Tombow Mono Graph Shaker Mechanical Pencil Review

To compare any mechanical pencil to the Uni-ball Kuru Toga is unfair. The Kuru Toga is a game changer in so many ways, especially in the value it provides. It’s great technology for a great price. In a world where the Kuru Toga didn’t exist, the Tombow Mono Graph Shaker Mechanical Pencil might be king of the mountain.

I picked up this pencil from JetPens for its looks and expected very little else. Boy was I surprised. The first thing I noticed is how solid this mechanical pencil feels. It has some weight to it compared to other pencils in this category. The plastic barrel has a thick wall to help balance the barrel with the added weight of the shaker mechanism. I don’t want you to think this is a heavy pencil because it’s not. It just feels different than other pencils in this category.

The shaker also comes with lock protection, requiring a quick press of the clip downward to keep the shaker in place and prevent accidental lead advancement. The Mono Graph Shaker also comes with one of the largest erasers I’ve seen in a mechanical pencil, and it twists to extend, and it uses Tombow’s famous Mono eraser, AND it’s refillable.

The looks are classic Tombow too. The blue, black, red, lime, and pink barrels are stylish in their own right, but there was no way I could pass up the famous blue/white/black stripes of the Mono color scheme. So good looking.

This feels and functions like a $10 or more pencil. For less than $6 the Tombow Mono Graph Shaker is a steal and is one of the best mechanical pencils I’ve used in a long time.

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)

Pentel Sharp Mechanical Pencil - Metallic Blue Body Review

Anyone who has been a pen and pencil fan for more than a few years has certainly seen or used a Pentel Sharp Drafting Pencil. This all-time classic has been around for decades. I remember using them in the 1980’s when I would liberate them from my dad’s office, and to this day the design hasn’t changed one bit. That is, until the introduction of the Metallic Body Series.

George from My Supply Room first alerted me to this update several months ago, and I had seen them floating around on ebay as well, so I knew JetPens would come through before too long. I picked up the Blue Metallic based on looks and tradition - my first P205 was the blue one after all. They also come in Pink and Purple, and all are 0.5 mm.

What you need to know about the Metallic Pentel Sharp is that it is metallic in color only. This is not a metal barrel pencil. While that would be nice, it does stick with the traditional plastic construction. It extraordinarily lightweight and makes for a great portable pencil.

From a performance standpoint it is exactly like the original P205. The long, sleek body is comfortable to hold, and the shape of the tip and lead pipe give you plenty of sight clearance. If you have enjoyed the Pentel Sharp in the past then you will find these updated colors to your liking.

And if you haven’t, then what are you waiting for?

Pentel Sharp Kerry Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm Review

I have seen the Pentel Sharp Kerry around JetPens for a while, but never really had a reason to try it out. I am a Kuru Toga guy after all right? This red body Kerry showed up in a box of samples I got from work two months back, and even then I kind of set it to the side and wasn’t anxious to review it. I had no idea how much I was missing out on.

Not knowing anything about the Kerry model before getting this one in my hands, I didn’t even realize it is a capped mechanical pencil. It is fully capped at that - just like a nice rollerball pen would be. The unique part about that is you can advance the lead with the cap on or off. The engineering and design of the click mechanism works flawlessly in either position.

The build quality is excellent as well. The color sections are plastic and are surrounded by silver chrome accents. The tip of the pencil has a nice matte finish, which makes for a beautiful overall package. When writing, the pencil is perfectly balanced in the hand. With the cap posted, it is a little shorter than a standard mechanical pencil, but is more than long enough for a comfortable writing experience.

I really can’t say enough about how pleased I am with this pencil. It has top notch styling, comfort, and performance, and is one of the best pencils I have reviewed.