I have to say, I like it with the wabi-sabi. Nice patina of usage. Looks so good!
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THIS is how I thought the brass version would be. The original finish was sooooo shiny!
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I have a brass one next to my desk, and I take it out and scribble with it from time to time but lately I’ve been kind of obsessed with automatics. (Since the start of the year I’ve been using a TK-matic L recently acquired on the amazingly cheap. I just love this thing.)
It’s very slowly acquiring trace amounts of a patina, but I don’t use it enough to have anything to show off yet. I’m looking forward to it, though!
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It’s a gorgeous pencil. I don’t know what was the original MSRP… but I’d venture it was at least 20% more than the plastic bodied version. Faber Castell really hit a home run with that design. The alphamatic is also a wonderful pencil. What was your score venue for getting one on the cheap? Was it on eBay? I’ve seen some deals come up from time to time there. But lately it’s pretty rare. Someone paid $300 USD for a mint in box 9725L.
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I remember reading somewhere that the plastic TK was 5000 yen at MSRP and the L version was 7000 yen.
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I know that the green TK-matic was sold in the USA. I’d seen it in a display case of an art supplies store. I cannot remember the price, but I remember that next to the rOtring 600 it was MUCH more expensive. At least 3 times more costly. It remained inside a locked clear plastic swivel display case. I was about 17 at the time (I was still in high school) and had requested of the sales person to see the TK-matic. He was probably in his 40’s or 50’s and he gave me a very serious look as he reluctantly took it out and slid over a test pad of paper. I drew a few shapes with it, then some lettering. “Shall I ring it up?” he asked rather coldly (expecting I wasn’t going to buy it). I remember telling him that I’ll think about it upon which he took it back, cleaned it off and locked it up in the case again. So yeah, he sized me up and knew I probably wasn’t going to buy it myself. Maybe he figured I’d be pleading with my parents who might later buy it for me. 
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When was the black brass model discontinued? Shame I missed it 
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It wasn’t. It should be restocked this month.
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Off topic question: is the alphamatic supposed to slide apart (in half). Essentially NOTHING holding it together?!?
The Alphamatic unscrews apart much like the Tk-matic. You can actually swap nose cones between the two (I have tried it myself, as I have both). I don’t get your reference about sliding apart with “nothing holding it together”. 
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Sounds… catastrophic 
If I knock it without holding the top and bottom part simultaneously, it slides apart. Does that make sense? It’s hard to describe:/
Edit: there is NOTHING keeping it together. Aside from friction or my hand. I can pull it apart with ease.
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Some pictures would probably help us diagnose what the problem with your alpha matic is! Also, I’m not sure if this is the most appropriate thread to continue this discussion in. Perhaps a new thread?
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I think I understand what you mean, between the grip and body there’s a “connector” piece inside that is friction fitted? that piece sometimes isn’t as “fitted” as it should..
When I received my TK Matic L after some use I encountered the same problem as you:
The pencil just came apart when knocking and the conection was really loose. Now, what I did to fix it may enrage some folks.. They might even throw stones at me and it was very painful but I had to use super glue to fit it in correctly. After I did that and let it rest for a while it worked flawlessly.
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Just have to use glue or epoxy sparingly. If it’s laid on too thick it can crack the metal surrounding it when it hardens.
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I recommend using JB Weld for metal-to-metal contact to be fixed in a more permanent manner.
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Good point, I’ll start one tomorrow with images. Thank you.
TK-matic L is the very best automatic MP, IMO
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Just out of curiosity… does anyone here own both the Manufactum and Fuji Corona double-knock pencils? Do they both feel about the same or would you place one above the other?
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They feel the same. I got a 0.3 Fuji Corona and a 0.5 unbranded Manufactum from @Kiwi-d. Very smooth and precise! Same with the black Kokuyo Pro versions.
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