Wanting A Fat-Lead Clutch/etc Pencil.

[KBeezie]

There's two that I'm looking at, one being an E+M Workman Long clutch pencil, which takes 5.5 leads (which they have HB, 5B, and two 4-packs of color leads), but can also handle the Kaweco 5.6mm color leads (according to Jet's in a comment), or a larger Maruzen Art 5.8 with an incremental advance and a built in sharpener.

 

The E+M seems to have more lead options at it's size, but the Maruzen has 6B option (but I don't think it could hold anything smaller at a 0.3 difference in size). The built in sharpener is appealing but I can get the E+M + sharpener for 21 (though they say the cube sharpener isn't as precise).

 

The E+M is wood so would be lighter and it seems like with the clutch I could just extend the lead out a little quickly if I want to do some broad rubbing.

 

I don't really see much reviews of either out there.

[brunico]

I prefer a separate lead pointer because it's less messy. I have a couple of 5.6mm pencils - a Cretacolor Ecologic and a Koh-i-Noor 5340 (solid, nice sage green): 5.6mm leads are more a standard size, and as well as 6B you can get media like sanguine and charcoal, as well as Koh-i-Noor's multicoloured and metallic leads. Similar lead and pencil sizes might work fine together unless you get a mechanical pencil like the Maruzen rather than a clutch pencil.

My Koh-i-Noor is apparently 46g, but I don't really feel it because I don't tend to hold it in a writing position. I have a 2mm Rotring Rapid Pro because it's cool to have a mechanical pencil in 2mm, but the good old-fashioned clutch pencils are handier for sketching and for switching quickly between 2B and sepia or whatever.

I've not seen any reviews of the Maruzen, but I've come across two or three of the E+M. There's a surprising number of 5.6mm clutch pencils: try cultpens.com and pencils.jp to see what else is out there.

[KBeezie]

I've not seen any reviews of the Maruzen, but I've come across two or three of the E+M. There's a surprising number of 5.6mm clutch pencils: try cultpens.com and pencils.jp to see what else is out there.

Since I'm in the US, CultPens is going to be too prohibitively expensive.

[brunico]

Since I'm in the US, CultPens is going to be too prohibitively expensive.

 

Perhaps, but only if you actually buy it from there.

 

I just suggested you might like to see what else is out there. That way, you might find something you like that Jetpens doesn't sell, and then you can get it from somewhere closer to home.

 

I often look on Jetpens for stuff and then find it in the UK (or Japan, where postage to the UK is routinely more reasonable than from the US).

[KBeezie]

Perhaps, but only if you actually buy it from there.

 

I just suggested you might like to see what else is out there. That way, you might find something you like that Jetpens doesn't sell, and then you can get it from somewhere closer to home.

 

I often look on Jetpens for stuff and then find it in the UK (or Japan, where postage to the UK is routinely more reasonable than from the US).

Makes sense. The clutch holders aren't normally something I see on the pen-oriented sites (as opposed to checking out say amazon shops).

 

One of the other brands I was looking at was Koh-li-noor. But I'm leaning away from metal bodied pens. Would be cool if there was ever a vintage pencil that took 5.5~5.6.

 

The first pencil of that lead size that I saw that got me wondering was the Aurora Continent sketch pencil (since I have an Aurora Afrika LE fountain pen), course those things are way too expensive, but it got me thinking that I might like something that can hold that size of lead so been kind of looking around since.

[brunico]

Would be cool if there was ever a vintage pencil that took 5.5~5.6.

 

Lots of NOS clutch and mechanical pencils at Andrey's Pencils on Ebay. Another site I've spent ages browsing but not bought anything from...

 

The oldest pencils I've seen there are 1940s, with most 1960s to 1990 - not sure whether that's vintage enough for you.

Edited February 21, 2016 by brunico

[sharonspens]

These women were vendors at the 2015 Ohio Pen Show; I bought one of their pencils as a gift for a friend who LOVES pencils: http://www.c-cstudios.com/handcrafted_pens/index.php?id=4#shop_pens

 

No affiliation other than as a customer.

 

Sharon in Indiana

[KBeezie]

Lots of NOS clutch and mechanical pencils at Andrey's Pencils on Ebay. Another site I've spent ages browsing but not bought anything from...

 

The oldest pencils I've seen there are 1940s, with most 1960s to 1990 - not sure whether that's vintage enough for you.

This is probably my favorite vintage pencil, finding something similar in thicker clutch form for 5.5~ would be awesome.

 

The 1930 Eversharp Rosewood loaded with some Worther 1.15.

 

http://i.imgur.com/CjVzvwh.jpg

[pajaro]

Are you looking for a collectible, or for something to write or draw with?

 

For drawing I just use the fat lead Hoh-I-Noor wood pencils. Pilot makes a small mechanical pencil with big round leads. I like 6B and 8B.

Edited February 21, 2016 by pajaro

[KBeezie]

Are you looking for a collectible, or for something to write or draw with?

 

For drawing I just use the fat lead Hoh-I-Noor wood pencils. Pilot makes a small mechanical pencil with big round leads. I like 6B and 8B.

The latter for usage (something vintage would be cool if it became comparable in price to modern $20-30 pencils), but I'd want to avoid metal, so something that would be a little warmer in the hand, and I think you're referring to the Pilot Croquis which has a twist advance. But 4mm doesn't seem that common.

[Beechwood]

No name clutch pencil, using 5.6mm lead, let me know if this has possibilities, I dont use it any more.

[KBeezie]

No name clutch pencil, using 5.6mm lead, let me know if this has possibilities, I dont use it any more.

Looks like the desired size/shape and material (plastic as opposed to metal). Since the clutch button is knurled(sp?) does that mean it possibly unscrews with a built in lead pointer?

Edited February 21, 2016 by KBeezie

[Beechwood]

Exactly, end thing unscrews to sharpen the lead.

[KBeezie]

Exactly, end thing unscrews to sharpen the lead.

Very nice, it's almost like a Kaweco Classic, but without the branding.

 

Are you looking to part with it?

[Beechwood]

I bought it on a whim in Porto in 2012 in an art gallery, just because I liked how it looked and worked without having a need or purpose for the pencil.

 

If you cannot find what you want elsewhere then let me know, we ought to do this by PM BTW rather than take up forum space. I am going out for a beer soon but make me an offer and we can pick this up on Monday morning.

[KBeezie]

I got the E+M , but I'm not really impressed with it color-wise (that and the lip of the chrome in the front seems to have plating loss as such it's sharp and snags to the touch), sort of like you ordered a cinnamon stick but got a poop stick in color especially when you can't really see the grain and it's so dull.

 

http://i.imgur.com/FIElYDG.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/8J1BIZY.jpg

 

Functionally it works well and has a good balance/weight.

 

http://i.imgur.com/gEV1UwC.jpg

Edited February 26, 2016 by KBeezie

[Algester]

Koh-i-Noor has the fatest clutch holders I know off next to e+m the one above seems you KBeezie has a Koh-i-noor Versatile if the branding has been removed as it's just painted on and no engraving

[KBeezie]

Koh-i-Noor has the fatest clutch holders I know off next to e+m the one above seems you KBeezie has a Koh-i-noor Versatile if the branding has been removed as it's just painted on and no engraving

The Versatile appears to be an all-metal pencil with a thicker button on the back (which I'm guessing also serves as an eraser on the Koh-i-noor).

[Algester]

Versatile is all plastic however you want the Koh-i-noor 5310 or 5340 if you want em chunky an all metal

and mostly dont have erasers so.... yeah

check this youtube

Edited February 26, 2016 by Algester

[KBeezie]

Versatile is all plastic however you want the Koh-i-noor 5310 or 5340 if you want em chunky an all metal

and mostly dont have erasers so.... yeah

check this youtube

Might have to go that route as it appears that I'm not going to get what I want in E+M (the 'right' color, and plating being intact out of the box).

 

Thank you for the photos! They are some of the nicest and clearest photos I've ever received of a problem!

 

After checking the lead holders we have in stock, they all seem to have some sharpness around the lip, and the metal coating does want to flake off a little. The other holders were also the more dull brown. Unfortunately, as our stock is somewhat limited, I was unable to determine if this was a manufacturing defect for all of them, or if it is just the way the lead holders come. Unfortunately, this also means that any replacements I might send you would have the same problems.

 

If you'd like to return the lead holder, you may do so, as long as the lead hasn't been used.

 

Please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns. Have a great day!

At least I set the HB lead aside that came with it, and used a Kaweco 5B instead to test.