My introduction post

I don’t know quite what to say except I fell in love with the Pentel P209 through work.
Years later I discovered that I could put the mechanism into a P205 or a P207 to keep my pencil, by appearance, “less desirable” to my coworkers so that it didn’t get taken.
Through that discovery I went searching for new colors and I fell down a rabbit hole of sorts.
There’s a 0.4mm? Wow!
There’s a 0.3mm?
How small does the size lead go?
What are all of these other pencils?
This is so interesting, there’s something about them. I could go on.
I’ve settled a bit I think. But I figured I would post this to kick it off because otherwise I don’t know how I could introduce myself in a productive way.

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Hey welcome to the forum.
Lead sizes can come in
0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, (a rare 0.6 from Turkey), 0.7, (a rare 0.8), and 0.9. Then usually 1.1, 1.3mm etc.

This may help get you started

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What an interesting view. I imagine that gets expensive. I don’t know that I have any “firsts” but I do particularly like the Pentel P209. With that I’ve enjoyed looking into what other Pentel there are as a 0.9mm and I think I next purchase a P329. Then I had to get the remaining ones with the script down to the P323. Then I learned of the PMG and had to find the ones in that line as well but I never did buy a PG7. Then I discovered the PG1505 and I had to buy the other two. Along the line I found that though I found them to be beautiful pieces, they didn’t mean as much to me as the P209. So I sold most of them. I’ve since found that I love the Pentel Eleven (I’d like to find a 0.9) and the corresponding S305 or so model. Especially the CPA version or the ones that have the m/m on the center. And I want to focus on the 0.9 in that body style or so and find all of the variations I can. P229, PF509, etc

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Not sure if you have seen it, but I have put together a Pentel Pencils Identification Book. You can find it from this Knockology page.

There is an updated (from that title) book from 2024, and I am currently working on a 2025 release.

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You changed the color to make it less desirable and they won’t take it away from you? Could you share a photo?

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I’ve realized how to specifically reply, yes I’ve seen your 2024 version. A seller on eBay introduced me.

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I will post pictures in about an hour or so. I have a desk now. I’m a sheet metal mechanic but I don’t do as much install anymore. I manage the people and the work. I have a graphite P209 that I put red lead in to “red line” blue prints when jobs are complete. I also have a P207 and a P205 with P209 insides to it, because no field guy is going to steal a pencil with such thin lead.

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The loose ones are the converted pencils and the rest are some of my collection.

Okay, there are several elements here that I’m seeing for the first time. The hardness of the lead printed on the body, then the bottom pencil has a different clip, did you replace it? First time I see the size of the lead printed in that place on the body.

Everything is very interesting, hey, are those boxes full?

Some of mines

This is 2⁰ generation, 1972 I think

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The hardness ones I found on eBay. I think the guy is in Ukraine. The different clip, I’m almost positive actually belongs on the P215, that generation has a flat clip (which I’m not a fan of). The boxes are full. I don’t know what it is about the stock boxes but I like them. There’s something relaxing about the art of these pencils in themselves.

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I’ve wondered if the ones that don’t say P205 but yet they have the 0.5m/m engraved or however you say it on them, if they are actually P325. Why are some labeled and some not?

Those pencils with the text on them are what I call Generation 1a/1b.

At that time, I was only aware of P200 pencils here in the US. If I had known about the P320 series, I would have combined Generations 2 & 3 into 2 & 2a, and subsequent generations would step back 1.

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Wow, I need the p207 0.7m/m with the P205 mold imprint. So much information. Even better would be the 0.9. I don’t know what it is about the Eleven’s but I like them a lot. The P305, though rubbed, I love it also. I don’t understand why they discontinued the grip pattern.

And if you notice, the P200/P320 grip has 11 rings. I believe that is a reference to the Pentel Eleven.

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I don’t know that I would have noticed. It makes sense.

What is it about the bright colors that piqued your interest?

Those are Brazilian neon colors, those are .7mm. They are very pretty in person, I like them.

There is an edition of 5 or 6 neon/fluorescent colors, until recently available at regular price, I think it is still available at regular price, among other special finishes, like Retro for example.

Great to see such enthusiasm for Pentel’s P20x line. They are a great value. Phenomenal workhorses. That must be so annoying at work to have to worry about pencil theft. I take it that you’d tried the route of putting a label on the pencil to identify ownership and it still walked? Pretty clever on stuffing the P209 internal inside a P205 or P207.

Btw, the P20x engine is so well regarded that a number of small shops have made pencil hosts out of various metals to use them. One of my favorites is Spoke Design. Now, we’re talking prices far above a regular P205 (at $45)… but maybe one day you might be inclined to treat yourself. :wink:

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