard time breaking it. And for a general HB, it was pretty dark and solid. The eraser is under the cap – which is also the refill.
The clips are sturdy. The construction is solid. And this set looks nice and comes in a black and clear plastic case for easy gift wrapping. It’s a lovely set. Really.
Now to the numbers…
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 – They’re solid. Good gel ink. Solid, hard to break pencil lead. The cap posts securely, and the advancer on the pencil is smooth and solid. These are meant for long haul use.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – This is a good feeling set. There are few edges to dig in. Both pieces are well-balanced and feel good in the hand. They’re long enough to be comfortable, but not too long. The rubber on the pen grip gives it a little more comfort.
3. Material – 1 – I can only comment on the silver which is brushed a little bit, like stainless. It’s a good, solid material that’s not going to ding or chip easily – can’t talk about the black or cream. All the parts seem solid and well made. And it’s all refillable for long-haul use.
4. Overall Design – 1 -This is a gorgeous set. Really pretty, and really functional. If you’re looking for a gift for a graduation or for a professional (writer, boss, or something), this is an excellent choice. Pentel has done a good job at marrying form and function on this set.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – Here’s the one ding. It’s expensive. Unless you find a deal or a sale, you’re paying for form, the function, and the pretty. It’s on the website for $39.95. This would not have been something I picked up myself for grins and giggles to review. But man, there’s no doubt I’ll get $40s worth of use out of these things. The quality of workmanship does match the price point. But it’s a price point NOT for the faint of heart.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 Bronze Pencils