Best Brush Pens for 2027: Fudenosuke, ABT & Pocket Brush

Seven brush pens standing side by side, each labeled with its pick: Tombow Fudenosuke for beginners, Pentel Touch Sign Pen hard tip, Tombow Dual Brush Pen blendable color, Kuretake Clean Color Real Brush watercolor, Pentel Pocket Brush Pen real bristles, Faber-Castell PITT waterproof, Pentel Sign Pen budget — One pick per job. Drawn in proportion: lengths from maker and retailer listings, the Touch Sign Pen drawn at Sign Pen size.

Products compared

Product	Brand origin	Made in	Price range
Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen (hard and soft tip)Tombow	Japan	Japan^*	Price range: $
Pentel Touch Sign Pen (筆touch サインペン, SES15C)Pentel	Japan	Japan^*	Price range: $
Tombow Dual Brush Pen (ABT)Tombow	Japan	Not stated^*	Price range: $
Kuretake ZIG Clean Color Real Brush pen (RB-6000AT, single colors and sets)Kuretake	Japan	Japan^*	Price range: $
Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen (GFKP3), blackPentel	Japan	Japan^*	Price range: $$
Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pen Brush (B), 199 blackFaber-Castell	Germany	Germany^*	Price range: $
Pentel Sign Pen (S520)Pentel	Japan	Japan^*	Price range: $

Notes on these facts

Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen (hard and soft tip): Made by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Tombow USA. Made in Japan: LarryPOST (Australia) lists the navy-body black hard tip as made in Japan. Tombow's Japanese, US and European pages don't state a country, and we found no origin for the soft tip (WS-BS 150), so check the pack. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Tombow Japan's 2018 press release says the black Fudenosuke went on sale in Japan in 2001 and in Europe and the US from 2015; the 10-color hard-tip range launched in October 2018.
Pentel Touch Sign Pen (筆touch サインペン, SES15C): Made by ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand. Made in Japan: Pentel of America's 2023–2024 product guide gives the origin of the SES15C as Japan, and its 2022 catalog says the same for the 12 pastel colors. Japanese retailer Sundrug lists 原産国 (country of origin) 日本 (Japan) for the sky blue pen, SES15C-S. Pentel's Japanese page doesn't state a country. Source.
Tombow Dual Brush Pen (ABT): Made by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Tombow USA. Country of manufacture not stated: Sources disagree. Japanese retailer Sundrug lists 原産国 (country of origin) ベトナム (Vietnam) for the Japanese 12-color Portrait set AB-T12CPO, made and sold by Tombow Pencil; Unsharpen's spec table gives Japan. Tombow's own pages don't state it, so check the pack. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Tombow Japan's ABT site and a 2020 Tombow Japan press release say it went on sale in 1984, in Japan, the US and Europe at the same time; Tombow USA's history calls it the AB-T soft lettering pen.
Kuretake ZIG Clean Color Real Brush pen (RB-6000AT, single colors and sets): Made by Kuretake Co., Ltd. (Japan). Made in Japan: Kuretake's Japanese order site lists 原産国 (country of origin) 日本 (Japan) for the Pale Color II 6-color set (RB-6000AT/6VH) and the 30-color set B (RB-6000AT/30VB). We didn't find a statement for single pens; a US retailer listing for the 90-color set also says made in Japan. Source. Price: example listing.
Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen (GFKP3), black: Made by ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand. Made in Japan: Pentel of America's 2023–2024 product guide and 2022 catalog give the origin of the Pocket Brush Pen (GFKP3) and its FP10 refills as Japan. Officeworks also lists Japan for the GFKP3BPA. Pentel's Japanese product page doesn't state it. Source. Price: example listing.
Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pen Brush (B), 199 black: Made by Faber-Castell AG, Stein, Germany. Made in Germany: Officeworks lists Germany as the country of manufacture for the black PITT Artist Pen Brush, item 167499. Faber-Castell's German and US product pages don't state a country, and we didn't find origin for other colors, so check the pen. Source. Price: example listing.
Pentel Sign Pen (S520): Made by ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand. Made in Japan: Pentel of America's 2023–2024 product guide gives the S520's origin as Japan. Retailer spec sheets agree: Officeworks (Australia) lists Japan as the country of manufacture for the black 12-pack (S520-A) and the assorted 6-pack, Brock's Compass (UK) lists Japan for the red S520-B, and Aztek (US) lists Japan for the black S520A dozen. Digitec (Switzerland) lists China for the violet S520-V, so origin may vary by color or market. Pentel's Japanese product page doesn't state it. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Pentel's Japanese product page and design archive both give 1963.
Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).

Key takeaways

Tombow says the Fudenosuke's hard elastomer tip writes at about 250 g, ordinary ballpoint pressure, so beginners can letter without splaying it.
The Tombow Dual Brush Pen comes in 108 colors including a colorless blender (N00), and its water-based dye ink blends with water.
Two of the seven have real bristle tips: nylon in the refillable Pentel Pocket Brush Pen and polyester in the Kuretake ZIG Clean Color Real Brush.
Faber-Castell calls PITT India ink waterproof, acid-free and highly lightfast; the Brush gives a 1 to 5 mm line in 59 colors.
Six of the seven sit in our lowest price band, $ (under $5 per pen); only the refillable Pocket Brush Pen is $$.

What is the best brush pen?

The Tombow Fudenosuke is the best brush pen for most people, but the best pick for a firm tip, blending, watercolor, real bristles, waterproof ink or a tight budget is a different pen. Picks are based on published specs and maker claims; we haven’t tested them yet.

Best for lettering beginners: Tombow Fudenosuke, hard tip. Tombow says its hard elastomer tip writes at about 250 g, ordinary ballpoint pressure, without splaying; the US 2-pack (62038) adds a soft tip for later.
Best hard tip, for small lettering: Pentel Touch Sign Pen (SES15C). Pentel Japan describes a tip halfway between a brush pen and its Sign Pen, and Officeworks gives the stroke as 0.35 to 2.0 mm, in 36 colors in Japan.
Best soft, blendable color: Tombow Dual Brush Pen. Its flexible nylon brush and 0.8 mm fine tip share water-based dye ink in 108 colors, including the colorless blender N00.
Best watercolor effect: Kuretake ZIG Clean Color Real Brush. A tip of separate polyester bristles and blendable dye ink, in sets of up to 120 colors.
Best true bristle brush: Pentel Pocket Brush Pen. Synthetic nylon bristles go from a hairline to a broad stroke, and black refills with FP10 cartridges.
Best waterproof and archival: Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pen Brush. Faber-Castell calls its pigmented India ink waterproof, acid-free and highly lightfast, with a 1 to 5 mm line.
Budget, everyday: Pentel Sign Pen (S520). Not a true brush but a firm 2.0 mm fiber tip, ¥165 (about US$1.00) in Japan, which Pentel Japan says was made to write like both a pen and a brush.

How do the seven brush pens compare?

They split into flexible fiber tips, real bristle brushes and one firm fiber point, with either dye ink that blends or pigment ink that resists water.

Pen	Tip	Stroke	Ink	Refillable	Made in	Band
Tombow Fudenosuke	Elastomer, hard or soft	Not published	Water-based pigment	No	Japan	$
Pentel Touch Sign Pen	Flexible brush-style tip	0.35–2.0 mm (Officeworks)	Water-based dye	Not stated	Japan	$
Tombow Dual Brush Pen	Nylon brush + 0.8 mm fine tip	0.8–3.3 mm or up to ~10 mm (retailers)	Water-based dye	Not stated	Not stated	$
Kuretake Clean Color Real Brush	Polyester bristles	Not published	Water-based dye	Not stated	Japan	$
Pentel Pocket Brush Pen	Nylon bristles	Hairline to broad	Pigment, cartridges	Yes (FP10)	Japan	$$
Faber-Castell PITT Brush	Felt brush	1–5 mm	Pigmented India ink	Not stated	Germany	$
Pentel Sign Pen	2.0 mm acrylic fiber	0.8–1.0 mm (retailers)	Water-based	No	Japan	$

Origins come from maker and retailer listings; see Notes on these facts. The Dual Brush Pen’s origin is disputed: Unsharpen gives Japan, while a Japanese retailer lists Vietnam for one set.

Hard tip or soft tip: which should you start with?

Start with a hard tip. A firm tip bends less, so letters stay even while you learn to vary pressure; Tombow Europe calls the Fudenosuke hard tip especially suited to small writing and the soft tip to larger letters.

Move to a soft or bristle brush once your downstrokes are consistent. The Dual Brush Pen’s large nylon brush makes bigger, bolder contrast, and the Pocket Brush Pen’s bristles respond to every change of pressure.

Which brush pens are waterproof or archival?

The Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pen Brush is the safest pick, with the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen and Fudenosuke close behind. Faber-Castell’s German site calls PITT ink waterproof, permanent, acid-free and pH neutral with high lightfastness. Pentel of America calls the Pocket Brush ink water- and fade-resistant once dry, and Tombow Japan calls Fudenosuke pigment ink water- and light-resistant.

Dye-ink pens are the opposite: they blend because water moves them. Parka Blogs warns that Kuretake’s Clean Color inks are not lightfast, so keep them for sketchbooks and cards.

Which brush pens blend like watercolor?

The Tombow Dual Brush Pen and Kuretake ZIG Clean Color Real Brush, both filled with water-based dye ink. Tombow suggests laying a second color before the first dries, touching a dark tip to a light one or softening edges with the N00 blender. Kuretake describes its pens as watercolor-style brush pens.

Does a real bristle brush pen make a difference?

Yes: bristles respond more to pressure and speed than molded tips, which is great for drawing and harder to control. The Pentel Pocket Brush Pen holds black pigment ink in replaceable cartridges, and Pentel Japan sells FP10-A refills in 4s for ¥385 (about US$2.40).

Specialist reviewers mostly agree on the Fudenosuke for beginners.

JetPens’ beginner lettering guide (April 7, 2026) makes the Fudenosuke its top pick for beginners, alongside the Tombow Dual Brush Pen, per search listings of the guide; JetPens blocked our access, so we couldn’t read it in full.
Masha Plans calls the Fudenosuke the best choice for beginners and describes the Pentel Touch Sign Pen’s small, hard brush tip as good for long writing sessions.
The Pen Addict (2010) called the Pentel Pocket Brush a great pen with a still-flawless tip after years, though the reviewer preferred a more responsive Kuretake fountain brush pen.

Where are these brush pens made?

Five of the seven are listed as made in Japan, the PITT in Germany, and the Tombow Dual Brush Pen’s origin is disputed. Most origins come from retailer spec sheets rather than the makers, so check the pack you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best brush pen for beginners?

The Tombow Fudenosuke, ideally the hard tip. Tombow designed its hard elastomer tip to write at ordinary ballpoint pressure, about 250 g, and the US 2-pack (62038) adds a soft tip to try next.

What is the difference between a hard and a soft brush pen tip?

A hard tip bends little, so it is easier to control at small sizes but gives less contrast between thin and thick strokes. A soft tip flexes more, giving bigger contrast at the cost of control; most letterers start hard and move to soft.

Which brush pen has real bristles?

The Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen has a brush of synthetic nylon bristles and takes FP10 ink cartridges. The Kuretake ZIG Clean Color Real Brush has polyester bristles and comes in sets of up to 120 colors.

Which brush pens can you blend?

Pens with water-based dye ink: the Tombow Dual Brush Pen and the Kuretake ZIG Clean Color Real Brush. Both blend with water, a water brush or a blender pen; Tombow sells a colorless blender, N00.

What is the most waterproof brush pen?

The Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pen Brush, whose pigmented India ink Faber-Castell calls waterproof, permanent and acid-free once dry. Pentel calls the Pocket Brush Pen's pigment ink water- and fade-resistant, and Tombow calls the Fudenosuke's water- and light-resistant.

Are brush pens lightfast?

Only some. Faber-Castell rates PITT ink highly lightfast, while Parka Blogs warns that Kuretake's Clean Color dye inks are not lightfast, so scan colored work you want to keep.

Is the Pentel Sign Pen a brush pen?

Not quite. It has a firm 2.0 mm acrylic fiber tip that writes a line retailers give as 0.8 to 1.0 mm, though Pentel Japan says it was made to write like both a pen and a brush. Pentel's brush-tipped version is the Touch Sign Pen.

Sources (19)

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