Uni-ball One P Review + Uni-ball One Fica Color Set

I’ve been using Pentel EnerGel for years, and while I love its smooth writing experience, the design wasn’t really my taste. Instead of constantly buying new ones, I wanted a sturdy barrel where I could simply replace the ink—specifically for black ink. Another limitation of EnerGel was its limited color options (black, red, and blue). That’s when Uni-ball One P caught my attention. The sturdy barrel, availability of black refills, and the variety of color sets in Uni-ball One made it an appealing option. I purchased the Fica color set and decided to give Uni-ball One P a try.

Aside from looking for a sturdier pen with refillable ink, I also wanted something that felt more premium and stylish. While EnerGel pens work great, they always felt more disposable. I needed something that could last longer without looking worn out. Additionally, I often use gel pens for journaling and note-taking, so having a pen that provides consistent ink flow and minimal smudging was a priority.

Key Features I Was Looking for in a New Pen:

• Sturdy barrel: A durable body that doesn’t wear out quickly.
• Refillable ink: Instead of buying new pens all the time, I wanted a pen where I could easily swap out refills.
• Smooth writing experience: A gel pen that writes effortlessly without skipping or feeling scratchy.
• Fast-drying ink (nice-to-have): Minimal smudging, especially since I often write quickly.
• Available fine-tip refills: I prefer 0.3mm–0.38mm for precise writing.
• Compact and easy to carry: A pen that fits nicely in small cases and planners.

The Uni-ball One P seemed to check off most of these boxes, which is why I was excited to test it out.

First Impressions: A Stylish and Portable Design

When I first came across the Uni-ball One P gel pen, I was immediately drawn to its elegant design. The light blush pink body paired with a rose gold clip gives it a luxurious feel, making it one of the prettiest pens in my collection. But aesthetics aside, how does it actually perform?

The Uni-ball One P is shorter than my other ballpoint pens, making it easy to carry around. Despite its compact size, the shorter length doesn’t interfere with the writing experience—it still feels comfortable and well-balanced in my hand. It originally came with a 0.5mm black ink refill, but since I prefer finer lines, I decided to purchase 0.38mm refills instead (Amazon link).

The matte finish of the barrel gives it a modern, refined look while preventing smudges and fingerprints. The clip is made of metal, making it sturdy enough to attach to notebooks or planners without bending. The click mechanism operates smoothly with a satisfying sound, reinforcing the pen’s high-quality build. The overall design is compact yet durable, making it a great everyday carry pen.

Writing Experience: Bold Ink and Smooth Performance

When I first came across the Uni-ball One P gel pen, I was immediately drawn to its elegant design. The light blush pink body paired with a rose gold clip gives it a luxurious feel, making it one of the prettiest pens in my collection. But aesthetics aside, how does it actually perform?

The Uni-ball One P is shorter than my other ballpoint pens, making it easy to carry around. Despite its compact size, the shorter length doesn’t interfere with the writing experience—it still feels comfortable and well-balanced in my hand. It originally came with a 0.5mm black ink refill, but since I prefer finer lines, I decided to purchase 0.38mm refills instead (Amazon link).

The matte finish of the barrel gives it a modern, refined look while preventing smudges and fingerprints. The clip is made of metal, making it sturdy enough to attach to notebooks or planners without bending. The click mechanism operates smoothly with a satisfying sound, reinforcing the pen’s high-quality build. The overall design is compact yet durable, making it a great everyday carry pen.

Finding the Perfect Refill: Exploring Alternative Options for Finer Tips

I prefer finer tips for writing, and the 0.38mm refill that came with the Uni-ball One P was thicker than I expected. Since Uni-ball doesn’t produce a 0.28mm refill for the One P model, I started looking for alternatives. I wasn’t ready to give up the pen—I had already gotten used to its feel and look. Instead, I made it a mini project to find the perfect refill. It turned out to be surprisingly fun, like solving a stationery puzzle.

After some research, I found a compatibility chart, which led me to the UMR-82 refill, originally designed for the Uni-ball RT1. It seemed like a good fit, so I checked different retailers:

• Amazon: $1.40 per refill (link)
• JetPens: $1.65 per refill (link) with multiple color options

Experimenting with Non-Uni-Ball Refills Refills

Curious about more alternatives, I decided to experiment with different fine-tip refills from other brands. I tested:

1. Pentel EnerGel refill (XLRN3-A) – 0.3mm
2. Zebra Sarasa refill (JF-0.3) – 0.3mm

Both fit perfectly into the Uni-ball One P, providing a great writing experience! The only noticeable difference was that the click mechanism felt slightly less smooth than with the original refill, but it still worked fine. Here’s a quick price comparison:

• Pentel EnerGel refill: Around $1.10 per piece (link)
• Zebra Sarasa refill: Less than $1 per piece (link)

The ink flow on both refills was excellent, offering a smooth, uninterrupted writing experience. The Zebra Sarasa glided almost like a brushstroke—smooth and quick—whereas the Pentel EnerGel had a firmer, more deliberate feel that made my handwriting look more intentional.

The ink darkness was comparable to Uni-ball’s original black ink, but the finer tip made my writing look cleaner and more precise. While the click mechanism wasn’t as seamless with these refills, it wasn’t a dealbreaker for me.

Switching to alternative refills not only gave me more flexibility but also made the Uni-ball One P even more useful. It allowed me to maintain the beautiful design of the pen while customizing the writing experience to fit my preferences.

Reviewing the Uni-ball One Fica Color Set

The Uni-ball One Fica color set caught my attention because of its unique color selection. Unlike standard color gel pens, the Fica set includes soft, warm tones that work beautifully for journaling, note-taking, and color coding. The ink formula is just as smooth as the black ink, making it enjoyable to write with.

This set comes with eight different colors, each designed to complement a subtle, muted aesthetic. The colors are distinct yet not overly vibrant, making them ideal for those who prefer a softer look in their writing. The ink dries quickly, reducing the chances of smudging, which is a major plus for left-handed writers.

Another thing I love about the Fica set is how well the colors stand out on different types of paper. Even on slightly textured surfaces, the ink remains bold without feathering or bleeding. I started using these in my daily journal instead of highlighters—especially when I wanted softer emphasis that didn’t distract from the main writing. The muted tones added personality without overwhelming the page.

While I mainly bought the Uni-ball One P for black ink use, having the Fica set as an option makes my writing experience more enjoyable. The combination of smooth ink flow, aesthetically pleasing colors, and fast drying time makes these pens a great addition to my stationery collection.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

The Uni-ball One P is a well-designed, aesthetically pleasing pen that balances style and functionality. Its compact size makes it portable, while the sturdy barrel gives it a premium feel. The ink is bold, smooth, and dark, which enhances the overall writing experience. Despite the 0.38mm refill being thicker than I expected, finding alternative refills made it even more versatile.

The ability to swap in refills from brands like Pentel and Zebra adds to its appeal, ensuring that users can customize their writing experience to fit their preferences. While the click mechanism isn’t as smooth with non-Uni-ball refills, it still functions well enough for daily use. The metal clip and matte finish add durability and style, making it feel more premium than other disposable gel pens.

If you’re someone who wants more than just a disposable pen—something beautiful, sturdy, and fully customizable—Uni-ball One P is a pen worth trying. I didn’t expect to like it this much, but now it’s one of my go-to writing tools. Pairing it with the Uni-ball One Fica color set provides even more versatility, making it a valuable addition to any stationery collection.