Who makes a *nice* 0.5mm mechanical pencil?

[Doc4]

Mechanical pencils: I have a couple old cheapies that are okay, but I'd rather have something of quality to match (not identical twins, but good quality whatever the look) my fountain pens.

Most of the better ones I've seen out there use the broader 0.7mm leads ... and the vintage ones all seem much thicker than that even ... I'm needing the finer 0.5mm leads for fine-print notes in my dayplanner. mostly.

I'd like something that is a little thicker in the hand, as most of the ones I've seen are pretty thin.

Ideas?

[Slivovitz]

I noticed the other day when searching for something else that there is a Lamy Safari .5 mm pencil. Depends on what you mean by nice I guess, but I'm sure it's decent quality.

My .5 mm Parker Jotter has served me well for years, but it is a bit skinny. I got it as part of a pen and pencil set like this, but I believe they sell them separately.

[Gruder]

Rotring generally does heft well -- the Initial and 600 might be worth a look.

[nemo]

I've used a lot of mechanical pencils and like the value of the Pentel S55. It's a classier version of the all plastic P205 (which is a workhorse).You can find 'em between $6 and $10

Not thick though!

[rickboone1]

I've used a lot of mechanical pencils and like the value of the Pentel S55. It's a classier version of the all plastic P205 (which is a workhorse).You can find 'em between $6 and $10

Not thick though!

I'd have to vote with this. Sound construction, great value. I use a P207 daily. I know TWSBI makes a MP now, too.

[beginish]

I'm a big fan of the Pentel Kerry.

[whereisandy]

I have a Uni-ball Kuri Toga plastic but have been eying the high grade or roulette models. The self-rotating lead sounds like a gimmick but I have to say that it does keep my 0.5 mm leads sharp for me. I bought my from http://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-Kuru...k-Body/pd/4445. No affiliation -- just a happy customer.

I also have a Pental Kerry and love it. They are great pencils and look very classy.

[signcarver]

Look at smartimports.net. They have several Rotring pencils that are very nice (but not thick). I have one. They are weighty and have a knurled grip. Very nice to write with. They ship from abroad but are very fast and send tracking info.

[Alacrity59]

I own what I consider to be the best mechanical pencil a Pilot Vanishing Point H1005. It is a shame that Pilot stopped making them. That being said, over the past couple of years I've developed a taste for having a bunch of good old yellow HB pencils sharpened and ready to go on my desk. Here is a pic of a H1005.

[Blade Boy]

The Alvin Draft Matic is a good one.

[JoshuaNY]

Another vote for the Pentel Sharp Kerry. It caps like a pen so no need to worry about stabbing through a pocket. It is very comfortable in the hand and writes quite well.My only problem is it has a very small eraser, and i lost the eraser cap the second day.

[Blade Boy]

Yeah I have had the same experience fron those eraser caps, I just Super Glue them on (if it doesn't interfere with lead loading) and use a block eraser :-)

[poonjaji]

I have no idea what fountain pens you own, but two of my "nice" pencils are the Lamy 2000 and Caran d'Ache Ecridor. (I believe both brands have matching fountain pens.) Both can be purchased in 0.5mm, and the former is definitely a bit thicker in the hand. However, both command a higher price than all of the pencils noted thus far, except for maybe the Rotrings. At the following link you can see some photos of a Lamy 2000 I sold a while back. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...highlight=lamy

[Doc4]

I have no idea what fountain pens you own, but two of my "nice" pencils are the Lamy 2000 and Caran d'Ache Ecridor. (I believe both brands have matching fountain pens.) Both can be purchased in 0.5mm, and the former is definitely a bit thicker in the hand. However, both command a higher price than all of the pencils noted thus far, except for maybe the Rotrings. At the following link you can see some photos of a Lamy 2000 I sold a while back. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...highlight=lamy

I had seen the Lamy 2000, but only in an 0.7mm version ... it didn't seem like they made an 0.5mm ... so I'm glad you posted that ... and a little sad as now I know how much I'll have to spend for a pencil.

[bakerbarber]

http://www.officemax.com/office-supp...i_sku=21216177

I'm a tool for TUL. Their Gel Pens are my favorite and I guess my hand is used to the shape and balance.

[joser]

I recommend a good quality drafting pencil. I use an Alvin Draft Matic which was recommended above by Blade Boy. I didn't encounter the stabbing issue as I do not keep it in my pocket.

[AndreasDK]

Why hasn`t anyone mentioned the ones from TWSBI found on Ebay??

I think they look a lot like Rotring 600 (= cool, in my book!) but I hate writing with anything that hasn`t got ink or gel in it so I guess they aren`t for me.

[poonjaji]

Why hasn`t anyone mentioned the ones from TWSBI found on Ebay??

I think they look a lot like Rotring 600 (= cool, in my book!) but I hate writing with anything that hasn`t got ink or gel in it so I guess they aren`t for me.

I think the TWSBIs were mentioned early on. I own one of their 0.5mm with the retractable tip and it is a great pencil. (The tips do not fully retract like a Rotring 800.) Obviously there have been a lot of great pencils mentioned in the thread, and for $20 I would include the TWSBIs among them.

[Sanxenxo]

You can go for some Cross, in amazon you can find them on the twenty range

I got one (0,7 though) and works very fine

[Doc4]

... Lamy 2000 ...

Update ... I managed to find a reasonably-priced Lamy 2000 in a 0.5mm version and am quite happy with it ...