Mechanical Pencil Recommendations?

[_R_]

Am looking for some recommendations for a mechanical pencil as a gift for an engineer-designer brother.

 

Budget would be approx. $30, though that could be stretched if it were to come as a set with a ballpoint pen (I seriously doubt he'd use a fountain pen - sorry!).

 

Functionality here is the aim, I suppose.

 

I've seen a few things in the shops, but nothing that stands out, and I haven't used a mechanical pencil in years anyhow, so would appreciate any feedback on a solid but classic mechanical pencil built to last.

 

Thanks!

[Studio97]

I would think any pencil that is all steel. But other question is for engineering work: 3, 5, 7 or 9mm lead? I would look into the commonly used lead size for engineers and then match a steel constructed pencil for it. Zebra, staedtler and rotring might be a possibility. Search steel mechanical pencil.

[RMN]

The first question is:

 

What is the intended use? Will he use it to draw technical designs? Or is it to scribble notes?

 

If he is going to use it along a ruler you need a stiff unwobbly sleeve . If for writing & scribbling a retractable sleeve could be possible.

 

You might want to look into the TWSBI MP, to be ordered both with fixed or retractable sleeve. It's heavy, sturdy and reminiscent of the Rotring pencils.

 

 

D.ick

[inotrym]

The most solid choices for drafting pencils in your budget, in my opinion, would be the

 

Rotring 600

TWSBI Precision

Staedtler 925-35 or 925-25

full set of Pentel P200 or Pentel GraphGear 500

 

 

Now, if you want to be a little bit more fun (but still have the nerdy look of a hi-tech pencil) consider the

 

CultPens double knock pencil

Uni Shift

Uni Kuru Toga Roulette

Pentel GraphGear 1000

Pentel Sharp Kerry

 

 

Finally, for a luxurious version of a drafting-looking pencil consider the Franklin-Christoph Stockton (model 22). It´s way out of your budget, but I wanted to make you aware of its existence, because it really looks awesome.

 

 

Are you only interested in mechanical pencils or should we look into leadholders, too?

(that sounded like I´m a saleswoman or something )

Edited August 2, 2016 by inotrym

[hmj]

Hello,

 

I am a regular user of mechanical pencils (and mild collector) and I strongly recommend the Pilot S20 Mechanical Pencil. The S20 is available direct from Japan from online retailers for as low as $20. It is an "upscale" version of Pilot's highly-popular S10 series.

 

The S20 is a drafting pencil that is very unique from other drafting pencils due to its WOODEN body made of birch wood. The feel of the wood is soft, smooth, and hygroscopic (absorbs hand moisture); all of this resulting in a remarkable and comfortable pencil writing experience. Additionally, the pen has good weight to it, because the wood body is complimented by some metal components and trimmings, yet it has fantastic balance that only adds to the comfort of using this pencil.

 

I would also recommend you include high-quality lead refills in your gift set (which would still keep you well within your budget). Ultimately, the quality of the lead has as much effect on the writing experience as the pencil. I personally like Pentel Ain Stein brand leads in 2B grades. I opine that 2B provides a nice/dark/soft line without sacrificing too much hardness, especially with high-quality leads designed to resist breakage. But there multiple brands that produce "high-quality" leads, and beyond that, the lead-grade selection really depends on individual preferences.

 

Finally, how does one not love the irony of a mechanical pencil that is made of wood?

[Jordan N]

Why you no't try Rotring 3-in-1 for $20? Lamy also has some very nice multisystem pens, starting from just under $30.

 

Edited August 2, 2016 by Jordan N

[mmg122]

I'd recommend the Retro 51 Albert Einstein mechanical pencil if he'll be using it for taking notes/general writing and not precision work. The lead is thicker at 1.15mm. Average price $32. This photo from Jet Pens website.

[Algester]

Pentel Graph or Graph gear series

Pilot's S20 (.5-.7 selection only)

Pentel Orenz

TWSBI precision would be amongst my technical MP recomendations

Tombow monograph zero,one and the basic are also ok

As for leads your om with either Pilot neox graphite or pentel's ain stein p uni's nano-diamis ok but darkness wise pilot is more "true to the grade" darkness and ain stein is more of an all rounder

Edited August 2, 2016 by Algester

[_R_]

That's great everyone: Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll look into it. As I said, above it’s for a gift for someone who does most, if not all, of his design work on computer, and who rarely writes (AFAIK).

I’d like to make sure he has the “tools of the trade” to hand, rather than just grab whatever pointy-writing implement happens to be lying around whenever he needs to jot something down.

Something multi-functional would be perfect rather than something too specialised. - These are *only* pencils after all - but what do I know…

[inotrym]

 

That's great everyone: Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll look into it. As I said, above it’s for a gift for someone who does most, if not all, of his design work on computer, and who rarely writes (AFAIK).

I’d like to make sure he has the “tools of the trade” to hand, rather than just grab whatever pointy-writing implement happens to be lying around whenever he needs to jot something down.

Something multi-functional would be perfect rather than something too specialised. - These are *only* pencils after all - but what do I know…

 

 

 

 

 

[Algester]

I forgot Tombow Z505

[Sasha Royale]

I rarely use pencil. Usually, it is a wooded yellow #2 pencil. I do, however, have in my desk a vintage Scripto, transparent pencil, with a faceted body. I holds a single, five-inch, heavy lead.

[celesul]

It's not as pretty as what you might be looking for, but I love the Pentel Twist Erase III. It's got the the best eraser on any pencil by far, and the grip is extremely comfortable. The thin lead sleeve makes it good for using with rulers too. Mine have held up well.

[TitoThePencilPimp]

I am a wooden pencil/ mechanical pencil collector, who recently got into fountain pens. As a math major, I would strongly recommended the Rotring 600. These can be found under $30 from Amazon. The sleeves are non-retractable, so it requires a person to be gentle with them. No dropping the pencil, putting it in a shirt pocket, or book bag. It is mostly a desk pencil. These hindrances can be overcome, by purchasing a pencil case. I have a rolling pencil case that houses my different size mechanical pencils and wooden pencils. I have been caring them in this case for 3 years, and no problems.

 

You can also get the Rotring 800 for under $40 from Amazon. It has a retractable tip, and the problems the model had were exaggerated.

 

The Pentel Graphgear 1000 is an ok pencil. I bought a 0.3, and it is useless for this task. However, the 0.5 is useable.

 

You cannot go wrong with a .5 or .7.

[_R_]

Update:

After doing a bit of research based on the recommendations given here, thought I’d wander around the handful of pen stores I'd managed to identify and see what I could find. I had my heart set on a nice wooden mechanical pencil, and was thinking along the lines of the Pilot S20 or something similar. Something local, give or take a few hundred miles, to this part of the world.

All the same, tried a few Rotrings and Staedtlers along the way, but wasn’t overly impressed. [For the record, I very rarely use mechanical pencils myself. I have an old plastic one from my school days stashed away in a pencil case somewhere…] Came across a couple of chunky wooden E+M lead holder pencils, which caught my eye, but not my heart. Eventually managed to find a renowned pen store, tucked away in a quiet, leafy alley, somewhere in an otherwise bustling city.

The small store was wedged with people, wealthy tourists I am guessing, trying out all manner of rather expensive pens with 4-figure price tags. I couldn’t see any mechanical pencils on display, although every other Pilot pen under the sun seemed to be on show.

I asked a helpful vendor.

“S20? Sure, yeah”, he says, pulling out 2 different shades of wooden pen.

“Ah, it’s the mechanical pencil I’m after,” I say.

“Oh. We’re out of them, I’m afraid.”

“No matter. Have you anything else along those lines?”

“Let me check. We may have just the thing.”

He disappeared into the back room, and emerged some time later clutching an armful of small boxes.

2 Pilot S20 in different wooden shades, 3 Legno mechanical pencils, again, in different shades, and a solitary Mitsubishi Pure Malt Oak Wood M5-2005.

The Mitsubishi caught my eye, but I picked up one of the S20s first, twirled it around my fingers, felt its weight, texture, balanced it in my hand once more, before putting it down, picking up a Legno and repeating as above. I picked up the S20 again and looked at both pens in the afternoon sun, thinking that the marginally more expensive Legno looked and felt somewhat better.

I put the S20 and Legno down and repeated this unscientific procedure with the Mitsubishi.

“Oh hello. What have we here? Lovely dark oak colour and texture. And shiny chrome trimmings too.”

At this point I should add I didn’t know it was supposed to have been made from oak whiskey casks, otherwise I wouldn’t have had second thoughts. As it turned out, I didn’t have too many second thoughts as I unhesitatingly asked how much for the Mitsubishi. The price was in between the S20 and Legno, and for me, there was simply no contest. (About $20, as it happens.)

The helpful vendor put it in a nice presentation box as I’d mentioned it was a gift, and threw in a pack of Faber Castell lead to boot. Very nice of him. I’ll be going back there, I’m afraid to say. This could be dangerous…

This is the pen in question, for those who haven’t seen them before.

Supposedly made from 150-year old oak previously used as whiskey casks. How could I resist? A great talking point, I should think. In any case, it looks and feel superb. As to how it writes, I'm in no position to judge, but it felt smooth and comfortable to write with.

Will post a further update once the package has been successfully delivered. I'll try and extract a review, or some vague impressions, at least, from the intended recipient in due course!

Thanks to everyone who made a recommendation.

[Algester]

Ahh the pure malt uniball huh... Been interested but I would only go there... No less the one that looks like an L2K mechanical

Edited August 22, 2016 by Algester

[hmj]

Thanks for the update

[_R_]

Well, a brief update is in order, since I've managed to extract some minimal but positive fraternal feedback:

 

the mechanical pencil is in constant daily use as it is extremely useful.

 

I think that says it all!

 

From my point of view: Phase One: Mission Accomplished!

[Tasmith]

 

Update:

 

The helpful vendor put it in a nice presentation box as I’d mentioned it was a gift, and threw in a pack of Faber Castell lead to boot. Very nice of him. I’ll be going back there, I’m afraid to say. This could be dangerous…

 

This is the pen in question, for those who haven’t seen them before.

 

Supposedly made from 150-year old oak previously used as whiskey casks. How could I resist? A great talking point, I should think. In any case, it looks and feel superb. As to how it writes, I'm in no position to judge, but it felt smooth and comfortable to write with.

 

 

 

Very beautiful! It really helped that you could hold and see how each pencil fit your hand.

[pepsiplease69]

I'd recommend the Retro 51 Albert Einstein mechanical pencil if he'll be using it for taking notes/general writing and not precision work. The lead is thicker at 1.15mm. Average price $32. This photo from Jet Pens website.

I actually bought this pencil some time ago.

 

I rather like it.

 

Plusses: An engineer is sure to love it with all those formulae and reference to Mr Einstein. It's very solid and Built to last. Excellent conversation piece. It would make an excellent gift for the engineer brother.

 

Minuses: It's a bit on the heavier side so slightly impractical for me, but some people enjoy heavier pens/pencils.

 

The lead size for it is a bit on the oddball side. You'll have to get the lead refills from retro 51, or have to search far and wide online for the lead.

 

Price is about right, but as a gift you don't want to be handing out those disposable papermat sharpwriters, they are a joy to use but a bit insulting to receive as a gift.

 

All in all a good suggestion this one.