Pentel Graph 1000 for Pro Drafting Pencil Review

I’ve been on a mechanical pencil kick recently, acquiring a handful of new, or new to me, models from JetPens as they appeared. My original plan was to do a combo review of the ones that stood out, but the more pencils I acquired the more I felt they each had their own story to tell, and grouping them together might muddy the waters unnecessarily.

As I hemmed and hawed how to present this batch of graphite, I decided to grab the pencil that clicked the most from the jump. There are other pencils in the queue that are more expensive, and others that are brand new models to the market, but for reasons you will find out below, I was drawn to the Pentel Graph 1000 60th Anniversary Edition.

This shouldn’t have surprised me, as I previously reviewed a limited edition colorway back in 2021 and thoroughly enjoyed it. This blacked-out model is equally as fantastic. The barrel is the standout feature, featuring an aluminum grip section and a plastic body. It’s narrower than many pencils, too. Given my love for the Pentel Sharp series, it should come as no surprise that light and narrow is my jam.

The primary difference between these two pencils is that the Graph 1000 grip is straight-sided, and the Sharp is tapered. The Graph 1000 also has rubber bumps on the grip section, and an engineering-style step tip. There are more than enough details to differentiate them, but the feel in hand is surprisingly close.

Very different shape, surprisingly similar feel.

As great as I think this pencil is, and as much as I would recommend it to anyone looking for this set of specs, it does have one problem: price. Specifically, the price in relation to other pencils in the Pentel lineup.

This Limited Edition is $16.00. In a vacuum, that’s a fair and reasonable price for this pencil. The standard model Graph 1000 runs $11.75, and at a glance, has very minor visual differences versus the 60th anniversary edition. The Creator’s Style Graph 1000, which again is only color differences, is $12.50. Overall, this is a reasonably-priced group of pencils, and at a fair premium to the more basic Pentel Sharp.

Enter the Pentel GraphGear 1000.

With one minor addition to the name, this mechanical pencil changes the entire calculus. This is a full metal barrel, knurled grip, retractable lead pipe superstar of a pencil. Like the other Pentel models above, it has history behind it, and lifelong fans.

And it only costs $12.25.

For a feature set as complete as the GraphGear has, I’m confused why it is essentially the same price as a lesser model. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy it is priced that way, but the only reason to purchase a Graph 1000 over a GraphGear 1000 is aesthetics. The GraphGear is admittedly a bit aggressive in that department, but for what you get it is kind of a no-brainer.

I guess it is time to make another mechanical pencil order.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Why The Pentel Sharp Mechanical Drafting Pencil Is Perfect For Me

Stationery goods that have been around for decades often have a good reason to stay viable for so long. In the case of the Pentel Sharp - which launched in 1970 - I’m a bit surprised it is still kicking around, and thriving, in the current age of mechanical pencils. Why?

It’s inexpensive.

In the 1970’s and 1980’s, you could find the Pentel Sharp in office supply cabinets around the world. I know because I used to steal them from my dad’s work! They were sold by the dozen, in four tip sizes: 0.3 mm (P203/Brown barrel), 0.5 mm (P205/Black barrel), 0.7 mm (P207/Blue barrel), and 0.9 mm (P209/Yellow barrel).

The apple of my eye at the time was that shiny Black barrel, but those darn Blue barrels were everywhere! That’s ok, because I only needed one. These are refillable mechanical pencils, after all. But that never stopped me, because again, they still don’t cost much relatively speaking, even in 2025. $6.00 is pretty great, for any lead size you wish.

It’s beautiful.

The Sharp Mechanical Drafting Pencil is a masterclass of design. It is ultralight, checking in at just 9 grams. It’s narrow, with a taper from the grip section through the tip. The built-in plastic grip bumps hold your fingers in place, and doesn’t agitate them. The single ridge on the nose cone adds a nice visual element. The clip is clean, functional, and removable. The button knock completes the silver metal elements perfectly. And none of this has changed since the pencil first launched, as best as I can tell.

It’s fun.

Not only to look at, but to use. This is a product that molds into your hands in such a way that you hardly know it is there. Some of the striking barrel colors can’t be missed, either. I appreciate that Pentel leaned into it over the past decade-plus, like with these fluorescent barrels that I use the most. They mix it up every now and then, but they do charge a few dollars more for limited versions.

From my Delfonics x Pentel Sharp P205 Mechanical Pencil Review.

It’s better than your mechanical pencil.

Ok, slow down there Brad! The Pentel Sharp is not for everyone, and there are a ton of options on the market that may suit you better. I ranked my Top 10 Mechanical Pencils in Episode #635 of the Pen Addict Podcast, where only the Rotring 600 was placed ahead of it. I think that’s fair considering all of the differences the 600 brings to the table, and high praise for the Sharp to be placed in that company.

Even their stock lead is great, and comes in a range of hardnesses.

It’s nostalgic and modern, all at once.

I have a love for the Sharp that goes back decades, and Pentel has kept the flame burning with frequent colors, patterns, and styles which keep our relationship fresh. On the list of products that make me smile the most, the Pentel Sharp is right near the top.

What simple stationery goods make you smile the most? Let me know in the comments.

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Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!

Platinum Pro-Use 171 Drafting Pencil Limited Edition Review

Platinum not only makes some of the best fountain pens on the market, they have done a great job in the mechanical pencil space for decades as well. The Platinum Pro-Use 171 Drafting Pencil is their top of the line model, with a feature list to match the price tag. Is it worth it? Let’s find out.

The Pro-Use 171 has two main selling points outside of the standard setup: an adjustable length lead sleeve, and a toggleable spring mechanism to help prevent breakage. Let’s tackle those first, and then we will get into the traditional features.

On the front end of the pencil, the nose cone is twistable to extend and retract the lead sleeve. This extension ranges from 0 mm when completely retracted, to 4.5 mm when fully exposed. As a fan of an extended lead pipe, 4.5 mm is a bit too long even for my tastes, but that is the good news - you can customize it to fit your exact needs. It is a bit of a visual trick when doing this, as it’s the nose cone itself moving up and down. The shorter the sleeve appears, the bigger the gap between the nose cone and barrel. I’m not a fan of the aesthetics of this feature, but it’s usable in my normal writing position.

What I can get behind is the spring mechanism to help with lead breakage. Twisting the grip section to the proper station activates or deactivates the mechanism. I’ve kept it “on” for the most part, other than testing if I could feel any difference. If I push it hard I can notice some give with it activated, but my writing pressure is light enough that it’s hardly noticeable in either stage.

The two stages are marked on the barrel, with a short twist to engage/disengage the spring.

The standout feature of the Pro-Use 171 is the knurled metal grip section, and the balance it prides to the overall writing experience. The knurling is light-to-moderate so it won’t sandpaper your skin during long sessions, and the entire section is heavy, especially when placed against the lightweight plastic barrel. That’s how engineering and drafting pencils should be designed, but I can’t help but wonder if a lightweight aluminum barrel would better fit the price tag of this pencil.

The Pro-Use is a good pencil, but it has a long list of competitors that I would choose before it. Top to bottom: Spoke Design Model 4, uniball Kuru Toga Wood, Pro-Use, Rotring 600.

Price is the kicker for the Pro-Use 171. It’s $43 for this Limited Edition color (the all-Black standard model is $38,) and I’m not sure there is enough there to justify it for my own use. The lead sleeve adjustment is a set it and forget it situation, as is the spring mechanism to assist with breakage. With a few exceptions, I guess you could say I’m a fan of fixed pencils.

Do you have any use cases where the features of the Pro-Use 171 come into play? I’d love to hear them if so.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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