Staedtler Leadholder
I always snap the point off regular pencils and mechanical pencils, so this is the pencil I've always wanted. Commonplace among draftsmen and technical drawers, the Staedtler holds 2mm leads, which do not break under pressure. I use mine all day. It's simple to retract and the recess in the removable push button also doubles as a sharpener (see below image). Remove the push button and there is a hole you stick the lead into. The lead gets very sharp and you can sharpen anywhere, anytime without having to remember to bring along a sharpener.
It has become my everyday pencil -- the only thing I write with unless I am behind a keyboard or must use a pen. I don't do any drafting or fine art applications, though I do sometimes sketch network diagrams (I am an intermediate-level sys admin). I also use the pencil for journal writing. The size of the lead really allows for a lot of flexibility in the line width. The pencil never fails, has a good weight, and I find I can hold it very precisely. The texture of the barrel is rough, almost like a nail file or cheese grater. Some people might not like the feel, but the pencil doesn't slip when wet.
I use a soft lead generally and find it needs sharpening one or more times a day. The sharpening can be a bit messy, but tapping it against a wastepaper basket takes care of the extra graphite dust. I still inevitably get graphite powder on my shirt, but it washes out without staining, so I don't really care. Also, it takes some practice to get comfortable with the system. At first the lead comes flying out, so you have to get used to holding the pencil a few centimeters above the paper and releasing the lead to the right amount. It works really well once you get it.
I've looked at other leadholders. If I saw a nicer designed one (i.e. a Parker or a Schaeffer) I might be tempted to get one. Part of what I like about the Staedler is the price and durability. One pencil and a year's supply of lead costs me about $10 at Utrecht art supply. I've lost and given away a few but haven't had any break or wear out.
-- Michael Bubb
Staedtler Leadholder
$5
Available from Amazon
Staedtler Refill Leads
$2
Available from Utrecht
Manufactured by Staedtler
Related items previously reviewed in Cool Tools:
Favorite (15)
Alberto
The Staedtler 780 is certainly widely available and fairly affordable (I've gotten a couple from Office Depot recently for under $3 each at their regular price), but lately they seem to be made with cheaper plastic. The abrasive knurled grips can easily be covered with plastic pencil grips for greater comfort. My current favorite is the Mitsubishi Uni with a rich maroon body, easier-to-activate push button, and slightly broader body which I find more comfortable. While it lacks the built-in lead pointer in the push button, the Uni leads are fitted with a stopper ring which prevents them from falling out accidentally from the leadholder. Picture of assorted leadholders and lead pointers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/53818504@N00/3016908810/
a-shop-bird
These pencils are good tools that many younger folks don't know about. You can sharpen them with some sandpaper tacked to some wood -- and keep this in a plastic ziplock bag to rein in the dust. I used this method for quite a while in the 70's before buying some sharpeners. Shop birds should also know about using some 4H leads in a lead holder for putting pencil marks on wood and metal. They stand up better than the 0.5 and 0.7 mm leads in the mechanical pencils. I like the pencils like the Koh-i-noor that have sharp knurling on the grip -- folks who don't know how to draw grip them too tightly and get calluses -- a good draftsman holds the pencil lightly and twirls it while drawing the line to minimize the line width (that's why the holder is knurled).
candice
Doh! I never knew I could use the cap to sharpen. I bought a tiny sharpener that I'm always losing.
Thanks!