Looking for 'cheap' mechanical pencil

[steven2509]

Been on the lookout for a 'cheap' mechanical pen and wanted to swing these by people:

 

Waterman Hemisphere Pencil

Parker Sonnet 2008 Pencil

Parker Insignia Pencil

 

There are a couple of colour variations, I'm just posting links of the models

 

Also has anyone used the above website as well as http://www.penbox.co.uk/ ?

 

Thanks

 

P.S. Pretty certain this does not count as buying a pen

[mackthepen]

I don't know this web site, but Cult Pens http://www.cultpens.com/ is another UK based web supplier with a very wide range of mechanical pencils - probably most are not as 'traditional'/'conservative' as those you have mentioned, but you may find something interesting.

 

I have always found their service very good.

 

Andrew

[ismellarat]

Pentel Twist Erase III. Best mechanical pencil I have EVER come across. SUPER durable, attractive (IMO), inexpensive ($8 for a 2 pack), huge erasers, leads are not inserted through eraser hole (that p***es me off when pencils do that!), lasts forever (I have had the same one since 3rd grade, I am a freshman in high school now), and AWESOME

[Aysedasi]

I bought a modern MP from Cultpens only a few weeks ago on the recommendation of members here. Very fast service indeed and I'm pleased with the product.

[Pen2009]

Faber-Castell has some low end mechanical pencils.

http://www.worldlux.com/products/fabercastell/_pens/emotion/fullsize3.jpg

http://www.pengallery.com/products/4727.gif

Basic uses a 0.7 mm refill. E-Motion uses a 1.4 mm refill.

[Beechwood]

You might want to think about buying fully restored vintage pencil and pen, fellow member has this excellent Parker 51 pen and pencil boxed.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...=122446&hl=

 

 

[Zeroblade]

I can only recommend three that I trust:

 

(x = lead width)

 

Artline 70x0

Nice and chunky, but light on the hand. Also has a 3-sided rubber grip and has a retractable sleeve, for pocket-friendliness. I've got two of these since 5th grade (0.5 and 0.7mm) and they're still working right now in college! Not that I use them frequently now.

 

Pilot H-32x

I just picked this up on the floor a few years ago, and it has never let me down. It's nice and light too, but the sleeve is fixed.

 

Staedtler Mars-Micrograph F 7701x

Love the grip here - rough textured metal. It doesn't sound very nice, but once you try it, you'll love it. The pen's really light and slim too, plus the clip is also a built-in lead indicator. It also uses a fixed sleeve though, and it protrudes quite a bit from the pocket. More of a drafting pencil, really, but I like it a lot. Catch is it's from the 70's or 80's so you'll have to find it through other means.

 

Like what Arthur says though, you might prefer a vintage pencil over anything else - they really don't make 'em like they used to!

[Sunil]

 

Try this from jetpens!

Uni-ball Kuru Toga High Grade Auto Lead Rotation Mechanical Pencil !

read the reviews!

http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/cP...roducts_id/4445

 

I reluctantly buy from them because no one else in UK has that kinds stock and variety!

Check out all the other mechanical pencils they have...amazing variety...even better is their assortment of drafting pencils!

They also have Uni ball pencils...which are ace!

I have bought from them about 4 times...all with complete satifaction.!!!

[Zeroblade]

I have to admit - I really want one of those Kuru Toga pencils now!

[stevlight]

I like the Retro 51 pencil--big lead so it does not break and big eraser.

 

I also like the Pilot vanishing point pencil--sleek well made and no poking point!

 

I also have the Pilot Kerry pencil--the cap comes off the back and you cap it like a pen--so no pokey point--this onew I have had the longest and it is wonderful.

[Aysedasi]

Try this from jetpens!

Uni-ball Kuru Toga High Grade Auto Lead Rotation Mechanical Pencil !

read the reviews!

http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/cP...roducts_id/4445

 

I reluctantly buy from them because no one else in UK has that kinds stock and variety!

Check out all the other mechanical pencils they have...amazing variety...even better is their assortment of drafting pencils!

They also have Uni ball pencils...which are ace!

I have bought from them about 4 times...all with complete satifaction.!!!

 

 

I think you'll find Cultpens has it.

[cchan]

I can recommend the Kuru Toga. I don't have a High Grade yet but I do have the standard one and it is my favourite mechanical pencil.

[steven2509]

probably most are not as 'traditional'/'conservative' as those you have mentioned

Classical styling to compliment any social or formal occasion

I think you'll find Cultpens has it.

Cultpens do indeed have the Kura Toga but not the second generation high-grade version which looks decidedly nicer imo

 

Lots of suggestions above, I'll go away to research

[Tsujigiri]

Go Japanese. They have a great selection of mechanical pencils that work well and are priced reasonably. I have the Uniball Kuru Toga (regular and high-grade), Pentel Sharp Kerry, Ohto Super Promecha, and Uniball Shift Pipe. I'm planning on writing a review on these soon if you're interested.

[steven2509]

OK I placed an order on jetpens.com which is being packaged at this time. Will report back

 

Now to sell my spare kidney :roflmho:

[Silvermink]

Try this from jetpens!

Uni-ball Kuru Toga High Grade Auto Lead Rotation Mechanical Pencil !

 

I like the Kuru Toga, too, mostly because I'm a big (bleep) and think the rotation mechanism is really cool. I just have the regular blue/white/orange model.

[Columba Livia]

Speaking of cult pens, I got an order from them the other day, and this leaflet was included in the packet, which here I have scanned:

 

http://i28.tinypic.com/4rwdmp.jpg

 

It looks kind of gimmicky to me, this mechanical pencil.

[ZeissIkon]

Speaking of cult pens, I got an order from them the other day, and this leaflet was included in the packet, which here I have scanned:

 

<snip>

 

It looks kind of gimmicky to me, this mechanical pencil.

 

Funny, about 40 years ago it was a big deal when a draftsman's pencil was made that used an electric motor to do that job (in that case, it rotated the lead and clutch mechanism continuously) -- it saved the draftsman's time, letting him repoint the lead less frequently, enough so that it was worth $30 or $40 (in the days when a brand new VW Beetle cost about $1600) to an architecture or engineering firm.

 

Now it's a gimmick when a mechanical pencil uses a spring and clutch mechanism to do the same job without a motor, cord, etc. (and with a lead fine enough that it really will keep a usefully sharp point as long as it lasts) -- for about the cost of a sandwich at a diner...

[Tsujigiri]

Not gimmicky at all, this pencil really works! A lot of innovations are gimmicky, but this one really does change how you write. There seem to be a lot of Japanese innovations like this. I also just discovered the Pilot Frixion while I was in Japan. It's a gel ink pen that erases, not smudges like other "eraseable" ballpoints, but really erases. The ink has nano particles that lift off with heat, which is generated by rubbing the rubber end of the pen on the paper. So it erases, but doesn't make any "eraser dust" in the process.

[Columba Livia]

a draftsman's pencil was made that used an electric motor to do that job

 

Gosh, interesting to see the principle is not a gimmick at all. What was the name of this pencil, or are there any threads about it here or whatnot? I tried searching here/the net but I didn't get any results. I'm very curious as to what it looked like, and whether or not it had to be plugged into the mains!

 

I'm just waiting for someone to bring out pencils/pens with "anti-bacterial silver" grips, perhaps in a gift-box with a dispenser of alcohol hand gel in place of a bottle of ink, though.

Edited September 9, 2009 by Columba Livia