I have encountered several requests on Reddit for pencil recommendations suited to folks who like to grip low. I’m assuming this means gripping right down to the cone… and so I thought: a seamless transition from cone to body has to be important. e.g. the legendary P205 would probably suck because of the ridge or lip above the cone.
But let’s hear it from actual low-grippers! What do you look out for and what are your top 3 recommendations from current in-production models?
I know that @pearsonified liked the lower grip and purchased several of the Graph Rock PG205 pencils from Brazil.
Yep, pretty much essential to make anything with P205 internals useful to me.
Uni Shift is really solid; Pentel Graph 1000 for Pro is great; the Kerry; rOtring 500/600; lots of options.
Sakura Slide Sharp
OK, just getting into details of why these models work well for you… so a seamless sloping ‘cone’ like on the Smash doesn’t work as well? Is it a combination of a cone that is tactile, relatively long and wide enough?
Do you have a currently in production recommendation?
For positive usability, the cone either needs to be short or else have a step. Sometimes a groove is enough.
The P20X tip stands out, to me at least, as quite long compared to many others. Same with the Accugraph and PG15. GraphGear qualifies here, too.
That’s the number 1 predictor of low usability for me. A secondary predictor is a metal/metallic grip section with no knurling, ridges, grooves, or fluting (plus a straight, non-stepped tip). Can’t think of a particular model off hand that fits this bill, but every now and then, I come across a piece that’s utterly unusable because of this. Pilot makes some thinner hybrids (with silkscreen decoration) that fall into this category.
Conversely, knurling, stepped tips, grooves, and resin grip sections are all positive usability indicators.
I’m not a particulary low gripper, I never grip on the cone, but I do like to grip on the forward part of the designated gripping area.
Best low grip classics would be the later version Staedtler Micrograph F with metal knurled grip and short stepped cone, its Micro pair with plastic knurled grip, Faber-Castell 9505/7/9, Tk-matic.
Worst are the ogival barrel with smooth surface and long cone: Mitsubishi M5-500, Faber-Castell DS15L…
Current production with low grippability for me are the Pilot H-32x / S3/20 as the barrel and base of the cone are slightly flared just before the relatively short cone.
@drifand The absence of a cone is a plus. X-10, Bee Line, KIN 5635.
I don’t choke down to get away from the pencil grip or to find a thinner place to grip. Being able to use the regular width and texture of the pencil’s grip is key. Unfortunately, the width and textures closer to the tip are often not ideal.
My preferred hand grip style leaves my fingertips about 15-25mm from the lead. When I grip a P200 I am right on top of the bump. That doesn’t work at all. Rotring 600 grip ends at about 18mm from the lead. Even then I find myself past the grip edge at times.
I am left-handed. I think this had a big role in my grip style. If the lead is further away from my hand, the angle of the pencil changes. Since lefties push the writing instrument onto the page to make marks instead of pulling the instrument, it tears the paper when the angle between utensil and paper is too acute. It is also a lot harder to push a straight line from further back on the writing utensil. Pulling a line is the surest way to get a straight line, but lefties don’t have that option unless they do the extreme wraparound grip style (I don’t know the real names of any grip styles). A forward grip reduces both the tearing and the straight line problem a bit.
One more thought. The thinner the lead the further down I grip. Is this true for everyone else?
If you tend to hold the pencil very close to the tip, the first models that come to mind are the Hi-uni “5050” and “5030”.
The FF mechanism almost feels like the ideal solution for that kind of low grip.
If you’re looking for currently available models that are still in production, the Sun-Star Top Pull Sharp is also an interesting option with a front-advance mechanism.
The KIN 5635 recommended by amjacobs7 is another excellent choice for everyday use. It’s reliable, practical, and reasonably priced.