Koh-I-Noor Rapidomatic Mechanical Pencil, .9mm lead, Navy, 1 Each (5639)

One of the best pencils I’ve ever used not quite the best, but definitely one of the best

I still have and use my original rapidomatic. However, I only use it in one place and it never leaves that place, because I'm afraid of losing it. It is *the* best mechanical pencil I've ever used.So, I've been trying to buy a spare to use for years. The german rotring was all-metal, too heavy, and the grip texture was too fine. The previous Chinese rapidomatic was a pale imitation (too light and the grip texture was low quality). However, they went back to the original Japanese manufacturer and the quality is finally acceptable. It's a little lighter (because the internals are plastic instead of metal), but the outside is the same and it feels great.

An engineer I worked with years ago loaned me a pencil during a meeting, a rapidomatic. I'd always considered mechanical pencils to be cheap and flimsy, even though I liked using pencils for note-taking and sketching, it seemed like I was doomed to pens.I now have at least one rapidomatic that's over 10 years old, and the only reason I ever have to buy new ones is if I lose one (or loan it to some sticky-fingered colleague who immediately falls in love with it).They're available in .3, .5, .7, and .9mm (maybe bigger, haven't seen any). The smaller sizes are definitely at home on a drafting bench where a narrow, fine line can be drawn on a very level surface. I am not a draftsperson, and sometimes I have to jot down notes on a pad that's sitting on whatever's handy - anything thinner than a .9 is going to break frequently in such use.The one plus/minus of this pencil is the rather pointed tip - ideal for its original use against a straightedge or other guide. I've never broken one, but I have scratched some things I've thoughtlessly tossed in a backpack with it. It's solid metal with angular edges, so... But on the plus side, the narrow tip often comes in handy when you need something to hit that tiny reset switch on some device or other, or just need a narrow-but-not-sharp tool to fix/dislodge something.I've tried a couple other similar brands, but the rapidomatic is my favorite for the way I can grip it without excessive effort, it's sturdiness, and the fact that it has a generous sized place to store refills, plus an eraser and a small tool to clear broken leads, under the silver cap.

This is for the 0.7mm version. No protective plastic sleeve or wrap, just by itself in the large packaging cardboard box. The seller doesn't seem to care about the condition this item is in as it was scratched up from the free floating ride to delivery.It's effectively the same as a Rotring 500 with slightly less quality. I recommend going for the Rapidomatic 0.3 or 0.9 as Rotring no longer offers those sizes. Overall lower quality than the vintage ones that had a full metal tube chassis and closed eraser cap. Vintage 0.5mm (white) in the photos for comparison.I recommend the Rotring 500 over this one in 0.7mm. Similar price point, but better service and quality.

I really like this pencil, it's got fantastic heft to it and the end of the barrel is so stiff and doesn't bend. I wish that I could buy these in bulk instead of individually.

Solid pencil and I love the grippy knurling

The item operates flawlessly and feels perfectly balanced in my hand, making it easy and comfortable to use for extended periods. Its weight is just right, allowing for better control and precision during tasks.

Not objectively any better than a cheap bic pencil. They both do the job. But if the aesthetics matter to you and feel in the hand matters then you should check these out.