Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Wooden Pencils vs Jinhao 9019 Fountain Pen Review: The UK's Best Premium Drawing & Writing Tools 2026
Jun 26, 2026
Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Wooden Pencils vs Jinhao 9019 Fountain Pen Review: The UK's Best Premium Drawing & Writing Tools 2026
Some writing instruments achieve legendary status not through marketing or celebrity endorsement, but through sheer, undeniable quality. The Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Wooden Pencil is one such instrument — revered by artists, architects, and writers worldwide for its exceptional graphite quality and consistent performance. Alongside it, we review the Jinhao 9019 Dadao Fountain Pen, a bold, large-format pen that has quickly become one of the most talked-about fountain pens in the UK market. Both are available from TTPEN UK.
Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Wooden Pencils — The World's Finest Graphite Pencils
The Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Wooden Pencils — 10B to 10H — Box of 12 represents the pinnacle of pencil manufacturing. At £22.00 for a complete set spanning the full hardness range from 10B (extremely soft) to 10H (extremely hard), this is an investment in quality that will transform your drawing and sketching practice.
The Hi-Uni Legacy
Mitsubishi Pencil Company has been manufacturing pencils in Japan since 1887, and the Hi-Uni line represents the apex of their craft. The name “Hi-Uni” refers to the high-uniformity graphite core — a proprietary formulation that ensures consistent hardness, smoothness, and darkness throughout the entire length of the pencil. This consistency is what separates the Hi-Uni from lesser pencils, where the graphite quality can vary from one end to the other.
Design and Construction
The Hi-Uni pencils are immediately recognisable by their distinctive dark green barrel with gold lettering. The cedar wood casing is smooth and fragrant, and it sharpens beautifully to a fine point without crumbling or splintering. The lacquer finish is applied with precision, giving each pencil a premium feel that reflects the quality within.
The complete set of 12 pencils covers the full range of hardness grades, from the velvety darkness of 10B through the precise, light lines of 10H. This comprehensive range makes the set ideal for artists who need to work across the full tonal spectrum — from deep, rich shadows to the finest, lightest highlights.
Performance
The Hi-Uni's graphite is extraordinarily smooth. Even the harder grades (H, 2H, 3H) glide across paper without the scratchy resistance that characterises inferior pencils. The softer grades (B, 2B, 4B, 6B) lay down rich, velvety graphite that blends beautifully and responds to pressure with nuance and sensitivity.
For artists, the Hi-Uni is a revelation. Portraits, landscapes, architectural drawings, and technical illustrations all benefit from the consistency and quality of the graphite. For writers who prefer pencil to pen, the Hi-Uni's smooth, dark line makes handwriting a genuine pleasure.
Who Is the Hi-Uni For?
The Hi-Uni is for anyone who takes drawing, sketching, or writing seriously and wants the best possible tool. Art students, professional illustrators, architects, and discerning writers will all find the Hi-Uni to be an indispensable part of their toolkit.
Price: £22.00 — Buy the Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Set at TTPEN UK
Jinhao 9019 Dadao Fountain Pen — The Bold Statement Pen
The Jinhao 9019 Fountain Pen Dadao Series Acrylic Gold Trim #8 Nib is a pen that makes no apologies for its ambition. At £15.00, it offers a #8 oversized nib — a feature typically found only on pens costing hundreds of pounds — in a stunning acrylic body with gold trim that commands attention.
Design and Presence
The 9019 Dadao is a large pen. Its oversized proportions are deliberate — the “Dadao” name references the broad, powerful Chinese sword, and the pen carries that energy in its design. The acrylic body is available in a range of swirled, marbled patterns that are visually striking, and the gold trim adds a touch of luxury that belies the pen's modest price.
In the hand, the 9019 feels substantial and authoritative. It's a pen that demands to be noticed, and it rewards that attention with a writing experience that matches its impressive appearance.
The #8 Nib
The #8 nib is the 9019's defining feature. Larger than the #5 and #6 nibs found on most fountain pens in this price range, the #8 nib has a broader tipping area that delivers a smoother, more expressive writing experience. The nib is well-tuned and writes immediately, with generous ink flow that showcases the shading and sheen of premium fountain pen inks.
Available in Fine, Medium, and Broad, the 9019's nib is a genuine pleasure to write with. The larger size gives it a springiness and responsiveness that smaller nibs cannot match, making it particularly enjoyable for expressive handwriting, calligraphy practice, and journaling.
Who Is the Jinhao 9019 For?
The 9019 is for writers who want a bold, expressive pen that delivers a premium writing experience at an accessible price. If you've always wanted to try an oversized nib but couldn't justify the cost of a premium pen, the 9019 is your answer. It's also a superb gift for fountain pen enthusiasts who appreciate bold design and exceptional value.
Price: £15.00 — Buy the Jinhao 9019 at TTPEN UK
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Set | Jinhao 9019 Dadao |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £22.00 | £15.00 |
| Type | Graphite pencil set (12 grades) | Fountain pen |
| Best For | Drawing, sketching, technical work | Expressive writing, calligraphy, journaling |
| Standout Feature | Full 10B-10H range, premium graphite | #8 oversized nib, acrylic body |
Two Premium Tools for Creative Minds
The Mitsubishi Hi-Uni and Jinhao 9019 serve different creative needs, but both deliver quality that far exceeds their price points. Whether you're sketching with the world's finest graphite or writing with an oversized fountain pen nib, you're using tools that will inspire and reward your creativity.
Both are available from TTPEN UK with fast UK delivery. Visit us today and discover the tools that will elevate your creative practice.
Final Verdict
For artists and sketchers, the Mitsubishi Hi-Uni is simply the best pencil set available at any price — its legendary graphite quality makes it an essential investment. For writers who want a bold, expressive fountain pen with an oversized nib, the Jinhao 9019 Dadao is an extraordinary value that punches well above its weight. Visit TTPEN UK to add both to your collection.
