Pentel Technomatic with a TK-matic clip?
1 Like
Getting mid-century American pencils thru a proxy in Japan is wild! 
The Zebra MX is surprisingly well made… the EXTA is nicely minimalist: I often think of the raised circle detail on the clip like applique hour markers on a fine watch. Not sure what the NEWMAN ‘FU-5’ is all about. Is that inscribed on the body?
5 Likes
Please explain! What are we looking at?
1 Like
I know, right? I was surprised to see it and and surprised at the price. It was relatively affordable. There is a small section on the clip where the plating has peeled off, but that doesn’t bother me considering its age. Also, it came with the box and lead container, which are added bonuses.
The MX is very nice. This example came in essentially flawless condition, which I’m really happy about. I haven’t seen any more of these up for sale in my short time collecting.
Also, the EXTA feels much more premium than it’s ¥2000 counterparts, in my opinion. At first I thought the lead sleeve was cut off, but after checking the catalog images, I guess it just has a very short lead sleeve. Makes sense considering it’s described as being meant for writing.
And yes, “5-FU” is engraved on the back of the pencil.
Overall, I’m really pleased with the package. Quality over quantity, for sure. Fills a lot of random holes in my collection that I had been wanting to fill.
3 Likes
I discovered this all steel TOMBOW EXTA a few years back, quite by accident. I’d gotten one in a pencil lot and was surprised at how well it is made. It doesn’t go for much on the used pencil market (Mercari, YAJ). I think the lesser made EXTA models in black, white, salmon, and navy blue with gold accents (which was oddly priced at ¥2000) has misled people to think this model wouldn’t be much better. They have the same internals, but that enameled shell is turning up slightly cracked in some used examples that I’ve seen online (but not as bad as the OHTO piston equivalent).
Also, some people are put off by gold accents… and I think the SH-1500EE probably would’ve sold more if it had chrome or brushed accents.
There’s also a companion ballpoint that I finally managed to find!
4 Likes
I see clips that look like they’ve got Faber Castell icons… but what model is this? Looks like a Pentel Technomatic front end.
Found a Doppleganger. Nitecore NTP40.
3 Likes
I took apart one of my TK-Matics and put on a technomatic lower, then cut part of a GG1k knock cap and slid it over the end of the lead tube so that the technomatic knock cap will not slide down too far and can actually knock the pencil. Works great!
Eventually I will be making a custom body for the technomatic as I don’t like the original.
3 Likes
Fully answered above, but it’s a Technomatic lower and TK-Matics upper (with a technomatic knock cap and technically a small bit of a GG1k)
1 Like
Love this. Nice work. Looking forward seeing to the custom body.
1 Like
That brass clutch and the threads to receive the cone look so premium.
This week I have been using my Tactile Turn bolt action pen in titanium. My wife got me this as a birthday present and I used it at the closing to purchase our home together back in 2019. I had started a new job the year before and wanted a “fancy” pen. This was a few years before I got into collecting pens but it definitely planted a seed. I cannot show the face of the clip as it has my full name on it. Does anyone else like monogrammed pens, pencils, or other items?
The bolt action is very smooth and satisfying. The spring is quite strong but not too much to make it difficult[1]. The bolt is also is Damascus titanium which gives it a unique character.
The exterior of the pen body and tip are milled together with a fine spiral thread. This gives a nearly seamless look where you can barely see where the parts connect.
The spring is so strong that it shot across my office when I was disassembling the pen for the pictures.
↩︎
5 Likes
Thanks so much for the explanation. Wow… so was the body of the Technomatic flawed in some way, or were you quite confident of the intended mod that it didn’t bother you to cannibalize it? It’s so interesting that the front end of the TK-Matic is compatible with the PN3015 front end. Direct swap, or did you have to mod it?
As for your opinion of the Technomatic PN3015 body, I concur. It’s one of the reasons (plus the terrible clip design) why I never pulled the trigger to buy one. The PXN105 is much better, but way too costly.
I’d really like to see that end cap mod in more detail, if it’s possible to disassemble it… or just chop up a GG1k end cap image to show how much of it you used.
The threads definitely are not a perfect match as the technomatic is a bit undersized butnit threaded in with no force and holds snugly. the technomatic’s body is fragile and short. the TK-matic’s body is a bit too heavy but it works and I like it a lot more. I have three TK-Matics so I figured temporarily using part of one is fine when the mod can be undone. I will send pictures of the cap mod when I get around to it.
3 Likes
Really cool colors here…and great pics…as usual 
2 Likes
Thanks. Good to know that it’s reversible. If it’s not a perfect fit, is there just a little bit of slack in the threading, or is it a little tighter than normal?
Yes, looking forward to the end cap detail. Whenever you find time. 
In rotation this week, I’m preferring it more than the all metal L. The weight and center of gravity is on point.
9 Likes
It is a tough problem for high end mechanical pencils. The more premium version is less comfortable in use. Same situation with Rotring 500/600.
So what is the solution?
- Body thinner than grip (a la Variable, Uchida, etc.)
- Body made of premium wood
- Body made of lighter metal than the grip
- Other ideas to get balance without introducing plastic?
I think Option 3 is relatively unexplored territory. Perhaps Spoke has done the most to study it.
1 Like
This is so eye-opening. I would not have guessed that these two premium items with totally different heritage and design style could be so compatible. It’s encouraging to think that so many more Frankenstein mods are yet to be explored.
5 Likes