Mechanical Pencil Recommendation

[vans4444]

I have not had much luck with my choice of mechanical pencils. I don’t use them very often, but often enough that I need to carry one in the inner pocket of my work jacket. I buy cheap ones and they tend to unscrew and I find bits in my pocket, or the lead breaks.

 

It would have to be relatively inexpensive, no more than £20 - £30, slim, light and robust.

 

I have looked at companion pencils to some of my pens, like the Parker 51 or Esterbrook but it is not important that the pencil matches the pen (although it would be nice)

 

I have just found this Faber-Castell, which is really just a pencil with a cap, but it looks like a good idea.

 

Any recommendations would be gratefully received.

[TWRDO]

A few of us are mild to raving pencil addicts as well.

 

Slim, light and robust? Have you ever tried a Cross Century?

 

My current favorite, a Retro 51 Tornado pencil, is neither slim nor especially light, but definitely robust. The 1.1 mm leads don't break very easily either.

[theblackpen]

This Staedtler or this Pentel. Rotring 600 pencils (my first choice) are relatively easy to find on eBay but they are a little bit heavy.

Good luck!

Edited September 12, 2010 by theblackpen

[gro]

Uchida microsharp is the best pencil I have ever owned. I don't think they're available now, but I have a Pentel that extremely similar, but it feels cheaper, most microsharps feels cheap in comparison to the Uchida. Uchida is still around but doesn't make pencils anymore, just markers and papers and some other stationery. So why am I telling this? Hmm, just a lament of a great pencil not available anymore I guess.

 

EDIT, Hey, it seems you can buy them! Happy!

Edited September 12, 2010 by gro

[epo]

Kuro Toga, about a fiver, excellent pencil.

[matt385]

The Kerry pencil by Pentel is a great pencil, about $20 from Jet Pens.

[GooseDeluxe]

Ohh, I am also super fond of mechanical pencils!

 

+1 for the Staedtler 925 25. I saw this mechanical pencil on Jetpens and I really really want to get one, probably in 0.5 but they also have 0.3, 0.7, 0.9 and there is even a matching 2.0 mm lead holder. I can't really give a review since I've never tried it. But you can check out this review Dave's Mechanical Pencil Blog. There are also a multitude of other pencil reviews. Great blog and useful for finding out more info.

 

[EDIT: The Staedtler 925 25 has a really sharp tip, so it might not be ideal for pockets.]

Edited September 12, 2010 by BrownPaperBird

[BearsPaw]

My favorite is the Pilot Vanishing Point. A half click advances the lead and a full click retracts / unretracts the metal tip (where the lead comes out). This is great if you throw your pencil into bags, since the tip won't catch on anything.

[vans4444]

Ohh, I am also super fond of mechanical pencils!

 

+1 for the Staedtler 925 25. I saw this mechanical pencil on Jetpens and I really really want to get one, probably in 0.5 but they also have 0.3, 0.7, 0.9 and there is even a matching 2.0 mm lead holder. I can't really give a review since I've never tried it. But you can check out this review Dave's Mechanical Pencil Blog. There are also a multitude of other pencil reviews. Great blog and useful for finding out more info.

 

[EDIT: The Staedtler 925 25 has a really sharp tip, so it might not be ideal for pockets.]

 

 

Thanks for the edit, I was on the point of buying a 925 25 as well as a Pentel Graphgear 1000. That is a very good point you make about a sharp tip not being idea for a pocket.

[GooseDeluxe]

No problem. I've had sharp mechanical pencils in the past that would poke through pockets sometimes. Now I tend to keep to keep my writing instruments in a pencil case that I carry around in my backpack.

 

Some recommendations for more pocket friendly pencils:

 

Staedtler Integrity 9505 [uses 0.5 mm lead](Dave's review here)

I have been using this pencil for about 5 years now and I use it all the time for anything that needs a pencil, such as problem sets and notes sometimes. Dave's review says that he has had problems with lead breakage, but that has not been an issue for me. You can also read other people's comments and see what they have to say about the issue. The only slightly annoying thing is that after awhile the rubber grip gets loose and you can pull it off if you put enough effort into it (it won't slip off by itself). It has a twist eraser at the top which is handy for detailed erasing. Overall a good solid pencil.

 

Pilot Color Eno [uses 0.7mm lead] (you can get them at JetPens)

I had this pencil years ago and lost it at school one day. But recently bought a new one while in Taiwan last summer. This pencil is advertised to be used with Pilot's colored lead but it works just fine with regular lead as well (they have a wide selection of colors for the body of the pencil) The tip of the pencil is rounded and the metal sleeve is retractable, just make sure to retract the sleeve before putting it in your pocket). The tip is also clear so you can see the lead as it is being pushed through. There is a cap that snaps into place on top of the eraser, which might be easy to misplace if you are constantly taking it off to use the eraser. I like it though because I use a separate eraser and the cap keeps the pencil's eraser clean. A comfortable and colorful pencil.

 

Staedtler Triplus Micro 774 [available in both 0.5 and 0.7] (Staedtler's page for this pencil)

Haha, perhaps you can tell I am a fan of Staedtler. I saw this at a store in an airport once and wish I had bought it now. It looks like the tip is more rounded and the body has a cool triangular prism shape, probably to make it more comfortable to write with. I've never used it so I can't say much about it. But I would really like to get one eventually.

 

Hope that helps.

[vans4444]

No problem. I've had sharp mechanical pencils in the past that would poke through pockets sometimes. Now I tend to keep to keep my writing instruments in a pencil case that I carry around in my backpack.

 

Some recommendations for more pocket friendly pencils:

 

Staedtler Integrity 9505 [uses 0.5 mm lead](Dave's review here)

I have been using this pencil for about 5 years now and I use it all the time for anything that needs a pencil, such as problem sets and notes sometimes. Dave's review says that he has had problems with lead breakage, but that has not been an issue for me. You can also read other people's comments and see what they have to say about the issue. The only slightly annoying thing is that after awhile the rubber grip gets loose and you can pull it off if you put enough effort into it (it won't slip off by itself). It has a twist eraser at the top which is handy for detailed erasing. Overall a good solid pencil.

 

Pilot Color Eno [uses 0.7mm lead] (you can get them at JetPens)

I had this pencil years ago and lost it at school one day. But recently bought a new one while in Taiwan last summer. This pencil is advertised to be used with Pilot's colored lead but it works just fine with regular lead as well (they have a wide selection of colors for the body of the pencil) The tip of the pencil is rounded and the metal sleeve is retractable, just make sure to retract the sleeve before putting it in your pocket). The tip is also clear so you can see the lead as it is being pushed through. There is a cap that snaps into place on top of the eraser, which might be easy to misplace if you are constantly taking it off to use the eraser. I like it though because I use a separate eraser and the cap keeps the pencil's eraser clean. A comfortable and colorful pencil.

 

Staedtler Triplus Micro 774 [available in both 0.5 and 0.7] (Staedtler's page for this pencil)

Haha, perhaps you can tell I am a fan of Staedtler. I saw this at a store in an airport once and wish I had bought it now. It looks like the tip is more rounded and the body has a cool triangular prism shape, probably to make it more comfortable to write with. I've never used it so I can't say much about it. But I would really like to get one eventually.

 

Hope that helps.

 

 

Thanks, following this post I bought a Staedtler Triplus Micro 774. I am waiting for it to be delivered.

 

Also following this thread I have bought three vintage Wahl Eversharp silver plated pencils from the 1920's and 1930's . Two of them work well and could be described as pocket friendly. One is being difficult but I think I might be able to get it to work.

 

Thanks for your help

[nxn96]

Take a look at Autopoints. The standard "utility" models are pretty thin, although the capped versions might get a little thicker than what you're looking for.

[Ingleside]

I say, I've been using one with the word SUPERIOR on the side for over a year now. I must have got it from Staples or Dollarama, but it's served me pretty well.

[Parse Error]

to tell you the truth, any pencil that costs more than $1 when it's not on sale would work admirably. I've had a pencil from Daiso work extremely well, and it was only 1.50. (Drafting style pencil). Otherwise, the Pilot Shaker H1010 was by far my favorite. The Uni Alpha gel and the Pentel Graphgear will also work, although I highly doubt the durability of the alpha gel.

[GooseDeluxe]

[...prior post...]

 

Thanks, following this post I bought a Staedtler Triplus Micro 774. I am waiting for it to be delivered.

 

Also following this thread I have bought three vintage Wahl Eversharp silver plated pencils from the 1920's and 1930's . Two of them work well and could be described as pocket friendly. One is being difficult but I think I might be able to get it to work.

 

Thanks for your help

 

No problem! I'm glad to be of whatever little help possible. Do let us know how you like the Triplus Micro. I am really curious about how it feels and how well it works. If I weren't suddenly so mesmerized by fountain pens and inks especially, then I would be seriously considering getting one.

 

Wow, do you have any pictures of the Wahl Eversharp pencils? If it's not too troublesome I'd like to see what mechanical pencils from the 20's and 30's looked like.

[vans4444]

[...prior post...]

 

Thanks, following this post I bought a Staedtler Triplus Micro 774. I am waiting for it to be delivered.

 

Also following this thread I have bought three vintage Wahl Eversharp silver plated pencils from the 1920's and 1930's . Two of them work well and could be described as pocket friendly. One is being difficult but I think I might be able to get it to work.

 

Thanks for your help

 

No problem! I'm glad to be of whatever little help possible. Do let us know how you like the Triplus Micro. I am really curious about how it feels and how well it works. If I weren't suddenly so mesmerized by fountain pens and inks especially, then I would be seriously considering getting one.

 

Wow, do you have any pictures of the Wahl Eversharp pencils? If it's not too troublesome I'd like to see what mechanical pencils from the 20's and 30's looked like.

 

 

Here is a not very good picture of my newly enlarged collection of vintage mechanical pencils

 

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww3/vans4444/Pens/WahlEversharpPencils.jpg

 

I have included a Parker 51 at the top of the picture to give it scale.

 

The top three pencils are Wahl Eversharp silver plated pencils. I googled them and if I understand correctly the top two cannot be older than the early 1920's because the leads cannot be wound back into the body.

 

The next one is a no name gold coloured Watermans look alike (or so I was told).

 

The last one is a Burnham

 

It took about a week to put this collection together. I put lots of what I thought were very low bids in eBay and too my surprise won five. This is what happens when you dive in without knowing the value of things; I only wanted one.

 

My favourite is the top one. The picture does not do it justice. It is a very good looking pencil that feels good in the hand and sits well, it a little high in my pocket. It is well constructed, has some weight and feels a quality product.

 

The smaller silver pen with a clip, sits better in my pocket but is slightly too short for comfort. The Burnham has a good thickness is just about big enough and sits well in my pocket. I just don't like the colour. This leaves the non name, which is not as well made as the Eversharps but is still a very nice pencil to use.

 

All the pens take 1.1mm leads which lays down a good line. Luckily one of the pencils came with extra leads.

Edited September 23, 2010 by vans4444

[mackthepen]

This Staedtler or this Pentel. Rotring 600 pencils (my first choice) are relatively easy to find on eBay but they are a little bit heavy.

Good luck!

 

I think Rotring 600s are the best - they come in two varieties - one with a retracting tip (that's the one you want), and the other with a drafting nib (pocket disaster). They're only available on ebay now as far as I'm aware.

 

Cultpens do the very acceptable Caran d'Ache Fixpencil 844 - not 100% pocket safe, but not bad; comfortable, reliable, and easy to use. They also do a 2mm version. I have and use both.

 

Andrew

[vans4444]

This Staedtler or this Pentel. Rotring 600 pencils (my first choice) are relatively easy to find on eBay but they are a little bit heavy.

Good luck!

 

I think Rotring 600s are the best - they come in two varieties - one with a retracting tip (that's the one you want), and the other with a drafting nib (pocket disaster). They're only available on ebay now as far as I'm aware.

 

Cultpens do the very acceptable Caran d'Ache Fixpencil 844 - not 100% pocket safe, but not bad; comfortable, reliable, and easy to use. They also do a 2mm version. I have and use both.

 

Andrew

 

Thanks Andrew, last week I did look on eBay for the Rotring 600 but until you pointed it out just now I did not notice that it has two different tibs. Thanks for the info.

 

Martin

[EMM]

Currently my fav mechanical pencil is a 1920's Parker Duofold, it uses 1.3mm lead which is quite thick : )

[Tsujigiri]

I have a couple Cross' and Parkers, but I've given up on using them. I've found that mechanical pencils are an entirely different instrument than fountain pens, and creating a pencil version of a fountain pen isn't the ideal approach. Japanese mechanical pencils have performed the best in my experience. My weapon of choice is the Uni Shift-Pipe, but I also like the Uni Kuru Toga High Grade, Ohto Super Promecha, and Pentel Sharp Kerry. The Kuru Toga is neat because the lead rotates as you write so you don't have to turn the pencil. The Shift-Pipe is super light, has good balance, is comfortable over extended use, has a good grip, and "shifts" to protect the lead guide and prevent lead from advancing during transport.