Looking for a Retractable Mechanical Pencil. Edit:found.

Russ on 09/10/2022 - 16:14
Last edited 10/10/2022 - 01:08

After seeing the recent Rotring 800 mechanical pencil deal https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/718794, which I read AFTER it had sold out, I'm now looking for something similar. I wasn't previously aware that retractable mechanical pencils existed.

Requirements:

  • takes ordinary 0.5mm leads, that can be bought from anywhere
  • metal body, or at least metal where it counts around the tip
  • the retract mechanism doesn't require that the lead be retracted as well. There are quite a few mechanical pencils where you push the button on the end, and can push in both the lead and the tube around the end. That's not what I want. The Rotring 800 has separate lead-advance (push button) and tip-retract (twist barrel) mechanisms, I want something with separate mechanisms, basically so it is as convenient as using a pushbutton pen: one motion and you're ready to write.
  • Some of the mechanical pencils I've found don't have an eraser, that's okay, I prefer to use a separate eraser anyway.

I've found it very difficult to search for such items, as the search results tend to be contaminated with mechanical pencils that aren't retractable. And quite often the word "retractable" isn't in the pencil's title!

Here's what I've found so far:

  • Rejected: Parker V1953381 Jotter Mechanical Pencil - you have to retract the lead to retract the tip.
  • Rejected: Uni Shift Pipe Lock Drafting Mechanical Pencil - one video review showed that the retracted tip was barely inside its cover, and the lead would also have to be retracted to be protected.
  • Rejected: Combi pen/pencils like Amazon B0B62WVWR8, as they are mostly plastic, and don't look like they'd last.
  • Like, but too expensive: Rotring 800. Comes up as a deal every year or so, and I'd rather not wait.
  • Possible: rOtring 1904451 Tikky 3-in-1 Mechanical Pencil/Ballpoint Pen/Highlighting Pen.
  • Possible: rOtring 600 3-in-1 Multicolour Pen and Mechanical Pencil.
  • Possible: rOtring SO502715 Trio Ballpoint Pen with 0.5mm Mechanical Pencil.

There are others, but it's harder to find reviews with any technical information, like how difficult is it to refill the leads. For the three "possible" ones listed above, there seem to be lots of YouTube reviews that I haven't watched yet, but so far I've spent about four hours searching for a suitable pencil, and I thought the wisdom of OzBargain might be a better way.

So OzBargainers, hopefully one or more of you have been through the same search as I have, but have found a suitable pencil. Please share your thoughts below.

Edit: thanks everyone, I've now got two inexpensive models to choose from.

Find Me A Bargain Stationery

Comments

  • Russ on 09/10/2022 - 16:15

    Before anyone asks, the reason I want a protected tip is so it won't be significantly damaged when it falls from my workbench to the concrete floor, and so I can keep it in my pocket without making holes.

    • oscargamer on 09/10/2022 - 19:42
      +2

      If it falls, the lead will break along its length. Try to avoid this.

      • Russ on 10/10/2022 - 00:45

        True, but hopefully I can disassemble the pencil and get the broken bits out. I do try not to drop pencils, and they always seem to land tip-first.

  • boomramada on 09/10/2022 - 16:42

    How about Ikea pencil? With a plastic cap.

  • apsilon on 09/10/2022 - 16:44
    +2

    Pentel Graph Gear

    • Russ on 10/10/2022 - 00:11

      I assume you mean the Pentel Graph Gear 1000 (but not the "for pro" version)? That looks good.

      Do you know if the silver version is all metal, or is the upper half of it made of silver-coloured plastic?

      • apsilon on 10/10/2022 - 06:46
        +1

        Yes the 1000, it's all aluminium IIRC though I've never tried to snap/bend one to prove it. They're what I use for my workshop pencil as in addition to the retractable tip they're available in a wide range of lead sizes and I have some layout tools that are designed for 0.9mm.

  • holdenmg on 09/10/2022 - 16:55
    +1

    https://www.montblanc.com/Search/Index?textSearch=pencil&sit…

    Seem to be Mechanical.

    • Russ on 10/10/2022 - 00:11

      Just a little bit expensive for me though!

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 09/10/2022 - 16:59
    +1

    Just buy a rOtring 800? Look for a deal.

    • Russ on 10/10/2022 - 00:16

      I know, but waiting is not my strongest suit. The Rotring 800 appears to have everything I want, but I was hoping to find something similar, perhaps even cheaper, and available now.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 09/10/2022 - 17:08
    +1

    Rotring deals are quite frequent just set alerts on 3camel

    • Russ on 10/10/2022 - 00:24
      +1

      True, but inflation is rocketing worldwide at the moment, so future low prices may not be that good. I'm also not great at being patient!

  • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2022 - 19:44
    +1

    Rejected: Uni Shift Pipe Lock Drafting Mechanical Pencil

    Is that the same as the Uni Kurutoga? I've been using these for years and whenever I'm in Japan always pick up some spares. I've lost (or had "permanently borrowed") more than a dozen of these but never managed to kill one.

    Anyway….you would prefer metal, so that's a moot point.

    Have you looked at the Pentel GraphGear 1000? Also made in Japan, but with an all-aluminum body and really comfortable knurling on the grip. Ridiculously good value (IMHO) at under $20.00

    • Russ on 10/10/2022 - 00:43

      Is that the same as the Uni Kurutoga?

      Not the same. The front half of the pencil barrel slides forward and locks in position, to cover the tip, but only barely covers it.

      Here's one on amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/Mechanical-Pencil-Silver-Accent-M9…

      If you can see the coloured section in the middle, the pencil is in the "protected" mode.

      Have you looked at the Pentel GraphGear 1000?

      Indeed I have, it was mentioned above. It isn't quite as elegant as the Rotring 800, but has a very good price, and it's available right now.

  • Russ on 10/10/2022 - 01:07

    Now I have a couple of pencils to compare. I'm looking at the Pentel GraphGear 1000 and the Staedtler Mars Micro 775.

    Thanks everyone!

  • skillet on 10/10/2022 - 09:18
    +1

    I have the 3in1s, 300,500,600s. The 3in1 has very different balance and feel. The tip is also different. For mechanical pencil I always go for fixed tips. There's less play so there's a solid feel when writing. 3in1 feels a bit spongy when writing. However it is not a disadvantage it works just as well. Its just personal preference.

    The Steadtler retractable is another story, there's too much flex I hate it.

    For grip I prefer the Pentel Graph 1000 For Pro, its soft touch grip is much comfier than Rotring knurling. Therefore this is my go to pencil. Again it's personal preference.

    • Russ on 10/10/2022 - 12:37

      Thanks, I was tilting towards the graph gear 1000 because of its all-metal body. Your thoughts on the Staedtler have convinced me the graph gear 1000 is the best choice for me. But not the "for pro" version, as I'm after a retractable pencil.

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