April and May 2026 Stationery Picks: 8 Pens, Pencils, and Cases Worth a Look

Introduction

April and May 2026 brought a modest but interesting batch of stationery purchases: several updated versions of existing favorites, a few genuine new releases, and one quiet stand-out in the lead department. Here is everything, in no particular order, with a quick take on who each item suits.

Plus Fab Double Room Pen Case

Plus Fab is a new brand from Plus focused on the beautiful expression of pen cases, leaning on textile textures. The Double Room is the second release in the series, and its exterior uses a washer-finish fabric with fine wrinkles that gives it a genuinely distinctive feel.

True to its name, it is a double-compartment case. One side holds a deep mesh pocket, a shallow mesh pocket, and free space for organizing tools, while the main pocket features a holder for four pens. Because it can stand upright, you can see your collection at a glance and pull pens out easily. The main pocket material has a nubuck-style finish that feels very pleasant to the touch.

Interior colors vary by exterior: black and gray versions have matching interiors, the black-orange version gets an orange interior, and the gray-turquoise version has its own scheme, so you can pick one that matches the stationery you use.

Blackwing Rollerball Pen

Blackwing is best known for premium pencils, so its very first ballpoint pen, released March 25, 2026, was an easy purchase to justify. The design is simple with a unique shape at first glance, and it turns out to be surprisingly comfortable to hold.

It comes with a Schmidt P8127 capless rollerball refill as standard. As a first-ever pen it is not perfectly refined, but for stationery lovers it is a genuinely historic piece to own. Note that one early unit had a dried-out refill; the manufacturer replaced the entire pen without fuss, and it has worked perfectly since.

Staedtler 925 15 Metal

Released in late April 2026, the Staedtler 925 15 Metal replaces the original’s elastomer grip with a metal knurled grip, and it is the first Staedtler to feature a nose-integrated grip. Even though the barrel is thin and lightweight, it feels very rigid and writes exactly the way a drafting pencil should.

Both the black and white versions in 0.5 mm and 0.3 mm look sharp, and importantly the original 925 15 has not been discontinued. Both continue to be sold, so you can stick with the original for a light, easy-to-use pencil or choose the metal version for a more professional drafting feel. This one is a strong candidate for any year-end shortlist.

Leuchtturm Drehgriffel Bullet Journal Edition

The Drehgriffel is a pen long on the wishlist, and this Bullet Journal collaboration version stands out with special specifications not found in the regular lineup. The slim, hexagonal aluminum body has a striking color scheme, and the tip is a distinct design because the front section is not detachable.

It uses a twist mechanism, so you extend and retract the tip by turning the barrel. The initial refill is a G2-standard gel ink, which means you can swap in your preferred refill, such as a Jetstream, if that suits your writing style better.

Marvelous Wood Buddy Mark 2

The Buddy Mark 2, released April 2, 2026, updates a popular entry-level wood-bodied pen while keeping the same price, though the previous version has been discontinued. It is available only in walnut wood for now.

The barrel is thick at 13mm and the pen weighs a substantial 30g, delivering a comfortable writing experience with stability that never feels overpowering. At 3,300 yen for a wood-bodied mechanical pencil, it is extremely reasonable. The wobbly knock cap that plagued the previous model has been eliminated, and black hardware versions plus a ballpoint pen in the lineup add options.

Penco Compact Brass Ballpoint Pen

Released May 22, 2026, this updated version of Penco’s brass ballpoint changes the clip from silver to gold, creating a unified all-gold look. Because the brass is plated, it does not produce the characteristic smell of raw brass.

As the name suggests, it is compact in the hand, but posting the cap brings it close to the length of a standard pen for comfortable writing. At 40g it is a heavy pen, yet it uses highly versatile D1 refills and feels great on the page.

Uni Jetstream Prime Twist 3-Color, Quiet Color Edition

The Quiet Color edition of the Uni Jetstream Prime twist-mechanism 3-color ballpoint, released May 25, 2026, comes in Midnight Blue, a shade so close to black that it was impossible to resist, especially since this series has no true black version.

The twist mechanism feels smooth and quiet, the design is excellent, and it is one of the easiest 3-color pens to use day to day. It ships with Jetstream Lite Touch Ink refills, which offer less writing resistance than standard Jetstream ink for a lighter touch.

Pilot Graphite Lead

Rounding out the haul is Pilot’s Graphite lead. With Pentel Ain in B or harder as the usual choice, Graphite took some getting used to: it has a slightly squeaky feel on paper. But in a notebook rather than on a single sheet, it feels surprisingly good, and it is a big plus that the text is less prone to smudging than other leads. It has quietly become a current favorite.

Buying Advice

If you want one pick from this batch, the Staedtler 925 15 Metal is the safest upgrade for everyday drafting, while the Buddy Mark 2 is the best value for anyone curious about wood-bodied pencils. The Plus Fab Double Room makes sense if you carry a small pen collection daily, and the Jetstream Prime Quiet Color is an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a refined multi-pen. Leads like Pilot Graphite are cheap experiments worth trying if smudging bothers you.

Conclusion

A small haul, but a well-balanced one: new textures, refined classics, and a lead that changes how everyday writing feels. The common thread is comfort, whether in the hand, on the page, or on the desk.