Ohto Ballpoint Pen GS01 Blue

The Ohto GS01 "Grand Standard 01" is a sleek aluminum ballpoint pen from Japan with a hexagonal shaft and push mechanism – without a side button, but with a clean, grippy silhouette in matte blue. The package includes the Ohto Soft Ink refill PS-107NP: an oil-based ink with a fine needle tip (0.7 mm) that produces a precise line of approximately 0.35 mm width on paper. The GS01 follows the G2 refill format and can be refilled with a wide selection of compatible large-capacity refills.

Highlights

• Hexagonal aluminum shaft: The anodized shaft feels cool and solid in the hand, the hexagon prevents rolling off the desk, and provides a natural three-point grip when writing.
• Push mechanism without side button: The push cap at the top retracts and extends the refill – a clean, trouble-free mechanism without protruding buttons on the side.
• Needle tip 0.7 mm: The steel lance of the needle tip guides the ballpoint ball precisely and reduces lateral line feathering – particularly noticeable with small handwriting, forms, and technical sketches.
• Ohto Soft Ink (oil-based): Oil-based ink with low adhesion – meaning minimal resistance on contact, no smudging at curves, and consistent ink flow even with varying writing angles. Not archival.
• Pressure-dependent line width: The line responds to pressure and angle, giving the handwriting a certain liveliness – unusually expressive for ballpoint standards.
• G2 refill compatibility: In addition to the Ohto PS-107NP, all common G2 large-capacity refills fit – opening up a choice between different ink types, line widths, and colors.
• Weight: 17 g – noticeably solid without feeling heavy, with the center of gravity pleasantly close to the tip.

Application & Tips

• Small, precise handwriting: The needle tip and fine line make the GS01 an excellent choice for densely written notebooks, calendars, or bullet journal grids – anywhere a broader line takes up too much space.
• Sketching and technical drawing: The pressure-dependent line width allows subtle variations in stroke weight – for quick sketches, floor plans, or diagrams, this is a noticeable advantage over uniformly flowing gel rollers.
• Using alternative refills: Those who prefer quick-drying or water-resistant ink can simply insert a compatible G2 large-capacity refill. The Ohto PS-107NP is available separately in the LUIBAN range.
• Paper choice: On smooth, calendered paper, the needle tip produces its sharpest lines. On rougher surfaces, the line can feather slightly – it's worth increasing writing pressure slightly here.
• Left-handers: The oil-based Soft Ink dries faster than water-based ink systems, reducing smudging when writing as a left-hander.

For Ballpoint Enthusiasts

The GS01 uses the Parker G2 refill format: The PS-107NP measures 98.4 mm in length and 5.8 mm in diameter, making it compatible with a variety of other G2-compatible barrels – and vice versa. Needle point technology is an Ohto feature in which the ball is guided by a slim metal sleeve that is significantly longer and thinner than a standard ballpoint refill. This allows for a steeper writing angle and gives the pen a rollerball-like precision feel, even though it is an oil-based ballpoint refill.

Technical Specifications