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The protection of the tip is usually not a concern with rollerballs or ballpoint pens, because they either have caps or retract inside the front end. But with most pencils, there is a fixed lead pipe at the front end that doesn't retract. This can be a vulnerable part of the pencil, because a heavier body will give the pencil more mass that increases the force of being dropped. Many a rOtring 600 pencil has suffered the demise of a bent tip--not because the tip was made out of inferior metals, but that the body is so heavy that the tip can't resist it enough to stay straight. What to do? Well, one of the cheaper and easier routes to protect some pencils with a narrow enough diameter is to use a cheap ballpoint pen plastic cap. Those will fit drafting mechanical pencils like the rOtring 600. Another kind of cap protector is the rubber end plugs often used on wire shelving and other purposes, something like this: Unfortunately the application is limited because this rubber isn't very forgiving and that means a narrow range of diameters that will be suitable. Too thick and it won't stay attached. Too narrow, and it won't be deep enough to get a grip. However, I did manage to discover something even more suitable. They are the cable protectors used for bicycles, namely with the brakes. They're seriously cheap, have a tapered tip for natural pen/pencil use, and can be easily trimmed to suit a variety of diameters and lengths. You can pick up a pack of ten for about $1. Of course, shipped from China. But a wide range of sellers offer these. I recommend finding one with a feedback rating of 99% or higher.