Est. 2026 · Price: FreeEditor-at-large: The Hedgehog

Stationery Times

Brand: Object Index

Object Index Toggle Pen: The Two-Color Flip Ballpoint

Compiled from 4 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research

Quick answer

The Toggle Pen is a two-color ballpoint from Object Index, the sister brand of Tokyo shop Kakimori. It holds a black and a red refill side by side in a 152 mm polypropylene body, and one push button moves both at once, so you switch colors by flipping the pen. Kakimori lists it at ¥990 (about US$6), made in Japan, with both refills included.

On this page11 sections
Object Index Toggle Pen drawn to scale: a flat gray ballpoint 152 mm long and 16 mm wide with a red-marked and a black-marked refill side by side
The Toggle Pen at its listed 152 × 16 mm, drawn at 1 mm = 4.59 px. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

Product facts

Product
Object Index Toggle Pen (G01601)
Brand
Object Index
Brand origin
Japan
Made in
Japan*
Material
Body: polypropylene (PP); ink: oil-based
Price range
$$$5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
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Notes on these facts
  • Made by Epoch Chemical Co., Ltd.. Made in Japan: Kakimori's English page lists the maker as Epoch Chemical and the country of manufacture as Japan; Object Index's own page says made in Japan. Source. Price: example listing.
  • How we test and disclose samples: How we test stationery.
  • 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

  • Object Index lists the pen at 152 × 16 × 8 mm and 15 g, with a polypropylene body and oil-based ink, made in Japan by Epoch Chemical.
  • It comes with one black and one red 0.7 mm Pilot refill (BKRF-6F-B and BKRF-6F-R), so replacements are standard Pilot parts.
  • Kakimori's price is ¥990 (about US$6) with tax, which puts it in our $$ band ($5–20).
  • One knock moves both refills; you pick the color by turning the pen over, because people usually write with the pen tilted.
  • Object Index numbers it 016 and Kakimori sells it in its Object Index collection.

What is the Object Index Toggle Pen?

It is a black and red ballpoint with the two refills side by side, switched by flipping the pen. Object Index, which numbers it 016 and describes it as “switch colors in an instant”, says the design makes use of the angle we naturally write at.

Object Index is a Kakimori sister brand. Kakimori’s Japanese collection page says it was started by the company that runs Kakimori, under the concept “Good company for work and life”, and offers redesigned tools from across Japan. We cover Kakimori’s own stainless steel nib and sakura wood nib holder separately.

What are the specs?

152 mm long, 16 mm wide, 8 mm thick and 15 g. Both the Kakimori and Object Index pages publish them.

Spec Value
Model G01601
Size 152 × 16 × 8 mm (6.0 × 0.63 × 0.31 in)
Weight 15 g
Body Polypropylene (PP)
Ink Oil-based
Refills 0.7 mm Pilot BKRF-6F-B (black) and BKRF-6F-R (red)
In the box One black and one red refill
Made by Epoch Chemical
Made in Japan
JAN 4580728885081
Price (Japan) ¥990 (about US$6) with tax

The 15 g body is the one Object Index lists. Kakimori’s store data gives a larger weight for the item, which looks like shipping weight; we use the maker’s figure.

Schematic of the Toggle Pen flipped: first the red tip meets the paper, then after a half turn the black tip does
Our schematic of the idea: a half turn swaps which tip is lower (not to scale). Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

How do you switch colors?

Flip the pen over. Kakimori says one push button moves both refills at once, and because we usually write with the pen tilted, only one tip actually meets the paper. Swapping color is a turn of the wrist, with no second click.

Kakimori calls it odd-looking at first glance but handy for anyone who alternates often between black and red.

What is Object Index?

It is Kakimori’s sister brand for work tools. Kakimori’s collection page says the line is built around the concept “Good company for work and life” and gathers tools chosen from across Japan, often redesigned, for people whose way and place of working keep changing.

Object Index’s own site describes a handpicked selection of Japanese-made items for work, life and everything between, sorted by type such as pens, markers, notebooks and scissors. The Toggle Pen is number 016 in that range, and Kakimori’s shop carries it alongside items like a pocket pen, a marker and a kendama.

Which refills does it take?

Pilot’s 0.7 mm oil-based BKRF-6F refills. Black is BKRF-6F-B and red is BKRF-6F-R, per both pages, and one of each is included.

We could not confirm from the maker’s pages whether other brands’ refills fit, so stick to the listed Pilot parts. If you want more colors in one pen, our best multi pens guide compares the multi-color options.

Is it comfortable to hold?

The makers don’t give a grip test, so we can’t say. What they publish is the shape: a flat 8 mm thickness against 16 mm width, with a ribbed section near the tips visible in the product photos. At 15 g it is light, and Object Index’s pitch rests on the natural writing angle rather than on a cushioned grip.

We haven’t held one, so the hands-on slot above stays open until we do.

Who is it for?

People who mark up and correct often. Kakimori names alternating black and red as the use case. For a single-color ballpoint, our best ballpoint pens guide covers more choices, and the Pentel Dual Metallic ballpoint is a glitter option.

Where is it made, and what does it cost?

In Japan, by Epoch Chemical. Both Kakimori and Object Index state this.

Kakimori listed it at ¥990 (about US$6) with tax on October 31, 2026, in our $$ band ($5–20). We haven’t found a US retailer price we can cite, so we don’t give one.

Kakimori also sells hand-made brass ballpoints at the other end of the price range, such as the TETZBO Chibien.

Frequently asked questions

How do you switch colors on the Toggle Pen?

Flip the pen over. Object Index says one push button moves both refills, and because we usually write with the pen tilted, only one tip touches the paper at a time.

What refills does the Toggle Pen use?

Oil-based 0.7 mm Pilot refills: BKRF-6F-B for black and BKRF-6F-R for red, according to Kakimori and Object Index. One of each comes in the box.

How big and heavy is the Toggle Pen?

Object Index lists 152 mm long, 16 mm wide and 8 mm thick, at 15 g. Kakimori's shipping data shows a higher figure for the packed item, which is not the pen's weight.

Is the Toggle Pen made in Japan?

Yes. Both Kakimori and Object Index state Japan, and name Epoch Chemical as the maker.

Who makes the Toggle Pen, Kakimori or Object Index?

It belongs to Object Index, a brand Kakimori's Japanese collection page calls a sister brand launched by Kakimori's operator. Epoch Chemical manufactures it, and Kakimori sells it.

How much is the Toggle Pen?

Kakimori lists ¥990 (about US$6) with tax on October 31, 2026. That is for the pen with a black and a red refill.

Who is the Toggle Pen for?

Kakimori says it suits anyone who often alternates between black and red, such as for marking up or correcting work.

Sources (4)

  1. Kakimori (English): Toggle Pen (G01601; W152 × D16 × H8 mm, 15 g, PP body, oil-based 0.7 mm Pilot refills, Epoch Chemical, made in Japan, ¥990; read October 31, 2026)
  2. Kakimori (Japanese): Toggle Pen page (same specification in Japanese, tax-inclusive price; read October 31, 2026)
  3. Object Index: Toggle Pen (number 016, “Switch colors in an instant”, accessories, size, weight, made in Japan; read October 31, 2026)
  4. Kakimori (Japanese): Object Index collection (concept “Good company for work and life”, sister brand run by Kakimori's operator; read October 31, 2026)

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