Results 1 to 19 of 19

Thread: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

  1. #1
    Senior Member suzy01's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Posts
    286
    Thanks
    526
    Thanked 450 Times in 142 Posts
    Rep Power
    7

    Default Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    I was recently in the market for a mechanical pencil, I held a metal one in a shop and couldn't believe how heavy it was. I went for plastic fantastic rotring tikky in 0.5mm (but swapped out the lead for 2b). It's fantastic and it suits me perfectly. So my question is, are the metal ones just for show or for people with really strong hands? What is you favorite pencil and why?

    Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

  2. The Following User Says Thank You to suzy01 For This Useful Post:

    Rapidray (August 21st, 2018)

  3. #2
    Senior Member Deb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Highlands of Scotland
    Posts
    1,747
    Thanks
    2,349
    Thanked 1,927 Times in 842 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    Not all the metal ones are heavy. I have a Staedtler 925 25-20 that's very light.
    Regards,
    Deb
    My Blog

  4. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Deb For This Useful Post:

    Rapidray (August 21st, 2018), suzy01 (August 28th, 2018)

  5. #3
    Senior Member Rapidray's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    138
    Thanks
    60
    Thanked 117 Times in 73 Posts
    Rep Power
    6

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    +1 with Deb.
    The heavy weights are for my desk when I am using them. The light weight ones are with me in my shirt pocket or T-shirt pocket. They are that light. When I was working, it was my Rotring 800+ as our company uses iPads and iPhones. Now that I’m retired the 800+ just sits. I use and write with all my stuff.
    Mechanical pencils ;
    Rotring 800+ .05 is at .85 ozs
    Spoke 4 .07 is at .58 ozs
    CdA Ecridor .07 is at 1.10 ozs
    CdA Ivanhoe .07 is at 1.41 ozs
    Now in 2mm clutch pencils;
    CdA Mario Botta is at .42 ozs
    CdA 80th anniversary, which is .925 sterling silver is at .95 ozs
    The reason for the heavy ones staying at home isn’t because of weight, it’s because I know they are safe from me losing them or someone else liking them more than I do.
    0.5mm vs 0.7mm graphite sizes is much like 9mm vs 45acp...they both work if you know what you are doing. - me

    Looking for Caran d'Ache Type 55 2mm set and Rotation .7 pencils.

  6. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Rapidray For This Useful Post:

    suzy01 (August 28th, 2018), ukefan (November 12th, 2018)

  7. #4
    Member Wolfman Zack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    65
    Thanks
    78
    Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts
    Rep Power
    6

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    I personally prefer the weight of a metal mechanical pencil, such as my Rotring 800.
    The plastic ones just don’t feel as substantial to me, and I don’t notice a lot of difference in hand fatigue between them.
    It’s really one of those things that boils down to personal preference I think.

    Slightly off topic, excellent choice going with the 2B lead, I find I much prefer writing with a B or 2B than with standard HB leads.

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to Wolfman Zack For This Useful Post:

    suzy01 (August 28th, 2018)

  9. #5
    Senior Member fountainpagan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    france
    Posts
    575
    Thanks
    887
    Thanked 565 Times in 270 Posts
    Rep Power
    9

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    I agree with Deb,not all metal are heavy.

    I rather like them heavy because I don't need to hhold them as firmly as a light one. I have the feeling of just guiding the pencil, not really holding it. But it is quite personal.

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to fountainpagan For This Useful Post:

    suzy01 (August 28th, 2018)

  11. #6
    Senior Member myu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    176
    Thanks
    107
    Thanked 115 Times in 65 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    Some mechanical pencils use a combination of metal and plastic. I have a Pentel PSD5 that features a metal grip, plastic body, and metal core. It has decent weight to it without inducing hand fatigue, featuring a retractable tip. Plus, it's nice to look at.


  12. The Following User Says Thank You to myu For This Useful Post:

    suzy01 (October 28th, 2018)

  13. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    GB
    Posts
    436
    Thanks
    219
    Thanked 383 Times in 169 Posts
    Rep Power
    6

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    Pentel P200. I have tried others, but the P200 feels right, and everything else (except regular wooden pencils) just feel wrong.

  14. The Following User Says Thank You to Wuddus For This Useful Post:

    suzy01 (October 28th, 2018)

  15. #8
    Senior Member VertOlive's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Gulf of Mexico
    Posts
    3,886
    Thanks
    4,128
    Thanked 3,788 Times in 1,642 Posts
    Rep Power
    14

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    I just received my Spoke pencil. It is metal and not as heavy as my Rotring 600. I like the feel of the slightly rough surface on the Spoke a little better too.
    "Nolo esse salus sine vobis ...” —St. Augustine

  16. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to VertOlive For This Useful Post:

    myu (October 28th, 2018), suzy01 (October 28th, 2018)

  17. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    San Marino
    Posts
    100
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 30 Times in 23 Posts
    Rep Power
    6

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    I like plastic propelling pencils. Had a metal one that just didn't do it for me.

    I've read there are ebonite propelling pencils, but they cost way too much for my shallow pockets.

  18. The Following User Says Thank You to aquafox For This Useful Post:

    suzy01 (October 28th, 2018)

  19. #10
    Senior Member myu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    176
    Thanks
    107
    Thanked 115 Times in 65 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    Quote Originally Posted by VertOlive View Post
    I just received my Spoke pencil. It is metal and not as heavy as my Rotring 600. I like the feel of the slightly rough surface on the Spoke a little better too.
    Is it a Spoke 4 or Spoke 5 that you got? Seems the 5 is lighter than the 4.

    Quote Originally Posted by aquafox View Post
    I like plastic propelling pencils. Had a metal one that just didn't do it for me.

    I've read there are ebonite propelling pencils, but they cost way too much for my shallow pockets.
    Not all metal pencils are heavy. Some are made of aluminum or a metal alloy and are as light as plastic. Tombow is well known for making a wide range of them and with really nice patterns.

  20. #11
    Senior Member VertOlive's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Gulf of Mexico
    Posts
    3,886
    Thanks
    4,128
    Thanked 3,788 Times in 1,642 Posts
    Rep Power
    14

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    @myu: Mine is a 5, I liked the concept but not the colors of the 4.
    "Nolo esse salus sine vobis ...” —St. Augustine

  21. #12
    Senior Member myu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    176
    Thanks
    107
    Thanked 115 Times in 65 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    Quote Originally Posted by VertOlive View Post
    @myu: Mine is a 5, I liked the concept but not the colors of the 4.
    Well, with the choices available, you could get it with a medium silver body and either titanium or steel grip, and it would look very much like the color of the Spoke 5.

    See photo -- 1st one is a mock-up combing two options:



    I finally ordered mine. Got one in steel + black, the other in brass + blue.


  22. The Following User Says Thank You to myu For This Useful Post:

    VertOlive (November 11th, 2018)

  23. #13
    Senior Member KBeezie's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Grand Rapids, Michigan
    Posts
    2,067
    Thanks
    165
    Thanked 1,642 Times in 665 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    There's also the mixed feeling one, like my Uni Kuru Toga 0.5 in Gunmetal (the barrel seems metalic but I know it's plastic, the gripping area is metal though)
    https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Kuru-Tog...c-Body/pd/6547

    Comes in at 15 grams

    Though I do not always like the feel of metal, and plastic can seem a little slick, but not always into wood when it might get saturated somehow. Especially in the winter times.

    In those times I really like my vintage mechanical Eversharp in "Rosewood" hard rubber, doesn't get slick like plastic or some wood finishes, not cold/hard like metal, and has a light pleasant feel to it. I'm just stuck with 1.12mm lead with that one.



    So I tend to use that one the most, otherwise my Lamy 2000 0.7 Mechanical Pencil, I don't use the Kuru Toga as much as I thought I would, but it's the one I have for the finest lead size presently (like using the NanoDia leads).

  24. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to KBeezie For This Useful Post:

    myu (November 21st, 2018), NibsForScript (November 19th, 2018)

  25. #14
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Pacific Northwest
    Posts
    4
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    My favorite pencils are these two made of tungsten or "wolfram". They're not for everyone, but I like heavy, substantial writing instruments.

    The smaller pencil pictured here was offered on Kickstarter by Karsten Beck. It weighs 59 grams and is 5.12” long by 0.35” diameter.

    The larger pencil was a special order made by Karsten. It weighs 192 grams (6.8 oz) and is 5.48” long and 0.44” in diameter.

    Both pencils are made of an alloy of 93% tungsten combined with 6.5% nickel and 1.5% iron. They have a tumbled raw tungsten finish. They also share a “bolt action” slide advance mechanism for their 0.7mm leads.

    The density of tungsten is about the same as gold. It doesn't tarnish and it's hard enough so wear over time isn't an issue.

    Karsten's workmanship is impressive considering how difficult tungsten is to work with. The bolt action mechanism is very precisely machined resulting in a smooth mechanical feel.

    - Gordon.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  26. #15
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Posts
    140
    Thanks
    27
    Thanked 49 Times in 33 Posts
    Rep Power
    6

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    Quote Originally Posted by suzy01 View Post
    I was recently in the market for a mechanical pencil, I held a metal one in a shop and couldn't believe how heavy it was. I went for plastic fantastic rotring tikky in 0.5mm (but swapped out the lead for 2b). It's fantastic and it suits me perfectly. So my question is, are the metal ones just for show or for people with really strong hands?
    The really heavy ones are for people who don't know any better and use "EDC" forums. They think weight equals quality and don't write or draw very much. If you look at tools for people who know what they are doing and will be drawing or writing all day, then they're super light - because some of the links in muscle chain for writing are very small and and easily fatigued. If an employer issued some of the silly kickstarter pens and pencils I've seen then they'd be setting themselves up for a huge liability suit.

    The people who know most about pencils are actually the Japanese, because kanji don't suit ballpoint (because of start-up smears etc) and so until gel pens, mechanical pencils were the best option for note taking in class, etc. So Pentel invented modern mechanical pencil leads with polymer strengtheners, etc. Probably the ultimately ergonomic pencil is the Pentel PG1004 -

    https://www.jetpens.com/Pentel-Graph...0.4-mm/pd/3335

    ..It builds on decades of draftsmens' pencils. It's very light and the subtle grip and tucked away clip make it easy to rotate as you use it - something experienced pencil users learn to do to keep the lead pointed. The 1004 version uses the hipster 0.4mm lead size, which is noticeably thinner than 0.5 but a lot stronger than 0.3. It's a much nicer thing to write with than even a Rotring 600, Pentel Kerry or Kurutoga. (But choosing the right lead counts for a lot too - they vary just as much as fp ink.) The grip's as positive as a checkered metal one but doesn't resist deliberate rotation to the same degree - so if you're writing with a pencil all day, it's a lot less irritating.
    Last edited by ilikenails; January 29th, 2019 at 06:43 AM.

  27. The Following User Says Thank You to ilikenails For This Useful Post:

    Deb (July 21st, 2019)

  28. #16
    Senior Member FredRydr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Carlisle, Pennsylvania USA
    Posts
    4,908
    Thanks
    1,396
    Thanked 6,390 Times in 2,505 Posts
    Rep Power
    18

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    Quote Originally Posted by suzy01 View Post
    ...What is you favorite pencil and why?
    Sorry, but notwithstanding all the pretty mechanical versions out there (vintage and modern), my favorite remains the ubiquitous easily-sharpened Ticonderoga No. 2:


  29. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to FredRydr For This Useful Post:

    azkid (January 30th, 2019), Cyril (March 20th, 2019), jacksterp (July 4th, 2020), suzy01 (January 29th, 2019)

  30. #17
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Chester, North West England
    Posts
    160
    Thanks
    119
    Thanked 119 Times in 59 Posts
    Rep Power
    6

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    I have a few mechanical pencils, but seem to only use two -

    Lamy 2000 0.7 stays at home. Over the decades it has worn as smooth as my L2000 fountain pen.

    Pentel P207 goes out and about with me.

    Both with "Shakesperean" leads (2B).

  31. #18
    Senior Member Deb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Highlands of Scotland
    Posts
    1,747
    Thanks
    2,349
    Thanked 1,927 Times in 842 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    Plastic for everyday use because it's lightweight but I also appreciate vintage pencils, many of them metal but not especially heavy.
    Regards,
    Deb
    My Blog

  32. #19
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Posts
    238
    Thanks
    45
    Thanked 97 Times in 71 Posts
    Rep Power
    5

    Default Re: Metal bodied, wood or plastic?

    For ages I had a Pilot "the shaker", a plastic pencil in black with orange trim. I managed to loose it a couple of years ago and have never found the exact replacement. I still miss it.These days Pilot pencils transparent with rubber grip.

    I have had a couple of Koh-i-Noor push pencils taking varying graphite thickness. There are more metal in them than others, but the deep red outer grip is a sort of plastic. I like a Pelikan push pensil I have too, mostly for the pearly stripes, but it has a nice shape too.

    I have to add, I don't have any exclusive preferance when it comes to material plastic, metal or wood. There are featuers I appreachiate a lot, like the metal bit that slides in on the pencils taking very thin graphite refills. I like regular pencils I have to sharpen too.
    Last edited by arrow; July 21st, 2019 at 05:58 AM.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •