Recommendations For A Pocket-Safe Mechanical Pencil

[Rusty4419]

I'm looking for a pocket safe mechanical pencil for drafting, sketching and note-taking.

 

I currently use a Pentel 205, Kuru Togas in 0,3 0,5 and 0,7 which I really enjoy using, a GraphGear 500 and some cheap disposables in my woodshop. While I really like my current pencils, you'll note that none of them are pocket safe...

 

I have considered the GraphGear 1000 and the Uni Shift. I also looked at some MP's with removeable cap, but I'm not too keen on them, I will probably lose the cap within 3 days anyways I have discounted the rOtring 800, it's just too rich for my blood. I would set the limit of a reasonably priced pencil at about 20$.

 

Anything else that I should consider ?

[Conan the Grammarian]

The Pentel Graph Gear 1000 could to what you need and it's less than $20.

 

Walmart carries the Pentel Wow!

 

Or, you could try the G2 Mini mechanical pencil. According to one review on Amazon, "This product fits the needs of those wanting a small, no protruding tip, mechanical pencil." The drawback is that it only comes in the 0.7 size.

Edited January 22, 2015 by Conan the Grammarian

[SallyLyn]

If for note taking I'd suggest a Vintage Bullet Pencil. Not mechanical but pencil nub.

[Mike 59]

I have a Faber Castell Grip 2011 in 0.7mm, very well made, and is 'pocket safe' in that the 'sharp' parts can be pushed inside while holding the 'pusher' down at the top.

Also the barrel is triangular in section, so is very comfortable too. Price as of 2015 USD 16.00

http://www.fabercastell.com/products/more-products/mechanical-pencil/MechanicalpencilGRIP201107mmsilver/131211

[keo]

I use the Pentel Sharp Kerry (http://www.amazon.com/Pentel-Mechanical-Pencil-Metallic-P1035A/dp/B0006SW6YO). It's designed to be used posted, so you won't lose will be less likely to lose the cap. It's available in 0.5 and 0.7 - I got the 0.7 because my last pocket pencil (not this model) was 0.5 and the lead kept breaking from bouncing around in my pocket.

 

I also really like my Lamy Scribble (http://www.jetpens.com/Lamy-Scribble-Drafting-Pencil-0.7-mm-Aluminum-Clip/pd/3045), but it's outside your price range and I don't really consider it a drafting pencil.

Edited January 23, 2015 by keo

[rjbull]

Pilot Supergrip Pencil H185SL? Completely retractable lead tube, best value in the pencil world, and my almost invariable choice. OHTO Auto Sharp Pencil AP-205 auto-feeding pencil? OHTO Horizon? That's "completely safe" because it has a double-knock mechanism; not many of those about now. The Platinum ZeroShin MZ-300 has a "blunt cone" tip, i.e., lead tube doesn't stick out. So does the Lamy 2000, but that's quite expensive. I doubt you'd do yourself serious damage with either, but you might still prefer to have a completely covered tip/lead tube. The Ohto Tasche is a moderately expensive capped pencil, the Tombow Zoom 505 sh Pencil and Tombow Havanna are both capped and look good but expensive.

 

Suggest you review Dave's Mechanical Pencils blog at and search for "safe," and Cult Pens main page and click on "Pencils." However, Cult Pens Guide to Mechanical Pencils at http://www.cultpens.com/pencyclopedia/guide-to-mechanical-pencils is out of date,

Edited January 23, 2015 by rjbull

[claudewick]

I vote on the Pentel Kerry too. It's very compact and has a nice glossy finish. I have mine for less than a year, but I think it's one of those pieces that will last for decades.

[Parse Error]

Pilot H1010 Shaker (original) -- drafting cues and a retractable sleeve

[Rusty4419]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm not too fond of rubber grips... not my cup of tea, I much prefer a knurled finish, which is why I usually use a drafting pencil even for writing.

 

The Faber Castell Grip 2011 sure does look nice, I'll look into it. The grip reminds me a bit of the GraphGear 1000, with the rubber dots. Overall it looks like a very sleek and modern pencil, very nice for an EDC.

 

I used to own a Shaker back in high school, I didn't think they still made it. Could be a good option.

 

I guess I could take a second look at the Pentel Kerry and try not to lose the cap !

[______Zaphod_Beeblebrox]

I guess I missed it but what exactly is "Pocket safe"?

[Rusty4419]

One that I can carry in my shirt pocket without the risk of stabbing me in the heart... or in my pants pocket without the risk of stabbing myself in the family jewels

 

Pocket safe usually means it has a retractable lead sleeve.

[______Zaphod_Beeblebrox]

I have discounted the rOtring 800, it's just too rich for my blood. I would set the limit of a reasonably priced pencil at about 20$.

 

Anything else that I should consider ?

Nope

 

too bad your heart & jewels are not worth more than $20.

 

The Roring 800 with retractable nib is your best choice.

[rjbull]

If you dislike rubber grips, you won't like the Pilot Supergrip, which has the same barrel as the G2 gel pen. However, there's rubber and rubber. You might find the Platinum MZ-300 acceptable because the rubber is quite hard, not "squidgy." The OHTO Horizon isn't knurled, but its barrel is all metal, albeit it has an (in my opinion) slightly odd mechanism. Many people like the Kerry but it's worth pointing out that it's a petite pencil, small and narrow; might not suit if you have large hands. Good luck searching for a cheap pocket-safe knurled metal pencil; there are few if any of those around.

[LuisAAbrilRomero]

I third the recommendation for a Pentel Sharp Kerry.

[Ethereal Winter Wind]

I recently got the Pilot Automac and it has a double knock mechanism like the old Pilot H1005. The build quality of this pen is great and I highly recommend it, though it doesn't have a drafting sleeve.

[Kuryaka]

I'm using a Pentel Flexfit pencil, the grip replaced with a yarn+Modge-Podge grip. The yarn is in a whipping knot, which means no glue is required. The Modge-Podge (white glue can substitute) just hardens it up and makes it water-resistant, so it's kind of a ribbed plastic grip. You could also use resin or CA glue to set the yarn in place.

 

http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/common-whipping

The clip is quite strong, and can grip onto pretty much anything, from a pocket to a stack of papers. The actual Flexfit or TranXition pencils (near-identical design) have a little plastic lever, but the one I found had that broken off.

 

The only problem with the Flexfit is that it has a very short lead sleeve, though the Kerry doesn't seem like it has a long lead sleeve either.

 

As for things you were looking at, I also have the Uni Shift Lock and Pentel Technica-X, as well as the Graphgear 1000. The Shift Lock seems to tarnish easily and wobbles a bit. Interesting design. Technica-X is discontinued, and oddly shaped anyway. Graphgear felt odd, due to its weight and the rubber nubs sticking out of the knurling. At a $20 price point there's a lot of tradeoffs.

[stuartk]

I recently got the Pilot Automac and it has a double knock mechanism like the old Pilot H1005. The build quality of this pen is great and I highly recommend it, though it doesn't have a drafting sleeve.

 

 

I just got one of these and I really like it. I also like the Pilot H1005. I think I'll wind up liking the Automac more though. It's the first pencil I've had where the automatic lead feeding actually works well. (My first pencil with automatic feeding was the Faber-Castell TK-Matic, and it never really felt right to me. It was perpetually scratchy unless you manually advanced the lead.)

 

I'm one of these people that don't like the Kerry. I've had one for a long time and although I want to like it because it's a clever design and it's built well, it just doesn't feel good in my hand.

[Chthulhu]

I gave up and started using a pocket protector. I never carry pens or pencils in my pants pockets, anyway. With the pens and pencil clipped to the protector, and with its flap *inside* the pocket, it loses a bit of the nerd factor. :-)

[Rusty4419]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

 

I have a GraphGear 1000 and a Uni Shift on the way, will give those a try for a while.

 

A lot of the pocket safe pencils out there are just a bit out of my reach (for now, at least...). The Pentel Kerry sure looks nice, but it's not cheap at about 35$. Same with the Pilot Automac and Pilot H1005... At that price, a simple pocket protector seems like a simpler and cheaper solution

[RMN]

Faber Castell E-Motion wood finish. Or a FC Loom.

 

 

D.ick