Propelling Pencil

[Gower]

Hugely interesting subject I know but I'm cheesed off trying to get a good, reliable propelling pencil. Tried lots of cheapies to no avail. Back in olden times, they used to come packaged with a fountain pen. Any suggestions?
Cheers,
Jim

 

[Benchwayze]

Yes Jim.

A clutch Pencil.

Faber & Castell do a nice one, the TK9400. Comes in two diameters. Also with varying grades of lead (graphite) and a special sharpener for the two diameters of lead of course. I had mine from Cultpens.

http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Faber- ... _Lead.html

http://www.artifolk.co.uk/catalog/produ ... _leads.htm

https://www.penfountain.co.uk/faber-cas ... l-244.html

I heartily recommend them. There are other suppliers if you want to Google for prices.

HTH
Regards
John

 

[TrimTheKing]

I have one in a set which my old dear got me for Christmas a couple of years back.

Lovely set made by Waterman (Hemisphere range), they are stainless steel with chrome trim, the model number is 31604. Mine came from John Lewis but have found them here, not cheap but has been used on an almost daily basis since Christmas 2006 and hasn't failed me yet.

HTH

 

[Paul Chapman]

Penfriend in London is an excellent shop for both new and old pens and pencils http://www.penfriend.co.uk/

Have a look at Pelikan - they make the best pens in my view and include pencils in their range.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[chiba]

I've been using the same (plain stainless) Rotring 600 for over 20 years:

http://www.rotringwriting.com/rotring-600

My 5 year old dropped it on a tile floor the other week and bent the tip; I bent it back with pliers - it's still going strong. Recommended if you want totally bomb proof. Not sure if Rotring are still making them, but you can still find them online.

Aside from that, for sheer geeky coolness I have a couple of these:

http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot. ... -toga.html

 

[Gower]

Thank you gents for quick and interesting response. From the web sites you have recommended, I can see that Pens & Pencils could become another slippery slope as in plane collecting :lol:
Cheers,
Jim

 

[jpt]

If you had a lathe you could make your own, LIKE THIS :wink:

john

 

[Vormulac]

I have a Pentel 0.5mm propelling pencil (P205?) that I acquired for my technical drawing lessons at school, so that would be 1986. It has never jammed or failed in any way. Quite impressive really.

 

[Gower]

Thanks Vormulac. I've ended up with a Parker Urban Silver Mechanical Pencil (from Staples - only half a mile away) which weighs a ton but is most impressive. It has survived several falls from top pocket and I've yet to break the lead. Amazing. I'll most likely try the others you've all suggested and will now be standard responce when the cry 'wot you want' for birthdays etc.
Cheers,
jim

 

[matt]

I have a couple of 20-30 year old Pentel Graph 500 PG505's - still going strong and comfortable to use. They were given to me by my father who was an architect and designer so they'd already had good use before I got them.

I've also got a Pentel Graphgear 1000 PG1013. Despite being a lot more expensive than the Graph 500's it's not as nice to use. One nice feature though is the ability to click the lead in and out like a pen (i.e. you don't have to feed it out every time you want to use it).

I think the Graphgear 500 is the nearest equivalent to my Graph 500 (at least based on appearances).

Have a browse of http://www.londongraphics.co.uk

 

[studders]

89p for a pack three (pencils that is) from Morrisons. 0.5 and two spare leads. Can't go wrong. They do snap easily if you're heavy handed like me but they do the job. Cheapskate? Moi?

 

[RobertMP]

I use Sainsburys basics propelling pencils in the workshop. 50p for 10 in a pack. So cheap I leave a few lying around yet still manage to lose them. Use it until the lead runs out then lob it in the bin Clutch grips well so the lead does not slip back in if you press down a bit (assuming you don't snap the lead). Even has an eraser on the top!