Automatic lead advance does not have to arrive in a heavy metal body. KAYOU+’s ORVO II is listed at about 10 grams.
Announced July 29, the 0.5 mm pencil adds an automatic lead-feed mechanism to the low-center-of-gravity concept of the original ORVO, which the company introduced in March. KAYOU+ says an initial knock starts the process, after which the pencil feeds lead as it is consumed. The manufacturer’s announcement.
The Japanese price is ¥1,430 including tax. Advance sales are planned for late July at Maruzen and Hands, followed by wider Japanese distribution in August.
The front does the balancing
KAYOU+ identifies brass components at the point, a light resin body and a soft-touch grip. The listed size is approximately 9.5 mm in diameter and 141 mm long. A 3 mm guide pipe is part of the design. The new model comes in Shadow Black, Alpine White and Abyss Navy.
The brass point and light rear body are the maker’s route to a forward balance without a heavy overall pencil. ORVO II also changes the exterior, with a textured resin finish and plated clip.
KAYOU+ calls ORVO II the successor to ORVO, rather than a color edition. Automatic feed is the substantive change: the mechanism is intended to reduce repeated clicks while retaining the earlier model’s lightweight, forward-balanced concept. The launch specifications describe that intent; they are not a hands-on verdict.
