Mechanical pencils with ‘interlocking’ halves or parts… how else to describe them but as ‘jigsaw puzzle’ designs?
Here are 5 that I’ve collected under Mitsubishi’s BOXY brand. The first is a clipless mechanical pencil that came as part of a mini stationery kit. The kit seems to be targeted at executives and is more subdued in style. The branding says either ‘BOXY’S’ or is abbreviated to ‘B’s’. In this case, the jigsaw element is applied to the knock, kind of like on the Pentel A115.
The next 4 are also BOXY’S or B’’s models but these are dual function pens. The primary mode is as an MP with retracting tip, but this time the knock is the entire upper half, with an integrated clip. Thus the jigsaw element is in the middle of the pen.
Pulling off the entire upper half reveals the eraser stopper for refilling the MP. Pulling off the top of the upper half reveals the tip for a mini ballpoint, kind of like a Pilot Switch.
I’ve found the model number to be MB-309BS, and it comes in muted shades of red, blue-grey, black and clear. The translucent model was a surprise find and I sprung for it despite the relatively high price of ¥4,000. Hopefully, the clear plastic won’t become too yellow or brittle as years go by.