I only picked up four of these to rationalize shipping my ‘luckiest find’ to date…
The new Steadtler 770 0.3mm (a decent remake, but undeniably inferior to the original)
The new Platinum Pro-Use 241 0.5mm ( overall generic revamp of the 171 imo. With less features and soul. Solid build and weight. Surprisingly slippery “knurling” (provides less grip than its plastic body…)
A BEAUTIFUL Pilot S3 0.4mm. My second favorite of this batch. 0.4mms have become my preferred lead size( previously I’d consider that blasphemy) but a new addition with such efficient class and grace has overly deliver in regards to satisfaction.
I FINALLY caved and purchased a Pilot S20 0.5mm. Glad to finally complete the set, but I find I prefer both the S10 and S30 a bit more. I’m by no means disappointed, I’m open to it growing on me.
And FINALLY. A pencil I thought lost to time, only seen owned by collectors spanning decades. I had never seen this available, ever, ever…. I’m not even sure it’s specific model name/number…
The Silver Muji 0.5mm. Retractable tip, diamond design knurling. It’s 5% smaller than most pencils, which makes it even sexier than I had hoped. Perfect weight, solid build. I’m on cloud 9.
If anyone ever gets the chance to acquire one, I couldn’t recommend it more.
I hope this helps anyone on the fence about any of these particular MPs
I have that Muji, it’s super compact and no bs. My kind of thing. Probably OHTO OEM after the slightly bulkier Silver Hex. I believe these were made with industrial environments in mind, along with their 2.0mm counterpart.
In a subtractive way of making pencils, it doesn’t get better than this — unless the body was round (which then would break all the logic behind the design) so it’s kind of perfect as it is.
Wait a second… Brushed metal body (round, as per request); retractable lead sleeve; stylish pocket clip; interesting rear pushbutton; fine knurled (short) grip area…
Interesting specimen, if you ask me: the grip band is a bit too far from the tip position for my taste, but it might be a worthy contestant in a race with your more than respectable items.
The “Vittorio Martini” seems more appropriate draped in velvet. I’ve always found myself reaching for it, then finding myself withdrawing. It’s beautiful, but not ideal.
As for u/ulfesharpe ‘s suggestion, I agree. The next step in evolution.
Sold my 1005S but I’m stoically keeping my 09mm. It really looks like a super pencil with the large sleeve and I actually enjoy using 09s as they let you do more generous markings.
Fusain is French for mineral charcoal sticks — quite different from charcoal sticks made from vegetable sources (usually fr. willow)
They are somewhat different in intensity and what you can do with them. You can spread, smear or erase charcoal with a putter while you can’t smear or erase fusain. It is much more clean than charcoal which tends to leave residue everywhere until you learn not to. Since fusain is much harder, you can also sharpen it into a thin point that leaves intense black lines — that doesn’t happen with normal graphite leads of any kind.
I consider the Promechas to be chunky, with no aerodynamic design influence. Perhaps you are joking and I missed the joke or do you mean Promecha has evolved away from efficient thermodynamic curves?
For sure. Promecha’s strength is definitely its ‘tech’ style, not its utility. But it is a beautiful style. The proportions are so well done. Body building with it may or may not yield the proportions you want for yourself.
For aerodynamic with equal points for amazing proportions and style, I pick Uchida Drawing Sharp. I don’t think there is much contest here.
I was awestruck when I first discovered the Uchida design. I HAD to have one, I became obsessed. Unfortunately (at this point in my collecting career), the prices for each piece of art were WELL beyond what I felt I should pay…. Eventually, my “want” overwhelmed my “reason”, and I finally acquired an: Uchida Drawing Sharp 0.5mm. All silver, no clip…
And it was the biggest letdown of my MP-procuring career (not including the Uni Super II….wow)…. The Uchida was SO light, when moved back and forth, it would rattle…. My enthusiasm was round-house kicked in the face….Right then and there, Uchida drawing sharps provided me with the greatest lesson when considering acquiring Mechanical Pencils….
“You will not know until you hold”…
I can’t remember anyone speaking ill of Uchida M.P.s…. And I’m NOT!…. I’m simply stating: they are lightweight, generic feeling products that ONLY have a unique design that makes them popular. I feel they are the most overpriced pencil on the market today (outside the Dive lol, don’t get me started).
That’s my rant though, if you love them, good for you
… jk.
