Looking For A Mechanical Pencil Recommendation

[FLJeepGuy]

My son has taking a liking to my Rotring 600 MP 0.7mm, so I've decided to get him a decent MP for school use. I'm looking to stay at or below $30 US and find something in similar quality (i.e. - nearly indestructible). I've looked at the ones from TWSBI and like them quite a bit. I also checked our Lamy's offerings, but from what I can tell, they only have the 0.5mm lead size. I'm looking for something metal barreled with a bit of heft, and integral eraser if possible.

 

Any suggestions?

[luvpens]

Hi,

 

Promecha SP-500P, or the next one up.

 

If I'm not writing with a fp, I'm using a mech pencil.

Just something about the smoothness of them. Shame it smudges though!!

[richardc]

I use the Pentel Graphgear 1000 at school (when I can't use a fountain pen). The retractable tip is certainly very durable without sacrificing much precision (in my experience, fixed tips have a tendency to snap), and the aluminium body has held up well to everyday use.

 

http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/product/view/products_id/640

Edited March 7, 2011 by richardc

[luvpens]

Sorry,

 

As Richard, should have given a link..

 

My link

Edited March 7, 2011 by luvpens

[physicsgirl]

These Zebra Tect 2way 1000 pencils have become quite popular recently with the undergrad Engr-Pys students at my school. I love the shaker lead advance pencils; I just ordered the Zebra Tect 2way; its plastic, but I wanted a white one. If I like it I'm going to order the metal one.

 

What about this Lamy Scribble. Seems interesting even though it's not metal.

[Ethereal Winter Wind]

TWSBI or the pentel graphgear 1000.

I hear the pentel kerry is good but I don't have one, yet.

[cubic archon]

I always promote the Caran D'ache Fixpencil. It's a clutch pencil rather than a mechanical one, but there are advantages to that (particularly that the leads don't just snap when you look at them) and the aluminium construction is as sturdy as a very sturdy thing. It also has a nice professional design.

[dstocum]

I'll add another recommendation for the Pentel Graphgear 1000. I've been using one for about a year, and it's a great rugged pencil. I recommend it as a field pencil to any fellow students in my geology program who will listen. The clip is very solid and the retractable tip is a must when dropping the pencil off a cliff or into a talus pile is a real possibility. It feels a little slippery and makes my hand tired after extended writing with it, but at least the knurled bits offer some grip. I would have much preferred a grip without the rubber blobs. The eraser design is one of the better ones I've used: it is secure and you can use more than the first quarter of it, unlike many others. It also has a nice tight lead sleeve, at least in 0.5mm, so lead breakage shouldn't be a problem.

 

The Pentel is far from my favorite pencil (Pilot S20 is king, then Zebra Drafix), but I think it's perfect for rugged conditions.

 

I have a Zebra Tect 2way and it's a nicely made, well balanced pencil (I never use the shake mechanism though), but I really don't like the grip area. It always seems slippery in my hand and the o-rings don't help much. I don't use the erasers on my pencils much, preferring dedicated erasers, but the eraser on the Tect seems nearly useless to me. On the rare occasions I do use it, I end up advancing the lead several clicks. Annoying. I'll probably end up giving the Tect away.

[speedy]

I will pick Twsbi Precision, hahaha!

we have 0.5mm 0.7mm, fixed pipe and retractable pipe, three colors, 18 models for you to choose from.

[Ernie Wayne]

Check out Dave's Mechanical Pencils -- it's the FPN for pencils --

 

http://davesmechanic...s.blogspot.com/

[jameswatts]

I would second -- or is it third, by now? -- the Pentel Graphgear 1000 -- I have the 0.7mm model and use it regularly. I also like the Pentel Kerry, again in the 0.7. Faber Castell also makes some fine mechanical pencils.

[soapytwist]

I always promote the Caran D'ache Fixpencil. It's a clutch pencil rather than a mechanical one, but there are advantages to that (particularly that the leads don't just snap when you look at them) and the aluminium construction is as sturdy as a very sturdy thing. It also has a nice professional design.

Plus One - a ultilitarian beauty!

[Pensfan]

I am a newb when it comes to MPs... so can someone explain to me the difference between fixed pipe and retractable pipe?

[Silvermink]

I am a newb when it comes to MPs... so can someone explain to me the difference between fixed pipe and retractable pipe?

 

I'm not a pencil expert, but - with a retractable-pipe pencil the metal sleeve that the lead comes out from can slide back, which makes it less likely to snag on a pocket or something. With a fixed-pipe pencil it can't, which is less pocket-friendly but makes it easier to do things like stenciling.

[flight878]

Five good mechanical pencils for under $30:

 

Pentel Sharp Kerry

Rotring 500

Rotring 600

Uni-ball Kuru-Toga

Pentel Smash

[nxn96]

Whatever your choice in the pencil, I think a Pentel "Clic" eraser holder is a nice add on- particularly for students.

 

As to pencils, Autopoints have always served well, and they can be purchased new or vintage. Probably more utilitarian compared to many of the other suggestions, but they do come in the thicker lead sizes.

[ADKaid]

Looks like you should get another Rotring.

Edited March 9, 2011 by ADKaid

[hereward]

Lamy Scribble comes in 7mm. Very happy with mine and it's practically indestructible. Plus, it looks cool imo.

[FLJeepGuy]

I appreciate everyone's input on this. Ultimately, I went with the TWSBI. For this of you who recommended the Rotring 600, I'd like to know where I can get one for around $30.00. I've found a couple of Asian dealers near that price, but either they were out of stock, or the shipping would have placed the cost well over $30.

[magnet]

I have a Rotring 600 that I could probably see, with it's matching ballpoint, but I have been very very happy with my TWSBI MP, in .7mm, retracting sleeve. I got mine in silver/aluminium color and I really like it. I've had to remind two people that I work with that they did indeed 'borrow' my pencil and I would like it back.