PenSoul Mate: The Soul of a New Machine

Every once in a while a new product comes along that takes your breath away with its sleek, revolutionary design, real-world usability, catchy name and simplicity of use.

The PenSoul Mate mechanical pencil fits that bill in every sense and far more.

There was a time when devices were considered smart not because of how many “apps” they could run, but rather because they were made to be simple, useful and, most important, practical.

With the introduction of his PenSoul Mate mechanical pencil, customarily the most utilitarian of products, Seattle marketing whiz Steve Pyle has raised the stakes, and his mechanical wonder is primed to fill a major market niche that sorely needs a facelift.

The mechanical pencil as we know it is little changed since its introduction almost two centuries ago. The first patent for a refillable pencil with a lead-propelling mechanism was issued to Sampson Mordan and John Isaac Hawkins in Britain in 1822 (right). Look familiar? It should. You probably have a similar version you use almost every day.

“Can you think of any single tool that is more commonly used around the world on any given day than a pencil? And any single tool that is used by more people for practically their entire lifetime? Yet there’ve been very few design improvement over the years,” Pyle said.

Much simpler to use than the old-fashioned mechanical pencil, the patent-pending PenSoul Mate design allows for variations of grip, easing tension in your fingers, hand and wrist. Without tension, your writing style is free to flow. And when a mistake is made, no worries—your hand will quickly erase it before you even think about it. Literally, there’s no more flipping out!

Pyle believes the “coolness” of the PenSoul Mate sets it apart and will provide an important buying motivation for kids and students in general.

“You don’t have to be a marketing genius to know that kids are moved to buy things that are trendy and look cool. The added surface area of the PenSoul Mate allows for fun design opportunities—a canvas on which to express individuality and unlimited co-branding opportunities. It’s fun to think that you can look through a box of colorful designs and find the one that fits your personality … maybe even collect them all!” Pyle said.

Indeed, the way you hold the PenSoul Mate and how it feels in your hand is truly unique. Believe me, it will change your writing style. The product’s patent-pending SplitFlair™ design is the first of its kind to offer multiple positions for different writing styles.

“I realized by flaring the eraser out at the writing end of the implement, the user would still be able to maintain the typical finger position as with a typical writing implement. But, by relocating the eraser down by the writing end, mistakes can be addressed much quicker—no flipping, just a twist of the wrist!” Pyle explained.

While I was initially skeptical, I can attest that the SplitFlair design is no mere marketing gimmick. It truly provides significantly greater comfort to the hands and fingers. In fact, there are even three positions that are measurably more soothing for my arthritic hands.

But you don’t have to be an aging professional to experience hand fatigue or writer’s cramp. The simple act of writing with a standard pencil requires that you pinch toward the tip to prevent it from slipping up. As your fingers begin to tire, the instrument begins to slip more—which naturally causes you to pinch harder. This process can lead to writer’s cramp, a condition that can affect your hand, wrist and forearm.

Beyond the PenSoul Mate’s eye-catching good looks, the innovative writing implement offers a number of advantages:

1. More Comfort. The PenSoul Mate’s SplitFlair design provides seven unique and soothing grip positions. There is a position for every writing style, and there are even positions that provide extra relief for arthritic hands. The key to eliminating hand fatigue is a wide ergonomic grip. A wide grip allows your hand, forearm and shoulder muscles, rather than your fingers, to do the “heavy lifting.” Combined with a solid, well-balanced casing, the weight of the PenSoul Mate shifts your mind from your grip to the paper, effortlessly.
2. Faster. Relocating the eraser to the lead end introduces a never before seen “erase-on-the-fly” technique that saves loads of time in all of your writing activities. Kids of all ages, mathematicians, engineers and Sudoku lovers will perform far better with the PenSoul Mate.
3. Fear No Mistakes. Say goodbye to replacing pencils just because the eraser ran out. The new SplitFlair casing design provides for a 5-inch “super eraser” to run in tandem with the lead through the full length of the pencil.
4. Earth Friendly. Lead and eraser are fully retractable and replaceable, maximizing versatility and efficiency of use and minimizing waste. The PenSoul Mate will save money and help the environment.

Bottom line: The PenSoul Mate is fun and easy to use for people of all ages. There’ll be no more fumbling over mistakes! It’s perfect for kids who are just learning to write, people with arthritis and anyone who suffers from writer’s cramp.

Pyle is on a mission. “Put a PenSoul Mate in the hands of kindergarteners nationwide, and you’ll see immediate, increased productivity,” he said. “They’ll never want to use another pencil. And they never will!”

As for me, I’d buy the PenSoul Mate just for its sleek ergonomic design that allows you to go from writing to erasing with just a tilt of the wrist. I expect many others will be prompted to do the same.

You’ll quickly realize that this fine writing instrument is far more than a pretty face. It’s a pretty face with a soulful brilliance!

To see the PenSoul Mate close up and find retail outlets, visit jazzhousedesign.com