Deleter Neopiko Line 2 0.3 mm Review

Any time a new drawing pen hits the market I get an itchy trigger finger. I ordered the Deleter Neopiko Line 2 when it first came in stock at JetPens, reviewed it shortly thereafter, then completely forgot to post the review in a timely fashion. It was only when I saw Alex’s review at Economy Pens that I remembered I needed to post this.

My main concern with this pen is the softness and flexibility of the tip. I’m not sure if this is a design feature as opposed to a personal annoyance, but the tip is very different from the standard bearing Sakura Pigma Micron. The Micron sports a firm, rounded tip while the Deleter has almost a mini-brush pen type of feel. It is not quite that extreme but it doesn’t lend itself to writing, which is my primary use for this type of pen.

If you are using the Deleter Neopiko for its intended purpose - manga art - then the value question may not come into play. For me, since I use it for writing, value is an issue. It is much more costly in comparison to the aforementioned Micron, the Uni Pin, and a few other quality pigment liners. Be sure you know what you are getting into when checking out the Line 2.

For a third take on the Deleter Neopiko check out Brian’s guest post in April. There seems to be a recurring theme.

Deleter Neopiko Line 2 0.3 mm Review

(This is a guest post by Brian Draghi. You can follow Brian on Twitter @Sketchscape)

The Deleter Neopiko Line 2 line quality is similar to the Sakura Pigma Micron felt tip drawing pen with its strong, clean, dark lines. It’s easy to compare these two pens together since they are so similar but there are a few small differences that set them apart. Felt tip pens are one of my favorites because they serve a dual function where I can use them both for sketching and writing. The ink is waterproof, archival and dries instantly making them perfect for left handed users. The Neopiko even works great on thiner paper types because it shows little to no bleed through on the page.

One great feature of the Neopiko is how securely the cap posts on the pen. The cap contains about a quarter of an inch of extruded plastic that extends on the end of the cap that snaps perfectly into the ring shaped groove on the bottom of the pen. The cap will stay locked in place even if you drop it and will stay put until you decide to remove it. The Neopiko is sightly smaller in length when posted compared to similar pens and has a nice balance and weight to it.

While there are many positive aspects about the Neopiko, there are also a few major drawbacks that create some problems. Compared to most of the other felt tip pens on the market this seems to have a smaller, more delicate tip that may give trouble to some of the heavy handed users out there. There is even a warning on the pen to avoid pressing the tip too hard. The Deleter Neopiko is also the most expensive of the felt tip bunch at nearly 5 dollars a pen. The problem with this is the ink for the Neopiko does not last long enough to warrant such a price.

This is a deal breaker for me considering that you can purchase a Micron pen for nearly half the price of a Neopiko with the same level of quality. Despite the drawbacks, this still is a great quality felt tip pen to use, just not something practical I would grab on a regular basis.

Staedtler Pigment Liner 0.3 mm Review

If you listen to The Pen Addict Podcast you will hear me constantly referring to the Sakura Pigma Micron that I like to write with. I have always been a fan of this style of art/drawing pen and when the opportunity comes to try out one I haven’t used before like the Staedtler Pigment Liner I jump at the chance.

Why do I like this style of pen so much? Not many pens can provide as clean and sharp of a line as drawing pens do. My writing style is one that works well in conjunction with these pens. That is an important thing to note: Not every pen is going to fit your style of writing. The challenge is finding the one that works best for you.

Comparing the Staedtler Pigment Liner to the Sakura Pigma Micron, they are very similar in many aspects. The barrel size, weight, and feel are very close, and the inks are both dark and have the same archival properties. I do think the tip of the Staedtler is slightly softer feeling than the Sakura, so that is something to keep in mind if you have a heavy hand.

Overall, it is another great option if you like art/drawing pens. Most of the brands in this realm are very similar so try a few out to see which suits you the best.