mechanical pencils - OT

[AngryScientist]

is this topic too far off the beaten path for us?

I've had a Cross pencil for like forever, and i somehow lost it in the move to the new office. blast!

i could just buy a new Cross for $20, but of course have to wonder what else is out there. any dorky pencil users out there in nerdville?

[guido]

Pentel 0.9mm.

[likebikes]

Pentel 0.9mm.

this.

[AngryScientist]

too heavy of a lead for me. i prefer .5 or .7 at the thickest.

[guido]

too heavy of a lead for me. i prefer .5 or .7 at the thickest.

Pentel makes those sizes too...

[Bruce K]

Then get Pentel in your desired size

Bottom line is

Pentel

BK

[yngpunk]

too heavy of a lead for me. i prefer .5 or .7 at the thickest.

Wimp. I used to write with .3 :p

I would suggest looking at Lamy:

http://www.lamyusa.com/mechpencil_main.php

despite being a German company :help:

[zennmotion]

too heavy of a lead for me. i prefer .5 or .7 at the thickest.

Papermate PhD pencils in 0.7mm. I have 3 of these, and despite the fact that they're cheap, they last forever, feel good and the erasers don't dry out (mine are several years old and I use them daily, I've tried all the cheap ones and these are the best by far. My handwriting is atrocious so pencils work well for notes. My work also has me taking interview notes, often outside and pencil on damp paper does not become quite the unreadable disaster as pen. 0.7 don't break the leads with my heavy hand, 0.5mm don't work for me well. "Regular" HB hardness is just right for everyday. I used to use an expensive set of Staedtler drafting pencils for map making back in the pre-internet days but those are another animal altogether. For everyday, get the papermates. Somehow I don't lose mine, but if I bought something more expensive like a cross, I would surely lose it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Papermate-PhD-Emerald-0-7mm-Mechanical-Pencil-/231666028210?hash=item35f05f0eb2

[eak12]

Wimp. I used to write with .3 :p

I would suggest looking at Lamy:

http://www.lamyusa.com/mechpencil_main.php

despite being a German company :help:

+1 on Lamy. I've had an AL Star for 15 years. It's been the most durable writing instrument I've ever owned.

[yngpunk]

Then get Pentel in your desired size

Bottom line is

Pentel

BK

The scientist wanted to replace a $20 cross pencil, not get a box of 12 pentel pencils for $20, but then maybe he moves offices a bit and loses them after each move :beer:

[deechee]

Papermate PhD pencils in 0.7mm. I have 3 of these, and despite the fact that they're cheap, they last forever, feel good and the erasers don't dry out (mine are several years old and I use them daily, I've tried all the cheap ones and these are the best by far. My handwriting is atrocious so pencils work well for notes. My work also has me taking interview notes, often outside and pencil on damp paper does not become quite the unreadable disaster as pen. 0.7 don't break the leads with my heavy hand, 0.5mm don't work for me well. "Regular" HB hardness is just right for everyday. I used to use an expensive set of Staedtler drafting pencils for map making back in the pre-internet days but those are another animal altogether. For everyday, get the papermates.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Papermate-PhD-Emerald-0-7mm-Mechanical-Pencil-/231666028210?hash=item35f05f0eb2

+1 for the similar Pilot Dr.Grip (http://www.staples.ca/en/Pilot-Dr-Grip-Gel-Pink-Retractable-Pen-Metallic-Blue-and-Silver-Barrel/product_240755_2-CA_1_20001?kpid=240755&cid=PS:SBD:GS:n:n:SBD:58:21800&gclid=Cj0KEQjwm4mwBRCni-ivmePYivkBEiQAdGkklpmj831DBtcXD3ETv4S0Ax6ZOR1LqFN6 v5BJZACEFu8aAtns8P8HAQ&kpid=240755) Used to love 'em. Now I just use whatever freebie is in the office closet.

[fuzzalow]

It depends on what image you want to convey and in what field you work in. For may taste, I eschew anything in gold as I find it lacks subtlety to the point of overstatement or garishness. Find something a little more esoteric than Cross and not quite so obvious as a Mont Blanc. Cross is a great pen company BTW but that's usually great when you get a gold one with the company logo as a token of years of service to the firm - then it never leaves the top drawer.

Rotring in either silver or black and also available in .5mm or .7mm

http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/images/rotring_images/1852310.jpg
http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/images/rotring_images/1852309.jpg

I'll be honest with you, the pencil that meets my taste is a Caran D'Ache because it is subtle and has a hexagonal barrel. Chevron pattern engraved on the flats!
http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/images/carandache_images/CD0004-486.png
Any pencil made can be found at Fountain Pen Hospital on Warren Street. Pens are very cool tools for anybody!

[AngryScientist]

sent you a note about the "hospital" fuzz - i may stop there on my way home tonight!

[yngpunk]

It depends on what image you want to convey and in what field you work in. For may taste, I eschew anything in gold as I find it lacks subtlety to the point of overstatement or garishness. Find something a little more esoteric than Cross and not quite so obvious as a Mont Blanc. Cross is a great pen company BTW but that's usually great when you get a gold one with the company logo as a token of years of service to the firm - then it never leaves the top drawer.

Rotring in either silver or black and also available in .5mm or .7mm

http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/images/rotring_images/1852310.jpg
http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/images/rotring_images/1852309.jpg

I'll be honest with you, the pencil that meets my taste is a Caran D'Ache because it is subtle and has a hexagonal barrel. Chevron pattern engraved on the flats!
http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/images/carandache_images/CD0004-486.png
Any pencil made can be found at Fountain Pen Hospital on Warren Street. Pens are very cool tools for anybody!

That Caran D'Ache looks like it could be used for other, nefarious things (e.g. as a replacement for an ice pick), not that I know anything about that...

[fuzzalow]

sent you a note about the "hospital" fuzz - i may stop there on my way home tonight!

I nicked the pictures above from Fountain Pen Hospitals website. The Rotrings are about $45. The Caran D'Ache is a lot more. The Mont Blancs now are astronomical!

Lotsa good stuff to choose from. Gad, I got a fetish for fine writing instruments! Have fun, you don't have to spend a lotta money to enjoy this stuff, the fun is when the ideas flow through the pen point from outta your brain!

[AngryScientist]

fuzz - obviously there must be model differences, but my first google hit on the caran yielded this $20 pencil...

http://www.amazon.com/Caran-Dache-Mechanical-Pencil-0844-005/dp/B000WG4VCA

[rnhood]

Pentel works great, .7 or .9. I don't like it too thin, although this is a matter of preference. Buying expensive mechanical pencils is an exercise in vanity - imho. But if fashion is your bag, by all means go for it.

[ceolwulf]

The Kuru Tora is what you need.

http://www.jetpens.com/Rotating-Lead-Pencils/ct/2511

I would not buy a pencil without rotating lead again.

[SlackMan]

The Kuru Tora is what you need.

http://www.jetpens.com/Rotating-Lead-Pencils/ct/2511

I would not buy a pencil without rotating lead again.

I have one of these, and I too think it's great!

[fuzzalow]

fuzz - obviously there must be model differences, but my first google hit on the caran yielded this $20 pencil...

http://www.amazon.com/Caran-Dache-Mechanical-Pencil-0844-005/dp/B000WG4VCA

Yeah, that one listed above is fine too.

I listed to full bore silver-plated Ecridor model. Caran D' Ache Chevron Ecridor Silver Plated/Rhodium Coat Chevron 0.7mm Pencil (http://www.amazon.com/Caran-Chevron-Ecridor-Engraving-0004-276/dp/B00BGKQ656/ref=sr_1_2?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1443037849&sr=1-2&keywords=caran+dache+ecridor+pencil)

Either way its a cool pencil. It is suitably connoisseur to use a pen brand that few have heard about other than other writing instrument buffs.

[yngpunk]

Yeah, that one listed above is fine too.

I listed to full bore silver-plated Ecridor model. Caran D' Ache Chevron Ecridor Silver Plated/Rhodium Coat Chevron 0.7mm Pencil (http://www.amazon.com/Caran-Chevron-Ecridor-Engraving-0004-276/dp/B00BGKQ656/ref=sr_1_2?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1443037849&sr=1-2&keywords=caran+dache+ecridor+pencil)

Either way its a cool pencil. It is suitably connoisseur to use a pen brand that few have heard about other than other writing instrument buffs.

The art of showing off, without showing off

[tumbler]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Shimano yet...

http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/fishingsanin/cabinet/04208409/imgrc0068763975.jpg

[fuzzalow]

Buying expensive mechanical pencils is an exercise in vanity - imho. But if fashion is your bag, by all means go for it.

The art of showing off, without showing off

HaHa! OK, I can accept that point of view even if I don't agree with it. I neither think of it as vanity nor do I view it as showing off. I see it as an appreciation for some of the finer things in life. And as illustrated by the pencil that AngryScientist first listed, it can be done for a whopping $20. Now $20 isn't gonna send anybody into a populist rage, now is it?

P.S. I often recommend Fountain Pen Hospital because it is a great pen shop in NYC. I have been a customer going back to the mid 1980's. It, and many of us, lived through, persevered and prospered after what had happened and the aftermath of all the changes to lower Manhattan. They are IMO the best pen shop in NYC. If you've ever been in the shop, you would know. Sometimes places are real and not endless hype.

[onsight512]

+1 on FPH. They're a great shop.

Anyone here also a fountain pen fan?

http://i.imgur.com/czrz9ce.jpg

[dustyrider]

Never been a fan of mechanical pencils. Give me a good old #2 Ticonderoga any day! If you need to make a statement, get the black ones!

[Llewellyn]

+1 on FPH. They're a great shop.

Anyone here also a fountain pen fan?


You bet. They're the only way to write :hello:

[yngpunk]

HaHa! OK, I can accept that point of view even if I don't agree with it. I neither think of it as vanity nor do I view it as showing off. I see it as an appreciation for some of the finer things in life. And as illustrated by the pencil that AngryScientist first listed, it can be done for a whopping $20. Now $20 isn't gonna send anybody into a populist rage, now is it?

P.S. I often recommend Fountain Pen Hospital because it is a great pen shop in NYC. I have been a customer going back to the mid 1980's. It, and many of us, lived through, persevered and prospered after what had happened and the aftermath of all the changes to lower Manhattan. They are IMO the best pen shop in NYC. If you've ever been in the shop, you would know. Sometimes places are real and not endless hype.

:beer: Just giving you a hard time. Just like anything custom/bespoke/high end, buy what makes you happy...unless of course its one of the new RS Silca pumps...

[Likes2ridefar]

The Kuru Tora is what you need.

http://www.jetpens.com/Rotating-Lead-Pencils/ct/2511

I would not buy a pencil without rotating lead again.

i really like this one too. it was a bit weird at first, but it's my favorite to use these days.

I have a rotring as well and prefer the kura tora.

[Likes2ridefar]

my four favorites. the uni-ball .38 is by far my most used though. I get the 10 pack multi-color from amazon every year or so.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/Spookykinkajou/for%20sale/IMG_20150923_183154_zpsf5bq0cty.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Spookykinkajou/media/for%20sale/IMG_20150923_183154_zpsf5bq0cty.jpg.html)

[jlwdm]

I have a Rotring laying around somewhere, but I am just not a pencil guy.

Jeff

[redearedslider5]

i'd consider looking on everydaycommentary.com he reviews pens all the time, not sure if he does pencils though

[fuzzalow]

:beer: Just giving you a hard time. Just like anything custom/bespoke/high end, buy what makes you happy...unless of course its one of the new RS Silca pumps...

Giving me a hard time, I don't see it like that at all - I can laugh at my own obsessions. No problem.

A RS Silca pump? I've defended his commercial propriety in selling a version but there is no interest in anything RS for me. I often joke that Robin Williams had a similar interest in bikes as I do: we both do not own an RS bike, we both revere Dario Pegoretti and we both went to a NAHBS expressly to meet Sr. Pegoretti - only difference being NAHBS on different years and Mr. Williams did not fly commercial!

I often cringe with the phrase "buy what makes you happy" because it makes it sound almost like the pleasure and fulfillment is enmeshed in the act of "buying". It isn't about buying per se - it is about being able to recognize, appreciate, and yes, procure items that stand apart in some way that makes some kinda sense to the buyer. So there are hundreds of things that might be bought but actually very few that stand the test of discernment over craft, style, function or any other criteria that rings true to how somebody might view the pursuit and realization of excellence. If some of these items cost a lot, so be it. But that doesn't always hold true either.

For example: there is a pencil shop in the Lower East Side (Hipster Alert - Warning - Warning) CW Pencil Enterprise (http://cwpencils.com/) that specializes in only pencils. It is driven by an understanding of the differences and subtleties in pencils. The shop is fantastic! I know it might seem to some as too rococo a concept for retail but to me it works. And I hope she continues to prosper. Because until you've used a higher quality pencil to a Ticonderoga #2, you can't knock it 'till you've tried it.

The worst and most vulgar to me is anything that comes out of, or is reference by, a guidebook to stupid, mindless consumption like Robb Report. Anybody says that to me, I know they don't know ding about what they are looking at or for, other than they think "it's the best" because it was in a magazine that said so. I got no respect for that.

[pdmtong]

I have used the same pentel (top) and pilot (bottom) for decades

Both have fully retracting lead guides so no poking holes in a shirt. Eraser in the cap

The pentel guide is not fixed. The pilot is fixed and better when using with a ruler.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/23/101c9442fdf3d98502e824d84170a06f.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/23/4df57a227e199d997505bb04db7ea43a.jpg

Is your next question going to be OT: what do you pack for a business trip?

[pdmtong]

And thanks encouragement from the Fuzz - my 149 has ink in it and is back in action!

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/23/9faabff2886e302e64464999d949b4d6.jpg

[VTCaraco]

Super Promecha.
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTgGDi-xTSv85ru6m4uawaCIu6u-qa6RMYPf8V8Qlr0VQ6_pxJk
The new ones aren't as nice as the older ones, but they're awesome if you like a little more weight in a pen.

I did Rotring for a while, but I write hard enough that I always managed to bend the tips. I DID like the shape in so much as it prevented rolling.
I would also agree completely with the notion that the Pentels are nice. I bought a 3-pack (from Massdrop) of Pentel Graphgear 500 and though lighter than I prefer, I've been happy with them. The rotating lead on the Kuru Toga IS very nice. I have and like that one a lot, too.

For some good information, checkout Dave's Mechanical Pencil blog (http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot.com/)

For fountain pens, I hopped around in some of the more modest options for a while before deciding that I COULD justify the cost of a Lamy 2000 and wish I bought that one from the start. They're exceptionally nice in a simple, efficient, well, German sort of way. I would imagine that their mechanical pencil is nice, too.

And, like bikes, if you like nice things and use them often, they really aren't as crazy as it may sound. I'm a math teacher and do a LOT of math every year. My Super Promecha is about 15 years old and I like to add a new pencil to my desk every few years. Ironically, I loan them out all of the time and they always come back. I also like to get a nice pencil for a top math student each year.

[A1CKot]

As an aircraft mechanic I need a pencil, red pen, and black pen on me all the time. I purchased a Zebra Sharbo X LT3 a little over a year ago and it has been the best. You purchase the pen body and can fill it with what ever combination you want. It has 1 slot for a mechanical pencil that can be purchased in .3,.5,.7 thickness. The other 2 slots use standard D1 refills that come in many colors and thickness. It has a very smooth action and writes great. Oh an it comes in a few different colors.

http://www.amazon.com/Zebra-Sharbo-LT3-Body-Component/dp/B004NRF89Y/ref=pd_sim_sbs_229_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1K5RGBK83S4XN5X8M7HC&dpID=41ad3LR9c%2BL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_
http://www.jetpens.com/Zebra-Sharbo-X-LT3-Pen-Body-Component-Silver/pd/5638

[Tickdoc]

Haven't used a mechanical pencil in years, but when I did, I had an awesome rotring that had pencil, red, blue, and black ink all in one. It was built like a tank and I miss it. Where is it, I Wonder?

http://green-bicycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Rotring600PenT-e1359156478642.jpg

[CampyorBust]

The Koh-I-Nor Rapidomatic 0.5 5635 is rather nice...

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/411516484671984520/

[ultraman6970]

Staedler makes good stuff too.

[AngryScientist]

just sitting at my desk this morning. drinking a pretty damned good cup of coffee and getting some work done with my new pencil. sometimes it really is the simple things in life that keep us going on an otherwise dreary friday morning.

thanks fuzz, for both the pen recommendation and the cool location to purchase.

http://pencils.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/844_005.jpg

[fuzzalow]

^ Nice one! Excellent choice!

You could take bets that no one else in the office has one. Swiss-made. Swiss-precision. Huzza.

[rugbysecondrow]

Never been a fan of mechanical pencils. Give me a good old #2 Ticonderoga any day! If you need to make a statement, get the black ones!

I can't believe I have an opinion on this, but Dusty is on point. Classic Ticonderoga, it is what I like to use. Black is legit.

If not this, I enjoy the Skillcraft http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/852723/Bold-Point-Mechanical-Pencils-11mm-Black/

It has a thicker lead, but works well. I started using them in the Air Force, and just kept on rolling with them. They have smaller lead sizes as well, but I prefer the thicker, probably why I like a traditional pencil.

http://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/officedepot/852723_sk_lg?$OD-Dynamic$&wid=250&hei=250

[Quilts]

I've never given thought to mechanical pencils before this thread, but now I think I want one. I'm drawn to the aesthetics of the Rotring 600, but I also like the idea of the rotating lead on the Kuru Toga. Although I'm worried it won't have enough weight to it with the top half being plastic. Any opinions or recommendations?

[ceolwulf]

^ not all Kuru Toga are part plastic. Mine is all metal.

[DrSpoke]

My favorite is these - Staedtler Mars Micro. Not hi zoot but a step or two up from most others.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005D5ZP8E?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_2&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[AngryScientist]

it's very cool how many options are out there, lots of unique stuff for such a mundane task as writing. everyone should have a good writing instrument.

[PacNW2Ford]

Wow, I'll need to look up the recommendations. I've relied on Pentel P205s and my "fancy" Staedler 925 for 30+ years. Boring.

[Likes2ridefar]

^ not all Kuru Toga are part plastic. Mine is all metal.

Mine is all plastic and weighs nine grams. The rotring 600 weighs 22 grams.

[Louis]

Depends on what you're doing. If you're a student grinding out math, physics and engineering homework and exams (and I did this for more years than I care to remember) then a basic Pentel or Berol 0.5 mm is fine - it's just a tool and you're sure to loose it after a while anyway. A stick eraser and holder/dispenser is also a critical implement, because about the only thing the erasers in the pencil end are good for is to hold the pencil guide cleaning pin.

If you're a professional, have the money to pay for it, and the desire to express yourself a bit through your choice of writing implement, then whatever turns you on.

These days I don't do much longhand, just the simple problems that don't need to be done using computers, and since they don't have to be turned in to anyone, a plain old roller-ball pen is good enough. Scratch out mistakes and keep going. The last few years or so they've been stocking the stationary cabinets with Pilot P-700 0.7mm which do a fine job and have a sturdy metal clip that lasts as long as the ink. Not as smooth as Uniball Jetstreams (not much is) but perfectly adequate as daily-writers.