Mechanical Pencils with Extendable Eraser

[Craigtbone]

I love using my fountain pens but the reality is I do not need to use them very often.  As an engineer I use a pencil far more often.

 

The reason to use a pencil is to be able to erase.  So I have always been curious why most MPs have tiny fixed erasers.  Use it a few times then the metal sleeve scrapes the paper.  Very inferior!

 

My life long quest to find a MP with the following short list of features so far is not satisfied:

 

1. Extendable eraser, large diameter or small.   

2. Retractable lead pipe for pocket-friendly carry.

3. Lead extending mechanism precise to minimize lead breaking

4. High quality metal construction.

 

This list could be greatly expanded but these are my core requirements.

 

I have 2 that come close.  Pentel Twist-Erase is my go-to MP.  Large extendable eraser.  The lead mechanism works very well with very few lead breaks.  Needs a pipe retracting feature.

 

Paper Mate Pro Touch II.  Small diameter extendable eraser works well.  Also needs a pipe retracting feature.

 

I mostly use 0.7mm leads but I also use 0.5mm & 0.9mm.

 

It has always baffled me that this pencil does not exist.  Or did I miss a MP that meets these requirements?

[flatline]

TWSBI Precision mechanical pencil is the closest that I'm aware of. The only criteria that it doesn't perfectly match is the eraser. It has a long eraser, but you extend it manually as you need to rather than twisting it up and down. Otherwise it sounds exactly like what you like as long as you buy the version with the retractable lead pipe.

 

The TUL mechanical pencil has a retractable conical tip, long twist eraser, and good clip. It has a plastic body,  but it seems pretty robust.

 

--flatline

[MYU]

My favorite twist-erase pencil is a TOMBOW  Keshiman. It's a bit on the heavy size, but so nicely done.

 

[Craigtbone]

MYU, is that model pencil currently available to purchase?  I have not found it.

[OCArt]

I have a Sheaffer's pencil from the 1950's-60's that has an extendable eraser.

[BaronWulfraed]

While not "extendable", I've had a few mechanical pencils where the eraser could be repositioned in the metal frame to gain more working surface.

 

I have one pencil with a retractable sleeve for the lead -- an unnamed Pentel in 0.3 size. The covered eraser is a whole 1 inch long, and can be adjusted in the frame. The closest current production is https://www.pentel.com/collections/pencils/products/sliding-sleeve-sharp-mechanical-pencil

 

The other doesn't have the sliding sleeve, but the part holding the eraser is also a snap-on cap which covers the sleeve end of the pencil. However, it seems to only have a 1/2 inch eraser (don't know if that just means I used half of it back in the 80s). https://www.pentel.com/products/sharp-kerry-mechanical-pencil

 

 

Edited March 4, 2021 by BaronWulfraed
add link for kerry

[Craigtbone]

Thank you all for your input.

 

I bought a TWSBI mechanical pencil some years ago.  The long eraser is good to have but as mentioned the adjustment requires repositioning the metal sleeve.  I was rather disappointed that the lead broke frequently with this pencil.  I would not have expected that having experienced the meticulous details of their fountain pens.

 

The TUL pencils might work well.  Will try to find some in local stores and try them out.

 

The TOMBOW Kershiman looks like it might match my criteria but I have not been able to find any info on it.  I guess it is no longer available.

 

My quest continues...

[taimdala]

3 hours ago, Craigtbone said:

Thank you all for your input.

 

I bought a TWSBI mechanical pencil some years ago.  The long eraser is good to have but as mentioned the adjustment requires repositioning the metal sleeve.  I was rather disappointed that the lead broke frequently with this pencil.  I would not have expected that having experienced the meticulous details of their fountain pens.

 

The TUL pencils might work well.  Will try to find some in local stores and try them out.

 

The TOMBOW Kershiman looks like it might match my criteria but I have not been able to find any info on it.  I guess it is no longer available.

 

My quest continues...

 

What grade of lead were you using in the TOMBOW? If you were using anything softer than H or HB, the thinner diameter leads (like 0.3mm) break easier under normal use than something with a thicker diameter. Could this possibly be the cause of your trouble?

[usk15]

Parker Reflex pencil 0.5mm. Lower part rubberized plastic, top part metal, with twist eraser.

[BaronWulfraed]

5 hours ago, Craigtbone said:

The TUL pencils might work well.  Will try to find some in local stores and try them out.

 

TUL is an OfficeMax/OfficeDepot exclusive -- though they are selling via Amazon (US). The only "local stores" would be limited to OM/OD.

 

[Craigtbone]

I use HB some but mostly 2B.  My TWSBI is 0.7mm, so not real thin.  

 

I have used 0.5, 0.7 & 0.9mm MPs for many years so I know how to use them.  The Pentel Twist-Erase MPs have the least lead breaking in my experience.  By a good bit.

 

I had high expectations for the TWSBI MP: all metal construction, retracting pipe, TWSBI reputation.  The sleeve holding the eraser actually allows extending the eraser quite easily compared to most MPs.  But I have experienced a lot of lead breaking up inside the mechanism so that short pieces of lead fall out.  Far more lead is thrown away than is used on paper.  

 

This is the type of lead breaking that is a problem. I rarely break the short section of lead sticking out of the sleeve.

 

Every time I search for a MP I am astounded that no manufacturer has marketed one with metal construction, retracting sleeve for pocket friendly carry and twist out eraser.  

[taimdala]

6 hours ago, Craigtbone said:

I use HB some but mostly 2B.  My TWSBI is 0.7mm, so not real thin.  

 

I have used 0.5, 0.7 & 0.9mm MPs for many years so I know how to use them.  The Pentel Twist-Erase MPs have the least lead breaking in my experience.  By a good bit.

 

I had high expectations for the TWSBI MP: all metal construction, retracting pipe, TWSBI reputation.  The sleeve holding the eraser actually allows extending the eraser quite easily compared to most MPs.  But I have experienced a lot of lead breaking up inside the mechanism so that short pieces of lead fall out.  Far more lead is thrown away than is used on paper.  

 

This is the type of lead breaking that is a problem. I rarely break the short section of lead sticking out of the sleeve.

 

Every time I search for a MP I am astounded that no manufacturer has marketed one with metal construction, retracting sleeve for pocket friendly carry and twist out eraser.  

 

Oh yikes! If it's not the lead, then yes the fault lies in the pencil. I'm so sorry to hear that TWSBI fell short.

Dang.

I was looking to buy their MP. I think I'll have to pass and stay with the Pentel Twist-Erase. I have several already and erasers and leads to go with them.

Now, if only Pentel can be convinced to make their 0.5mm Twist-Erasse MPs in colors other than blue (which I love) or black (not too shabby), I"ll be 100% happy. The 0.7mm MPs are getting all the color love with red, purple, green, etc.

[Chthulhu]

7 hours ago, Craigtbone said:

But I have experienced a lot of lead breaking up inside the mechanism so that short pieces of lead fall out.  Far more lead is thrown away than is used on paper.  

 

This is the type of lead breaking that is a problem. I rarely break the short section of lead sticking out of the sleeve.

If by "inside the mechanism" you mean "inside the tip," that sort of breakage is usually caused by a bent tip sleeve, eccentricity between the clutch and the tip, or something (such as a small piece of lead) in the space between the clutch and tip.

 

If the breakage occurs inside the magazine, that's usually a case of too many pieces of lead in the magazine (limit yourself to three or four pieces) or rough handling, such as carrying the pencil loose in a bag or backpack.

Quality of the lead is also a factor, though not so much with modern polymer leads.

[Craigtbone]

Having reported about the TWSBI, I decided to give it another try and have been using it today.  The lead broke one time.  I do not write all day long so not quite sure how to quantify that.  The Twist-Erase rarely breaks.

 

The TWSBI is a very well made MP.  Maybe I had a bad batch of leads?  You should still consider getting one.

[MYU]

On 3/4/2021 at 6:56 AM, Craigtbone said:

The TOMBOW Kershiman looks like it might match my criteria but I have not been able to find any info on it.  I guess it is no longer available.

 

My quest continues...

Yes, the TOMBOW Keshiman is a discontinued mechanical pencil. Examples from collections do appear for sale periodically if you look out for them. They're not cheap, though... relative to other newly made mechanical pencils on the market. The whole vintage Japanese mechanical pencil collecting genre has taken off in recent years. It's astounding what some models are going for these days!

 

Here's some more images (next to another, the Dimple):

[Craigtbone]

I have been using my TWSBI 0.7mm MP exclusively for about a week now.  With computers dominating I do not do a lot of writing any more but I have not experienced any internal lead breaks. 

 

I have no idea why previously I had many breaks.  I am enjoying this pencil very much.  It is very well made.  

 

Taimdala, you should get one.

[taimdala]

11 hours ago, Craigtbone said:

I have been using my TWSBI 0.7mm MP exclusively for about a week now.  With computers dominating I do not do a lot of writing any more but I have not experienced any internal lead breaks. 

 

I have no idea why previously I had many breaks.  I am enjoying this pencil very much.  It is very well made.  

 

Taimdala, you should get one.

 

I might! Does it come in .5mm? 😃

[Craigtbone]

Yes, 0.5 & 0.7.   I would really like a 0.9 as well.

[taimdala]

On 3/18/2021 at 7:36 PM, Craigtbone said:

Yes, 0.5 & 0.7.   I would really like a 0.9 as well.

 

 

Ooh! Then there's a good chance I'll look into buying it then. I can't abide anything wider than 0.5mm in a pencil.

[flatline]

15 minutes ago, taimdala said:

I can't abide anything wider than 0.5mm in a pencil.

 

I used to hold that same view. 0.3 was my preferred with 0.5 as my fallback, but now I find myself using 0.9 and 2mm more and more often.

 

Still can't stand 0.7.

 

--flatline