Mechanical Pencil

[jonveley]

Hey Zaphod, you probably need three pencils . . . one for each arm, right?

[ticoun]

i'm thinking of getting a kuru toga roulette (the metal one), and i'm glad to see the good feedback on these!

[Surnia]

Going over this thread, I'm surprised how many people are into the Kuru Toga. I have tried most of the pencils that use the mechanism, and I have to say I really don't like them at all. I don't like them for English and I don't like them for Chinese. They just don't work that well, and they really ruin the tactile experience of writing with graphite by being mushy and imprecise while simultaneousy exaggerating vibrations.

 

Part of the benefit of writing with graphite is the control you can exercise over every movement. A mushy spring mechanism or a wobbly tip are precisely the opposite of what should be sought in such an instrument.

 

For what it's worth, I think most pencils are fairly OK, as long as the tips are stable and precise. Though I am not a big fan of the build quality, the Uni Alpha Gel Slim has been a joy to use. The Staedtler 925-25 is good as well, though I am not fond of the advance button. I would recommend a Pilot S20 if you can find one, or perhaps a Uni Pure Malt. I have the latter in 2mm, and find it to be a fantastic everyday writing tool.

 

I found Wobble on my original low end Kuru (plastic one), but it was minor. The mushiness seems to disappear slightly over time to be replaced by a slight springiness; either that or it just feels so much like my Cherry Brown keyboard that I like the feel of it now >_>

 

The Roulette so far has NO wobble, and a very stable non mushy (slightly springy!) bounce to it while I write.

[Mike 59]

For me, any pencil too lightweight just doesn't seem to suit me. Of the few I have a Staedtler Mars 780 2mm leadholder is as good today as when I bought it, about 1985, and more up to date the Faber Castell Grip 2011 Triangular 0.7 is very comfortable to use. But the Kuru Toga engine is well designed, and Uni have a good thing there,. I prefer darker, softer lead, say 2B and all the pencils seem to be fitted with 3H, as bought. ( I know it's HB. )

Edited January 25, 2012 by Mike 59

[XiaoMG]

I found Wobble on my original low end Kuru (plastic one), but it was minor. The mushiness seems to disappear slightly over time to be replaced by a slight springiness; either that or it just feels so much like my Cherry Brown keyboard that I like the feel of it now >_>

 

The Roulette so far has NO wobble, and a very stable non mushy (slightly springy!) bounce to it while I write.

I've tried the Roulette and other models, and have liked none of them. What you call springy, I still call mushy. I think it is too great a tradeoff for nothing more than a minor rotation of the lead, which doesn't even work that great in many situations.

 

I'm just surprised people would find it desirable at all. I find it terribly annoying, and the people I've given them to have stopped using them as well, in favor of other mechanical pencils. Apparently they are working well for some people, but it's interesting that the benefits would be so elusive where I live, even though writing in Chinese (kanji) is supposed to be where the benefits are most clearly seen.

Edited January 25, 2012 by XiaoMG

[ticoun]

The Roulette so far has NO wobble, and a very stable non mushy (slightly springy!) bounce to it while I write.

Sweet! Springy is always nice!

 

I prefer darker, softer lead, say 2B and all the pencils seem to be fitted with 3H, as bought. ( I know it's HB. )

HB is often way too hard. I once had HB leads that were as hard as a 3H staedtler lumograph pencil. Now i use B leads, and it's dark and smooth. Softer leads seem to glide on the paper.

[Surnia]

ticoun, I mean it in its absolute literal term of feeling springy like a spring; not like a springy nib xD I liken it to being like a mechanical keyboard switch, but not many people have experience with those.

 

As for lead, I run 2B. love it.

 

Xiao, I can write pretty small with my Kurus, 2-3mm tall letters that are legible. Easy with the roulette, much harder on the plastic one. YMMV of course, but that's my experience with it!

[adallak]

Going over this thread, I'm surprised how many people are into the Kuru Toga. I have tried most of the pencils that use the mechanism, and I have to say I really don't like them at all. I don't like them for English and I don't like them for Chinese. They just don't work that well, and they really ruin the tactile experience of writing with graphite by being mushy and imprecise while simultaneousy exaggerating vibrations.

 

Part of the benefit of writing with graphite is the control you can exercise over every movement. A mushy spring mechanism or a wobbly tip are precisely the opposite of what should be sought in such an instrument.

 

For what it's worth, I think most pencils are fairly OK, as long as the tips are stable and precise. Though I am not a big fan of the build quality, the Uni Alpha Gel Slim has been a joy to use. The Staedtler 925-25 is good as well, though I am not fond of the advance button. I would recommend a Pilot S20 if you can find one, or perhaps a Uni Pure Malt. I have the latter in 2mm, and find it to be a fantastic everyday writing tool.

 

I found Wobble on my original low end Kuru (plastic one), but it was minor. The mushiness seems to disappear slightly over time to be replaced by a slight springiness; either that or it just feels so much like my Cherry Brown keyboard that I like the feel of it now >_>

 

The Roulette so far has NO wobble, and a very stable non mushy (slightly springy!) bounce to it while I write.

It is good to know the low and high end Kurus are different not only with respect to the materials used for the body. Thank you, Surnia.

[alexalex]

I would recommend a Pilot S20 if you can find one

I would second that recommendation - Pilot S20 is one of the best mechanical pencils I have ever used. It is light (but not featherlight), sturdy and it looks just great

 

Second place on the list of "greatest mechanical pencils" goes to Caran d'Ache and their Metal collection (either 0.7 or 2.0mm whatever is your preference).

Edited January 26, 2012 by alexalex

[Land Cruiser]

I used to write with pencils for a while and found myself reaching for Ohto Promecha more often than any other pencil in my collection. With .3mm lead and number of adjustment options it was right on the money. My wife went through school with .7mm MB Meisterstuck and still loves it.

[dapv]

Does anyone know the difference between the Uni-ball Kuru Toga "High Grade", and the Uni-ball Kuru Toga "Roulette" ? Thank you.

Going over this thread, I'm surprised how many people are into the Kuru Toga. I have tried most of the pencils that use the mechanism, and I have to say I really don't like them at all. I don't like them for English and I don't like them for Chinese. They just don't work that well, and they really ruin the tactile experience of writing with graphite by being mushy and imprecise while simultaneousy exaggerating vibrations.

 

Part of the benefit of writing with graphite is the control you can exercise over every movement. A mushy spring mechanism or a wobbly tip are precisely the opposite of what should be sought in such an instrument.

 

For what it's worth, I think most pencils are fairly OK, as long as the tips are stable and precise. Though I am not a big fan of the build quality, the Uni Alpha Gel Slim has been a joy to use. The Staedtler 925-25 is good as well, though I am not fond of the advance button. I would recommend a Pilot S20 if you can find one, or perhaps a Uni Pure Malt. I have the latter in 2mm, and find it to be a fantastic everyday writing tool.

 

I found Wobble on my original low end Kuru (plastic one), but it was minor. The mushiness seems to disappear slightly over time to be replaced by a slight springiness; either that or it just feels so much like my Cherry Brown keyboard that I like the feel of it now >_>

 

The Roulette so far has NO wobble, and a very stable non mushy (slightly springy!) bounce to it while I write.

It is good to know the low and high end Kurus are different not only with respect to the materials used for the body. Thank you, Surnia.

[adallak]

I would recommend a Pilot S20 if you can find one

I would second that recommendation - Pilot S20 is one of the best mechanical pencils I have ever used. It is light (but not featherlight), sturdy and it looks just great

 

Second place on the list of "greatest mechanical pencils" goes to Caran d'Ache and their Metal collection (either 0.7 or 2.0mm whatever is your preference).

Does not the clip of S20 come off easily?

[David Shafer]

Hi... you could also try a Koh-i-noor lead holder.... I find them verry good for a lot of writing and such... You would have to have a seperate eraser, but i don't find that a problem...

 

try this link http://www.koh-i-noor.cz/en/produkty

[ticoun]

ticoun, I mean it in its absolute literal term of feeling springy like a spring; not like a springy nib xD I liken it to being like a mechanical keyboard switch, but not many people have experience with those.

well it's nice anyway, i tend to press hard on certain letters with pencils, and it once caused me a thumb cramp! that's also why i now use B leads, less pressure is required for dark lines.

i'm ordering it tonight, along with some eraser refills, some more B lead (hard to find around here!), and a pentel water brush.

[ticoun]

Does anyone know the difference between the Uni-ball Kuru Toga "High Grade", and the Uni-ball Kuru Toga "Roulette" ? Thank you.

 

the high grade has a smooth plastic grip, while the roulette has a knurled metal grip.

[peterb]

Kuru togas are fun. I also still like the Caran d'ache fixpencils 22 series.

[dapv]

Does anyone remember ever having a MP that advanced the lead as you were writing? I could have sworn once upon a time having a Cross MP that advanced the lead as I was writing. Unfortunately, it up and walked away. Was I dreaming, or are there pencils that advance the lead as one is writing? Thanks.

[Avetikus]

I had one. It also Advanced the lead a tiny bit every time you lifted. Which is fitting because it also was lifted a couple of months ago. As in: someone else now has it.

 

No worries, since then I've switched to using pens at work and the pencil I do have is a Roulette. Very happy with it and those people who claim to be offput by the mechanism must be so sensitive to touch and delicate I'd be afraid to shake hands with them.

[adallak]

Does anyone remember ever having a MP that advanced the lead as you were writing? I could have sworn once upon a time having a Cross MP that advanced the lead as I was writing. Unfortunately, it up and walked away. Was I dreaming, or are there pencils that advance the lead as one is writing? Thanks.

I could have sworn once upon a time having a pencil that advanced the lead every time I was dreaming of boss's secretary! That was many moons ago, I might be wrong.

 

On a serious note, I like everything innovative, so a Roulette is on my wishlist. I am waiting for a Staedtler 925 25 03 0.3mm.

 

As for KOH-I-NOOR leadholders, they are great and reliable. My Dad was a structural engineer and he had several KOH-I-NOORs like this one in the picture. They were used so much that the nice yellow enamel would come off the barrel. Dad never used the built-in sharpener, he always used sandpaper instead.

Edited January 26, 2012 by adallak

[lovemy51]

speaking of lead holders, my fav is the Ohto Comforcil. it advances the lead by clicking and not just dropping it.

 

here's a pic from jetpens:

http://static1.jetpens.com/images/a/000/024/24205.jpg

http://www.jetpens.com/Ohto-Comfort-Sharp-Lead-Holder-2-mm-Orange-Body/pd/6961

for less than $4 american, can't beat it!

 

the cap has a perfect point sharpener.

Edited January 27, 2012 by lovemy51