Compiled from 7 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research
Quick answer
The Penco Bullet Ballpoint Pen Light (FT184), sold in the US as the Penco Perfection Bullet Ballpoint, is HIGHTIDE's capped pocket pen: 93 mm long and 13 mm across when closed, 8 g, with a resin body. It writes 0.7 mm in black oil-based ink, takes 2.3 × 67 mm 4C refills and is made in Japan.
On this page9 sections
Closed at 93 mm, and opened; the cap/barrel split is drawn by eye (1 mm = 6 px).
Product facts
Product
Penco Bullet Ballpoint Pen Light, 0.7 mm (FT184; sold in the US as the Perfection Bullet Ballpoint)
$$$5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Colors
Grey
Ink
Black, Oil-based, 0.7 mm; one refill included
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Notes on these facts
Made by HIGHTIDE Inc.. Made in Japan: HIGHTIDE's Japanese product page gives 生産 (production): 日本 (Japan) and says the resin body and each part are made in Japan. Source. Price: example listing.
Colors: names per HIGHTIDE Japan, checked October 24, 2026. Twelve colors per HIGHTIDE's Japanese FT184 page, translated from Japanese; HIGHTIDE calls Mint and Clear Brown its newest colors. Tints were sampled from HIGHTIDE's product photos. The GTIN in the facts is the Grey pen's JAN code. Tints are representative, not measured. Shops stock different colors.
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
HIGHTIDE lists it at 13 mm across and 93 mm (3.7 in) long capped, weighing 8 g; you post the cap on the back end to write.
It ships with a 0.7 mm black oil-based refill; HIGHTIDE's FR014 refill costs ¥165 (about US$1.00), and any 4C refill of exactly 2.3 × 67 mm fits.
HIGHTIDE Japan lists the pen at ¥770 (about US$4.90) in 12 colors; the brass Perfection version is ¥3,850 (about US$24), or ¥4,950 (about US$31) in gold, and weighs 39 g.
The ABS resin body and its parts are made in Japan, per HIGHTIDE.
Penco is HIGHTIDE's flagship brand, started in 1999 by the Fukuoka company HIGHTIDE, which was founded in June 1994.
What is the Penco Bullet Ballpoint Pen Light?
It’s a short, bullet-shaped capped ballpoint with a resin body, made in Japan for HIGHTIDE’s Penco brand. HIGHTIDE calls it a light, 8 g model of Penco’s original bullet pen, and describes the bullet shape as an old standard.
US shops sell it as the Penco Perfection Bullet Ballpoint or Perfection Ballpoint Pen Light. The size, weight and refill match HIGHTIDE’s Japanese model FT184.
HIGHTIDE pitches it as a pen for pockets, planners and pen cases: small when closed, full-sized enough to write with once the cap is posted. It says capped pens are often expensive, and this one keeps the look at a low price. The Penco logo is printed on the back of the cap.
Penco Bullet Ballpoint specs
It is 93 mm long and 13 mm across capped, weighs 8 g and writes 0.7 mm in black. These come from HIGHTIDE’s Japanese page, read on October 24, 2026.
Spec
Bullet Ballpoint Pen Light (FT184)
Size, capped
13 × 93 mm (0.5 × 3.7 in)
Weight
8 g (0.3 oz)
Body
ABS resin
Tip and ink
0.7 mm, black, oil-based
Refill
FR014, or any 4C refill 2.3 × 67 mm
Colors
12
Japan price
¥770 (about US$4.90) with tax
Made in
Japan
You pull the cap off and push it onto the back end to write. HIGHTIDE doesn’t give the posted length, only that the cap makes the pen long enough to hold comfortably. In the US it sells in our $$ band ($5–20).
The refill is less than three-quarters of the pen's closed length (1 mm = 5 px).
What refill does it take?
A 4C refill exactly 2.3 mm thick and 67 mm long, such as HIGHTIDE’s own FR014. HIGHTIDE sells the FR014 (0.7 mm, black oil-based) for ¥165 (about US$1.00). JetPens lists the same Penco refill as a D1 size.
HIGHTIDE warns that refills sold as 4C in other dimensions won’t fit. It also says the Penco Drafting Ballpoint’s 0.5 mm needle-point 4C refill fits, if you want a finer line.
How does it compare with other bullet pens?
It’s the lightest of these three by far, and the brass Perfection is the same size at almost five times the weight.
The Penco figures are HIGHTIDE’s; the Fisher figures come from our Fisher guide. HIGHTIDE sells the brass Perfection at ¥3,850 (about US$24) in silver or black and ¥4,950 (about US$31) in gold, in a paper gift box.
The resin Light is the one to carry everywhere: at 8 g it adds almost nothing to a shirt pocket. The brass version weighs more in the hand but takes the same refill, so the line is the same. For other short pens, see the OHTO Minimo and the Zebra T-3.
Who makes Penco?
HIGHTIDE Inc. (株式会社ハイタイド), a stationery and interior-goods company in Fukuoka, Japan, designs and sells Penco as its own brand. HIGHTIDE’s company history says it was founded in June 1994. Penco followed in 1999, and HIGHTIDE calls it its flagship brand.
HIGHTIDE says Penco began with a single American-made ballpoint whose shape it loved, and the brand took its name from that pen. HIGHTIDE set up HIGHTIDE USA Inc. in December 2017, opened a Los Angeles store in July 2018 and moved its New York shop to Greenwich Village in January 2026. Our Penco brand page lists every Penco guide.
Where is the Penco Bullet Ballpoint made?
In Japan, per HIGHTIDE, which says the resin body and every part are made there. That differs from many Penco desk tools: the Penco Clipboard O/S is made in Taiwan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Penco Perfection Bullet the same as the Bullet Ballpoint Pen Light?
Yes, as far as we can tell: US shops sell the resin pen as the Perfection Bullet or Perfection Ballpoint Light, with the same 93 mm length, 8 g weight and 0.7 mm black refill as HIGHTIDE's Bullet Ballpoint Pen Light (FT184).
What refill does the Penco bullet pen take?
HIGHTIDE's FR014 (0.7 mm, black oil-based) or any Japanese 4C refill that is exactly 2.3 mm thick and 67 mm long. JetPens sells the Penco refill as a D1 size.
Can I put a gel refill in the Penco Bullet Ballpoint?
Only if it is a 4C-size refill of exactly 2.3 × 67 mm, HIGHTIDE says; refills labelled 4C in other sizes won't fit.
How long is the Penco bullet pen when you write with it?
HIGHTIDE gives only the capped length, 93 mm (3.7 in). It says posting the cap on the back lengthens the pen to a comfortable writing size.
Is there a metal Penco bullet pen?
Yes. The Perfection Brass Ballpoint has a machined brass body, the same 93 × 13 mm size and refill, and weighs 39 g, per HIGHTIDE.
Is the Penco Bullet Ballpoint made in Japan?
Yes. HIGHTIDE's Japanese page lists Japan as the place of production and says the body and parts are made there.
Who owns Penco?
HIGHTIDE Inc., a stationery and interior-goods company in Fukuoka, Japan. Penco is its own brand, not a separate company.
