I got a new stand for photos… but no good space to take photos haha
Going to take this to work tomorrow and give it a test run
I got a new stand for photos… but no good space to take photos haha
Going to take this to work tomorrow and give it a test run
Here is the raw brass version. It is already starting to show some character and I love it!
Additionally, here is a quick comparison of the medium and fine points:
Love the pic with the ruler.
Order from Japan just showed up!
The Box of 10 was probably the part of this order that told me I might be out of control..
But picked up a original stickered .03 Smash for like 15 bucks? Ish.
Now the internal debate to keep the Demon Slayers in their box… or add to my display rack.
Purple Kahki was bought bc I wanted an extra sealed for backup.
Also Pentel P125 after seeing the post on here. I love the feel of it. I can feel the extrusion marks? Haha idk how to describe it
I’ve found most pencils can be safely taken out of their blister packs without damaging the box. I’d put them on the display rack!
I LOVE that 10-Smash box!
Hey Eliot,
Well, a great buy – those have become quite rare now. I was fortunate enough to pick up two of them some years back when they weren’t looming large on the collector landscape. That seemed to change later and now prices are 2 to 3 times higher (since about 2005).
So…these do not have the gravity selector type. It’s a friction position. Twisting the rear to the left brings the pencil, and to the right brings the pen. It’s similar to the original 1+1 Zebra Sharbo (all metal). There’s a notable detent with each extension. While there’s no detent in the neutral position (no refill extended), the natural spring of the mechanism makes it rest nicely in the half-way spot.
Now, on both of my examples, only the nosecone unscrews. I cannot get the metal grip section to unscrew from the back. And thus, I can’t examine mine for how the mechanism works.
Now… the first one I bought was back in 2005, and I had a problem with the mechanism then. And I contacted ACME. They offered to have me send it to them, even though it was out of warranty. I just had to pay a $10 service fee. They fixed it. But it was so long ago, I don’t know what they did for it! Sadly, searching in my email history, I can’t find any content… it must’ve gotten deleted when I did some inbox purging.
I finally tracked down some backup Pentel QE405’s…3-NOS units. Cool.
So now I may rest in the (brief) knowing that I at least checked that off the list…![]()
Very nice… I actually took a picture of mine earlier today too….
I have a couple more coming as well…. I really like this pencil
Very nice group, it’s great to see all the color versions out there in this forum! Yes…upload some more please ![]()
I like it a lot as well…don’t think it gets enough love out there. Sturdy comfortable pencil, with an understated charm…
Such a humble but compelling design. No frills, just what you need. It seems like they used high quality plastic too. I like the matte appearance and texture. Definitely need to add one of these to my collection at some point.
Here’s a mini-review follow-up:
I used it for the day. I honestly love the design. They must have treated the metal with some sort of clear coat, because it has a somewhat tacky feel to it. It’s hefty (I’ll weigh it and add that here later) and the construction is top-notch. The knock cap securely fits to the top - it’s not going anywhere - but once it’s attached, it feels a bit loose (not in a bad way). And that nose cone… I’ll try to keep this PG, but I love feeling the contours of it.
Now to the bad… the center of gravity is very much in the center. I’m much more used to pencils with a forward center of gravity, so when using the Sprinter, I have to take extra care not to drop it because it feels so unwieldy. I’m sure with more use I would adapt, but as it stands, that’s how I feel. For not, it will go back into the display case.
Exactly. It is the humble design that makes it for me. Got one awhile back in a pencil lot auction and wasn’t drawn to it until I tried writing with it…and wow…it feels so good in the hand and makes my handwriting neater somehow
. Really bomb-proof clutch…endless eraser!
I recommend getting one in your collection. May have to pick up one or two of the color variations myself at some point, just have the black 405 versions…
I think this blue capped Leadlok is my favorite. Ah, that was the golden age of leadholder production…
Glad to see you here, Gary!
GRAPH and PS2 make a great pair in retro goldenrod and maroon.