BIFL Mechanical Pencil
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I have a rotring 500. It has a plastic body with the metal tip of the 600. Gives it a really nice balance toward the tip and isn’t as heavy as a fully metal body.
On that topic, I also have a rotring rapid pro that seems sturdy enough, though I haven’t used it enough to fully vouch for it
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A recent post by xcel reminded me that I need a mechanical pencil. Ideally the same size as a normal pencil and ideally ~15 USD (200 ZAR) since anything above that price has a habit disapearing from my desk.
Working on it
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A recent post by xcel reminded me that I need a mechanical pencil. Ideally the same size as a normal pencil and ideally ~15 USD (200 ZAR) since anything above that price has a habit disapearing from my desk.
Switching to 0.9mm lead was a game changer for me. I love this pencil: https://www.jetpens.com/KOKUYO-Enpitsu-Sharp-Mechanical-Pencil-Type-Mx-0.9-mm-Red/pd/29134
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I use a Pentel Graphgear 1000. Aluminum construction, feels great in my hand, costs less than 10 bucks.
I have graphgear 500 pencils which can vote.
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This is where I proclaim the wonderfulness of a 2mm lead holder. you sharpen it like a normal pencil with this really small sharpener. you can then buy a tin of different 2mm leads of different colors or hardness.
Staedtler makes a pretty good one for 10 bucks. my favorite is an aluminum one by Caran D’ache.
If you just have to have .5mm get a uni kuru toga. They have one that rotates the lead every time you press down so you always start with a sharp edge.
This is the correct answer on both fronts.
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A recent post by xcel reminded me that I need a mechanical pencil. Ideally the same size as a normal pencil and ideally ~15 USD (200 ZAR) since anything above that price has a habit disapearing from my desk.
I’m more pens than pencils but I’ve had luck with both fountain and roller pens from lamy for 15+ years, and their mech pencils start at around 20 usd
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I have graphgear 500 pencils which can vote.
and I’m convinced. I was just jumping on to look for a BIFL pencil.
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This is where I proclaim the wonderfulness of a 2mm lead holder. you sharpen it like a normal pencil with this really small sharpener. you can then buy a tin of different 2mm leads of different colors or hardness.
Staedtler makes a pretty good one for 10 bucks. my favorite is an aluminum one by Caran D’ache.
If you just have to have .5mm get a uni kuru toga. They have one that rotates the lead every time you press down so you always start with a sharp edge.
The Staedtler lead holder is a perfect BIFL product. I had mine for years until I somehow lost it. I couldn’t find a Staedtler at a store near me, so I ended up buying one from a brand called Alvin. I hadn’t heard of it before, but it feels like it’ll also last forever. Has a metal body and everything. https://alvindrafting.com/products/pro-matic-metal-lead-holder
Other upside of a lead holder: no more little broken 0.5 mm pieces ending up all over the room.
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A recent post by xcel reminded me that I need a mechanical pencil. Ideally the same size as a normal pencil and ideally ~15 USD (200 ZAR) since anything above that price has a habit disapearing from my desk.
I got a Tomato Graph-X5 Mechanical Pencil a few years ago as my workshop pencil. Barring it getting lost, I suspect it will outlive me.
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The Staedtler lead holder is a perfect BIFL product. I had mine for years until I somehow lost it. I couldn’t find a Staedtler at a store near me, so I ended up buying one from a brand called Alvin. I hadn’t heard of it before, but it feels like it’ll also last forever. Has a metal body and everything. https://alvindrafting.com/products/pro-matic-metal-lead-holder
Other upside of a lead holder: no more little broken 0.5 mm pieces ending up all over the room.
Oh god, Staedler. My dad had one for 40 years and I used it for two (and somehow leads have to be put in the bottom to actually be used). After it died I got a newer Staedler one and I somehow permanently jammed it in the few months I actually used it.
Maybe the shitty AliExpress leads I use harm the mechanicals of the pens or something?
Edit: The old one works after multiple cleaning sessions.
