Pentel Graph Gear 500 Automatic Drafting Pencil, 0.5mm, Black Barrel, 1 Pack

The pacer is good, but I found that the narrow tip where the lead comes out can be bent with a bit of pressure or an impact with the ground, but it can be bent back. The weight is also slightly closer to the tip than other pacers.Overall, it looks good and does its job, but probably check out some other pacers first.

I am an engineering student and an artist, and for years I have collected dozens of pencils, mechanical and wooden, for these two purposes. Pentel is known for the high quality and reliability of their mechanical pencils, and this pencils big brother, the Graphgear 1000 is the most recognizable model in production. This pencil, however, is a superb balance of value and quality, and in my opinion, the greatest value for a pure, durable drafting pencil extant. In fact, after purchasing the pencil which most consider the epitome of mechanical draftic pencils, the Rotring 600, I came away with some interesting comparisons.I purchased two of these pencils over a year ago, seeking a reasonably priced (if replacement was required) drafting pencil of high quality. Both pencils were and remain in perfect operating condition, with no mechanical malfunctions to date. The fit and finish is standard for mid-priced mechanical pencils, nothing special, though no visible flaws. The mechanism is superior to most, both tight and positive when operated, with a brass clutch surrounded by an otherwise plastic inner parts, to the detriment of absolute durability, as the plastic will wear more quickly than the steel or aluminum in higher-end drafting pencils. Outside, the pencil barrel is also plastic, though it is thick and I see no everyday wear affecting it, as it has had no effect on my examples in over a year of daily use. The grip and lead sleeve are presented as a single piece of stainless steel, which combined with the plastic barrel make the pencil very tip-heavy and represents a balance of weight for sure lines, and lightness for daily use. The grip is also somewhat thicker than the rest of the pencil, which makes for a very comfortable grip, as does the knurled texture on the steel itself. The metal grip and tip are extremely solid, and the sleeve is sturdier than others, even on much more expensive pencils, meaning that dropping the pencil onto the tip is slightly less of a concern, especially with the lower weight. The tip, as I said, is solid, and so it is not "pocket safe" as some say.A few months after I purchased these pencils, I ordered a Rotring 600 in order to see if it lived up to it's reputation (and the import price, which is now somewhat less, but at the time represented a 600% markup over the Graphgear 500). The Rotring is indeed a superb pencil, and I understand how it earned such a following. It is perhaps the purest and most refined incarnation of a drafting pencil produced today. Fit and finish was near-perfect, and it's construction is solid brass, with rolled steel inner workings, making for a hefty and balanced pencil. The clutch itself is brass, just as the Pentel was, though the clutch surround is plastic, though no moving parts are. It's lead hardness indicator is practical and works very well, and the clip is very secure, yet removable. The Rotring falls short on two points where the Graphgear shines, however. One is writing comfort. As I said, the Rotring is as pure an example of a drafting pencil produced, however, it's small-diameter grip and shallower knurling make for a grip that, in my hands at least, requires a tighter and more disjointed grip, which can become uncomfortable after just a page of writing. Secondly, the Rotring's lead sleeve is somewhat more delicate that the one found on the Graphgear, and in fact, bent slightly less than a week after I purchased it, causing the pencil to malfunction. This proved to be a only slight problem, and was fixed with just a bit of pressure on the tip to bend it back into shape, though for a pencil costing as much as six Pentel Graphgear 500's, this should not be a problem at all.So, in many ways, I view my Pentels as the equal of the much more expensive pencil, and for daily writing, it is superior. Of course, the Rotring wins in finish, absolute durability, and features, but this begs the question, is this worth the 600% price difference? In the end, I recommend this pencil to students, and Rotring (especially the higher-end models, which solve the problems noted of the 600 here) for those wanting the absolute best, professional drafting pencils.

He quedado muy conforme , con la compra y el servicio de envío, llego antes del plazo comprometido.

This mechanical pencil is a game-changer. With its sturdy build, comfortable grip, and sleek design, it's a joy to hold. It's the perfect tool for precision and convenience, making it a must-have for any writing or sketching enthusiast. Highly recommended!

I probably have about a hundred different mechanical pencils. The Graph Gear 500 is among the very top. The weight is great and feels right. It's a strong construction especially with the plastic screwed far down into the chrome/brass grip. At times, I notice the traction ridges being just a bit too catchy on the grip, and can hang a tad in maneuvering for a pointier edge. Ever notice you do that? The only other down is the clip that I find slightly diggy on the skin where it rests. Taking the clip off solves that. But it has a a brass clutch inside, a smooth writing feel, and a super solid build. Great mechanical pencil... can't go wrong. It would be 5 stars but that goes to the GraphGear1000.