Pentel Graph Gear 1000 Pen, 0.5mm (PG1015)

It's incredibly hard to find good mechanical pencils these days. The market seems to be dominated by cheap ones that break quickly and need immediate replacing or expensive ones that look pretty but aren't designed for convenient use. This one is different. It has a metallic covering which prevents it from being damaged and gives it the appearance of much more fancy pencils yet is as functional as cheaper ones.The main advantage of this pencil is that it will not tear a hole in your pocket like most others do. The point retracts into the bottom when you close it making the end blunt and dull. When extended the tip is locked in place by the clip, which here goes down lower when the button is depressed. This allows it to retract without suffering from the problem of other retractable pencils where they are easily pushed back leaving nothing to protect the lead from breaking. It's really the best of both worlds. The only problem with this is that when the tip is retracted the clip sticks out quite a lot which can over time cause it to get bent out of position.The rest of the pencil is fairly standard. The eraser is small and gets used up quickly so you probably want to use a separate eraser whenever possible. The grip is unusual in that it is mainly metal with only thin rubber bits sticking through to provide a grip. This is almost as good as a fully rubber grip and is quite a bit more durable. The body of the pencil is light and thin. It can take a significant amount of damage but it's really best not to push it. The only reason I replaced this pencil (with another of the same make) is because I lost it. It lasted almost two years without substantial damage, which is a rarity for my pencils.I don't know if all copies of this pencil are shipped from Japan but both of mine certainly have been. Delivery takes about 3-4 weeks but is cheap and affordable. If you need a new pencil immediately this probably isn't the product for you, but if you want a mechanical pencil that will last without breaking itself or your pockets then this is the one for you.

Been using this for quite awhile now. Its amazing. Light but solid. Sturdy metal body and the rubber bits make it easy to grip. I love the simple features like the dial that you can use to mark what pencil lead you are using. And one click and the point is hidden for safer storage or handling.

In short: Fulfils all criteria to guarantee an excellent product experience.Looks: I have lost track of how many years I have had mine (best part of a decade now). They still look the business and are often asked about by my clients whilst I am using them. One was even stolen, so I suppose that makes them quite desirable.Construction: The retractable tip is just perfect. It has a slight springiness to it that not only cushions the writing/drawing experience, but also helps avoid lead breakages, although the modern hi-poly' refills are pretty good in their own right. Made principally of plastic and aluminium, it is light yet very robust. The combination of a knurled section and rubber grip is perfect - no readjustment or sweaty finger problems. There are no fancy gears that turn the lead around (as advertised by other products) neither have I ever thought to myself that I need one of those - one less unnecessary mechanism that can go wrong = minimalism = long-lasting = happy owner.Use: Always works well, very easy to carry around (very light). Solid enough construction to withstand severe punishment - mine has been submerged in water for ~3 days (flood while I was away) & dropped from a height of over 10m (~30ft) - accidentally dropped in the space between staircase - which obliterated the lead refills inside but the pen works just fine. If it was the cheaper plastics varieties of mechanical pencils then they would not have survived. I'm also sure that some of the more expensive varieties will not be able to boast this. Even if it did stop working, replacing them is not going to be too painful. As testament to how well these have worked, I now have 3 varieties of these that take different refill sizes, as well as a spare 0.5mm as my all-rounder when I have to jot down or explain anything on the go. The oldest one is pushing a decade in age and looks/works like new. [For the astute fans out there: yes, they did make minor changes in their construction over the years, but not to any detriment]Conclusion: I have never been let down, only pleasantly surprised. I would highly recommend this over any other product I have tried (including comparisons against other brands that are >4x more expensive). A fantastic product that offers excellent value and many years of great service. This product has never disappointed me and I'm certain that most will agree once they have had the pleasure of using it.