Recommend a mechanical pencil?

[Mohdoo]

Hey, everyone. I was recommended here by a friend of mine who recently sparked my appreciation for writing utensils. From what I hear, this is the best place for this sort of thing, so I figured I'd ask you guys!

 

I currently use a Pentel Twist-Erase. But I find that it is a bit too narrow for me. My hands get sore and uncomfortable after a while, but I have found that I am much more comfortable using thicker pencils, like a Sumo.

 

The problem is, I usually find that most fat pencils like that are lower quality, or in the case of the "Uni-ball Alpha Gel Shaka Shaker Pencil", is only .5mm. But I am looking for a .7mm "nicer" thick pencil under $50. I was planning to get the Lamy 2000 mechanical pencil, but I was worried it may also be too thin.

 

Any recommendations?

 

Thanks :]

[Pfhorrest]

The Lamy Accent (Standard or Brilliant finish) mechanical pencil series are very comfortable in the hand.

[streeton]

No offense to FPN, but this is the site you really need Daves Mechanical Pencils. He has a good review of the Lamy 2000 there. as well as a "thousand" others.

[markc]

While this doesn't necessarily fall into <$50, I use the Pilot H-2003, H-2005 mechanical pencils.. They're sortof like the pencil equivalent to the MYU701 and other vintage pilot instruments (FleaBay buy it now for $95 for the .03..

 

If you can get ahold of one of these, they're really great. They are retractable, have an indicator for lead hardness, and ofcourse the eraser in the top.. The H-2003/5 series has a wonderful grip that won't slip.

 

They have a much cheaper model called the H1005 that you can probably find for about $15 .. Its the plastic version of the 2005

 

But that being said, Streeton's recommendation of Daves is a great one. Its the FPN equiv for pencils.

Edited February 24, 2010 by markc

[twdpens]

Lamy Scribble.

 

You may think my advice biased since The Writing Desk sells these but my Scribble is, without doubt, my most used writing instrument. I take it with me whenever I need to write notes or sketch. I've dropped it onto concrete and tiled floors and it hasn't complained. If you are concerned that the Lamy 2000 may be too thin (BTW, I have one of these too) then the Scribble could suit you better.

 

HTH,

 

Martin

[Sproctor]

Greetings,

 

I use mechanical pencils a lot for drafts of documents, simply because I can erase my mistakes or change the wording without writing the whole thing over again. Since I have the same affliction and need to use something a little more substantial and though I like my Lamy 2000 pencil and of course the Lamy Scribble, I personally prefer a Platinum Pro-Use II Mechanical Pencil. It is a little cheaper than the two above and it is also easier to replace if I somehow wreck it. They can be found at JetPens. Very comfortable pencil, even when I am really long-winded and it is available in .03, .05 & .07 mm sizes I think. Of course YMMV.

 

Best Regards,

 

Stephen

 

 

 

[kpkelsey]

I love my pentel Kerry....

[RLTodd]

Pentel Sharp Kerry, or Kerry Sharp (forgot which they call it these days) in 0.7mm.

 

Stateside I think they are going for around $20 these days.

[Mohdoo]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I will certainly look into all of your recommendations! Also, I tried going to dave's pencils, then posted the same question I asked here in his questions section. No answer but from my perspective, you have all been as helpful as I could hope for!

 

I'll make sure to let you all know what I decide on. By the way, the budget is flexible.

 

Thanks again

 

EDIT: does lead matter? I usually just buy a pack at the grocery store, but I would imagine quality varies. Any recommendations?

Edited February 24, 2010 by Mohdoo

[TWRDO]

Is .7 your upper limit for lead size? You might look at twist-feed pencils if you want bigger. A Retro 51 Tornado pencil is a nice, thicker pencil that uses 1.15 mm lead, and costs <$30.

[kpkelsey]

lead does matter somewhat. i have been using pentel ain for a while now, and i like it a lot. seems to break less and smudge less. also, you might like harder or softer than the standard HB. i prefer HB but i've tried several others.....

[Ancho]

The Alvin Draft-Tec Retrac is very nice. The sleeve which holds the lead retracts into the pencil body.

[Mille]

My Parker 51 mechanical pencil is perfect for me, but perhaps you will find it a little thin.

[razr]

When I do use a mechanical pencil (and it's not often) I have a handful of Pentels I like to use.

[Sproctor]

EDIT: does lead matter? I usually just buy a pack at the grocery store, but I would imagine quality varies. Any recommendations?

 

Greetings,

 

In my opinion, the brand and type of lead does matter. I have tried many different manufacturers and types of lead with various pencils, and generally, I too would have to recomend Hi-Polymer "Ain" pencil lead by Pentel... unless a high-density lead is needed and then it's Uni-ball's "Hi-Uni" Hi-Density Lead.

 

Don't mean to complicate things, but with lead there is also a personal choice factor that can come into play. Some mechanical pencils seem to handle various leads differently... especially where breakage, etc. is concerned. Another factor is "hardness." Some brand names of lead are better at difference levels of hardness, too...

 

Overall though, Pentel "Ain" is my preferred lead.

 

 

 

Don't know if you are aware but pencil lead is graded by hardness: I have heard that a greater percentage of clay results in a harder lead. H (harder), F, HB and B (softer) are pencils of average hardness. Pencils ranging from 2B to 9B are softer still and are usually used for drawing; conversely 2H to 9H are harder than average. A common #2 pencil is equivalent to a HB.

 

In order from hardest to softest, the various leads are: 9H | 8H | 7H | 6H | 5H | 4H | 3H | 2H | H | F | HB | B | 2B | 3B | 4B | 5B | 6B | 7B | 8B | 9BThe harder the pencil lead the lighter the mark it makes, i.e. B's create a darker mark than H's and can be smeared much easier.

 

Just my two cents worth of advice: Perhaps it would be a good idea to decide on a mechanical pencil first, and then examine leads, once you are familiar with your pencil... The reason I say this is that if you choose a Lamy pencil or a special size one, you might be locked into using that same manufacturer's lead. Just some thoughts.

 

Best Wishes,

 

Stephen

 

 

[oceansportrait]

Why not try the Kuro Toga? It's the latest release by Uni-ball (the same company that released the Alpha Gels you referred to) and I believe it's available in 0.7mm as well. People have been singing its praises---apparently it has a special mechanism that "sharps" the end of the lead so you always have a sharp line to write with (and the pen apparently sharps it in a way that it makes the lead harder to break than your average mechanical pencil!)

[Dace]

I recently received a Lamy Accent pen set with the mechanical pencil and I really like the size of the pencil. I also really like the Cross ATX line of mechanical pencils. Nice thick pencil, although I dont know if it comes in .7.

[pkoko]

If you want a retractable tip consider the papermate apex. It is a little thin though.

[jmpennifeather]

The Lamy Scribble is a great shape, has a good weight and is a really tough cookie. It uses a .7mm lead. You can't go wrong.

[dval]

Don't know if you are aware but pencil lead is graded by hardness: I have heard that a greater percentage of clay results in a harder lead. H (harder), F, HB and B (softer) are pencils of average hardness. Pencils ranging from 2B to 9B are softer still and are usually used for drawing; conversely 2H to 9H are harder than average. A common #2 pencil is equivalent to a HB.

 

The way I see it, a FPer shall not use a lead harder than HB. In fact, in my case anything harder than 2B just doesn't fit my stile.

 

My $0.02.-