The Japanese tool maker Tajima also has some marking and writing implements. These include a few mechanical pencils, four of which are shown here.
Left to right/top to bottom: SS13MH, SH20FM, SS20MH-HB, SH20MH-HB. – Besides these and not shown here is the all-plastic SS13-xx in three variants (xx = 2H, HB, RED).
The SS13MH uses 1.3 mm leads. Its grip/tip is reminiscent of the Pentel GraphGear 500 and the button looks like the one of the Pentel AM13 which suggests that this pencil is made by Pentel. – The SS13-xx (also for 1.3 mm leads) is very similar to the AM13 but has a plastic tip.
The SH20FM (the only one of the four which is discontinued) is a classic 2 mm leadholder with a metal barrel. The knurling is quite sharp, which is sometimes criticised, but as this pen is intended to be used with gloves, it has to be.
The SS20MH-HB is also a 2 mm leadholder but with a knock mechanism (like e. g. the STAEDTLER 925 25 20 and the rOtring 800/2.0 mm) and the SH20MH-HB is a classic 2 mm leadholder too. Both have a rubberised barrel. – Tajima offers matching leads in two hardness grades (HB and 2H) and three colours (red, blue and white).
Tajima also has wood-cased pencils in its range which are made by Tombow. I have the old variant of the KN6-HB (“Hi-Balance”, made in Japan) which is amazing but the new variant (“Gold Grade”, made in Vietnam) is still very good.
