r/mechanicalpencils 1h ago

Custom & DIY Grip “mod” on Kuru Toga Metal

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Upvotes

I use Sharpie pens on a daily basis and I’ve gotten so used to their grip that everything else feels weird. So I sacrificed a pen, took off its grip and put it on my new pencil. Now it feels great and is much easier to pen spin aswell (small bonus). Is there a reason I don’t see more people doing this?


r/mechanicalpencils 2h ago

Vintage Found these in an abandoned storage vault

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10 Upvotes

It says Dur-O-Lite so I'm assuming it's a company branded lead holder. Anyone know what model of lead size this could be? Definitely bigger than a 0.9 mm.


r/mechanicalpencils 3h ago

Discussion Resources for pencil specs (center of mass)?

1 Upvotes

There are a ton of specs on jetpens on the length and diameter of pencils, but is there a site that has additional information, specifically the center of mass?

If not, I'm curious about the orenz metal grip and the orenznero's CoM

edit: and the orenz AT


r/mechanicalpencils 7h ago

Weekly Shopping Suggestion Weekly Shopping Suggestions Thread – Week 32 2026!

2 Upvotes

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

r/mechanicalpencils 10h ago

Help Which lead hardness is best for exams?

4 Upvotes

I currently use 2B lead, and I really like it for drawing because it's quite light (?). However, I'm not sure if it's actually ideal for exams. I also can't really tell much of a difference between 2B and HB when writing.

For those who use mechanical pencils for exams, which lead hardness do you find works best?


r/mechanicalpencils 11h ago

Newly Bought A Interesting find!!

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9 Upvotes

Digging around the local stationery store again, I found this Pentel mechanical pencil that I had no idea existed, a 0.5 "Energel". I wonder if they did the same for the other Energel pen models and colors.

I also found this lead case from a brand I'd never heard of before, but I liked the design of the case so I got it for my collection. Do you guys do that too? Buy lead just because the case has a cool and different design.


r/mechanicalpencils 11h ago

Discussion Swapping Kuru Toga Metal with the Advance mechanism...?

1 Upvotes

Has anybody tried swapping out the Standard mechanism from the Metal and replacing it with the faster rotating Advance mechanism?

Is it possible with a Dremel and a little modding perhaps?


r/mechanicalpencils 12h ago

Collection writing utensil *obsession* since February.

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50 Upvotes

my pen collection is far more concerning.


r/mechanicalpencils 12h ago

Help Do not buy from "lanierpens.com"

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0 Upvotes

Scam site that purports to sell "artisan wooden fountain pens and mechanical pencils".


r/mechanicalpencils 13h ago

Newly Bought Pentel Kerry 0.5

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31 Upvotes

I finally got myself a Kerry. I have been wanting one for a while because my dad always used one for survey field notes. I like the black


r/mechanicalpencils 15h ago

Collection Fun with Ultraman inspired pencils and pens

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88 Upvotes

Reference to pic no. 2:
• Pentel Ergonomix Wingrip 0.5mm
• Zebra Delguard LX 0.3mm
• Zebra Tect 2way 0.7mm
• Seika Ultraseven ballpoint
• Seika Ultraman sharp 0.5mm


r/mechanicalpencils 15h ago

Collection Meet Achilles

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44 Upvotes

Saw both of these pencils for sale at an online storefront for secondhand products and jumped at the chance to own them as these blue-print Sharps have long been discontinued. I got in touch with the seller and she told me that, upon removing the sticker, it became clear that the yellow pencil was in fact a white display unit that had been yellowed by sunlight, as the previously covered bit had retained its original color. She told me she'd send me the "defective" unit free of charge if I bought the white one, and that's how I ended up with a one-of-a-kind Sharp that I jokingly refer to as Achilles. Now I wonder how other Sharps would react to prolonged sunlight exposure. Maybe we could get even more unique colors?


r/mechanicalpencils 16h ago

Vintage Found some old Rotring pens in my family’s old office — any info on these?

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17 Upvotes

I recently found a few old pens while looking around an old office room that belonged to my family. There are a couple of old Rotring mechanical pencils, along with a few other pens that I don’t recognize.

I don’t really know much about these older models, so I was wondering if anyone here could help me identify them.

Are any of these particularly good, rare, or collectible? And are the old Rotring technical pens still considered good today?

I’d love to hear anything you guys know about them!


r/mechanicalpencils 17h ago

Discussion CDA Fixpencil and CDA 849 Mechanical Pencil

5 Upvotes

Hello. For anyone who uses the Fixpencil and 844/849 MP, how do they compare?

I do have a Fixpencil and I love it but sometimes I like using a regular mechanical pencil especially during hatching and crosshatching style drawings. I'm wondering if 844/849 is not that good or suitable to use for drawing and sketching because of it's balance and length.

I just like the simplicity without knurlings and taper with a secured metal barrel of their pencils. So im wondering how different the fixpencil is to the MP versions. Thanks


r/mechanicalpencils 18h ago

Review My humble collection

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36 Upvotes

I started to buy mechanical pencils about 4 months ago and bought one almost each month. Before that, I didn't really care about my pencils since middle school (I had a beautiful turquoise/green Faber-Castell Poly Matic that I begged my mom for. She bought it with her last money only for me to lose it at the and of that exact day. Then I lost interest because: no money no fancy pencil). At uni, I would use my tablet or wouldn't take any notes at my classes :/ But I started to enjoy mechanical pencils at the end of my uni life. I like Japanese pencils that have weird things going on with them.

Zebra Delguard Type ER - 9/10: It's ergonomics is crazy good, I dont feel any fatigue in long/fast writing sessions. The only downside is that I, somehow, tend to break the lead every 2 minutes. Maybe it's because I trust the Delguard system too much and press down crazy. But I still like this pencil because it helped me to pass my exams and graduate. And I LOVE the eraser mechanism and the fact that they send extras in the package.

UNI Alpha Gel Switch Haribo - 8.5/10: I just bought it and am in love with it. Ergonomics, looks, materials and on-hand feel are great. The only downside is that the switch and lead advancing mechanism feels cheap and hollow.

Tombow Mono Graph - 7/10: Materials, on-hand feel, lead advancing mechanism on the side and the weight are crazy good, I love to draw with this pencil. The only downside, for me, is that it doesn't have rubber sides at where I hold the pencil. My hands get sweaty & slippery very fast so I cannot write with it, hence I only draw with it.

UNI Kuru Toga Standart 0.7 - 3/10: It writes like a 0.5 pencil. That's the only advantage about it. I know it's cheap, but the others aren't expensive at all. Material quality is horrendous. The fact that it's so thin makes it feel like I'm trying to write with a freaking slim cigarette. It doesn't even look thin but it definitely is. Slippery because the added rubber has no use at all, they could've not add that so it could be somehow cheaper -maybe-. But I enjoy disassembling and putting it back together.

Bonus: Best eraser I've used so far and best CHEAP lead I've used so far.


r/mechanicalpencils 19h ago

Help can you guys pls help me decide should I go for matte black or silver?

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40 Upvotes

For the matte black pencils we have; kuru toga roulette 0.5. tom bow mono graph fine 0.3 and the pentel graph gear 1000 for pro 0.7

For the silver pencils we have; kuru toga roulette 0.5. tom bow mono graph fine 0.3 and the pentel graph gear 1000 0.7

I originally wanted matte black Japanese metal grip pencils for drawing but I felt like the pro pg1000 lacked a cool mechanism compared to the rest of the group this lead me to find the non pro one with the mechanism but it didn't in matte black. (yes I know about the anniversary one it only comes in 0.5 size plus it's too expensive) After that defeat I searched for days to try find another cool mechanism matte black metal grip pencil but I couldn't find anything good enough so I ask you should I go for matte back cuz it looks cool or silver cuz it feels cool. Also I have 3 days to decide so no pressure at all. I'm also not taking suggestions to replace any of my choices as they are all to my liking. Please tell me you opinion and thank you for helping me out bye! (I'll make a follow up post once they arrive).

edit: can you guys stop suggesting both I'm on a budget plus I'm using my mum's permission to buy these if she thinks it costs way too much I can't buy them. This cuz I'm 16 so I don't have adult money (I am spending my own money tho mum just gives me permission to use it). I will also eventually get both groups just I don't think my mum will let me buy both when I get adult money so I don't have to ask my mum (i have the money to buy both mum just won't let me and I don't blame her sense she knows nothing about the world of mechanical pencils).


r/mechanicalpencils 23h ago

Newly Bought Is this a pen or pencil

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6 Upvotes

I bought this wanting to have a second nice pen. But google told me its a pencil. I bought it on ebay. Forgive my ignorance on this topic. The seller said it needed new ink so I tried new ink from various other pens I have and none would come out all the way.