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Tombow Dual Brush Pen Review — The Ultimate Lettering Tool?

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The Tombow Dual Brush Pen is a big deal in the brush pen world. 108 colors, a dual-tip design, water-based ink that blends nicely. It's what hand letterers and bullet journal people reach for. I wanted to put it through its paces and see if it really lives up to the hype with newer competition showing up.

Key Features

• Dual-Tip Design: Each pen has a flexible brush tip on one end and a fine 0.8 mm bullet tip on the other. The brush tip works well for calligraphy-style lettering. The bullet tip handles details, outlines, and small writing.
• 108 Available Colors: The full range includes neons, pastels, earth tones, brights, and grays. Tombow also releases limited-edition color collections now and then.
• Water-Based Dye Ink: The ink is water-soluble. You can blend colors by layering or using a water brush. In my tests, layering two colors creates a smooth gradient right on the paper.
• Color-Coded Barrel: The barrel matches the ink color, and each pen has the color number and name printed on it.
• Ventilated Cap: Snaps on securely with a small hole for safety and pressure equalization.

Pros

• Great blendability — colors blend smoothly into natural-looking gradients
• Big color range — 108 colors gives you a lot of creative room
• Dual tips are genuinely useful — the brush and fine tips complement each other well
• Durable brush tip — holds its shape even after months of use
• Color consistency — ink color matches the barrel across the entire range
• Works with mixed media — pairs with watercolor, colored pencil, and marker techniques

Cons

• High cost for full set — buying all 108 colors will set you back over $300
• Not waterproof — water-based dye ink runs if it gets wet
• Can bleed through thin paper — Tomoe River handles it, but standard notebook paper may show through
• Brush tip needs practice — getting consistent thick-thin strokes takes time
• No replacement nibs — once the brush tip wears out, the pen is done

Real-World Performance

I tested the Tombow Dual Brush Pen in three areas: hand lettering, bullet journaling, and sketching.

Hand Lettering: This is where the Tombow really shines. The brush tip is firm enough to control but flexible enough for nice line variation with light pressure. Layering a light and dark color gives instant depth. The fine tip handles serifs, flourishes, and small details well.

Bullet Journaling: It works great for headers, banners, and decorative elements. The fine tip handles small grid writing. The brush tip makes titles stand out. That said, it does bleed through thin journal paper. Test on a sample page first.

Sketching: The water-soluble ink makes this a nice sketching tool. Draw a quick sketch, then go over it with a water brush for a watercolor effect. The fine tip is good for cross-hatching and detail work.

Who Is the Tombow Dual Brush Pen Best For?

• Hand lettering artists — the blendable ink and brush tip work well for modern calligraphy
• Bullet journalers — creates nice headers, banners, and decorative spreads
• Card makers and crafters — vibrant colors and blendability work for handmade cards
• Artists — solid for sketching, watercolor effects, and mixed media
• Planner enthusiasts — the fine tip is good for decorating Hobonichi and other planners

Price & Where to Buy

• Single pen: $3–$5
• 12-pack set: $15–$25
• 24-pack set: $30–$45
• 48-pack set: $55–$75
• 96-pack set (all colors): $110–$150

Available on Amazon and at art supply stores.