Who Else Thinks That A Mechanical Pencil Is The Next-Best Thing To A Fountain Pen?

[truthpil]

 

As for the S20, you could put it in the case with the tip pointing upwards (unlikely it will make a hole in the top flap).

 

Maybe not a hole in the top flap, but probably in my hand when I quickly grab for the FP next to it without looking.

[1nkulus]

Maybe not a hole in the top flap, but probably in my hand when I quickly grab for the FP next to it without looking.

 

Handle with care and wear gloves.

[Honeybadgers]

 

Yeah, they need to make the Advanced in all metal or come out with a whole new model that looks more premium.

I haven't tried one of these out yet because I have a really light hand and have read that light writing may not allow the rotating mechanism to work.

They are cheap enough though, so I'll grab one in 0.3 soon.

 

 

 

I've been using a cheap but good Sakura 123 (looks a lot like the Pentel P203) in 0.3 for a few weeks and haven't had any breakage. 2B 0.5 is my favorite as well, but the line is too large for the tiny foreign language characters I need to try to fit between lines of printed text (translation projects).

 

Want to make a torpedo/cigar shaped wooden pen that'll fit the P203 mechanism?? A wooden version of the L2K MP in 0.3 would be amazing.

 

the kuru toga mechanism works when the pencil even so much as whispers onto the page. it's hypersensitive (which is awesome)

 

definitely get the advanced model. the basic kuru toga spins way way slower, so the lead can tend to find and keep a flat spot. the advance really spins that bugger around like a broken washing machine.

 

The only pens I've made like that were 2mm sketch pencils

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/popnsplat/pens/DSC_0295.jpg

Edited November 24, 2018 by Honeybadgers

[truthpil]

 

the kuru toga mechanism works when the pencil even so much as whispers onto the page. it's hypersensitive (which is awesome)

 

definitely get the advanced model. the basic kuru toga spins way way slower, so the lead can tend to find and keep a flat spot. the advance really spins that bugger around like a broken washing machine.

 

Good to know. I've got a white Advanced on the way! Why the heck don't they make an all black version?!? It seems so basic.

[MYU]

Brothers in Knurling

Edited November 27, 2018 by MYU

[1nkulus]

Unlike the rOtring, the Rapidomatic also comes in 0.9 and they are almost identical to the 600.

I like the grey 0.7 but still prefer the silver 600.

[MYU]

Unlike the rOtring, the Rapidomatic also comes in 0.9 and they are almost identical to the 600.

I like the grey 0.7 but still prefer the silver 600.

I would say almost identical to the 500... which has a plastic body, while the 600 has a brass one.

 

 

A more complete group shot:

[1nkulus]

I would say almost identical to the 500... which has a plastic body, while the 600 has a brass one.

 

Forgot the plastic construction. Lovely pic.

Do you possess all the Rapidomatic sizes?

[MYU]

 

Forgot the plastic construction. Lovely pic.

Do you possess all the Rapidomatic sizes?

Thanks -- actually, no this is the only Rapidomatic I own. The metal knurled section is very reflective in the light (same for the knurled lead indicator at the rear) and looks a bit "raw"... I prefer the matte finish knurling you find on rOtring and Pentel pencils. The Uni Shift is also reflective, but because the diamond cut is more narrow it looks "cleaner". Anyway, the Rapidomatic works nicely and has fine balance to it. It would've been nice to pick up the other sizes (white, red, and blue), because nowadays they're quite pricey in the resale market. I wanted to get a white one (the 0.5 mm size, 5635), and didn't realize bidding would be aggressive. Lost out at $29 USD. Then I took a look and kind of kicked myself because these are generally selling for a lot more these days, some about double that price. I spotted one 5637 in near mint condition sell for a whopping $70 USD!

[1nkulus]

It would've been nice to pick up the other sizes (white, red, and blue), because nowadays they're quite pricey in the resale market. I wanted to get a white one (the 0.5 mm size, 5635), and didn't realize bidding would be aggressive. Lost out at $29 USD. Then I took a look and kind of kicked myself because these are generally selling for a lot more these days, some about double that price. I spotted one 5637 in near mint condition sell for a whopping $70 USD!

 

I am well stocked with the 600's so that I don't have to visit Fleabay in the foreseeable future.

The $70 though, is more about the scarcity than the pencil. $30-35 would be my limit.

OTOH, the grey is the best color of the lot.

[milkb0at]

Any suggestions for a "luxury" pencil in 0.3? So far all I could find is the Pilot S20.

 

 

In his latest video (timestamped for you), Bleistift has an Slimline Sharp Ohto 0.3mm with sliding sleeve. I don't know anything about it, but ii looks nice.

[1nkulus]

In his latest video (timestamped for you), Bleistift has an Slimline Sharp Ohto 0.3mm with sliding sleeve. I don't know anything about it, but ii looks nice.

 

Well spotted, quite slim and resembles a Cross Century.

It ticks all the boxes for @Truthpil apart from the 'luxury' criteria.

[Lloyd]

 

the kuru toga mechanism works when the pencil even so much as whispers onto the page. it's hypersensitive (which is awesome)

 

definitely get the advanced model. the basic kuru toga spins way way slower, so the lead can tend to find and keep a flat spot. the advance really spins that bugger around like a broken washing machine.

 

The only pens I've made like that were 2mm sketch pencils

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/popnsplat/pens/DSC_0295.jpg

Nicely made, HB!

[truthpil]

 

In his

(timestamped for you), Bleistift has an Slimline Sharp Ohto 0.3mm with sliding sleeve. I don't know anything about it, but ii looks nice.

 

Thanks, milkb0at! That's a nice-looking pencil indeed. I can sacrifice the luxurious look for something with nice clean and simple lines like that.

 

Where can I find one of these?

All I can find are the Ohto Slim Line 0.3 ballpoints.

Edited November 29, 2018 by TruthPil

[fpnewbi]

 

Brothers in Knurling

 

 

I knew I'd seen this recently somewhere... took me a minute, but Dire Straits comes back now

[1nkulus]

... took me a minute, but Dire Straits comes back now

 

Sultans of Swing, perhaps.

[MYU]

 

I knew I'd seen this recently somewhere... took me a minute, but Dire Straits comes back now

Yep, from the album "Brothers in Arms."

 

Btw 1nkulus, "Sultans of Swing" came out earlier.

[milkb0at]

 

Thanks, milkb0at! That's a nice-looking pencil indeed. I can sacrifice the luxurious look for something with nice clean and simple lines like that.

 

Where can I find one of these?

All I can find are the Ohto Slim Line 0.3 ballpoints.

 

I'm afraid I have no idea. I didn't know these existed until I saw Bleistift's video. It might be worth emailing David of Dave's Mechanical Pencils to see if he remembers where he got it from (since Bleistift got it from him). Otherwise, eBay et al might be your best bet if the pencil isn't made any more.

[Anne-Sophie]

This lead holder engineering has not improved since that review.

 

I bought one to carry around for quick notes in my calendar/notebook, after using up the included lead, I could not refill it without dealing with a broken, slipping and finally jammed lead.

I am not even sure I can trust it as a lead container, it is, now, just a very expensive lead sharpener holder.

 

Since loosing my EDC, made in Germany, Staedtler, I use a clutch pencil from Alvin which is a great performer but doesn't have a built in lead sharpener, so the previous lead sharpener holder comes along for the ride.

Carrying both the Alvin and the Art Alternatives AA27233 Easy-Advance Lead Holder solely for its lead sharpener, grew tiresome.

 

I just found a new 2mm lead holder, it is a PACIFIC ARC H-1305.

 

It has roughly the same weight and shape as the Alvin, but it has also a build in sharpener and a very handy lead hardness indicator.

 

When I removed the lead sharpener, the lead hardness indicator slipped out as well, luckily, I did that at the desk, so the parts stayed there.

 

 

The two loose parts, made it harder to place the lead sharpener back in the lead holder than the one in the Art Alternative, or the one in the Staedler, which is, to this day, my favorite lead holder.

 

However, the lead indicator makes it a perfect candidate for experimenting with softer leads, which I don't want to use in my EDC notebook, because they smear but, are wonderful for artwork.

 

I also acquired a 0.7 mm Pentel P207 mechanical pencil, it is very, very light a great on the go alternative to my wonderful Lamy Safari Pencils.

Edited November 30, 2018 by Anne-Sophie

[1nkulus]

Yep, from the album "Brothers in Arms."

 

Btw 1nkulus, "Sultans of Swing" came out earlier.