[split] Mechanical Pencils and High Quality Lead

[johnb]

(10-06-2024 12:54 AM)Jase Wrote:  I love Rotring 600s, especially the 3-in-1 model featuring a 0.5mm pencil, black ink, and red or blue ink options. The black one pictured is a 600 3-in-1; the chrome is a regular 600 with 0.7mm lead. They're fantastic tools.

I buy 3-in-1s when they drop to $30–$35 on Amazon. Since you have to unscrew the barrel to replace the lead—unlike the regular 600 where you add lead from the top—I lightly lubricate the barrel threads with fine gun oil to prevent seizing over time.

I also swap out the default 0.5mm lead for Pentel Ain Stein HB or B2. The stock lead is hard and brittle, prone to tearing paper and breaking easily. High-quality, smooth lead eliminates these issues entirely.

These two tweaks make the 3-in-1 a perfect gift for engineers and mathematicians. I've given away about 20 over the last three years, and they're always a hit.

Jase.

Wonderful to find an intersection between calculator geeks and pen & pencil geeks!

I used to favor multipoint pen/pencils, but now that I'm no longer using a PDA that accepts a nylon stylus, I have less use for them. My current favorite pencil is a Pentel GraphGear 1000, which completely retracts the tip into the barrel so it doesn't poke me. My 2nd favorite is a Uni Kuru Toga Advance/Upgrade, with the W-speed engine that turns the lead for you! And I still have several of the discontinued Sanford Extend pencils lying around. Those are retractable too, but they are mostly plastic construction, unlike the GraphGear.

Oh, and Pentel Ain Stein leads are a life-changing experience. LOL!

I've actually stooped to using a 3B for most of my daily work: it's soft, bold, dark, and doesn't break.


I'm definitely a rollerball or gel pen guy for most of my workaday writing. However, I just found my father's circa-1950's Parker Model 21 fountain pen, still in excellent condition, and I'm strongly debating having it cleaned and refurbished. HP's may be old-school, but fountain pens are really old school! I may have to dust off my dad's slide rule, or go find a Curta!