I was tickled when my husband mentioned that I had gotten a lot of cool things to review recently. I was curious what caught his eye. When I asked, he said the Pentel Multi8 Lead Holder Set (2 mm 2026 Version, $30)! Well, I will have to keep my eye on it!
What’s the appeal? The Multi8 is a multi-pen(cil) with seven colored pencils and one graphite pencil with 2mm lead.
In the box:
While $30 seems high for a clicky mechanical pencil, the fact that the kit include replacement leads for all 8 slots and a lead sharpener. All the sudden, this feels like a much better value.
How to use:
To access each color, you just have to twist the black clip to the numbered slot. Then push the button at the top to release the pencil down the barrel. Because this is a 2mm lead holder, pushing the button will fully release the lead so I recommend holding it just a few millimeters over your desk or hand to get the right length of lead other wise the lead will just fall out. Release the button an use like a normal pencil or colored pencil. If the tip gets dull just sharpen the end with the provided sharpener.
When you want to switch the lead color, turn the pencil upside down and depress the button again and the lead will slide back into its slot. Release the button and then twist the clip again to choose a new color.
As a colored pencil, a device like this is great for travel, outdoor urban sketching and just portability.
The colors:
The set includes pretty standard colored pencil colors: Blue, Red, Violet, Pink, Yellow, Orange, and Green plus a standard graphite lead. Like most colored pencils, on smooth paper like Tomoe Rive, the colors feel a little washed out. Colored pencils perform better on paper with a little tooth.
So I tried the pencils on Col-o-ring paper and BOOM! what bright, vivid colors. All the sudden these leads are so much more fun.
So, I do recommend this set. Its a great value, travel ready and its so fun to be able to click and twist to switch colors. But I do have the caveat that more textured papers will make a huge difference. If you do decide to try these pencil leads, do yourself a favor and use more textured papers.
DISCLAIMER: The items included in this review were provided free of charge by JetPens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.