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Quick answer
The Tombow FUMI is a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil with a body made of NAGORI, a composite developed by Mitsui Chemicals from the minerals in seawater. Tombow says the matte, marbled body feels cool like ceramic, and a low center of gravity steadies the writing. It comes in four colors at 2,200 yen with tax (about US$13.92).
NAGORI composite body (Mitsui Chemicals; seawater-mineral based) with a metal front shaft and matte metal parts (Tombow)
Price range
$$$5–20 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count)
Colors
Stone Black
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Notes on these facts
Made by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo). Country of manufacture not stated: Tombow's Japanese product page lists the material, colors, refill method and price but no country of manufacture. Check the pack. Price: example listing.
Colors: names per Tombow (Japan), checked November 3, 2026. Tombow lists four colors, each with its own marble pattern. Tints were sampled from Tombow's product images and are representative, not measured. 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
The body is NAGORI, a Mitsui Chemicals composite made from seawater minerals, cool to the touch like ceramic.
Each body has a rippled marble pattern that Tombow says is never the same twice, with a matte finish and engraved FUMI logo.
A low center of gravity, a metal front shaft and a ceramic-like weight steady the writing, Tombow says.
Four colors are sold: Stone Black, Sea Blue, Shell White and Sand Gray, all 0.5 mm, at 2,200 yen with tax (about US$13.92).
Tombow warns that salts from the seawater minerals can seep out of the body after long use, which it says is harmless.
What is the Tombow FUMI?
It is a mechanical pencil whose body is made from seawater minerals. Tombow’s tagline is “a sea of your own in your hand”. The pencil’s body is NAGORI, a composite Mitsui Chemicals developed from the mineral components of seawater, shaped by hand into a marbled, stone-like grain. Tombow says it feels cool and ceramic-like, and calms the mind with each stroke. The lead size is 0.5 mm. We read Tombow’s Japanese product page on November 3, 2026.
What makes it different?
The material, and the weight that comes with it. Tombow lists these points.
NAGORI body. Cool to the touch and quick to warm in the hand, with a ceramic feel.
One-off pattern. The ripple-like marble is different on every pencil.
Matte finish. A smooth, dry body, with matching matte metal parts and an engraved FUMI logo.
Stable writing. A low center of gravity, a metal front shaft and the moderate weight of the material steady the pencil.
Which color should you pick?
Four, named for the sea. Tombow lists these models.
Color
Model
Look in Tombow’s photos
Stone Black
SH-FM11
Dark gray body with a dark clip
Sea Blue
SH-FM41
Dark navy marble with a dark clip
Shell White
SH-FM21
Cream-white marble with a chrome-colored clip
Sand Gray
SH-FM71
Pale gray marble with a chrome-colored clip
Tombow warns that, depending on the body color, dirt and pigment can stick or stain more easily, so a pale body may show marks sooner. Each pencil is 0.5 mm.
How do you refill it?
Take off the knock unit and eraser, add lead and reassemble. Tombow says to unscrew the knock part and eraser from the body, add 0.5 mm lead (up to five leads) and put it back together. Be careful not to lose the knock part when you unscrew it. Our best mechanical pencil lead guide compares lead brands.
What is the residue Tombow mentions?
Minerals from the seawater can seep out. After long use, Tombow says, mineral-derived components may bloom out of the body. It states that this does not affect the product’s quality or the human body. Tombow’s page gives no cleaning advice.
Who is the FUMI for?
It suits writers who want a quiet, stone-like pencil as a keepsake or gift to themselves, and do not mind a $$ price for a 0.5 mm pencil. Tombow gives no length or weight, so we cannot say how it compares with metal pencils such as the MONOgraph Fine or the MONO Work. For more picks see our best mechanical pencils.
What should you watch out for?
Drops, heat and the tip. Tombow says a drop can bend the tip pipe, and a bent or crushed tip can cause lead to break or not come out. Do not leave it in hot, humid places or direct sunlight. Keep to 0.5 mm lead and avoid overfilling. The tip is sharp, so keep it from small children, never put the eraser or tip in the mouth, and use it only for writing.
Where is it made, and what does it cost?
Tombow’s page doesn’t state a country of manufacture. At 2,200 yen with tax (about US$13.92), it is in our $$ band ($5 to $20).
Frequently asked questions
What is the FUMI body made of?
NAGORI, a composite developed by Mitsui Chemicals from the mineral components of seawater, per Tombow. It feels cool and ceramic-like.
Is each pencil different?
Tombow says the rippled marble pattern is unique to each pencil. The body is matte and the FUMI logo is engraved.
How does it write?
Tombow says a low center of gravity, a metal front shaft and the ceramic-like weight of the material steady the writing.
What lead size and colors?
0.5 mm in four colors: Stone Black (SH-FM11), Sea Blue (SH-FM41), Shell White (SH-FM21) and Sand Gray (SH-FM71).
How do I refill the lead?
Unscrew the knock unit and eraser from the body, add 0.5 mm lead (Tombow says up to 5 leads), and put it back together.
Will anything seep out of the body?
After long use, seawater-mineral components can seep out of the body. Tombow says this does not affect quality or health.
How much does it cost?
2,200 yen with tax (about US$13.92) in Japan, or 2,000 yen before tax.
