I move it sooo much ! Already put so much in it !! Bought it at the Parisian stationary shop Perjac !

Model & Make: Uni Shift Pipe Lock Black 0.5mm

Features: Pipe Lock System, Metal Knurled Grip, Fidget-ble, Clean Aesthetics, Moderately Priced

Release Date: 2008 (1st Wave); 2010-2011 (2nd Wave)

Pricing (MSRP): $6.90 | ¥1,000 | £5.20 | R35.70 (as of 05/21/26) *Note: Inflation not applied

Rating: 🅰

Have been daily driving this since this morning, I wanted say that I'm very positively surprised! Not just because it's one of the lesser expensive mech pens in my latest stationery haul, but rather it's one of the most everyday carry-able mech pens in my entire collection.

When I say the Uni Shift Pipe Lock is "carry-able", I'm not referring just only it's relatively lightweight body, but more so of it's lead sleeve nib protection system. The Pipe Lock system allows for stress-free carrying as a bent/broken lead sleeve is significantly less prone to happen. The Pipe Lock system is analogous to the ones found in upper-end pens, where twisting the body reveals and retracts the tip. However, the Pipe Lock system on the Uni Shift is a bit more complicated that could be described in a 3 step process:

1.) Twist the plastic body counterclockwise (to the right) and the metal knurled grip clock (to the left) simultaneously.

2.) Push the plastic body down till it reaches a couple of millimeters away from the grip.

3.) Finally rotate the metal knurled grip a bit more to lock it in place (there is a satisfying click).

NOTE: the instructions on the sticker were not clear at all!

This process is quite unintuitive at first; however, upon continual usage, it does become quite easy to adapt to. It does make a nice built-in fidget toy; but beware, you will definitely get annoyed looks in the classroom! Upon testing this mechanism, only 3 out of 20 attempts resulted in a temporary jam (85% success rate). Another potential downside on having the Pipe Lock system is that after extended lead sleeve nib, the initial knock is quite coarse, feeling like I have broken something (exactly the type of feeling I got when adjusting the Regulator mechanism in the Staedtler 925 85 REG). These subjectively minor nitpicks could be easily overlooked by it's relatively inexpensive price tag (in comparison to other mech pens with similar features and 2026's Basket of Goods).

Some other things to note is that due to the plastic body and the full-on metal knurled grip, the center of gravity is quite low. This would be much faster writing strokes as there would be lesser force needed to be applied upon writing as the gravitational force would tremendously help out here. This is definitely a great pencil for timed assessments and long-writing sessions. But do note, that the eraser is petite (it's smaller than the one found on the Pilot Birdie in surface area lol). At this point, why bother implementing an eraser? Take a look at the Nocfree Metal...

But all things aside, the Uni Shift Pipe Lock is an amazing pencil and is definitely worthy of consideration for one's everyday carry.

I wish Uni didn't kick it to the curb as sadly it has been retired since 2024 😢. RIP Uni Shift 2008-2024 🫡.

As always, Thank You so much for reading my review, and I hope that you enjoyed it! 🫶

**Please Note: This is just a personalized review solely based on my own experience and is subject to my own thoughts and standing on the mech pen. YMMV.**

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I had some extra (really old) interoffice mail envelopes that I thought would make a fun prototype project for this evening.

I may have my wife sew a few Field Notes size envelopes for the box I’m starting up next week. What do y’all think?

The interoffice notebook has a mix of Rhodia dot grid, vellum, and the extra TechWeave paper I had left over.

This Campus notebook is one of many notebooks I picked up during my recent visit to Japan. First time using one from this brand and I’m impressed!

Made this tiny MacOS folder style notebook just a while ago, with a coptic style binding. The dimensions turned out to be 100x125mm. It currently has an exposed spine with PVA holding things together.

The question is - do I leave the spine exposed like this, or add a paper liner like a classic composition notebook? Please let me know your thoughts and ideas!

Received my pocket cover in Bordeaux by Paul McGrath a few weeks ago and it’s already been put to good use! I love a worn in, used notebook. Give me character!
I have a 4.9x3.5” planner insert (from Etsy) in the front, a field notes, and a field notes sized art journal in the back. Three notebooks peep out of the cover a tiny bit (I don’t mind this), but two do not.
Thanks so much Paul, I hail from Chatham County so it was cool to see you’re from my neck of the woods. :)

Jordan Mechner is a game designer (made the original Prince of Persia in 1989). He started keeping a journal at 17 and has filled over a hundred notebooks since 1982. He still does it daily, in his sixties, in a Hobonichi Techo -- one page per day, a decade fits in a shoebox.

Stripe Press republished his 1985–1993 journal in 2020. The format is the diary plus his own thirty-years-later notes in the margins. Two voices on every page.

The single most useful thing he writes about journaling:

"In the four years it took me to make the first Prince of Persia game on the Apple II, my journal did more than record my creative process: it was part of it. I used my notebook as a sounding board -- wrestling with design challenges, discarding ideas and sparking new ones in the act of writing. More than once, my journal brought me back from the brink."

I've been writing in Apple Notes for a couple of years and realized I've been doing the wrong half of journaling. I've been recording. He was thinking on the page. Those are different practices.

If your journal feels like a chore, try writing about the actual problem you're stuck on this week -- wrestle with it on the page instead of just describing it. Different muscle.

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I wrote a longer piece on what reading the book did for me: link in comments. Maybe it gives someone else a kick of energy too. Would appreciate any feedback

After a bit of procrastination, I finally caved in and bought myself an A4 portfolio for some mad reason 😂 I shall probably use it for doodling out ideas for stuff that I can 3d print at some point. Ok, it's not exactly portable; it's like having my own Monolith from 2001!! Lol

Received my Paul McGrath leather A5 bifold journal cover today! Bordeaux, with burgundy ribbons. It was packaged very well, with cards of thanks, item care, and leather origin. An extra ribbon was also included in the box.
(Edited to add: a really nice dust bag as well!)

I’ve added a Midori MD a5, Muji a5, and an a5 Bruno Visconti notebook that’s on the thinner side. They fit with no overhang, just. I think I will be taking out the Muji so I can add a vinyl pouch, though.

This joins my existing PR GV XL (Bordeaux), PR GV pocket (black), and Happy Made Crafts chunky a5 trifold (Burgundy)

Thank you for a gorgeous product, Paul!

Traveler's Notebook Card Size 20th Anniversary Set - I think this pocket sized would work well as an EDC for quick notes, lists, etc

I think phone notetakers and todo apps don't help me at all. I find myself distracted by all sorts of things on a phone. I don't think my biology is meant for this. So I'm attempting to move away from devices and use just paper and pen. I think I have a wiring for that instilled in me by all the time most people my age spent in school writing notes and keeping up with a time table.