I've had the Eco-Essential pen and pencil set in possession for several months now and I'm excited to finally give it some space on the blog. I was provided this set of instruments as a sample from now&then and I want to say thank you for sending them my way.

The Eco-Essential pen has been around for a little while and was introduced to the market through a Kickstarter campaign that funded successfully in January of 2013. Since that time, now&then have also had a successful Kickstarter for another pen called the Retro-Essential pen made from a variety of woods which is neat. I'm thinking I should get a walnut version to go with my Dudek Modern Goods pieces...

To describe the style of the Eco-Essential pen, I would consider it to be sleek and modern, but with a bit of Earthy flair. Well enough put? When you mix a shiny, slick, silver metal with natural materials like bamboo you're in for a good combination.

I really do enjoy when product designers incorporate natural materials; it gives each piece a bit of individuality as no two are exactly the same. On my pen, one of the bamboo node sections is visible which creates some unique grain that my pencil version doesn't have. A small detail, but something to be appreciated in my opinion.

The pen and pencil are lightweight, but don't feel cheap. On the contrary I think they feel quite nice. The threading on the cap and tail section (for posting) is not very deep which may be my only real gripe as I feel that it could be possible to wear over time with use. When posting the cap you sometimes have to align it just right which, after several times threading it misaligned might cause some stripping issues. I can't really speak to it now, but just a thought.

The Eco-Essential pen comes in two varieties: the Pilot Hi-Tec-C version and the Pilot G2 version. I was sent the Hi-Tec-C version as a sample and although this refill is quite low on my totem pole of favorite refills (blasphemy!), I have enjoyed using it in this pen. It is much more comfortable than the sharp plastic edges of the standard barrel the Hi-Tec-C comes in...

Why don't I like the Hi-Tec-C? This could probably be an entire post but, in a nutshell, it writes so sketchy all the time that I can't really rely on it. Sometimes it writes really dark, sometimes hardly any ink at all; just not a favorite. I digress...

now&then provides you with an ability to customize your experience as well. Each pen and pencil comes with a stylus tip (which is quite good), but they also include a solid cap to replace it which is adorned with the now&then logo. In addition, they also provide some anodized metal rings to put between this end piece or stylus and the cap. This could be used as a color indicator if you had a couple of these around or simply to act as a way to make your pens look nice to your hearts content. Kudos!

The pencil is a cool piece as well and has a conservatively designed click mechanism. They chose to make it metal to match the rest of the pieces and it fits in nicely. Not out of place or obtrusive in any way. How is the writing experience? Quite good. The lead doesn't wiggle or rattle which is always a plus with mechanical pencils of any sort.

The Eco-Essential pen and pencil come in around $50 each ($95 for the set) and I think would make great a great gift idea for someone who can appreciate a nice modern design. I wouldn't consider these pens the type to store away in a drawer or case, but something you could have nicely on your desk as a set. If they made a bamboo display for them...

Thanks again to now&then for sending these my way as I've enjoyed them very much.