Agreed!
Btw, it was known as the “5 Toxic,” as relayed by Xiao. (HERE)
The Five Toxic to a great collection includes the Faber-Castell TK-Matic L, Rotring 600 gold, Hi-uni 5050, Pentel Mechanica and the Staedtler Micromatic 777 75. This name, “The Five Toxic”, became the Bible of every primary mechanical pencil collector in China.
Also,
I’m not quite clear exactly how it started, but apparently it was at least one or a few collectors who, upon amassing many highly regarded and expensive vintage mechanical pencils, defined this list as the “must have” models for a highly regarded collection. And “toxic” is the most closely translated word, for what is meant as unbearably desirable. But, the TK-matic L is not that particularly rare… while it is what I’d consider one of the best fixed pipe mechanical pencils ever made.
I don’t necessarily agree with this list. While the original rOtring 600 gold is rare, it’s only a minor cosmetic variation to a patently ubiquitous pencil model. And while the Micromatic 777 has an impressive mechanism, it’s so fragile to a fault… easily broken and even under gentle use. I would put the PN305 QX 05 in its place.
My revised list. It’s a little unconventional in that I have some entries that are groups (with several variants selectable). It’s by no means totally definitive as a list like this is always subjective to some degree. And in fact, while there were a few models I wanted to include, I excluded them because while they’re in my top 10, I don’t believe they’re quite as special enough to make this list.
I’m proposing a revised list of “10 Toxic.” And it doesn’t necessarily reflect extremely high cost. It’s more about highly regarded rarity plus appreciated quality and design that sets them apart from so many other choices.
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PILOT H-5005 - needs no introduction. A titanium bodied automatic feed mechanical pencil of impeccable aesthetic design.
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Mitsubishi Hi-Uni 5050 - needs no introduction. Top quality precision, carbon fiber body, and “finger flick” lead advancement option. The 3051FF would be a reasonable substitute.
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Pentel PN305 QX 05 - most highly regarded automatic mechanism ever made, save for the Kuru Toga Dive.
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Pentel Mechanica 03/05 - initially released in 1968, it was one of the ground breaking designs of its time, and continued production until 2002.
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Pentel Accugraph series - this is the PG2003, PG1804, and PG1505. While not particularly rare, these pencils are extremely well made and are phenomeal examples of Pentel’s flagship quality.
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Uchida Drawing Sharp E - there were 3 color available (gold, green, and blue), and while there were a few different “flankers” with minor differences, these have the most appealing aesthetic designs. They are works of art and it’s quite difficult to obtain all three.
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Faber Castell TK-matic L / Alphamatic - one should have both of these supremely well made mechanical pencils featuring automatic lead feed. The TK-matic L is a fixed pipe and the alphamatic is a forward clutch. They came in a variety of finishes (colored plastic and various metals).
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Pentel Excalibur PXE205 - likely the most superior capped all metal mechanical pencil ever made. Just phenomenal quality from end to end.
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KOKUYO PS-10x series - this includes the PS-100 (brushed steel), PS-101 (black steel), and PS-102 (gold plated). Any one of these is worth owning, because the body-knock mechanism is so very much first rate. Super smooth and exudes quality with each compressing. The body is an understated design, but the mechanism is truly the best.
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Sakura Archi YS3000 - This is not mechanically super rare or distinctive, but the design is so phenomenally enticing. Plus, the machined quality is first rate.