BIFL Mechanical Pencil
-
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’ve tried all the suggestions made so far by other commenters, and they are solid options IMO. One of my personal requirements has been that the writing tip is either smooth/rounded, retractable, or covered in some way, because I use my pencil a lot every day, and I prefer to keep it in my hip pocket. If a fine tip is exposed, it gets caught in the fabric and/or bent.
For a long time the GraphGear 1000 was my favourite because the tip retracts and it has a sturdy metal body. But it’s quite long and heavy, and I had to use the clip, which has a somewhat flimsy hinge joint. If the clip gets ripped off (happens to me) it renders the pencil useless because the clip holds the tip out for writing. I also used Orenz pencils for a while because I like the lead-protecting sleeve, but the tip doesn’t seem to be designed to be repeatedly pushed back into the body, because they always start jamming on me pretty quickly.
A few months ago I discovered the Pentel Kerry and it’s my new favourite. It has a removeable cap to protect the lead when closed, and to use it you remove the cap (friction/snap fit) and put it on the other end of the pencil like you would with a regular pen. The tip of the cap has a spring-loaded button which connects with the lead advance button on the main pencil body, so you can click on the rear end to advance the lead as normal. Unfortunately I don’t think there’s a metal body version, but the plastic feels quite sturdy to me.
-
We still doing rotring? If you can keep the graphite sheath from getting knocked against something (like from dropping it) the original metal models are very solid.
Probably a little heavy for daily writing if you have any RSI issues though
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.
-
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 a fan of Pentech Twisterase: Been using these since college.
-
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.
Pentel Graphgear 1000. Best pencil ever made
-
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.
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.
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
I have graphgear 500 pencils which can vote.
and I’m convinced. I was just jumping on to look for a BIFL pencil.
-
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.
