Tuesday Toolset, Top 5 Mechanical Pencils Edition

Have you tried a capped mechanical pencil?

Change because things have changed, or change for changes sake? That’s what I’m thinking about while working on these Top 5 list updates. The lists I’ve updated so far were the easiest in my mind because there was enough change to talk about. With subsequent lists, things get a bit more difficult.

And, even if there are no real technical changes to the products in the list, my tastes change. My thoughts and ideas about how I use products change. The products I want to recommend change. So the deck can be reshuffled, if you will. Here are my current thoughts on the state of Mechanical Pencils.

Top 5 Mechanical Pencils

1. Rotring 600 - What, you thought that lead-in meant the number one spot changed? Not so fast my friend! I think the Rotring 600 is the best mechanical pencil on the market. It’s also the most expensive mechanical pencil on this list. That doesn’t always translate into best, but in this case it does. The brass barrel is weighted perfectly, the grip knurling is properly edgy, and it can take a beating. (Buy)
2. Pentel Sharp - This pencil is more of the reason for the above commentary. Like the Rotring, the Sharp has been around for decades, but at a much different price point. In fact, this was a primary office supply pencil as recently as the 1990’s. Something about this traditional design and overall feel scream mechanical pencil to me, and make me want to pick it up and use it. (Buy)
3. Pentel Kerry - If you think mechanical pencils are boring, then you haven’t seen the Pentel Kerry. I’ve been on the bandwagon for years, but I need to be louder and more vocal about how great this capped mechanical pencil is. That’s right: Capped! (Buy)
4. Uni-ball Kuru Toga - There it is! You can argue this should be number one on the list, and you will get no argument from me. In fact, I’m sure I’ve had it there myself over the years. The mechanics work flawlessly, and if the lead rotation mechanism is something you need, then go for it. I just rarely pick it up compared to the rest of these. Bonus point for tons of design variety. (Buy)
5. Uni Shift-Pipe Lock - When it comes to mechanical pencils, pipe protection is important. This pencil does it effectively, and beautifully. Give me more color options and I might rank it ahead of the Kuru Toga. (Buy)

(Notes: If I’m feeling frisky one year I may knock the Kuru Toga off completely and replace it with the Tombow Mono Graph Shaker. It’s one of the best bang-for-your-buck mechanical pencils on the market.)

My personal use ranking:

1. Rotring 600
2. Uni Shift-Pipe Lock
3. Pentel Sharp
4. Tombow Mono Graph Shaker
5. Pentel Kerry

Tuesday Toolset, Top 5 Plastic Tip Pens Edition

This list is a peculiar one, and one very near and dear to my heart. Why do I love plastic tip pens (or drawing pens, or felt tip markers, or fineliners - whichever term you like) so much? They make my handwriting look amazing.

That’s one of the two reasons to buy one of these pens. The other is, of course, art. Depending on the model, they can provide features artists need, such as a wide range of point sizes, plenty of color choices, and archival ink properties.

Plastic tip pens aren’t for everybody. Students could use them for marking notes, but they break down too fast for page after page of notes. Same with repeated outdoor work - the tips are easily damaged.

But, if you know how this type of pen can benefit you, it can be the superstar of your arsenal.

Top 5 Plastic Tip Pens

1. Kuretake Zig Cartoonist Mangaka - There will come a point when the lack of color choices will catch up to it, but not here, and not now. (Buy)
2. Sakura Pigma Micron - Seen anywhere and everywhere fineliners are sold. And for good reason. Far more colors and tip sizes than the Kuretake, but not quite on par with performance. (Buy)
3. Staedtler Pigment Liner - Number three on my list, but number one with the artists I follow on Instagram. Especially artists who focus on tiny, detailed drawing. (Buy)
4. Copic Multiliner SP - If it weren’t so damn good I would have taken it off the list during the last price increase. You can buy 4 to 5 of the other pens on this list for every one SP. The standard Multiliner isn’t a good pivot either. (Buy)
5. Paper Mate Flair - I could have gone many different directions in this last spot, but the Flair is a great pen and adds a more utilitarian option to the list. The Ultra Fine Model is great too. (Buy)

(Notes: This is a big category, as seen by solid pens like the Uni Pen, Sharpie Pen, Stabilo 88, and more being left off. )

Tuesday Toolset, Top 5 Fountain Pens Under $50

The Lamy Safari is back on top.

I love the TWSBI ECO, and it is number one on my personal list for this range, but the Safari is a better recommendation if you think of this as the beginner fountain pen section. And, according to my inbox, that is how readers take it.

Cartridges make all of the difference for first time pen buyers. Piston-fillers, and the required ink bottle, are intimidating. I’ve listened to the feedback on this and feel that it is the right change to make. I love the Safari, so it’s not a tough call to put it back up top, where it has been before.

The ECO and Safari swap spots on the list, with the Pilot Metropolitan separating the two. Again, it’s the cartridge. But I will say it is a clear top three, then everything else.

Top 5 Fountain Pens Under $50

1. Lamy Safari - It’s universally great. Yes, the molded grip section could be an issue for some, but I don’t believe it is enough to move it out of the top spot. (Buy)
2. Pilot Metropolitan - A 30% price increase last year slowed down the hype train, but it is the most traditional fountain pen on this list. (Buy)
3. TWSBI ECO - My personal favorite in this range, but the piston filling mechanism is a turn off for new users. If you are fine with it, then this is number one. (Buy)
4. Kaweco Sport - It isn't just a great portable, pocketable fountain pen. It's a great fountain pen period. (Buy)
5. Platinum Preppy - Is there such a thing as a quality fountain pen under $5? Yes. Yes there is. (Buy)

(Notes: The Kaweco Sport is a personal favorite, but an odd pen for a beginner. The Platinum Preppy almost has to make the list strictly from a value perspective. The Pilot Kakuno is always in consideration, along with the Pilot Prera. I need to spend more time with the Platinum Prefounte to see if should be ahead of the Preppy.)

My personal use ranking:

1. TWSBI ECO
2. Kaweco Sport
3. Lamy Safari
4. Pilot Prera
5. Pilot Kakuno