How do you like it? What do they go for in the U.S? I've never actually seen one.

Thanks!

I have a Pilot Vanishing Point mechanical pencil. It's black, well made and sells for 18$ CA at our version of Stapple.

The whole nib unit retracts in the pen, it's very neat and the mechanism feels really solid and well made.




http://www.pilotpen-store.com/product_deta...L%20H1005%20BLK

I rarely write with a pencil, but I enjoy this one.

Samovar

Thanks very much Samovar!

I second Samovar's opinion on the Pilot VP pencil.

I got one from the college bookstore back in 1979 (it was $10...the most expensive mech. pencil they had), and still use that same one today. As far as pencils go, it's comfortable to write with and very sturdy.

I have one also. It is my daily carry pencil. No holes in my shirt pockets.

I went through a pencil collecting phase while in college and this was one of my favorites. Originally, correct me if I'm wrong, it had a smooth finish. Years later, Pilot changed it to the matte finish we see now. My first one was smooth, but got flattened under a car tire. By that time, the matte was the only choice.

It's a good balanced writer, but a little heavy because of the internals compared to some other pencils. I'm one of those who likes to rotate the pencil as I write and, fortunately, the clip was removable.

Jerry

I have been using these pencils for over 20 years now. Bought my first one as a starving college student but now make work buy them. I no longer have that first one but have several in my desk, one in my briefcase, one in my laptop case. It takes 5mm pencil lead which is sort of thin for drafting or sketching but great for writing or figuring. There is a sleeve on the barrel that you can rotate to show the hardness of lead in the pencil. I still think it is a very cool pencil.