/r/mechanicalpencils

Photograph via snooOG

A community for those who appreciate high quality writing utensils. r/mechanicalpencils

A community for those who appreciate high quality writing utensils.

Rules-

  • No purchase help posts. You can get help in the Discord or sticky
  • Images must be hosted on Imgur, Gyfcat, or Reddit itself
  • No buying/selling
  • Observe reddiquette

Useful Resources-

Related subs-

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/r/mechanicalpencils

75,932 Subscribers

1

New Pencil Day

Lamy 2000

0 Comments
2025/02/01
15:57 UTC

1

What is the body knock mechanical pencil "scene" right now?

Beside some Tombows, I couldn't find any body-knock MPs on sale today that are not vintage. And of those vintage ones, I can't say which ones are good or at least decent. Is a plastic body ok for this kind of MP?

2 Comments
2025/02/01
15:48 UTC

14

Limited Edition lead cases?

I think limited edition pencil colors is enough. Colors for lead cases (same lead) is a bit too far for me. What do y'all think? You see it as unique enough or interest you enough to buy? Now if it was limited edition colors of the uni metal case that'd be a bit more understandable https://www.jetpens.com/Pentel-Ain-Lead-0.5-mm-B-Cobalt-Green-Case-Limited-Edition/pd/44213

3 Comments
2025/02/01
13:33 UTC

15

What is the most technologically advanced mechanical pencil ever made

11 Comments
2025/02/01
08:14 UTC

18

Can someone please explain to me why this is 300usd

I have had this floating around my drawer for around 5 years now finally decided to put lead in it decided I liked it and looked up to get more incase I lost this one only to be met with a 300$ price tag

7 Comments
2025/02/01
06:36 UTC

1

PRO USE 171 trouble shooting and maintenance?

I had just gotten my new 171 however I was getting bugged by the gritty feeling when adjusting the nose cone so I took it a part only to be clueless about what it was that as causing this. I found out that there was a misalignment and didn’t know how to fix it as it just kept going off axis. Somehow I managed to fix it (idfk how) by just adjusting the spring. Do yall have this problem? Also is there any maintenance you guys do such as lubrication? I m kind of worried that since i fiddled with the spring and other internal surfaces that it might actually grind and worsen it? thanks

3 Comments
2025/02/01
05:47 UTC

110

My collection thus far...

4 Comments
2025/02/01
04:23 UTC

5

Pentel Twist-Erase Replacement Without Lead Wastage

I have never made an intentional mechanical pencil purchase decision and have instead just used what I had collected over the years. However, I'd like to change that and get a new pencil that suits my needs.

I have almost exclusively used the Pentel Twist-Erase Click 0.7 for the past few years, and recently started using the PaperMate ClearPoint Elite 0.5 that I had because I occasionally wanted to write lecture notes with the thinner lead. These are relatively cheap, but the new one doesn't have to have the same price point.

The only issues I had with the twist-erase involved the lead:

  1. Lead wastage with sizable pieces too small to be clamped (see image for lead discards).
  2. Slanted lead wear requiring readjusting grip to continue writing with same thickness.
  3. Lead snapping. (Perhaps it's an issue with the lead, too? I had been using Pentel Super Hi-Polymer 0.7mm * 60mm HB and PaperMate 0.5mm HB lead).

I've read a few posts on this sub with advice for these issues, but I've found that the solutions often compromised on some other pencil preferences/criteria I had, so I wanted to ask for a specific recommendation. For example, I looked at this post which recommended the Penac Protti PRD105 (couldn't find a 0.7 version) and this one which recommended the Zebra DelGuard among others.

I'm not married to any one feature and can certainly break habitual preferences for a new pencil, but here they are anyway:

  • Eraser: I've grown accustomed to the always-exposed twistable erasers, and I really like the convenience of just being able to flip the pencil to erase. I like the thickness of the Twist-Erase one because it's small enough to erase small mistakes mid-sentence but big enough to efficiently erase slightly more text without burning through a lot of eraser height. Also, I like the height of the Twist-Erase for longevity, but I'm willing to use smaller ones and periodically replace them.
  • Refilling: I do not like having to pull the eraser out to refill. Minor thing, I usually never miss the funnel when refilling the ClearPoint, but I like that the Twist-Erase has the opening of the lead tube at the same level as the plastic lip. That way you can pre-insert one end of the lead instead of having to drop it in vertically.
  • Advance: I like the side-knock, but I might be overestimating how inconvenient clicking the back-end is. The button on the green ClearPoint was too big for my liking. But when comparing my Twist-Erase to another, I noticed that my button stuck out from the pencil's profile less—possibly a result of pressure over time. Perhaps having the side button requires too delicate of a balance.
  • Grip: The light green regular ClearPoint in the picture already feels too thick for me, and I do not like the grip. Although it's quite similar to the purple Elite, the small ridges of the grip are just enough to push the thickness over the point of comfort for me. I don't mind the sleek taper of the Elite, but I was fine with the Twist-Erase as well.

I feel the most uncertain when it comes to grip. My instinct upon seeing them has been to dislike pencils with a smooth/flat/straight barrel, feeling that I need some kind of curve or ridge, but I'm not sure. It seems to me that I hold the pencil at more of an angle instead of more up-and-down which may contribute to the slanted lead wear and needing to rotate the pencil within my grip.

My grip tends to be between dynamic and lateral quadrupod, usually with index hyperextended and often with middle hyperextended. A few times a year, heavy writing will bring about slight numbness in the thumb that will last for a few days. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks!!

https://preview.redd.it/29i70q69lfge1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=caf2d6c95d65e7d98b65ce8a3af1811bb662941d

https://preview.redd.it/6ct1ep69lfge1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa7aedaa08414d2c12d0492645943e8952f19dd6

https://preview.redd.it/o423tp69lfge1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6483313e32c6e481cfd3bcd0a3873108466a436b

2 Comments
2025/02/01
01:35 UTC

25

Faber Castell ambition pearwood

My new mechanical pencil to join the ambition pearwood team alongside with fountain pen.

0 Comments
2025/01/31
23:50 UTC

5

Has anyone here used the Kaweco Steel Sport 0.7 mm mechanical pencil?

Hi, I'm new here. I've been thinking about getting myself the Kaweco Steel Sport 0.7mm mechanical pencil as a big gift to myself, but it's expensive and I'm not sure about taking the risk. Has anyone here tried it, and if so, what do you think? I usually use a rOtring 600 0.5mm pencil and was thinking about the Steel Sport for other writing tasks. Thanks!

12 Comments
2025/01/31
22:47 UTC

127

New Fixation

I started going back to college recently and wanted to replace my old Zebra M-301 (shown above) that I’ve had for almost 15 years. Decided to check out reddit’s opinion on a couple choices and fell down the rabbit hole lmao. There’s more on the way.

10 Comments
2025/01/31
22:19 UTC

4

Weekly Shopping Suggestions Thread Week 05 2025!

Useful resources:

Still can't find what you are looking for? Leave a comment! In order to get the best answers, try to include the following:

  • What you will use it for
  • Previous experiences
  • Budget
  • Location
5 Comments
2025/01/31
21:00 UTC

7

NPD Otho MS01

Greetings all,

[delusion]Well here we go, my last pencil purchase for the year.[/delusion]

A few years ago I decided on only retractable pencils as a self-imposed limiting factor. That works for the most part. (My most recent purchase the Faber-Castell TK Fine Vario doesn't retract, but it sort of does, in a minimalist way.)

Anyway, here is the Otho MS01 in 0.5. A bit of an oddity, and I haven't quite mastered the mechanism. There is an adjustment for lead length, and for pipe length. Does anyone know if the pipe length locks in place somehow?

It rattles a wee bit, but that's fine with me. It's heavy toward the tip with the grip bit a bit wider. The knurling is grippy, without being sharp. So far I really like it.

I'm a Lefty, and my preferred lead is F to reduce the Dreaded Black Hand. However, I wanted wanted to try the Uni smudge-proof and so I bought some 0.5 in HB. Just so happened to come in a nice metal case . . .

It really isn't smudge-proof, not for a Lefty anyway. Perhaps a little at first contact, but not for long with my writing style. They do make the S-P in F, but not convenient or reasonably priced anywhere near me.

Thanks

PS Weird, picture didn't show, so it's below in a comment.

3 Comments
2025/01/31
20:21 UTC

3

Kurutoga Roulette or Kurutoga Advance?

I'm thinking of getting either the Kurutoga Roulette or Kurutoga Advance, but I don't know which one I should get.

3 Comments
2025/01/31
20:18 UTC

57

my little collection

1 Comment
2025/01/31
19:29 UTC

3

Kitaboshi Pencil "loose" internal section I cannot click the pencil. Is this broken?

1 Comment
2025/01/31
18:33 UTC

66

January Pencil Haul

My japanese mechanical pencils arrived on the last day of January.

From top down: Zebra Drafix Mindswitch 0.5 Zebra Drafix Light Blue 0.5 Zebra Rint Sky Blue 0.5 Uni Alpha Gel Switch Saxophone Blue 0.5 grip swapped with a black one Pentel Orenz AT Celeste Blue Pentel Smash Emerald Pentel Smash Blue-Gray with special paper packaging and sticker

Love the Drafix and Alpha Gel Switch! Smash sticker is so cool.

6 Comments
2025/01/31
16:21 UTC

8

Help a Noob. 2mm Lead Holders? Considering Rotring Rapid Pro. Please Recommend Alternatives.

Background:

  • Mechanical Engineering Student
  • Don't mind spending a SANE amount on well curated and well made items if it's a buy it for life purchase.

I recently picked up some Four Candies 2mm lead holders (went cheap/generic cause I needed a "bulk" amount) to use with colored leads. I think I'm sold on the idea of a lead holder for general writing and hand drafting tasks (while not covered in school, I plan on learning and practicing technical lettering as a challenge to up my handwriting game).

Falling down the rabbit hole I discovered the 800 series Rotring Lead Holders but when I went to look for one; it appears that discontinuance and scarcity means that people are charging collector's item prices for these. $300 is not a SANE amount to spend on a mechanical pencil. I missed the bus. Frowny Face Emoji

What is attractive to me about the 800 series:

  • All metal construction including the mechanism (appears to be brass).
  • An index that calls out the lead you have loaded into the holder.

This brings me to the Rapid Pro Lead Holders. While reviews seem mostly decent there are some that pan the mixed metal and plastic construction. It's also missing the index as far as I can tell. This is causing me hesitance.

  • What would be a good alternative that has 800 series like features but isn't going to cost me my 1st born (lol I'm a child free 45 year old cis male. Jokes on you evil Bay)?
  • I'm somewhat into the idea of getting a vintage lead holder but I know nothing of their history.

Also: JetPens is selling the Rapid Pro Lead Holder for $40. Amazon is $27. I've seen some people having issues with cracked 600 series. My conclusion is that Amazon is a good marketplace for fakes. I am assuming I should avoid (or at least be very careful)?

32 Comments
2025/01/31
16:19 UTC

18

Having trouble finding info on the OHTO Color hex

OK, so I was going through my 100 pencil collection yesterday and updating my spreadsheet and got stuck on this Ohto color hex. It's not super obscure and I was able to find ample info and comps 5 years ago. But now, I'm having trouble even looking it up. I can find a few blogs and reddit posts about the color series but, when looking up this model, I'm provided results for almost every other Ohto pen/pencil in existence. Any help on links for this one? Also, does anyone know where to find other colors for this series?

4 Comments
2025/01/31
15:36 UTC

43

Two new acquisitions

STAEDTLER Mars Technico

KOH-I-NOOR Versatile 5226

I much prefer the STAEDTLER but the KOH-NOOR fits in my travel case easily when out and about.

5 Comments
2025/01/31
15:00 UTC

13

Pentel Sharplet and Uni M3-351

2 Comments
2025/01/31
13:44 UTC

35

Tomboy SH300

Got this tomboy sh300 today, the feel and build is somewhat similar to Rotring tikky, but price is much lower. The lead sleeve doesn't retract so if you buy this make sure not to drop it.

Bought it for 180 INR (around 2$).

Overall a value for money product.

8 Comments
2025/01/31
13:29 UTC

17

Kuru Toga Advanced

Ok I confirm, there is no way to take the clip out withy breaking it. Nevertheless it is easy to break it 🤣 Just level it up and down several times and it broken behind plastic so no need for sand paper anything

0 Comments
2025/01/31
13:15 UTC

60

PRO USE 171

Wow - Didn’t even know Platinum even had or changed to these cases but I felt like I was opening a $100 pencil even though it was 20. For people who own this pencil, do I turn the barrel until it stops for the lead bounce to engage? Too scared to try and experiment my self haha.

5 Comments
2025/01/31
11:59 UTC

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