Multi Pen + Pencil Comparison • BIC, Paper Mate, Uniball Jetstream, Pilot Coleto

[@benchandler4298]

SO good to see some love for the iconic blue and white BIC four-in-one. These felt like such a luxurious upgrade for me from the old BIC Cristal pens, not only was the mechanism satisfying, but the addition of green to the standards of red, blue and black felt like such a world of possibilities had suddenly opened. I haven't had one in years, and I'm basically all fountain pens with the occasional ballpoint nowadays, but these old things will always hold a place in my heart.

[@anthonywilliams8956]

I like the original bic four color pen. I like the green in it because it is a warm leaf green, my favorite color. Thanks for reviewing these multi pens.

[@Iamdanissa]

I’m a Paper Mate kind of a gal lol 🤍 But the Bic multi pen is legendary. I loved, loved multi pens when I was a little girl. Though Bic is legendary for their multi pen line I will be picking up the Paper Mate kind just because I like the way Paper Mate pens write. Just my preference that is all.

[@jlastre]

Like you I am ancient. I never liked bic. Might be because I’m a left hand user and ink in those pens in those days dried very slowly. My parents used to always buy bic because they were cheap. So getting a bic multipen was just like getting 4 times the annoyance. I was more of a Papermate, Parker, Pentel, and Pilot fan. Recently I have had some health issues. I had to have carpal and cubical tunnel releases on my left hand. Even before this I started to prefer thicker pens like Dr. Grip. I started to think I really need to get pens that don’t waste so much real estate. I updated to the Uni Jetstream. But looked into buying more. I have also bought the Pilot Frixion in .38 (ultra fine). I’m looking into others. Some have cartoon characters on them.😮. I like the Frixion because it’s erasable ink and ultra fine. I started to use a Japanese paper planner (bought at Jetpens). The writing in those needs to be small. You did forget to mention the really cheaply made 10 color multi pens that came out around 1975. I had friends whose parents would buy them and at first was envious. But then I would see their tiny hands trying to rap around the monstrosities and just laugh. Thanks for the memories.

[@JG3Reviews]

Let's say "vintage." 🤣 My wife really likes the Frixion pens, too, especially paired with a Rocketbook notebook for work. And yes, those 10 and 10+ multipens can be hilarious. Have a Happy New Year!

[@Vovvilina]

I'm a JetPens fan, too -- recently ordered Sarasa Dry gel pens for my friend who is a leftie and can't get over the lovely ink colors he can now use with zero smearing. There are many more Frixion options now, too, including multipens. My favorite multi is the recently released Calme by Pentel, and there is one in the series that includes a pencil. If you prefer a larger barrel, the newer Jetstream SXE3-507 has 3 colors and is available in very unique colors. Good luck!

[@lucm6476]

Wow, blast from the past . I haven't use one of these since i do not know when, 40 years I guess. Back then there was only the Bic ...

[@kh23797]

Hi James, TYVM for an informative review. I went to grammar school here in England from 11 yo, 1963​-8, where my history teacher used a Bic Multipen, some years before the 1970 USA intro date you mention. Did Europe get it earlier, BiC being a French company? Online, BiC's classic "Cristal" is well-documented, but I found little history for the Multipen.

[@JG3Reviews]

I wonder if there was a model before the current one? Here's the info on the April 1970 date (by someone at the New York Times even more committed to the BIC 4c than I am!) : www.nytimes.com/2000/03/16/garden/close-to-home-just-a-pen-you-say-not-to-bic-boy.html It is funny that the author had as much trouble finding concrete information as you and I have, and she called BIC's offices. 😀

[@DAVE9500]

Was first introduced to the bic 4 color pen by my mom who was a nurse in the 1980s. The different shifts would chart in different colors. I think it was also known as the nurses pen. There is also the pilot dr grip 4 color which can also use the uniball refills. The uniball ink is a much better refill in my opinion.

[@BigJesse579]

**UPDATE - Picked up the BIC today based on your review at Dollar General for $3. Purple 4th color with navy blue lower and white upper. Much sturdier and less rattle than I expected. Very happy. I’m a truck driver. Always signing freight bills, driving logs, order delivery and pick up forms, and facility visitor logs. Excellent writer. Replacing my Pilot G2 1.0 red for my daily paperwork pen. Thanks for the review.

[@NelsonFJ]

I use fountain pens all the time; ballpoint pens only when strictly necessary. For many years, the only ballpoint I carried was a Fisher cap-o-matic; always in the shirt pocket, next to the fountain pen. The fisher was replaced, last year, when I received a Pentel I +. I have to confess that it is extremely convenient to have several colors, different thicknesses of lines, and a pencil on the same writing instrument. The only drawback of this model is the lack of an eraser. I'll take a look at the options you mentioned ... Thanks for the video.

[@kathycullenstern9652]

I haven’t used a multi in awhile. When I did I was only aware of Bic. The only time I don’t use fountain pens is when I write on newspapers when doing the puzzles. My last few years teaching I had an 8 pack of the ink joy stick pens. I still like that ink so I’d go with that one.

[@tcconnection]

Ooh glad this came up in my feed, love that clear nib on the new Bic multi

[@fastandcurious]

The 1mm Jetstreams are much better than the 0.7, more fluent. And then there are the Bic 4 Minis with a shorter lower. In order to make it more compact, I snipped the lanyard hole off as well as the clip. There are 0.7 mines for the BIC 4, there are sold as BIC 4 in an orange lower. The fluo really works well as a text marker.

[@JG3Reviews]

I was glad to see the BIC 4 Mini, now I just need them to make the Mini with the highlighter option.

[@fastandcurious]

@@JG3Reviews Same here. I will try to hack the mini with refills of my choice and do a video about that. The refills are exactly the same, just shorter. Snip snip?

[@fastandcurious]

I did do the hack then. I have snipped the yellow Neon BIC 4 refill to fit the shorter Mini. It works. You need to empty the refill a little to leave room for the pin to snap into the BIC 4. Since then it hasn't leaked and works as if it was always intended for the Mini.

[@Ali-in8xi]

My favorite multi-pens are the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto 1000 (gel) and the Pilot Acroball 3 (ballpoint). The 1000 is affordable, has many ink colors available, and is nice to use in an office setting. The Acroball 3 is loved for its grip which is the best rubberized grip I've ever used.

[@JG3Reviews]

The Coleto is a favorite at our house. Great pens and colors.

[@kramert3333]

May your grandfather rest in peace. Thanks for the video!

[@jukio02]

I wish paper mate would make their multi pen/pencil version. Damn, that Pilot high tech c is dope. I bought the bic 3+1 on Amazon, but I think I'm going to get the Pentel as well.

[@Talentedtadpole]

Hi! Thanks for this! Wondering if you're tried the pentel iZee?

[@chronicfish]

Your penmanship is truly to die for! I'm a graphic designer / typographer and the way you wrote *_Paper Mate_* is logo worthy!

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks!

[@cisforchristi2560]

Great video. I use the multi pens every day at home and work. For those of us working in healthcare, these pens are super helpful on the job!

[@Dobj319]

One of my HS teachers had a multipencil. Regular lead and various colored leads. He used for his grade book. As I remember the body was made of metal.

[@iansmith3877]

Hey James, great video as always. I had several Bic’s as a kid but hadn’t seen one or thought about one in years until you mentioned it in a video last year. I went out and bought my whole family a BIC multi pen and it has found a place in my rotation with my Fisher as my go to non-fountain pen. Nostalgia and simplicity makes me reach for over a fountain pen occasionally, and it always makes me smile. Now, you’ve made me have to go look at that pilot and or the BIC with the pencil lol, I use one of those daily. Thanks for doing this, God Bless and take care.

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks, Ian. I carry the Fisher quite often, too, and it was a nostalgia buy, being a little kid during the space race. I'm glad I did, it has earned its following.

[@civrn368]

I was awe struck receiving this pen as a child, in the before times when society taught children how to write. This pen will all bring about nostalgia and happiness.

[@paulherman5822]

The BIC is a classic. Carried by ACE/School of Tomorrow teachers everywhere. Why I have the red fountain pen ink I have, is it's close to the BIC red from them. (I graduated from an ACE school in 1985, and went to them for my entire school time.) Imprinted the colours on my brain for eternity, I'm betting. 😉 I know that it still influenced my choices for fountain pen inks. The red (for correcting work) and the green (for the required initials of the teacher) seemed to be the first ones to run out, for my teachers. Pretty sure that they're still being used by teachers in that system. (They are, at the church school my brother-in-law started. 😁) Thanks for the nostalgia! God bless!

[@JG3Reviews]

Yes, I think I'd know that BIC red anywhere! 😆

[@debbiedeas]

The Bic comes in a bold color version as well! I think my first one had purple, pink, green, and blue, but the green and blue were different shades from the original. This was fun!

[@rdcb1057]

Great review !

[@irvintepper5]

love all your videos, a nice surprise to see a video on the multi pen, haven't had one since childhood. I have followed up on some of reviews, in particular the jingo 166. Despite the fact I have some expensive pens with custom nibs, that Jinhao 166 is fun to right with and feels great in my hand. thanks

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks for watching. The 166 has been a pleasant surprise to me.

[@joimh941234]

Hello!! I have the original blue bic, papermate inkjoy, bic 3+1 with the pencil, and Dr. Grip 4 + 1 with the pencil. I like the new bic because it has the grip, but I would love if it was all black. Lol my inkjoy looks just like yours as well.

[@countduckula9977]

Hi James, I am a big fan of the BIC multipen/mechanical pencil. I picked up some from Lidl a few years back at an inexpensive price. I'd love to try out Uniball, Inkjoy or Pilot - all look interesting. The BIC is very prolific and easily obtainable. Thanks for posting this video.

[@okazakibuddhist]

I think the Jetstream ink is not the same as the Signo ink, unless it's different in the States. Jetstream ink is acid based, or at least used to be. I have old notes written in it that have turned an ugly yellow green and just eaten into the paper. I was advised by Japanese stationery store staff that Signo ink is acid free and nearly archival quality. Though I always loved how the jetstream pens wrote, I abandoned the ink after that and moved to the Signo pens. The Signo RT w/ .38 black has been in my bag for the past 10 years. You can buy refills at my local store for ¥50 so I may have been using the same barrel for nearly as long. Anyway, this was a great video. I don't use gel pens as often as I used to, nor mulipens. I picked up that Noodler's pen with the felt tip on one of my visits to the states and use it with noodler's black for most times when I otherwise would have used gel pens, but I still do have my signo RT in my bag all the time and occasionally find use for it. But at any rate, I enjoyed watching

[@JG3Reviews]

Ah, thanks for that clarification!

[@tiantuatara]

Thanks for this! I have been tempted to get a multipen -- had one back in the day. I'm thinking the Uniball or the Pilot. I'm kind of a Pilot fangirl though so ... so many options!

[@JG3Reviews]

The customizability of the Pilot is just cool. And it just cost me. My wife saw the video and is now shopping for one, too. 😀

[@tiantuatara]

@@JG3Reviews LOL

[@rommellagera8543]

In the background, is that orange Caran D' Ache 888 usually in very smooth blue ink?

[@JG3Reviews]

Good catch! Yes, it is.

[@qiqerod]

Awesome video. And thank you. I’ve been looking to get a multi pen. Even though I religiously use fountain pens only I’ve decided to get a multi pen (ballpoint or gel). Do you use fountain pens mostly? If you use regular pens, when do you use them? For what? Do you have a specific reason for when to use a ballpoint instead of a fountain pen? Love your videos 👍🏻. By the way I ended up getting a black pilot dr. Grip 4 and 1 multi pen. Feels very confortable

[@JG3Reviews]

Most of the time when I use a ballpoint it's because the paper I'm having to use requires it (like the license I mentioned that doesn't take to gel or fountain pen ink, or carbon copies when I'm judging high school debates).

[@ScatteredGeek]

My favorite “multis” are a Lamy 2000 4-ink and a Rotring 3-ink+pencil. They live in “safe” pouches. I should pick up a couple of lower cost Bics to keep in the backpack and car.

[@LazyStory]

Have you tryed the Lamy Logo? ... I do not have enogh money for the Lamy 2000, but I like the Logo-pens :D

[@ScatteredGeek]

@@LazyStory No, I haven’t tried the Lamy Logo in any of its variations. The only multi-pens I’ve had/used are the Bic, Lamy 2000, and Rotring. All great in their own way.

[@mcmickey3344]

@@ScatteredGeekis lamy 2000 much better than the others?

[@ScatteredGeek]

@@mcmickey3344 I like the Lamy 2000 multi-pen for meetings and such, as it looks professional. I also like that it’s not an overly wide/thick barrel and doesn’t have a bunch of knocks poking out, like a Coleto or other multi-pens. It’s all a matter of preference.

[@neofliermike]

I love my Zebra 4c Surari! Fantastic ballpoint ink!

[@JG3Reviews]

I wonder if it's possible to get the vintage Sarasa colors for the Sarari?

[@gokhanersan8561]

I will fit Coleto refills into the elegantly simple Bic. Mission will be accomplished.

[@JG3Reviews]

I hadn’t thought about that. Are they a straight fit?

[@gokhanersan8561]

@@JG3Reviews It needs some modification of the Coleto refills.

[@BigJesse579]

Interesting point about the doe tags.

[@zathrasnotzathras655]

Man I played with the blue and white BIC as a kid. Loved clicking all the colors over and over. I’m beginning to wonder though. You’re born a year after me, love hunting and fishing and fountain pens. If you tell me you love automatic watches I’m going to start thinking you are a long lost family member. Now excuse me while I go buy another BIC 😂

[@JG3Reviews]

Ha. Must be a brother from another mother. I do wear an automatic.

[@Antonio-vd9gw]

Hei James, great video, can you give me suggestion for a ballpoint pen? what do you think of the rotring 600?

[@JG3Reviews]

Unfortunately, I can't really offer anything on the Rotring 600, I've never used one. Maybe someone else here can offer insight?

[@Antonio-vd9gw]

@@JG3Reviews thanks anyways James!

[@charlesbrough6185]

Maybe not a multicolor pen but Monteverde USA One Touch Tool Pen, Fountain Pen, Yellow (MV35231) is at least a multifunction pen.

[@cynthiamiller3236]

I loved my FriXIon multi pen!

[@JG3Reviews]

My wife just added that to her list. That would be great with her Rocketbook.

[@Weasel0539]

I've got the Bic with pencil but I can't find out how to put the lead in

[@JG3Reviews]

Sorry for the long wait, I had to find it between desks. lol 1. Unscrew the gray/black part of the body from the upper white section. 2. Pull the pencil unit from the upper white section and you'll be able to insert the lead. It might seem like it's glued in at first, but it will come apart. 3. Re-insert it and put it back together.

[@0vlogger]

I was wondering if you can change over the blue plastic tip from the classic BIC to the new one with the pencil tool... Is it compatible?

[@JG3Reviews]

It should. When I get them both in the same room, I'll check.

[@0vlogger]

Thank you, that ould be helpful.

[@0vlogger]

In case someone else is wondering they are not the same. The normal 4 colour is slightly narrower than the 3+1 with the mechanical pencil, so you can't just change the front to customize the colour.

[@HJKelley47]

I gasped! Has James deserted us FP connoisseurs? Well, of course not (LOL) He is just looking at another option for those 'rare' times when a FP is not the most appropriate tool....Really!!! Even I have one of those other options (which is so hard to say). I have a Sheaffer NoNonsense ballpoint which converts back into a fountain pen--haha. James I found this video very interesting and love the work you put into your channel.

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks. I only use them about 10% or less of my writing. Clickable ballpoints were the fidget spinners of my day (much to the consternation of teachers) and I do like them for that. Ha!

[@mcmickey3344]

What about lamy 2000 multi?

[@shannonmcstormy5021]

Does anyone know of a multi-colored pen that uses pressurized ink such that it can write upside down and such ?

[@JG3Reviews]

Good question! I'm not aware of one, so I'm watching this to see if anyone else does.

[@DavidSk2683]

I can’t find the coleto body for 3. Any suggestions?

[@JG3Reviews]

Jetpens is my source for Coletos They have 3s today: www.jetpens.com/Pilot-Hi-Tec-C-Coleto-3-Color-Multi-Pen-Body-Component-Navy/pd/22341

[@Игорьс-л5р]

Очень хороший обзор.Если можно включите в обзор шариковые ручки,механические карандаши.

[@JG3Reviews]

Спасибо, собираюсь включать их почаще.

[@dashsunil]

I have never used a multi pen in my life.

[@butterbeans898]

Great video

[@vasilis_k_97]

WEDO 4 colour ballpen

[@catmyc]

Damn I never realise you're older than 50 ??!!

[@JG3Reviews]

Not older yet! I rounded up. I hit the big 5-0 in October.

[@LazyStory]

No, no, no! You have a stationary-channel, but when you talk about the: Uni Jetstream-mulitpen, you completely looses it: Uniball, Jetstream and Signo are not the same. They are very different product made by the Mitsubishi Pen Compagny. Uniball is a rollerball. Signo is a gelpen. Jetstream is a ballpoint pen. You realy should know the difference before talking about the pens. Please, please take down this fraudulent video. It makes me so sad and question many of your videos I had enjoyed before, but now I really question everything you say in your videos.

[@JG3Reviews]

Your inaccurate and libelous use of the word fraudulent is a far greater error than the misidentification of a cheap pen. You should take down this fraudulent and erroneous post.😉