Woodben Craft Shikisai Color Prototype Ballpoint Pen Review: Hand-Turned Resin With Real Refill Freedom

Introduction

Woodben Craft has built a following with hand-turned wooden and resin pens, and the brand marked its first anniversary with a wave of special releases. One of the most talked-about was the Shikisai Color prototype ballpoint pen, a limited run that reportedly sold out within three minutes of going on sale. Priced at 13,750 yen tax included, it is positioned as an early look at a design that will return later as a refined full release.

This prototype version offers a chance to get the pen at a lower price before the final version arrives, but it also means some small issues are present. Here is how it holds up in daily use.

First Impressions and Unboxing

The pen arrives in a gift box with a distinctly pop, playful design, a departure from the brand’s usual packaging. Inside there is an illustrated instruction manual that clearly explains which refill types are supported, which makes setup refreshingly easy.

This particular release also included a bonus acrylic pen tray set. It is transparent, genuinely attractive, and a generous inclusion at this price point. The pen itself sits in a calm, white-based colorway that feels understated and elegant rather than flashy.

Design and Build Quality

The barrel is made of a high-grade resin, and the lineup spans everything from boldly colored pieces to subdued tones like this white version, so each pen in the series looks noticeably different. The straight, cylindrical profile applies Woodben Craft’s precision barrel-turning technique: a craftsman shapes each barrel individually, and cutting resin into a perfectly straight line that meets the cap with no step at all takes considerable skill and repeated refinement.

There is one subtle detail worth knowing. The cap thickens slightly, about 0.4mm, toward its tip. Closed, the pen reads as completely flat and flush. But when the cap is posted on the back of the barrel, the cap sits marginally wider than the body. Some may see this as a quirk, though it does not affect comfort.

The grip section’s dimensions are friendly to long writing sessions, and the cap uses a four-turn thread, so it opens and closes with only a small twist. The brass-toned fitting near the tip gives it an instantly recognizable family resemblance to other Woodben Craft pens, and the color ring is shared with the Craft P series, meaning you can buy replacement colors separately. Ring-only purchases are also planned, which makes customization easier than before.

Refill Compatibility: The Strongest Practical Feature

Refills are swapped from the back end of the barrel. That end uses a reverse thread, so you post the cap and keep rotating clockwise in the same direction to open it. One tip: the spring inside can catch against the front fitting and stop the refill from sliding out smoothly. If that happens, remove the front fitting and push the refill out from that side.

The pen ships with a random Zebra RJF series refill, so the color you receive is a surprise. Even if you get a color you would not choose, replacements are easy to find. Beyond the Sarasa-style RJF, the pen also accepts Pentel EnerGel, Sakura Ballsign ID, and Jetstream refills.

That breadth is the standout practical advantage. EnerGel and Sarasa inks both come in a wide range of colors, so buying several pens in different finishes and dedicating each to a different ink color becomes a genuinely tempting strategy.

Writing Experience

The balance is low-weight and low-center-of-gravity, and it stays that way even with the cap posted. On paper, the combination of vivid gel ink and a precisely machined, wobble-free tip from the brass fitting produces a very satisfying feel. Even for writers who do not normally reach for gel ink, the smoothness and color saturation make it easy to keep writing.

The resin grip has a slight tack that feels like it clings to the fingers, helping the pen stay stable without slipping during longer sessions. A needle-point EnerGel refill tested equally well: smooth, vivid, and consistent.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Two issues came up during use. First, when posting the cap, the threads occasionally do not catch smoothly and need a second attempt. Second, the resin section on this unit arrived with visible scratches. When asked about it, the seller acknowledged the fault and arranged a replacement unit, so support was handled properly. Both concerns are reportedly addressed in the upcoming full release, which is worth keeping in mind if you would rather wait for the finished version.

Buying Advice

This prototype suits writers who value a refined, understated resin body, want freedom to choose from many popular gel refills, and are comfortable with an early-production piece that will be polished further in the full version. If you prefer everything finished and flawless, waiting for the complete release may be the better move, though it will likely cost more. For those drawn to the calm white colorway and the idea of owning several pens in different inks, the prototype is a genuinely attractive entry point. Keep an eye on resale listings if you missed the initial drop.

Conclusion

The Woodben Craft Shikisai Color prototype ballpoint pen combines a beautifully straight, hand-turned resin body with an unusually generous refill compatibility list and a pleasant, stable writing feel. The minor thread-catching when posting the cap and the scratched section on this unit are real but small, and both are slated for improvement in the full release. As a first anniversary special, it is a charming, highly usable pen that rewards daily writing and invites collecting more than one.