Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen | Clear Blue

The Clear Blue Kakuno has a soft translucent blue barrel that tints whatever ink you put inside it — blues deepen, blacks pick up a hint of midnight — and you can still see exactly how much you have left.

It's still the Kakuno: lightweight, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed, with a hexagonal grip that guides your fingers to the right spot and a little smiling face stamped into the nib so you always know which way is up. Reliable ink flow, smooth writing, no learning curve.

Details:

• Smooth stainless steel nib
• Translucent blue barrel and cap — ink level always visible
• Hexagonal shape prevents rolling and improves control
• Refillable with Pilot ink cartridges or a converter
• Made in Japan

Blue ink in a blue pen is the obvious move, and it's obvious because it works. A warm orange or a deep burgundy against that cool barrel is worth trying too.

The clear series also comes in Clear, Clear Pink, and Clear Green.

Specs

• Length: about 5.1 inches capped (13 cm); posts to about 6.3 inches
• Weight: about 11 grams — light enough to disappear in your hand during long journaling sessions
• Nib: stainless steel (Japanese sizing runs about one size finer than Western — a Pilot Fine writes closer to a Western Extra Fine)
• Cap: snap-on, and yes, it posts
• Fills with Pilot ink cartridges (one black cartridge included) or a Pilot CON-40 or CON-70 converter for bottled ink (converter sold separately)
• Made in Japan

FAQ

What ink should I put in it?

Either match it or complement it, and both are good. For matching, a classic royal blue like Iroshizuku asa-gao makes the whole pen feel like one object. For complementing, try something warm — momiji, a bright autumn red, looks wonderful glowing through a cool blue barrel. All six Iroshizuku cartridge colors are here if you'd like to browse.

How big is it in my hand?

About five inches capped and just eleven grams, so it's light and comfortable for long stretches of writing. The cap posts if you like a longer pen, and the hexagonal barrel keeps it from rolling off your desk.

What's the difference between Japanese and Western nib sizes?

Japanese nibs run about one size finer. A Pilot Medium writes closer to a Western Fine, so if you like an everyday line that isn't too broad, the Medium is a comfortable place to land.