foggyidea posted a thread about lead holders, and Jack Chiles (I think) posted a link to where you can buy them and various other pencils. I didn't know that you could even get them (headholders) any more.
Anyway, I haven't seen a decent 0.5 mechanical pencil in some time. The only ones I find at the local Staples and office depots are extremely cheap and the clutches are crappy. I saw the "Rotring 800" on one of the web sites which appears to be a high-quality pencil...but it costs in the neighborhood of $52.00
My question is if any of you know of a decent-quality pencil at a fairly affordable price? The last one I got that at least has a kind of good heavy feel to it and the clutch still works is a "Pentel GraphGear 500" which you can pick up for 4 or 5 Dollars. Any good brands you all know out there? (I can shop around but sometimes you get something that looks decent but it doesn't work all that great.)
Hey Tex, what's a pencil?
...I know I saw a box somewhere in the office...with a few electric erasers...some Pounce...ratty old Alvin weights...Koh-I-Noor bits & pieces...Leroy scribers...
Cheap, crappy clutched, big box store pencils here too. 😉
Eraser??? You're not allowed to erase!!!
I've always used these...
Made in Germany
Based on their pencil quality, I wouldn't be opposed to trying out one of their mechanical pencils.
Field book...what's that??
Quill, they have them.
I've been using these for years.
Try the Alvin Draftmatic, but with the 7mm lead. It doesn't break as easily and in 2H it is the perfect tool for the field books too.
Pentel P205 has been my baby since College.
🙂 :good:
> Pentel P205 has been my baby since College.
Made me look! P205
DDSM
I use these because of the large eraser and the modest price.
If you are willing to spend a bit more these Kerry's are really sweet.
I use a Alvin Draft-Tec Retrac 0.5mm. I pick them up at the local survey supply shop for about $7 each.
I hate mechanical pencils. Lead breaks, lead is short, seems I am always pushing on these darn things. Staedtler or any old fashion wood pencil works better for me. I keep a sharpener on a pocket watch chain (without the watch) in my survey vest, and one in my desk.
Pentel p205 and p207 for me. .5 mm most of the time with F or H lead.
I like my Pentel Graph Gear 1000.
Pros:
Good grip and weight
Fluid writing
(and best of all) tip retracts into the pencil so if you drop it the tip will be safe
Cons:
No eraser.
James,
I have an old "three-hole" pencil sharpener that has 3 replaceable blades. I've had it for at least 15 or 20 years. I seem them online as "Alvin 9833". It will do a simple taper sharpening of the end of the pencil, or you can use another larger hole to shave the wood-only, and a small hole to just tip the exposed lead. I always liked that ability. I remember the old grinders that did that as well.
I've always liked 0.5mm lead mechanical pencils, but it seemed as though more and more, I would get them that, when the lead broke, it was hard to get new lead through and they always have clutch problems. That is why I have used wood pencils mostly as well. The other thread made me wish for a good one.
mechanical pencils - thanks guys
I'll check out all the recommendations.
After seeing the links before and the extra-expensive pencils, it made me start thinking that maybe there are still some good ones out there somewhere.
Surveyors Indicate What Is Important
18 are concerned with surveying and survey law.
19 are concerned with mechanical pencils.
Paul in PA