i like mechanical pencils

[ZippyDan]

and i want to buy one(s). the best one(s)

i had these and i did really like them (.3, .5, and .7). but im wondering if i can do better. http://www.dickblick.com/zz206/22/

im not looking for a fancy pencil per se. i am most interested in the best functionality. the mechanical part of the pencil is what i like the most, so the best internals are important. so are the ergonomics and quality of construction and materials.

the guide tube, the type of metal, the type of grip, the type of plastic (if any), the moving parts are all things id consider and more

so anyone want to recommend some pencils to me? is there a pencil that can switch sizes with a twist?

 

[Howard]

I like them too. I don't really care about the quality of the ones I use, though, since I lose stuff pretty often.

 

[Lonyo]

I have a 0.5mm Pentel all metal mechanical, and it's still with me (had it for some years now). Only thing is it's so old and used that the marking have all rubbed off, so you can't tell who it was made by.

 

[potato28]

I have 2 Statler-Mars mechanical pencils... they have never left my desk because of how easily they'd get lost.

 

[yosuke188]

I've always used these.

Nothing fancy, just something that writes well.

 

[bctbct]

I must write to hard because evertime I use one I break the lead.

 

[drinkmorejava]

The best mechanical pencil I've ever used was the Pentel Sharp Kerry. I hear their graphgear 500 and 1000 are pretty good too, but I've never tried them. Personally, I'm more of a pen guy though; I only ever use rollerballs, normally a Sanford ultrafine (.5mm) Uniball or a Pilot Precise V5 extra fine.

 

[SVT Cobra]

I use those clear ones because they look cool and I have to replace them once every 2 weeks. Plus to me spending more money on a fancy pencil is just kind of not me (i.e. stupid IMO).

EDIT: Although I am a sucker for rollerball gel ink fine tip pens.

Also .5 only, .7 is way too thick and while I would probably love it I have never seen .3.

 

[Schadenfroh]

I need to get me one of them fancy pencils. I am too cheap to buy a pencil sharpener, most of the time I just cut away at the tip with my pocket knife to get a tip back.

 

[ChaoZ]

I've used a lot of different ones before, and my favorite is Dr. Grip

http://www.handhelpers.com/sitedirector/images/site_images/s0053235_std.jpg

 

[Ika]

Personally I'm a fan of .7 mm mechanical pencils, because I like my writing to be bold. Unfortunately, because I'm in school and I'm an idiot, I lose my pencils a lot. Thus, I've pretty much been exclusively using the standard Bic Grip mechanical pencil, because they're cheap, comfortable, and easy to use.

 

[ZippyDan]

wow no one knows any really nice MECHANICAL pencils?

 

[xanis]

Dr. Grips are very nice, but they're expensive and maybe a little too fancy. I've been using cheap Bic .5mm mechanical pencils for years and they haven't let me down yet. However, the mechanical pencils that I think were the best were the Zebra M-301s. Stainless steel barrel, comfortable grip, and all-around fantastic build quality. And you can buy them at Staples too.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: ZippyDan
wow no one knows any really nice MECHANICAL pencils?

I used to...then I got used to wooden ones again..haven't been back since

 

[LordMorpheus]

I've been using Papermate G-force .5mm pencils. I like them because the tip retracts so they don't tear up my pockets.

and the clip is a loop of steel wire so it doesn't break off.

They've been pretty rugged so far.

 

[intogamer]

I always loose my pencils =/

 

[Indolent]

I used one pencil throughout college. It was the pentel twist erase kind. The mechanical part works great and never failed. And, I erase a lot, so the extra long eraser that you twist up is very useful.

here

 

[fleshconsumed]

Here's a nice one, got one my sis for her BD (she is into drawing):
http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/cPath/45_154/products_id/563

There is also a simpler version, which I bought for myself:
http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/cPath/45_154/products_id/833

And here's the ones I use for daily beater
http://www.artstuff.net/staedtler_mars_draft_pencils.htm
the only problem is the top part is plastic, not aluminum like the rest of the pencil, otherwise it would have been perfect. (BTW description is wrong, grip should be metal, unless it's a slightly different version).

 

[slackwarelinux]

.9 ftw!
I use an old yellow Pentel drafting pencil. It is has a nice hard plastic construction, with a pattern of indents for the grip. It is very durable, and I can disassemble and reassemble it with my eyes closed.

 

[FleshLight]

Sanford PH.D > ****

 

[phisrow]

I've always been pleased with the Pentel P205 .5mm mechanical pencil. I destroyed one in a plasma arc accident; but the only other losses have literally been my losing the things.

 

[So]

these

 

[So]

Originally posted by: phisrow
I've always been pleased with the Pentel P205 .5mm mechanical pencil. I destroyed one in a plasma arc accident; but the only other losses have literally been my losing the things.

Yeah, they're tough things, but I tend to lose the metal caps.

 

[cirthix]

http://imagelibrary.gellyroll.com/images/37697.jpg

may not be the best, but i love mine

 

[Born2bwire]

When it comes to drafting products I have always been very happy with Staedtler Mars.