Pilot is adding six colors to its Dr. Grip CL Play Border mechanical pencil in December, with a Japanese suggested retail price of ¥715 including tax.
The color choice depends on the lead size. The 0.3 mm version gets Light Blue and White. The 0.5 mm version gets Black, Navy, Purple and Emerald Green.
The Play Border’s little trick is in the grip: its inner section comes in three pieces that can be rearranged. That gives the color treatment something to do beyond decorating the barrel. The familiar shake-to-advance mechanism remains, alongside conventional pushbutton operation.
Pilot describes the new palette as subdued enough for school and everyday use. This is a color expansion of the existing pencil; the announcement identifies no change to its mechanism.
Announced November 9, the release is scheduled for stationery retailers across Japan in December. Pilot has not given a specific launch day in the notice, and it contains no US release date or US retail price.
