Koh-I-Noor Rapidomatic Pencil

[sween1911]

One of my favorite writing implements was a Koh-i-noor Rapidomatic that was my uncle's, a retired engineer. I was living with my Aunt and Uncle in NE Philadelphia while attending Temple University in the late 90's. I was rummaging in a desk drawer and found this really cool looking mechanical pencil, white plastic barrel and .5mm size lead. I asked about it and he told me I could keep it. I carried and used it everyday for the next couple of years or so. Eventually transporting it everywhere damaged the point, and the barrel began to crack where it threaded into the metal grip portion. It fell apart, but I've always had a soft spot for those cool technical pencils.

 

Awhile back, I did a deal on another forum and purchased a 0.3mm Koh-i-noor and a 0.5 Alvin Draftmatic, and also got the 3-pack (.5/.7/.9) Draftmatics from Amazon. The 3-pack and the .3mm Koh-i-noor are in the desk at home, but the well worn .5 Alvin is in my bag everyday at work. I've found the Alvin to be superior to the original Koh-i-noor as the threads between the grip and barrel are metal-to-metal. The lead is spring-loaded and it's very comfortable to use everyday for note taking.

[2ndAstronaut]

Yes, the Rapidomatic is a great pencil! But what is this Alvin stuff? Why not take a Rotring 500? Or even the real thing, a Rotring 600 ;-)

[dex138]

+1 on the Rotring 600.

 

I managed to scoop a NOS Series 1, 0,7 mm in silver from 'the bay' last week, out of Germany. Post office advised me today that it has arrived!! (Berlin, Germany to Vancouver, Canada in only 8 days!!). Picking it up tomorrow.... .... can't wait!!

[sween1911]

Congrats on scoring the Rotring!

 

The Rotring would be the next step up if I could have any pencil I wanted. I'd go for at least a 600 if not the 800 And I'd keep it in a locked box in my basement and wipe it twice a day with a soft cotton glove.

 

Still the Alvin Draftmatic is very robust. When I was asking about drafting pencils on another forum, a professional illustrator reported he used two Kerry's, one in .5mm, one in .7mm, a Koh-i-noor .9mm and an Alvin .3mm. And I won't cry if the Alvin gets broken or lost.

Edited September 27, 2012 by sween1911

[Sagar_C]

One of my favorite writing implements was a Koh-i-noor Rapidomatic that was my uncle's, a retired engineer. I was living with my Aunt and Uncle in NE Philadelphia while attending Temple University in the late 90's. I was rummaging in a desk drawer and found this really cool looking mechanical pencil, white plastic barrel and .5mm size lead. I asked about it and he told me I could keep it. I carried and used it everyday for the next couple of years or so. Eventually transporting it everywhere damaged the point, and the barrel began to crack where it threaded into the metal grip portion. It fell apart, but I've always had a soft spot for those cool technical pencils.

 

Awhile back, I did a deal on another forum and purchased a 0.3mm Koh-i-noor and a 0.5 Alvin Draftmatic, and also got the 3-pack (.5/.7/.9) Draftmatics from Amazon. The 3-pack and the .3mm Koh-i-noor are in the desk at home, but the well worn .5 Alvin is in my bag everyday at work. I've found the Alvin to be superior to the original Koh-i-noor as the threads between the grip and barrel are metal-to-metal. The lead is spring-loaded and it's very comfortable to use everyday for note taking.

 

I am not into pencils but would like to know if rapidometrics are in anyway connected with rapidographs? Thanks in advance.

[sween1911]

I am not into pencils but would like to know if rapidometrics are in anyway connected with rapidographs? Thanks in advance.

 

I think the Rapidographs are their fine drawng pens.

[2ndAstronaut]

One of my favorite writing implements was a Koh-i-noor Rapidomatic that was my uncle's, a retired engineer. I was living with my Aunt and Uncle in NE Philadelphia while attending Temple University in the late 90's. I was rummaging in a desk drawer and found this really cool looking mechanical pencil, white plastic barrel and .5mm size lead. I asked about it and he told me I could keep it. I carried and used it everyday for the next couple of years or so. Eventually transporting it everywhere damaged the point, and the barrel began to crack where it threaded into the metal grip portion. It fell apart, but I've always had a soft spot for those cool technical pencils.

 

Awhile back, I did a deal on another forum and purchased a 0.3mm Koh-i-noor and a 0.5 Alvin Draftmatic, and also got the 3-pack (.5/.7/.9) Draftmatics from Amazon. The 3-pack and the .3mm Koh-i-noor are in the desk at home, but the well worn .5 Alvin is in my bag everyday at work. I've found the Alvin to be superior to the original Koh-i-noor as the threads between the grip and barrel are metal-to-metal. The lead is spring-loaded and it's very comfortable to use everyday for note taking.

 

I am not into pencils but would like to know if rapidometrics are in anyway connected with rapidographs? Thanks in advance.

I am into pencils but not into technical pens, so I may be wrong: Rapidograph is a trademark of rotRing and one of their product line for technical pens. Koh-I-Noor has a technical pen series called rapidometrics. If rapidographs and rapidometrics are identical (as e.g. Koh-I-Noor rapidomatic 563x & rotring 500 or Koh-I-Noor rapidomatic 564x & rotring 600) I don't know.