My smallest mechanical pencil

not sure if it’s called mini-drawer, but it’s a standard 5-layer drawer from MUJI that many pen/pencil collectors use in both Taiwan and Japan. This is the listing on MUJI:

They actually don’t call it “mini” here in the MUJI USA shop, but I call it that as it’s quite small. There is a 3 drawer version, then a 5 drawer version. Just $5 USD difference, which makes all the more sense to go with 5 drawers. I bought mine like 7 years ago and the price I paid for the 5 drawer was $34 USD back then (it’s now $45 USD!).

UPDATE: Anyone here in the USA who is interested, MUJI is running a sale at the moment. If you order two of these drawers, you get $20 USD off plus free shipping. There’s just about 1 day left.

The USA site provides measurements:
Dimensions:
External: W25.5 x D17.5 x H16.0cm (Approx. W10.0 x D6.9 x H6.3")
Interior Drawers: W23.7 x D15.7 x H2.5cm (Approx. W9.3 x D6.2 x H1.0")
Weight: 1.65kg (3.6lbs)

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The only real problem I have with the MUJI solution is the amount of height that seems to get wasted. Would be great if MUJI made a shallower version!

Yeah, I kind of see your point. They are just a bit too shallow to have stacked pencils in one drawer. I suppose you could work out a leaning divider of some kind that helps utilize space a bit better.

After a bit of digging, I think I found my smallest mechanical pencil.

I had lost it in a pocket of a backpack (because it’s small and tiny, obviously), but fortunately it cropped up just in time to be launched into this conversation.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you… the “Antica Fabbrica Vittorio Martini mini-me” pencil.

In just 9 cm you get a fully functional knock action MP in 0.5, with a slim metal body, a super-tiny rear button, and a weirdly yellow-ish colour for the body. It originally came with a pocket clip, which I removed and placed in the clip cup, and was most likely meant to complement some sort of Filofax-style diary. Although fully functional, I don’t see this MP as much more than a novelty item, or possibly an “emergency substitute” in case any other pencil fails.

“Vittorio Martini 1866” is an Italian brand which used to offer a wide range of high-quality drafting templates/set squares/rulers, and is now entirely devoted to provide luxury writing tools with wooden barrels and/or unusual form factors. I’m not sure the change in the mission & vision of the company ultimately helped its development, but for sure it extended its lifespan.

Regards everybody!

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I remember when Vittorio Martini stocked more items than they do now. They had a bunch of pens and MPs that were licensed OHTO designs… the one I remember most clearly is the OHTO Dude. I think this one is based on the Minimo. I was always thinking about getting one of VM’s outrageous ‘sculpted metal’ lead holders but waited too long and now they’re OOP.

Wow, that’s even shorter than the Zebra TS3 (99 mm).

Hey @drifand, If you let me know what type of Vittorio Martini lead holders you’re looking for — a picture and a reference number might be the best option — I can try to find one for you when I visit the shops I wander through here in Italy; maybe there is some leftover stock somewhere, and the prices are not as high as they are on the online market.

DM me if interested. :slight_smile:

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Me too, me too! Interesting VM writing tools are on my radar. Especially this:

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Added to my watch list; I vaguely remember this object, not sure about last time I saw one, but I’ll check; besides, I’m not interested that much in MP’s with non-removable pocket clip, so if I ever find one of those, it goes straight to the trade/sell bay area. :slight_smile:

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Thanks. As far as I know, the Balance series included a 0.5mm pencil, a 2mm lead holder, and a ballpoint. I love the design and the finishing is excellent.


I tried use the Wayback Machine but the Internet is soooo sloooow right now. I did spot this current production fountain pen that somewhat resembles the leadholder I remembered. Fluted metal body. Glamorous. Italian.

Vittorio Martini Gothier
Found it: Vittorio Martini ‘Gothier’… but this is the BP, I think. I’ll take what I can get.

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My smallest, left to right (with a busted TK-Matic as reference)::

Sakura 0.5
Sailor 0.5
Pentel 0.3 (w/cap)

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I’ve got 6 of them, 27×18×13, with solid acrylic. I don’t know if it’s sold on Aliexpress or Temu, it only costs me about 6$ each in China. And for pens that win more love of me, I make some coated paper tray for them.

Its height is a bit excessive but I’m fine with that. The main thing you need to pay attention to when buying these boxes is the length it can hold. The only problem of this solution is that it cannot prevent moisture. And making these trays will cost way much time than you expect. (If you want them to look nice and neat)


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VM balance, and the Lexon pen looks like Rotring 600 style, I know them from your Twitter, and they are the pens that I don’t know where to find for years

Penac mini next to an S3


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Busted? What happened to it? Visually it looks OK. Mechanism fouled up?

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When I hold the knock cap, lead just slides out. I’m guessing it’s missing its rubber ring.

It’s now joined my extras

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I’d hate to not see half of my pencils :confused:

Yeah, it’s unfortunate when that pesky little lead retainer manages to come loose and disappear. They’re not sold separately, from what I understand. And who knows how many different designs exist. I don’t know if the one used for the TK-matic is a special shape. But, if Faber Castell uses one design for all of their 0.5 mm pencils, then it certainly could be possible to grab an example in bad cosmetic shape on the cheap and harvest that lead retainer.