
Tombow Dual Brush Pens
by Tombow
Quill Pier score
- Color8.8
- Tip8.3
- Build9.1
- Value8.1
Tombow Dual Brush Pens remain a top choice for planner decorating, hand lettering, and journaling thanks to their flexible brush tip and precise fineliner tip in one...
- Dual brush and fine tips
- Blendable water-based ink
- 96+ vibrant colors
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what you get
Key features
- 01Flexible brush tip on one end for calligraphy and lettering
- 02Fine fineliner tip on the other end for detail work and writing
- 03Water-based, blendable ink formulated for smooth color transitions
- 04Available in 96+ coordinated colors plus blender pen
- 05Ink is non-toxic and acid-free, safe for mixed media use
- 06Compatible with Tombow water brushes for watercolor-style effects
the honest bit
Pros & cons
What we liked
- Dual tips offer great versatility for lettering and fine details
- Blendable ink creates smooth gradients when colors overlap
- Vibrant, consistent color payoff across the color range
- Brush tip holds a point well for controlled strokes
- Works nicely layered with Tombow blender pen for shading
- Travel-friendly size fits easily in planner pouches
What could be better
- Brush tips can fray or splay with heavy pressure over time
- Ink may bleed through thinner planner or journal paper
- Premium pricing adds up when buying full color sets
- Some fluorescent and pastel shades have less pigment saturation
- Caps can dry out tips if not sealed tightly
from our desk
Our Tombow Dual Brush Pens review
Tombow Dual Brush Pens have earned their place as a staple among planner enthusiasts, bullet journal artists, and hand-lettering hobbyists who want professional-grade color in an accessible format. Each pen features a flexible brush tip on one end, capable of producing both delicate thin lines and bold, expressive strokes depending on how much pressure is applied, while the opposite end offers a fine point perfect for detailed writing, journaling notes, or adding small accents to a spread. This dual-tip design means a single pen can handle multiple creative tasks, from outlining a calendar box to filling in a decorative header, eliminating the need to carry separate tools for broad coverage and precision work.
The ink itself is water-based and blends beautifully, allowing users to layer colors, create smooth gradients, and achieve watercolor-like effects directly on paper without needing additional water or specialized brushes. This blendability is a major reason the pens are so popular in planner communities, where users often combine multiple shades to create ombre effects on habit trackers, mood logs, or monthly dividers. The ink dries relatively quickly and resists feathering on most planner paper, though like many water-based markers it performs best on paper designed to handle moisture, making it a natural companion to dot-grid or bullet journal notebooks with slightly thicker stock.
Available in a wide spectrum of colors, from soft pastels to vivid primary tones and deep neutrals, Tombow Dual Brush Pens give planner owners the flexibility to color-code tasks, categorize events, or simply personalize their pages with artistic flair. The compact barrel design makes them comfortable to hold during extended lettering sessions, and the consistent quality across the color range ensures that collections purchased at different times remain compatible in tone and performance. Whether used for quick daily annotations or elaborate seasonal spreads, these markers have become a trusted tool for anyone looking to bring both organization and creativity into their planning routine.
how it stacks up
Compared with top markers
| Product | Best at | Color | Tip | Build | QP score | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tombow Dual Brush PensThis review | Dual brush and fine tips | 8.8 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 8.8 | |
Copic Sketch MarkersCopic | Superior blending quality | 9.4 | 9.9 | 9.8 | 9.6 | |
Zebra Mildliner Double-Ended HighlightersZebra | Dual-tip versatility | 9.3 | 8.9 | 8.8 | 9.0 | |
Sharpie Fine Point Permanent MarkersSharpie | Precise fine-point writing | 9.3 | 8.3 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
The verdict
Our verdict
Tombow Dual Brush Pens remain a top choice for planner decorating, hand lettering, and journaling thanks to their flexible brush tip and precise fineliner tip in one marker. The blendable water-based ink allows for smooth color transitions, making them ideal for creating dimension in bullet journals and planner spreads. While the investment in a full set can be pricey and thin paper may show bleed-through, the quality and versatility make them a staple for stationery enthusiasts.



