What Does Everyone Think Of Matching Mechanical Pencils?

[jolsson]

As the question asks, what do most of you think about mechanical pencils that match fountain pens, like the Parker 51 Pencil, Sheaffer Golf Balance Pencil, and many more, such as the Lamy Safari pencil.

[inkstainedruth]

A lot of people (especially collectors) like them. Me? I'm not overly enthused. I have a couple of modern lead holders -- Berol Turquoise and Stadler-Mars -- and they serve my pencil-using needs well enough.

Some of the Parker pencils use something called Liquid Lead -- which I gather you can't get any place anymore. So, for those of us who aren't just going to stick pens/pencils in a display case, those are completely useless.

I was in an antiques mall today looking at pens and in a few cases they were sets (some even in the original box) but I passed on all of them (also passed on the non-sets too, as it happened, although the people working there today gave me the schedules of the two booth holders in case I want to go back in when they're on and see if I can work a deal. There were a couple that I would consider, but it would have to be a really good deal because I'd have to factor in repair costs.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: And in the cases of the "maybes", none were actually sets, as it happened.

Edited June 28, 2018 by inkstainedruth

[Kodiac136]

Most of the time, I'm quite "meh" on the idea. But one of these days, I'm going to pick up a YoL pencil to go with my Viceroy Grand Victorian. I'll probably wait until I have a reason to spend the cash though.

[praxim]

I have not set out to buy any pencil because they get close to no use, and I tend to prefer my father's 1928 Wahl-Eversharp then anyway. However, I have picked up two mechanical pencils in sets where I wanted the pen.

 

One set (in original case case with all papers including gift note) is a Waterman 0552 pen / 0521 pencil, unused since 1928 and operating perfectly with a new sac and lead respectively. The pencil was important in an odd way. The seller did not know how to use it, so describing it as broken and the pen needing repair. I naturally leaned on the price having no knowledge then of how to make a (presumed) broken pencil mechanism work plus risk that the pen may not be a simple sac issue. Thus the negotiated price was excellent for me when everything (other than sac) proved flawless.

 

The other pair balanced things up a bit when I paid full market price (somebody else was keen). They are Onotos, a 6000 pen and pencil in original case with lead holder, probably 1924-26. There is a picture of the set top left on page 116 of the Onoto book. The plunger fill pen had been restored before sale. I do not know whether they are unused also. They may be, because I see no evidence of use when viewed with a loupe -- no micro-scratches, perfect patterning, no ink residue.

 

I have decided that I will use these pencils with their corresponding pens, and otherwise stick to the Wahl.

[ajcoleman]

I always carry both a fountain pen and pencil. Though I generally take notes with a FP, the pencil is used for that occasionally, and is the preferred tool for writing in my Daytimer. I generally prefer FP/pencil sets rather than individual pens. Even before switching to fountain pens I carried ballpoint pen and pencil sets. I currently rotate among several Parker 51 and 45 sets. I also have several nice Sheaffer sets, and a couple of Lamy Safari sets. In a number of cases where I had the pen first, I sought out the matching pencil.

 

Of these, the Parker 51 push advance pencil is probably my favorite. Like the pen, it feels great in the hand, with a solid, comfortable feel, and of course it looks great. The mechanism is solid and reliable, and grips the lead well. Occassionally I would prefer thinner lead than the 0.9 mm lead these pencils use, but the Pentel lead in this size writes so dark and smooth, I will make it do for most things.

 

It seems it is getting less common for matching pencils to be offered with modern pens, though I know there are some models available from Cross, Pelikan, and others. I would like to pick up a Lamy 2000 FP and pencil one of these days.

[Steveg58]

I like the idea of a matching mechanical pencil but the reality always falls far short of ideal. I like a thick lead - I find 0.5 and 0.7 leads too fragile and no-one even attempts a matching pencil with a 2mm lead. I would be amenable to a matching pencil holder like the Graf von Faber Castell Perfect Pencil but theirs are grossly overpriced for the function. Faber Castell used to make a plastic one which I have several of but it looks even more plastic than my cheapest Chinese pens.

[1nkulus]

Mostly aesthetic and a bit overrated. I pair a Rotring pencil with a Pelikan FP, for e.g.

[ac12]

I like sets, but only specific pens.

Example, I would not bother with a Lamy Safari FP/MP set, but I would us a Parker Vacumatic set, or a Cross Century set.

[PAKMAN]

I have some matching vintage pencils and a few modern Pelikan matching pencils. Don't use them much but buying them seemed to be the thing to do at the time.

[inotrym]

I like the idea of matching pencils. The problem is that they are rarely any good. They are usually annoyingly top heavy and only have mediocre stock mechanisms (no special features, only available in standard 0.5/0.7 sizes etc).

 

Now if we could have custom pen makers step in and hack some good mechanical pencil mechanisms into cool looking resin bodies....

[MHBru]

When i originally got my rotring 700 rollerball i ultimately also got the matching pencil. (Both for sale, btw). When i moved to Pelikans i also got the 800 series pencil to complete the set of my 800 blue stripes. Dont really use them though.

[Astronymus]

I have one full set of the original silver AL-Star. For use. Apart from that I only collect the fountain pens.

[Aramchek]

I like having MPs that match my FPs, but I typically only get them if a)they exist b)I expect to bring them with me c)the pencil isn't too ridiculously priced e)the pencil seems like it will be useful and f)I want it!

[Mech-for-i]

My take is if the styling can be matched but yet still work for the pencil / Ballpoint / Rollerball then why not .. often than not though the styling just do not work together., even vintage ones which made the pencil look out of place or in many cases, look like the pens just happen to be made of the same kind of color / finishing / material and from the same Mfr, they just do not tie in as a set .. and for those I might as well just individual models of whatever come to light.

[sidthecat]

I have pretty little Edward Todd pencil that came with its matching pen. I like to carry it with me in case I run out ink.

[Runnin_Ute]

Over the years I have picked up the following sets:

 

Parker Insignia Flighter style ballpoint/mechanical pencil

Parker Classic Flighter style

Parker 45 Flighter

 

I keep the 45 Flighter set in my Franklin Planner. Oh, and I have the matching fountain pen too for that one. I bought the Classic and Insignia sets new. A pen pal gifted me the 45 set. I don't often use ballpoints or mechanical pencils as much as I once did, but I like having at least one. The 45 is my favorite.

[pajaro]

I have some Parker 51, Parker Sonnet, Sheaffer Cadet and Sheaffer Imperial sets with the pencil. I have used the pencils to do crosswords and to draw with. As long as the pencil leads are at least .7mm, I use them. As parts of a set I like them also. I also like the ballpoints and rollerballs that come with Parker Sonnet. The few Parker 51 ballpoints I have had have been a great pleasure to use.

[minddance]

I would want a matching pencil only if the section diameter (grip) is the same as the pen. Most pencils are made more slender and sometimes the grip is of a different nature than the pen, e.g. tapered towards the pencil lead. That I wouldn't consider matching.

[1nkulus]

I would want a matching pencil only if the section diameter (grip) is the same as the pen. Most pencils are made more slender and sometimes the grip is of a different nature than the pen, e.g. tapered towards the pencil lead. That I wouldn't consider matching.

+1

[bmillicent]

I was delighted when pencils and then fountain pens were first offered to match my Retro 51 Tornados. I love the original pens and the pencils. The fps are okay, but more aesthetic than useful - a reversal of the typical pen/pencil usage.