Review: Pentel Smash Q1005 0.5mm Mechanical Pencil

This looks to be the official start of a new, fun, and possibly unhealthy addiction to drafting style mechanical pencils.  As I related a bit in the written review at left, I have always been a fan of this type of pencil, but I haven't had much use for them for over a decade.  But as I dig deeper into the pen and pencil world, the pull of the drafting pencil tractor beam finally has me in its grasp.

The Pentel Smash mechanical pencil ($15.00 at JetPens) spoke to me with its long, clean lines, plus its nearly all black color.  I have been on an all black kick recently, and this pencil fit the bill perfectly.  Another of the big selling points of this pencil is the unique grip area, which is comprised of small rubber squares.  When you grip the pencil there is a slight amount of give in the squares, so they are not really sticking you in your finger pads, but rather providing a nice cushion while you write or draw.  It is a pretty unique feel.

The plunger of the pencil has a pretty cool design as well.  It is kind of a rubber compression looking piece, but it pops on and off easily for access to the eraser.  Right now, I am using the stock 0.5mm HB lead that came with the pencil which seems very nice, and going forward, I am going to work on trying out different leads and erasers.

The Pentel Smash has been a nice find, and I look forward to trying out many more drafting style mechanical pencils.

Click here for the XL review.

See also:

Uni-Ball Kuru Toga High Grade 0.5mm