Kakuno : Japan Vs North American Version

[kakunofan]

Hi!

 

As the name implies, I really love Pilot's Kakuno pens. I have quite a few of them and recently, while acquiring one from a local store, I noticed something odd. I took out my red Kakuno from Japan and got a North-American (Canada?) red Kakuno to compare.

 

 

 

Sure, the packaging is a bit different, but it still retains the same overall feel.

 

 

 

Pen and nib look pretty much the same between the two pens.

 

 

Ha! So, apparently the North-American Kakunos use standard cartridges! At the top there's my older Japanese Kakuno with its Pilot cartridge, while at the bottom is the new pen with the standard cartridge. (We can also see at the back of both packagings that the North-American one uses standard cartridges.)

 

I know that the Kakuno is a pretty low-range, starter-type pen, but it's great for beginners. I wanted to share this observation, since a lot of the reviews I've seen of this pen mention that the proprietary cartridge thing is a "con" (as opposed to a "pro") because the converter's price in relation to the pen's price is a bit ridiculous. Standard cartridges really open up the color possibilities.

 

(Newbie disclaimer: I hope this post is ok and in its right place! And that it hasn't been done before! If so, sorry! )

 

(Edit : upon closer inspection of the packaging, I think what I have is the European Kakuno, not a North-American version. Sorry for the mix-up! )

Edited May 28, 2016 by kakunofan

[jar]

Neat and interesting. Great post.

[rafapa]

Something similar happens with the Metropolitans sold in Europe. They use standard cartridges. Also they change the name to Urban.

[Ink Stained Wretch]

Ha! So, apparently the North-American Kakunos use standard cartridges! ....

 

I know that the Kakuno is a pretty low-range, starter-type pen, but it's great for beginners. I wanted to share this observation, since a lot of the reviews I've seen of this pen mention that the proprietary cartridge thing is a "con" (as opposed to a "pro") because the converter's price in relation to the pen's price is a bit ridiculous. Standard cartridges really open up the color possibilities.

 

Thanks for alerting us to this. I bought a Pilot Kakuno last year Nice enough fountain pen. And it's not just for beginners. I've been using fountain pens for a long time and I liked it well enough, fine though that nib is.

 

I have plenty of emptied Pilot cartridges for refilling, so the proprietary Pilot cartridge wasn't a big issue for me. But having it available for the more plentiful international cartridges is good.

 

Is it made to only take the short international cartridge, or will it take the long international cartridge as well?

[kakunofan]

Something similar happens with the Metropolitans sold in Europe. They use standard cartridges. Also they change the name to Urban.

 

Oh! Then perhaps the "North-American" model is in fact the European model that they imported here. Since they changed the Metropolitan sold in Europe, maybe they changed the Kakuno in the same way. (Edit: I rechecked and what I have is indeed a European Kakuno, according to the packaging.)

 

 

 

Thanks for alerting us to this. I bought a Pilot Kakuno last year Nice enough fountain pen. And it's not just for beginners. I've been using fountain pens for a long time and I liked it well enough, fine though that nib is.

 

I have plenty of emptied Pilot cartridges for refilling, so the proprietary Pilot cartridge wasn't a big issue for me. But having it available for the more plentiful international cartridges is good.

 

Is it made to only take the short international cartridge, or will it take the long international cartridge as well?

 

I don't have a long cartridge to test it, but I was able to stack two short cartridges in the barrel and they weren't reaching to the feed, so I think there could be enough room for a long cartridge.

Edited May 28, 2016 by kakunofan

[rafapa]

The japanese kakuno can accomodate a con-70 converter.

[Arkanabar]

I'm having a hard time telling from photos, but it looks to me like the Kakuno has a faceted section. Is it triangular, hexagonal, or other? I'd really like to know.

[kakunofan]

I'm having a hard time telling from photos, but it looks to me like the Kakuno has a faceted section. Is it triangular, hexagonal, or other? I'd really like to know.

 

The cap and body are a rounded hexagonal shape. The section has a similar shape with 6 rounded facets that taper a bit as they go toward the nib; I tried to take some pictures.

 

[J85909266]

It's an adorable pen. I want to get one for my daughter.

[rudyhou]

thx for sharing. i had no idea we could use international standard cartridges for kakuno.

[Arkanabar]

 

The cap and body are a rounded hexagonal shape. The section has a similar shape with 6 rounded facets that taper a bit as they go toward the nib; I tried to take some pictures.

 

 

Thank you so much! That definitely enhances its appeal.

[amberleadavis]

Thank you!

[Lemony Cricket]

I'm somewhat glad the Kaküno that uses standard cartridges is meant for Europe. At least some consistency in this mess with different names and cartridges for basically same pens that Pilot created ... 🙃

[Mongoosey]

I love the Kakuno.

 

I wish they made an Adult Version, like what Platinum is doing with the Preppy in making the Prefounte.

 

If they made an Adult Version of the Kakuno without holes in the cap, as well as in the barrel so I can eyedropper it... and also put on a metal clip... and made it cap like the Prera, then that would be one heck of a pen.

[sciumbasci]

I love the Kakuno.

 

I wish they made an Adult Version, like what Platinum is doing with the Preppy in making the Prefounte.

 

If they made an Adult Version of the Kakuno without holes in the cap, as well as in the barrel so I can eyedropper it... and also put on a metal clip... and made it cap like the Prera, then that would be one heck of a pen.

Check out the Sailor Profit Junior / Sailor Skeleton / Sailor Somiko. Different names, same pen, little price change from the Kakuno (a few euro IIRC)

[Mongoosey]

Check out the Sailor Profit Junior / Sailor Skeleton / Sailor Somiko. Different names, same pen, little price change from the Kakuno (a few euro IIRC)

 

Looks kind of small. I've considered the Lecoule, but I like how I can hold the Kakuno higher up on the section without threads getting in the way.

 

I like how the Kakuno has some girth to it, especially while still being lightweight. Plus it can use a con70, which also adds significant weight if desired.

 

I agree with the reviews on the web about how it really is a great pen for new and advanced users.

 

And I find the Demonstrator version of the Kakuno has more agreeable aesthetics that allows me to more easily swallow my pride, especially because it works as well as my Prera, which impresses me very much.

 

I really like Pilot Steel nibs.

[MuddyWaters]

What about the Explorer?

[tamiya]

Explorer feels hollow & unsubstantial... nothing like a Metro or 78G.

 

These days I've been buying Kakuno in demonstrator clear bodies, that's more than enough 'adult' to go unnoticed in corporate life

 

Wow only now learnt there is an Euro Kakuno that takes International Std carts. Never seen one IRL, I need to go looking.

[Mech-for-i]

( sniped ) ....If they made an Adult Version of the Kakuno ..

well well, I had taken the White barrel version and put the Grey cap ( from an all Grey finish pen ) on it, the silk printed on legend is wiped all off wit just nail polish remover ( denatured alcohol basically ) ; the nib can be swapped for anything from any of Pilot's own and that some from Chinese Mfr ( and they are actually quite good ) ... and oh well, Con-70 also ; its no more and no less in looks as say contemporary peers like the Safari

 

Pilot Kaküno, on Flickr

Edited December 8, 2019 by Mech-for-i

[Mongoosey]

What about the Explorer?

 

That's a good question, and I agree with Tamiya:

 

Explorer feels hollow & unsubstantial... nothing like a Metro or 78G.

 

These days I've been buying Kakuno in demonstrator clear bodies, that's more than enough 'adult' to go unnoticed in corporate life

 

I agree. I was disappointed with the Explorer in the same way. I also disliked the plastic clip and I personally didn't find the section that comfortable: I felt it was a bit too narrow for me towards the nib, making me try to hold it towards the body where it was a bit too angled for me.

 

I like how the facets of the section of the Kakuno add a secureness to the grip which comes in handy for positioning the pen quickly in my hand as well as decreasing hand fatigue during longer writing sessions.

 

I also like how that sweet spot of the section of the Kakuno, contoured by the lips/flares, is set further back from the nib, with that space between the flares and the nib, much like the Lamy Safari, making it feel like it has a larger nib than it actually does. But I like how unlike the Lamy Safari, the facets are a little more "tamed".

 

But I'll also say: I did like how they made the Cap of the Explorer snap on like the Prera, which is a unique and pleasurable capping sensation, but also very functional, allowing me to uncap/cap the Prera or Explorer with ease even with one hand.