Recommendation for Mechanical Pencil?

[secretasianman]

My gf is on a search for the ideal mechanical pencil, just as I was on the search for the ideal pen. I thought that as people who appreciate fine writing instruments, you could help me in my endeavor (her birthday is coming soon) to help her on her search. If anyone knows of a mechanical pencil forum or a better place for me to ask this, please also tell me that.

 

The important qualification are:

.05 mm lead

LARGE eraser (the kind that are so big that the eraser base is twistable purely to expose more eraser would be ideal)

Durable

 

Optional qualifications:

Slim - ish form factor (as slim as can be with such a gargantuan eraser)

I think she favors clean, sleek (brushed metal-ish) designs, but this is easily a point of compromise.

"Side - click" preferred but easily compromised.

 

 

Since this is a gift, I don't mind shelling out for her (my budget tops out at aprox $60, but if the quality is that good, I would go slightly above.

 

She however, will definitely be terrified to losing it (she self admittedly loses many things like this), so I would also love a suggestion for something that fills the top four requirements and costs less than $10 so that she could easily replace it. If anything, finding such an item would be an even better gift in her eyes - writing comfort and the ability to replace it whenever (I would still get her the

 

--to be edited - she's in the room!

[Breck]

Well, I'm a wood pencil guy, so I'm no help on this. However, I do regularly read this blog, which has reviews I respect about mechanical pencils.

 

Good luck!

 

--Breck

[Breck]

p.s. I just got the pun of your screen name and it very nearly sent whiskey-and-soda flying out my nose. Well done, sir.

[Martius]

Good window-closing action.

 

Let's see, most of the nice FP's have accompanying pencils, which are usually nice - however, if it's just a great pencil you're looking for, check out www.pencilthings.com and poke around. Obviously, they sell just about every pencil made under the sun. Best of luck on your gift!

 

Best,

Summer

 

PS - you COULD get her a nice FP for $60. (This is the danger of asking that on an FP forum.)

[Paladin]

I recommend a Lamy Twin or Triple Pen. Twin pens come with mechanical pencil and pen while the triple includes a highlighter. There are refills available.

 

It comes in different colours and finish. Check this out

 

http://www.lamy.com/products/writing_syste.../index_eng.html

 

My personal favourite is the tri pen cp 1 black. Here's a picture

 

http://www.lamy.com/productFragments/e34/e530/e1214/756_gross_eng.jpg

 

There are dedicated mechanical pencils here

 

http://www.lamy.com/products/writing_syste.../index_eng.html

 

You can even get her a set of say Lamy Safari pens e.g. FP, pencil, pen. My wife has all the colours to suit her wardrobe

[Have Fun]

Take a look at the lamy Scribble 0.5

 

Ergonomic & unusual ~ I got the thick lead version I was disappointed in the lead quality but the 0.5 would have no problems at all

 

(Easily Replaceable)

[FrankB]

I also generally use wood case pencils. It is a habit, I guess. On those occasions I use a mechanical pencil, I love Parker Duofold pencils. I think my suggestion might be over your budget, but the pencils are good. I also have a screaming yellow Lamy Safari pencil on my desk that works just fine.

 

As for erasers, I keep a big hand held eraser handy.

Edited June 29, 2008 by FrankB

[pavlosh]

The important qualification are:

.05 mm lead

LARGE eraser (the kind that are so big that the eraser base is twistable purely to expose more eraser would be ideal)

Durable

 

Optional qualifications:

Slim - ish form factor (as slim as can be with such a gargantuan eraser)

I think she favors clean, sleek (brushed metal-ish) designs, but this is easily a point of compromise.

"Side - click" preferred but easily compromised.

 

 

I suggest that Pentel products are the right choice, the only thing that I don't know the one which combines all things that you're looking for (except low/reasonable price and durability):

1. Pentel "Twist-Erase" 0.5 (QE515) - has "LARGE eraser (the kind that are so big that the eraser base is twistable purely to expose more eraser would be ideal)"if we will be realistic and agree that eraser as big as 7mm diameter is large as for items built-in into mechanical pencils.
2. Pentel "Technoclick" 0.5 (PD105T) - has "Side - click" and same big eraser but it's not "twistable purely to expose more..."
3. Pentel "Grafigear 500" 0.5 (PG515) - has "metal-ish design" and is slimest of three mentioned but it has negative impact on eraser size (exactly as you supposed).

Hope it helps.

[schw]

For something that fulfils many of your criteria, I'd recommend the Rotring Rapid. It comes in .35, .5 and .7 mm, has a 3 cm long (if skinny) twisting eraser, is made of durable plastic, and is a bit thicker than a bic. It also has a retractable tip and a firm rubber grip.

 

I heard a rumour that they are being discontinued so I don't know if they are (still) available where you are, but if you can find some of these I would snap up a few (and some spare erasers!). I got mine in Japan for less than $5.

[Roggalogga]

For several years I used the Rotring 600-series mechanical pencils. Quite heavvy but wonderful pencils. Especially the 0.7 version.

Now, sadly, both of them are broken. And also out of production.

 

Luckily, I've discovered Lamy Scribble 0.7. Great pen, both nice to use and look at. The eraser, though, could be better.

Otherwise highly recommended.

 

http://www.lamypenshop.com/files/1767755/uploaded/186-0,7mm.jpg

 

 

/ Roger W

Sweden

Edited June 29, 2008 by Roggalogga

[JulioPB]

My gf is on a search for the ideal mechanical pencil, just as I was on the search for the ideal pen. I thought that as people who appreciate fine writing instruments, you could help me in my endeavor (her birthday is coming soon) to help her on her search. If anyone knows of a mechanical pencil forum or a better place for me to ask this, please also tell me that.

 

The important qualification are:

.05 mm lead

LARGE eraser (the kind that are so big that the eraser base is twistable purely to expose more eraser would be ideal)

Durable

 

Optional qualifications:

Slim - ish form factor (as slim as can be with such a gargantuan eraser)

I think she favors clean, sleek (brushed metal-ish) designs, but this is easily a point of compromise.

"Side - click" preferred but easily compromised.

 

 

Since this is a gift, I don't mind shelling out for her (my budget tops out at aprox $60, but if the quality is that good, I would go slightly above.

 

She however, will definitely be terrified to losing it (she self admittedly loses many things like this), so I would also love a suggestion for something that fills the top four requirements and costs less than $10 so that she could easily replace it. If anything, finding such an item would be an even better gift in her eyes - writing comfort and the ability to replace it whenever (I would still get her the

 

--to be edited - she's in the room!

 

 

I have a Lamy Scribble, but with 0.7 mm, it is very confortable. Check out if it is in 0.5mm.

 

JUlio

 

 

[Dylan]

I had a quick look on the web, appears to only come in 0.7mm.

[DeaconKC]

It's almost passe, but Cross makes many excellent mechanical pencils in different sizes, finishes, etc. And they last forever.

[JayLo]

My mech pencil preference is a Rotring 600. Solidly built.

[KCat]

I love my Lamy Vista pencil. The Al-Star presumably comes in pencil as well. Ligthweight, very comfortable grip (slim but not so much that it's uncomfortable) and very inexpensive. The eraser is wide but unfortunately, not tremendously deep. I found one pencil that fit that criteria years ago and haven't found it since.

 

I like my Pelikan pencils as well but they're .7mm

 

link didn't take you to pencil - there's pics on various pen sites.

 

I love MPs almost as much as FPs. Too bad the colored "leads" are so ick.

Edited June 29, 2008 by KCat

[pavlosh]

I had a quick look on the web, appears to only come in 0.7mm.

 

Confirmed, "it is fitted with a fine 0.7 mm lead"

Edited June 29, 2008 by pavlosh

[JakobS]

Pentel's Sensi Grip is a very smooth writer for me. It is a drafting pen, and has a very comfortable grip. I consider it the fountain pen of mechanical pencils, as my handwriting flows as well when using it as with a fountain pen. The pen comes in a 0.5, or 0.3,0.7, 0.9mm. These pencils are around $3.75 a piece so buy many, as you will want to carry one around, and you might lose one. I really don't see why one would spend so much on a mechanical pencil when the mechanism is generally the same at least in pens in the $3.00+ range. The only thing missing in this pen is that it has a small eraser, but the writing experience makes up for this, and erasers can be found at most office supply stores.

Edited June 30, 2008 by JakobS

[Shelley]

faber-castell TK-Fine vario L 0.5, would fit the bill...however I am looking at the lamy2000 .7mm as my ultimate mech pencil.

[troglokev]

I second either the Faber-Castell TK Fine Vario L, or the Rotring 600 (getting hard to find these, though). Another possibility is the Staedtler 925-95-05. I have all three of the above: the Faber-Castell has an interesting suspension for the lead, the Staedtler has adjustable lead advance, and the Rotring is a good solid drawing instrument.

 

If it was me, I'd get the Rotring, but it's one for the purists, in terms of design. No frills or compromise.

 

I got mine from www.penwish.com. They carry the Rotring and the Staedtler.

[heineda]

Hello,

 

I recently bought my sona Retro 51 Crossword pencil. It uses a 1.1mm lead, and comes ina nioce box with extra lead, anbd extra pencils. My son and I always carry a seperate stick type eraser, works much better than the one on the pencil.

 

Dan

 

I love my Lamy Vista pencil. The Al-Star presumably comes in pencil as well. Ligthweight, very comfortable grip (slim but not so much that it's uncomfortable) and very inexpensive. The eraser is wide but unfortunately, not tremendously deep. I found one pencil that fit that criteria years ago and haven't found it since.

 

I like my Pelikan pencils as well but they're .7mm

 

link didn't take you to pencil - there's pics on various pen sites.

 

I love MPs almost as much as FPs. Too bad the colored "leads" are so ick.