OHTO Multi 2+1 Review: A Brass Multifunction Pen with Real Character

Introduction

Multifunction pens usually force a compromise: handy to carry, but often bland to hold and mediocre to write with. The OHTO Multi 2+1 is a good argument that it does not have to be that way. It packs a 0.7mm black ballpoint, a 0.7mm red ballpoint, and a 0.5mm pencil into a brass-bodied pen with a distinctive knurled grip.

OHTO is a Japanese stationery maker founded in 1919, with a genuine history of firsts: it developed the world’s first pencil-shaped ballpoint pen in 1949 and the world’s first water-based ballpoint pen in 1964. The Multi 2+1 is a newer expression of that heritage, and while it has been on the market for several years, it still stands out in a crowded category.

What the OHTO Multi 2+1 Is

The Multi 2+1 combines two 0.7mm ballpoint refills, black and red, with a 0.5mm mechanical pencil. Mechanism is straightforward: rotate the lower section until the marker for the refill you want points upward, then knock to extend it. One important caution: avoid knocking with the selection indicator pointed sideways, as repeated sideways knocking can damage the mechanism over time.

The clip also serves as the lock release. It is stiff and does not open very far, so it will not cope well with very thick pockets or fabric. Note also that the clip uses a special steel that contains sulfur, which means it should not be stored in the same pen case as sterling silver pens, as the two materials react badly together.

Design and Build Quality

The body is brass with a matte coating, and both the barrel and grip are metal. The upper section is cylindrical, the center is hexagonal, and the grip is a long 45mm knurled section. The shape shifts depending on where your fingers land, which makes the pen genuinely interesting to look at and to hold. The overall silhouette has a similar mood to other machined metal pens in this style.

Printed markings are minimal and restrained, with the product name and “Made in Japan” in silver. The selection indicator is crisp and legible, and the symbols for the pencil and the two ballpoint colors are neatly unified, which gives the whole pen a considered, practical look. It measures 144mm in total length, weighs 21.5g, and has a maximum diameter of 9.8mm, with a balance point near the middle.

Writing Performance

The black 0.7mm ballpoint ships with OHTO’s low-viscosity oil-based refill with a needle point. The writing feel is light and smooth, close to a gel pen, and the needle tip gives you excellent visibility of the line as you write. Needle tips are polarizing, though: if you prefer a rounder, more traditional ball shape, you can swap in a different standard refill, which many owners do.

The red 0.7mm refill writes with the same light, easy feel, though it can skip occasionally. That is the trade-off for the low-viscosity ink. The 0.5mm pencil is the pleasant surprise here: lead wobble is fairly well controlled, and it writes with a stability you do not always get from a pencil crammed into a multifunction body.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The knock mechanism has a characteristic rattle. Shake the pen and the internal parts click audibly, and if that kind of sound bothers you, this may not be your pen. The good news is that once a refill is deployed for writing, the noise disappears.

The matte coating is another point worth flagging: feedback from long-term owners frequently mentions that the finish can wear and peel over time. If you enjoy patina and aging as part of a pen’s character, that may not matter. If you expect a flawless finish for years, temper your expectations. Finally, the stiff clip and the sulfur-containing special steel are small but real considerations, as noted above.

Buying Advice

The OHTO Multi 2+1 is priced at around 1,100 yen before tax in Japan, and it is often available at a discount through online retailers. For a brass-bodied, made-in-Japan multifunction pen with a distinctive grip and a genuinely pleasant low-viscosity refill, that is strong value.

Buy it if you want one pen that covers black, red, and pencil duties without feeling like a disposable office tool. Skip it if rattling mechanisms, a stiff clip, or a finish that ages with use are dealbreakers for you.

Conclusion

The OHTO Multi 2+1 is not trying to be a minimalist slab of metal. It is a characterful brass multifunction pen with an unusually long and comfortable knurled grip, a smooth low-viscosity writing feel, and a few quirks you should walk in knowing about. For stationery lovers who appreciate mechanical charm and honest everyday utility, it earns its place in the pen case.