My next video is on one of my favorites, the Tombow SH-1000LP.
For datapoints I have the 1980 dated image that Tombow sent me but I’m going to use the one that @cytherian Gary cleaned up (thanks again, Gary).
I’ve found an image of the box, but wanted to put a call out to you guys to see if you had any interesting facts about the SH-1000LP, or by chance had any other catalog or advertising images that can be dated. (I’m trying to establish how long it was sold).
The only other Tombow catalog I have seen from that era is 1988, but did not see it listed.
Last- I consider this more of a drafting pencil, but in the “art style” format. Or, would you consider this more of a “drawing Sharp”?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions or inspiration
The styling puts it right in the middle of the SH-700LP and SH-1500LP, although 1500 is further differentiated by the all-silver grip and the housing for the lead degree display. The curves give it a more stylish flair, on par with the Uchida E and D series. Mitsubishi’s COLOR Sharp series has some similarities as well. I’ve read a description that likened this style to a ‘knife’.
Thank you, Kelvin. I have plans to show the “family”: SH-700LP, 1000 and SH-1500LP, and had plans to discuss the UchidaE and D series (and maybe KN?) as well as the Mitsubishi’s COLOR Sharp as possible design influences. I know that are many more, but these I have on hand. Does that sound reasonable?
I’ll take the safe road and just say “around 1980” when discussing the product availability
Definitely echoes the old Kent Drawing Sharp, which I think predates the whole Uchida Drawing Sharp lineup.
This is one of the items I definitely want to add to my collection, even though I would lean more towards the 1500LP, to get straight to the ultimate Tombow “scalpel-handle-like” MP. If you (or anyone else in this community) think this 1000LP is even better — I am afraid the lead indicator crown on the 1500LP might get in the way of my grip — please feel free to state your opinion; I am eager to know.
I don’t think the 1500’s crown is any more disruptive than the even sharper roll-stop on the Uchida/Kent masterpieces. Unless one has a habit of sliding the grip up and down and thereby scratching the web of your hand
My pleasure. I felt the need to mention the Kent Drawing Sharp because the resemblance — in terms of material components and shape factor — is more striking: the metal tail (I think light aluminum in the Kent) and the black plastic grip are really similar. The Kent is of course a twistaction MP, the Tombow is a knock type, but still: they really look like close relatives.
Isn’t KENT the in-house brand of Uchida? I think the KENT version came out first… before the company decided to refocus on their own name as the main brand.
I’ve not seen a 700 or KN in the flesh, so I think I’ve seen only half the equation as it were, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but drafting vs. art is a tough call on the 1000 in my opinion: I’d lean towards the art category for the 1000 (wight and balance seem close to an S) but I’d put the 1500 in the drafting category (weight > E & D).
Also, the Variable appears to me to share some of the same DNA and would be worth mentioning.
…Someone message me if you have a KN you want to part with
The last time we had a big discussion over ‘torpedo / knife handle’ designs, there was a mention of the LION 34x0 as well… although the LION and the Variable share the larger grip / skinny tail attributes, I’ve always felt that a key consideration should be a curved or flared grip section. To which, we might then consider including older designs like the FC Tekagraph as well.
i just realized my SH-1000LP does not have a pocket clip. I’ve had this pencil a long time and am just noticing this WTH?
Anyway - Looks like the SH-1500LP fits the SH-1000LP
Do you have any pictures of these that show the clip in details? I did a cursory search and in the pictures that I found I couldn’t see the clip clearly.
I’ll take some when I get home
It’s a challenge searching for any of these. Most sellers wouldn’t know the model numbers in the first place. And… those potential ‘donors’ are actually pretty ok pieces!
WTH?
