Recommendations For A Pocket-Safe Mechanical Pencil

[Chthulhu]

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

 

I love the Kerry pencils, but they tend to sit at home while I carry something else. For their designed use, they work very well. I just have an aversion to a cap on a writing instrument that doesn't leak.

[lovemy51]

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 second this recommendation. it's definitely pocket safe.

[esterbrookj]

Pentel Twist-Erase GT? It has a rubber grip, but it is one of the nicer rubber grips I have encountered(and I too second your general distaste for them). It has a retractable lead sleeve, and perhaps most importantly, the twist eraser, which I have quite come to rely on. Very reasonably priced(less than $7 for two), a pretty nice clip, twist eraser, retractable lead sleeve, and a surprisingly attractive and comfortable shape. Not bad for $3.25 apiece! And while more cheaply made than some Pentel products, it still feels quite solid and reliable.

 

If you decide your blood can handle a little more wealth, might I suggest the brass or aluminium pencils available from Manufactum?

 

Links: http://www.manufactum.com/aluminum-mechanical-pencil-5-mm-lead-p1520245/?c=193587

 

http://www.manufactum.com/brass-mechanical-pencil-5-mm-refill-p1520248/?c=193587

 

I have not yet tried them, but they look quite good. And Manufactum is reputed to supply a good quality product. They have pocket-safe tips, knurled grip sections, and are all-metal.

 

 

-Evan

[esterbrookj]

Oh! I forgot the TWSBI Precision mechanical pencil! Another untested recommendation, but I hear a lot of good things about TWSBI these days. Metal construction, knurled grip section, available with pocket-safe tip, and only five dollars over your budget.

 

Link: http://www.twsbi.com/products/twsbi-precision-mechanical-pencil

 

 

-Evan

[Water Ouzel]

Oh! I forgot the TWSBI Precision mechanical pencil! Another untested recommendation, but I hear a lot of good things about TWSBI these days. Metal construction, knurled grip section, available with pocket-safe tip, and only five dollars over your budget.

I've got the Pentel Kerry (0.5mm) and Twsbi Precision (0.5mm, retractable) mechanical pencils.

 

The Pentel is prettier, I use the Twsbi a *lot* more, for pencilling; it's heavier, and the knurled body feels better in my hand.

 

There's also the Twsbi TriTech iSmart, which combines two ballpoints (0.7mm, red and blue) and a 0.7mm pencil, selectable in sequence by twisting the quite thin body. It's about the same diameter as a wooden pencil, but round rather than hexagonal in cross section. It's also got a touch screen stylus tip at the back end, but I've yet to use that for anything useful. Handy for jotting notes, marking up student submissions, etc. About $2 under the OP's upper limit.

[jcwc]

How about the Rotring Rapid:

 

http://image.rakuten.co.jp/atn/cabinet/rotring/rotring-145.jpg

 

Has a double-knock mechanism that retracts the tip. The higher end all-metal version is the Rapid Pro.

[jcwc]

Another one, the Faber Castell TK-Fine with retractable sleeve:

 

http://alagonart.ru/upload/iblock/607/FABER-CASTELL-TK-FINE%5B1%5D.jpg

 

http://bleistift.memm.de/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/fc_tk-fine-retractable.jpg

 

Still made in Germany and quite affordable (under 10 bucks).

[Chthulhu]

I'll second a recommendation for the TWSBI retractable. I've been using mine for a few days, and it's an excellent pencil.

[WriterProspect]

For a pocket safe pencil try ones with a cap.

I have 2 in mind - Pentel Sharp Kerry and Ohto Tasche.