i love the white Loft Smash, with its black accents. I call it the Storm Trooper.
6 Likes
Interesting news… to me, anyway. I don’t know if folks here already know this.
Pentel USA has discontinued the SMASH. While there is one SMASH edition on their website for sale, it’s actually in the closeout category. The default ubiquitous black model? Not there.
I reached out to them, inquiring about a possible replacement part. It’s… well, something I didn’t expect they’d have, but I figured why not ask. I have a SMASH where the lead retainer is missing. I’d gotten it used and the seller didn’t check it for proper function. It must’ve come out when the previous owner was clearing a lead jam or something. Anyway, I asked Pentel about it and they said they were sorry, but it’s discontinued and only sold by their division in Japan.
5 Likes
Referring to the Smash being “discontinued” - I read somewhere that in 1987 when Pentel released the Smash, it was available in 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9mm.
The Smash was canceled in 2004, and when they resurrected it in 2006, they only had one size (0.5mm) until 2019 when they released in 0.3mm.
Has there been any news of bringing back the 0.7 or 0.9mm?
1 Like
I think the original line-up was only 5/7/9… 0.3 came a bit later. They were going to call it ‘Writing!’…
5 Likes
interesting - thanks! Any idea when the 0.3 was introduced?
I’m happy they didn’t go with “writing”
2 Likes
Well, the original 5/7/9 line-up launched in 1987 and ALSO won the G-Mark Good Design Award in 1987. Then in 1989, the 0.3mm won the Good Design Award. That year also saw the B1000 ballpoint get awarded. As close to an official date as any?
4 Likes
Thank you!
Do we know how many colors the ballpoint comes in? I know I have black, blue and gray.
1 Like
I believe 4 colors of the original Smash.
B1000-1 Black / -C Warm Grey-Blue / -D Warm Grey-Green / -N Warm Grey
2 Likes
I could never bring myself to want a Warm Grey Green version of the Smash. Felt too much like sun damage yellowing!
As I can’t find the Pentel chat channel: Is the list available elsewhere?
1 Like
Thank you! It wasn’t displayed in the list, and now I feel a bit stupid 
i think the chats get truncated with time
1 Like
Oh! This could be possible. – On that occasion I found the Staedtler chat 
1 Like
I’m SUPER late to your initial inquiry… But I’m incredibly curious to what specific aspect(s) caught your eye regarding the Pentel Smash??
1 Like
For me, it was the grip and integrated tip in one piece. I prefer more rigid lead sleeves like this. Another key reason is that it came with drafting pencil features like a 4mm lead sleeve and lead hardness indicator. But to be transparent, If I had to pick a genre of pencil that was my favorite it would be drafting pencils.
The grip is comfortable and holds up well over time and use, but does make an annoying sound when rolled in your fingers.
The plunger knock has inspired me to collect some of the drawing sharps made by Uchida, Sailor and Kokuyo. I’m trying to find the earliest adoption of the plunger.
1 Like
I was just thinking about this yesterday. I only have four Smashes with no plans to get more, and the reason is that sound. Can’t stand it. 
1 Like