u/RectorMors

Tombow ZOOM Series

The ZOOM series is one of the most diverse lineups of mechpens that you can currently find. Though they’re all dress pencils with no drafting models, I think they are completely different from equivalent dress models from other brands. In my eyes they look absolutely outstanding, and are the most striking models in my collection.

So, here’s my overall opinion on each of them, in the order I acquired them (click on the name for the full review on each one):

·         707

My first ZOOM. It came to my attention as the pen version, quite some years ago. When the collecting madness began and I discovered it was also available as a mechpen, it became an automatic must buy. Not very practical, but a-w-e-s-o-m-e.

·         505

The 505 is perhaps my most elegant dress pencil. In terms of a capped mechpen, this one is THE best, bar none.

·         L102

The L102 was the only disappointment from the whole series. Yet, since I think it’s supposed to be nothing but a budget model (of the L105?), I don’t think I can complain much. Nonetheless, it doesn’t come even close to the others, in terms of materials and feel.

·         L2

In my eyes the L2 is one of the three ZOOMs that are truly different in terms of looks. And in the case of the L2 here, it also has a very different (and unexpected nice!) tactile texture, so it has form and substance.

·         C1

Maybe I’m wrong in thinking this, but to me the C1 is the flagship of the series… Though the 505 is overall more imposing and the 707 is certainly the most different, the blend of design and materials on the C1 make it stand out.

·         L105

I think that the L105 is supposed to be the premium version of the L102, and it is parsecs ahead in terms of materials and overall feel. Yet at the same time, I think it can also be seen as the slim version of the 505, if you’re looking for a more “normal” mechpen.

Faber-Castell TK-Fine Vario L Series: 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 & 0.9 mm
Models 135300, 135500, 135700 and 135900

When I was a kid, two brands of stationary were top dog here in Brazil: Staedtler and Faber-Castell. Pencils from Faber-Castell were what you needed if you wanted to be seen as serious about drawing. Staedtler showed up here a bit later, so it wasn’t as wide-known as Faber-Castell. Yet, they became known specially for their compasses. My first “good” compass in 8^(th) grade, for Technical Drawing (back then, part of the high-school curriculum) was one from Staedtler.

In terms of mechpens, however, both brands weren’t so hot around here. Just because their models were too expensive, so almost nobody imported them. In fact, though I used a lot of mechpens back in the day from Compactor and even Pentel, I don’t think I ever saw a model from them. Nonetheless, because of the green Faber-Castell HB pencils and the Staedtler compasses, they are brands that take me back to my childhood and adolescence.

To the point that when this whole mechpen madness began for me, the first nice mechpen I bought was a TK-Fine Vario. In green, of course 😎. And even after dozens and dozens of mechpen models, I still think the TK-Fine is one of the best looking mechpens in the whole realm. Okay, arguably not the best in terms of ergonomics, but man does it look nice! With that, I needed to get the full series.

Faber-Castell offers the TK-Fine Vario L in four calibers: 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 mm. Just take note that in old European manner they say 0.3/0.35 mm and 0.9/1 mm. That is so because historically, the European technical drafting standard for extra-fine lines was 0.35 mm. However, the Japanese standard was/is 0.3 mm. Moreover, the actual diameter of the lead is around 0.36 to 0.38 mm 🤯. The same goes for 0.9/1 mm: while 0.9 mm is the widely preferred standard size in Japan, 1.0 mm is the official ISO standard designation used in Europe. Therefore, Faber-Castell uses those designations to state that their models are good with both European and Japanese standards.

In terms of colors, you can have the TK-Fine in green, blue or gold (that for me looks more like “champagne”). Unfortunately though, the available colors depend on the market. Here for Brazil officially you can only get them in green, while the other two colors are available through the gray market, but not for all four calibers. If I’m not mistaken, the same applies to North America and Asia. Only in Europe you can easily find all four sizes in all three colors.

With four calibers and three colors, I would have to repeat one color. That’s why I chose two greens. Well, that and because I can’t find the 0.3 mm model here in blue or champagne 🙄. But being honest, all look gorgeous, with perhaps the exception of the champagne. Sorry, but I really don’t like gold and goldish stuff.

In the end, the TK-Fine is an awesome model to have a full house. Think about it: great-looking and very good performance. Besides, anything fancier from Faber-Castell is prohibitively expensive. And the cheaper stuff, unfortunately, not nice at all.

• MODEL:

LAMY 2000 – model M 41
0.5 mm (available in 0.5 and 0.7 mm)           

• MATERIALS:

The distinctive feature of the 2000 is the body material. It’s made of Makrolon®, a premium brand of polycarbonate manufactured by Covestro, a splinter brand from Bayer AG. Like all polycarbonate plastics, it’s a strong and highly impact-resistant thermoplastic. LAMY gave it a brushed finish, in a way that regular use will smooth it out somewhat, so with time it will acquire a certain patina. Conversely, the cone tip is metal and the (spring-loaded) pocket clip is stainless steel, and everything has a brushed finish. Internally (almost) everything is metal, with a full-brass clutch and stainless-steel spring.

• ERASER:

It comes with a white latex rubber eraser, which LAMY calls Z 10. It is softer than a standard Pentel Z2-1N, and it almost feels gummy.  Nonetheless, it works fine, yet being softer, it does stain black with use. Moreover, look at the size of the lead-jam clearing rod 😲! Let’s say that if this was an endoscope, you could do a colonoscopy per os 🤣. The eraser also has that weird metal “collet”, which works just fine but is strange. The eraser cap has a “5” laser-etched on the top (the 0.7 mm version obviously comes with a “7” there).

• MEASUREMENTS:

The 2000 is 140 mm long, from tip to eraser cap. It has a fusiform body, with a diameter of 11.5 mm right at the tip of the pocket clip. That expands to 12 mm in the middle and then tappers to 9 mm at the cone tip. It weighs 18.59 g, and the balance point is found 66 mm from the tip.

• FEATURES:

Other than the Makrolon® body (and being very expensive), there’s not much to write about here…

AESTHETICS:

If the 2000 doesn’t have many features to write home about, in terms of aesthetics I can be way more prolix. The design of the 2000 essentially follows the 1920s Bauhaus style, where “form follows function” – it’s a common design trait used by many German brands. The brushed finish of all parts, enhanced by the uniform body makes the 2000 stand out. If I didn’t know anything about the model or even the manufacturer, I would think “That’s an expensive model”. It looks chic in a not-classic kind of way. And yes, it does look German. But German-elegant, not German-tool-like-efficient.

• ERGONOMICS:

I’m glad to report that the 2000 is a looker AND a performer. Yep, talks the talk and walks the walk – looks great and writes great. The body diameter + brush finish + weight made it feel really nice in my hand. Well, it does have a “short” lead sleeve, but since this is a dress pencil and not a drafting model, I’m not allowed to complain. Moreover, it’s almost 100% silent. If I would make a critique, it would be about the pocket clip: the tip is a bit sharp, and sometimes it hits my hand, but not to the point of actually bothering me. Let’s say that when I’m writing, once in a while I’m reminded that the 2000 has a pocket clip.

• MY THOUGHTS:

After the AL-star, for me LAMY was in the dog house 😣. Even so, from reading 100% positive reviews about the 2000, it became a prospective acquisition for me. After all, it has quite a history. LAMY first released the 2000 as a fountain pen in 1966, then a ballpoint pen in 1968 and finally the mechanical pencil in 1970. However, it’s e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e. But then came Amazon Prime Day. And my b-day… So, with the Prime Day discount and using an auto-birthday present justification, I bought it 😎.

https://preview.redd.it/4koc07z1v4jh1.jpg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c3b4bb142a0c8fea0b773f0d432504ecb351b4bd

Was it worth it? From a collector’s perspective the 2000 is a great acquisition. If you can find it for a good price, GO FOR IT! From a user’s perspective (and I’m talking about a mechpen geek), there are better dress models to use. Not a lot better, perhaps just slightly better.

Therefore, adding everything up, yeah, the 2000 is a really solid model to buy. If, of course, you can digest the price.

https://preview.redd.it/wy637dcpv4jh1.jpg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b41b404001ff33cb4c63174d6947a908fa516526

PLATINUM PRO-USE 171 SERIES

Finally, the series is complete 😎! I’ll talk about each one in the order that I got them:

·         Regular Edition (Black) 0.7 mm
MSDA-1500C

The vanilla edition 171, and my first model of the series. Pretty nice, but far from great in my eyes, with a few negative points. Being a regular edition, it’s the cheapest of the bunch. I posted the full review here.

·         Limited Edition (Frost Silver) 0.5 mm
MSDA-3500B

This LE, to my surprise, does not weigh the same as the regular 171. While the regular black one weighs 23.32 g, the LE weighs 24.43 g. And with that, the center of gravity is also different, moving from 61 to 64 mm. Moreover, the coating of the grip and pocket clip also makes a difference. On the gray edition it softened somewhat the tactile sensation that I had classified as “too coarse” on the black one. The same happened with the clip: since here it has somewhat softer edges, it doesn’t bother as much. And, of course, the black coating gives the pencil a more upscale look. In my eyes, that chrome that Platinum used on the black one gave it a cheap look.

However, the LE is NOT perfect. Differently from the black one, the lead hardness indicator here spins freely 😣. I don’t know if I was just unlucky and my unit is defective, but in mine I won’t bother to set the lead hardness because it doesn’t stay in place. Totally loose! Not a deal-breaker, but not ideal either.

So, in the end, I have to give this LE a higher ranking than the black one. The ergonomics here are better, so it offers a nicer writing experience. That was a surprise for me, since I thought I was just buying “prettier but more of the same”.

·         Limited Edition (Matt Black & Copper) 0.3 mm
MSDA-3000A

Another LE, and this one with one of the best special-presentation boxes I’ve ever seen for a mechpen. Honestly, even much fancier brands don’t offer their models with such a nice box. With a box like this, it truly feels like a special edition model.

In terms of performance, the Black & Copper behaves just like the Frost Silver – offers a nicer feel than what you get with the regular edition but falls short in the same issues. Well, at least here the lead hardness indicator is not loose like on the Frost Silver…🙄 In terms of weight balance, it’s the same as the Frost Silver: 24.43 g with the center of mass located at 64 mm from the tip.

So, from a collector’s perspective this could easily be “must buy”. Conversely, from a user’s perspective, I think it’s too expensive to offer a performance that is just a little better than the vanilla model (it’s even more expensive than the Frost Gray 😭).

However, in the looks department, the Black & Copper is the cat’s meow. Easily, one of the best-looking mechpens I’ve ever seen 😍.

·         Regular Edition (White) 0.9 mm
MSDA-1500D

The 0.9 mm is another regular edition of the 171, with a few minute differences from the black 0.7 mm. Despite having the same cheap-looking chrome grip as the 0.7 mm, here it’s much softer, being almost too smooth. In fact, I would even go as far as saying that this is probably the smoothest grip of all four. The pocket clip is better than the one on the 0.7 mm, having edges better polished. In my hands it feels almost as smooth as the clip on the 0.3- and 0.5-mm models. Unfortunately though, the lead hardness indicator is as loose as the one on the 0.5 mm, and also spins totally free 😣. In terms of price, despite being a regular edition, it’s more expensive than the black 0.7 mm model, but comes in the same kind of box.

Interestingly, it’s heavier than the 0.7 mm, tipping my scale at 23.69 g. Nonetheless, the center of gravity is also located at 61 mm from the tip. And in terms of looks, I think it looks slightly better than the black 0.7 mm. The white body kind of softens the bling from the chromed metal parts.

https://preview.redd.it/matfk28g4qih1.jpg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9ebaf041a31930f2cf7ee93c0f62b3cc3139a77f

Final Thoughts:

Looking back, I was glad I got the 0.7 mm first, because no doubt it’s the worse of the bunch in terms of finish. So, it was an “improving journey” to get them – well, up to the white 0.9 mm. Another interesting point is that the lead spring locking system works different in each one of them. By that I mean that the twist & lock motion on each feels differently. To make matters worse, none of them offer a “solid” feel when you lock or unlock the system. And, of course, no visual markings telling you if the system is locked or not 🙄. You have to twist and then press the lead against a hard surface to see if the spring is working or not. The system is quite nice to use, yet it could have been (much) better executed on all of them.

In the end, a very nice series to complete, even though they are quite different compared to one another in terms of finish. Though there are true lookers (Silver Frost and Matt Black & Copper) in the series, I can only say that they talk the talk but none walk the walk.

https://preview.redd.it/l1gbvi0x4qih1.jpg?width=2456&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dd8718373cf67c98d1d7aea17660c6fff4373ea1

From Luddite's IG page:

【New product information 】
Round Zip Pencil Case Slim ADRIA
Popular round zip pencil case ADRIA now has a slim version!
Price: 7,150yen(tax-in)
Release Date: End of September
Photo by Oggy (1st/2nd)

I stumbled upon this video by accident, and from Bungu 🤨! At first I thought it was just a sales promotional video, but no. It actually does a FANTASTIC job in explaining the origins of the Kuru Toga engine. If you like Kuru Toga pencils in general or are curious about one of the most important releases in terms of mechpens in the last decades, it's 17m48s of pure entertainment.

• MODEL:

OHTO MS01 – model MS01-SP5-SV
0.5 mm (available in 0.3 and 0.5 mm)           

• MATERIALS:

I’m very pleased to say that the MS01 is full metal! The (hexagonal) body is aluminum and the pocket clip is stainless-steel. The grip, external cone tip, lead regulator knob and structure and eraser cap are metal – grip and cone tip may be brass, but the other parts I would suspect tin or some other non-magnetic metal alloy. Internally, not counting a plastic lead tube and rubber O-rings, everything else is metal. The springs are all stainless-steel, the internal cone tip and sleeve I think is brass and the (b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!) clutch is full-brass.

• ERASER:

The MS01 comes with a small but good white latex rubber eraser, housed in a metal collet but without a lead-jam clearing rod. Interesting, because the Promecha, Superpromecha and Conception all come with the lead-jam clearing rod – in fact, their erasers don’t even fit in the MS01.

• MEASUREMENTS:

With the lead sleeve sticking out or not, the MS01 measures 152 mm, with a 5 mm (huge) lead sleeve. The center of gravity is at 66 mm with the sleeve extended – keep in mind that will vary with the sleeve retracted. The body is hexagonal, with rounded corners, having a diameter of 7.8 mm. At the grip it enlarges to 10 mm, and overall it weighs a hefty 27.11 g.

• FEATURES:

Just like the Superpromecha, the MS01 is a mechanical marvel. Not only can you retract the lead sleeve for safe carry, but you also can regulate how much lead comes out with each knock. To extend or retract the lead sleeve, just twist the grip – it takes 4.5 turns to fully extend it. That knurled section/ring between the grip and body is the lead extension regulator. Twist it and each knock will produce from 0.1 up to 1.5 mm of lead out of the sleeve. The system works by extending or retracting the whole clutch, so that each knock will push more or less of the chucks out of the collet. VERY simple but very efficient way of doing it.

Furthermore, the MS01 also has a lead hardness indicator on the eraser cap. Turn the knob and you can choose to display 4H, 2H, F, HB, B or 2B.

• AESTHETICS:

If I were to describe the MS01, I would say it “looks like a writing tool”. From a parsec away you can clearly see it’s a drafting mechpen. So, does it look good? As a professional tool I guess it does, but as a writing instrument it’s FAR from elegant. Specially this all-silver version. Perhaps the black, red or blue versions would have been less harsh. I only chose the silver because I wanted it to match my other OHTO drafting pencils. Even so, I like that over-engineered industrial tool look.

• ERGONOMICS:

Just like other OHTO drafting pencils, the MS01 is a quite competent writing tool. Despite that humongous lead sleeve, it is rock solid, absolutely no wobbling or even flexing. It also has a very nice weight to it, with great (perfect?) balance. The grip, however, is on the smooth side, so I think some people will have some slipping issues, even though it measures 10 mm in diameter. And, like all OHTOs, it rattles something fierce 🙄.

• MY THOUGHTS:

As always with OHTO, they make a k-i-l-l-e-r mechpen, but in the end, find a way to butcher it 😣. The regulator function here, though working flawlessly, is just a gimmick – set it once and never again mess with it. Yet, it works as intended. On the other hand, the ability to retract the sleeve is VERY handy, though a bit cumbersome to screw and unscrew the grip. And, the lead-hardness indicator is great – easy to read and easy to adjust.

So, where did OHTO go wrong? Fit and finish. The lettering on the body, especially the directions of how to operate the regulator, is very poorly made, and will fade with time. Heck, mine, with just a week of use, and I already can see some fading. All the threads, like for the regulator and grip, are very course, you can feel the grinding when you twist the parts. Moreover, there’s also that irritating rattling, that could easily be avoided by tighter manufacturing tolerances and/or the use of a simple O-ring.

Once again OHTO disappoints, just like most of their other models. I honestly wanted to like the brand more, but unfortunately, they dropped the ball in at least 90% of the models that I have from them. And the MS01 is no exception – great project, outstanding potential, but terrible execution 🤐.

A true shame.

https://preview.redd.it/mrphcejvx5ih1.jpg?width=1214&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=23135be5f151ee41b8125ae325d13c6f5ef8e0d0

From Pentel's IG page:

Smash coordinates in black ◼️
・Black color smash
・Smash eraser with integrated sleeve with smash design
・Cool impression Pentel Ain replacement case

Smash inherits the basic performance of the "Graph 1000" sharp pen for drawing.
Models built to be tough in everyday life ⭐

Catch copy is
"You decide how you write"

Smash supports the act of "writing" itself 🔥🔥🔥

Obsession in smash
☑ Stable writing comfort with integrated pen tip and grip
☑ Strong grip with rubber coating on metal
☑ 3D Rubber Ribs with a firm grip on Smash charm point
☑定規にあててもペン先が見やすい4mm金属製パイプ
☑ Equipped with the same axisity display window as sharp for drawing.
☑ Large rubber knock that shrinks tightly when knocked

There's a short video on LUDDITE's IG page.

【新商品情報】

DRAWMASTER (限定品)

念願かなったLucio Rossi DesignとのWネームのシャープペンシル0.5mm!!!!

真鍮とカーボンファイバーの唯一無二のデザイン

Release Date: Early September

—

【New Product Information】

DRAWMASTER (Limited Edition)

A long-awaited double-name 0.5 mm mechanical pencil with Lucio Rossi Design!!!!

A one-of-a-kind design combining brass and carbon fiber.

Price: ¥13,200 tax included

Release Date: Early September

Staedtler Mars micro Series: 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 & 0.9 mm
Models #775 03, #775 05, #775 07 and #775 09

A few years ago, I bought the Mars micro 0.7 mm. Back then I was far from a collector and I just wanted something that I could safely carry in my pocket. And being honest, at the time it delivered – nice ergonomics and a retractable lead sleeve. In fact, I even bought two, because I ended up losing the first one and had to replace it. Though I liked it back then, today I can’t say I’m really pleased by it. Not that something went wrong with it and now it’s broken or something. The problem is that I became more exigent 🙄. Yeah, becoming a mechpen geek made me look at it through a different perspective. For instance, all four models are brand new, but look how the lettering is holding up… Yes, of course, budget model, I know. But to a geek like me that really stands out….

After acquiring so many other models I came to understand that you can have a better pocket-friendly mechpen than the Mars micro. I realized that the Mars micro’s “great” retracting sleeve feature didn’t work that well… It’s cumbersome to use and far from smooth. Even so, it is a VERY nice pencil to write with, to the point that I prefer it to a Pentel Sharp. However, if I take both apart, the mechpen geek in me will ALWAYS prefer the Sharp…🤷‍♂️

Despite all that, the Mars micro has a certain emotional history for me. Not only was it my first adult everyday-carry mechpen, but it’s also from Staedtler. Like Faber-Castell, Staedtler is a brand that goes back to my childhood, so I’ll always have a soft spot for anything from them. That being so, some weeks ago, as an Amazon Prime Day deal, a set of three (0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 mm) showed up for a ludicrous price. Even though I already had a 0.7 mm model, what the hey, let’s complete the set. Of course, that meant also getting the 0.9 mm. Which, of course, I did, paying more than what I paid on the set of three 🙄. Yeah, I’m a m-e-c-h-p-e-n g-e-e-k. That or I’m just not exactly smart…🤔

https://preview.redd.it/88zz3awf8chh1.jpg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3aad822a6031c64dd9b7baaef48b509934a852a5

https://preview.redd.it/tj1nq9wf8chh1.jpg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=13f3f80498c301443f78b6b1302c0e99f0a2d229

https://preview.redd.it/rmlosawf8chh1.jpg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b8344fff8e652680564af240e7d8a86440bd4b81

As always, it’s cool to see a full-house of a model line. Yet, I have to be honest: a nice collector set, but far from a great model. Not bad, at all, but a lot shy from great as far as mechpens go in general. Even so, I find it very interesting to compare what I thought some years ago to what I think now. Perspectives change.

From Pentel Brazil's IG feed:

The elegance is in the details! ✨

Meet the new Quiet Luxury collection of Pentel pencils: a sophisticated design, designed for those who value style and quality in every stroke.

Available in 4 colors and in 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm calibers. It is perfect to accompany your routine of study, work or moments of creativity.

Will you collect them all or do you already have a favorite? 🤍🖤💙🤎

From Sakura's IG feed (Firefox translation 🙄):

.
＼新商品／
With curvy body that fits in hand
High-grade sharp pencil with non-slip grip
From "Intaglio® Sharp"
Chic dark color model
Limited quantities will be available from the beginning of September 2026 °˖✧

Intaglio® Sharp
Metal cutting blade sharp pencil released in early February 2026.

The name "intaglio" means "sinking carving" or "coffin carving" in Italian
Derived from carving techniques.

With curvy body that fits in hand
Short clip hard to hit,
Slippery metal cutting blade machining grips and
Featured with high visibility pen tip 長

This dark color model will be released
Intaglio®'s sophisticated luxurious feel stands out in a dark amber color.
Just like the standard item, the color is not tarnished even when the pen contacts each other in the brush box.
Surface finish with almite processing.

And match the indigo color, clip (+cap)
Chic gunmetal color available.
Finished with quality design with a sense of unity.

Check it out when it's released!
Which indigo color do you like better?
Please let me know in the comments if you like <3

If you're interested, save it so you don't forget it♪

✿ Product Name: Intaglio® Sharp
■ Release Date: Early September 2026 ~
■ Size: H144×W10mm
■ Color: Green Black, Blue Black, Wine Black
■Weighing: 18g
■Price: 3,300 yen (price without tax 3,000 yen)

^(A little bit better...)

• MODEL:

Uni Kuru Toga Advance Upgrade – model M310301P.24
0.3 mm (available in 0.3 and 0.5 mm)

• MATERIALS:

The body of the Upgrade is plastic, but the cone tip, grip and eraser cap are metal (I’m guessing tin?), while the pocket clip is steel. Inside, however, everything is plastic, with the exception of the clutch (full-brass) and spring.

• ERASER:

Minuscule (🙄) white latex rubber eraser. Despite the lack of size, it works fine.   

• MEASUREMENTS:

The Advance Upgrade is 140 mm long, with a body diameter (right below the pocket clip) of 8.8 mm. The grip, conversely, is wider: 10.7 mm. It weighs 15.97 g, and the center of gravity is located at 54 mm from the tip. Interesting to note is that these are the same numbers I got from the 0.5 mm version 😮.

• FEATURES:

The Advance Upgrade combines two features. One is the Kuru Toga engine, that rotates the lead every time you lift the pencil from the paper. And the other is a sliding sleeve, where the sleeve automatically retracts as you use up the lead. That means that you’ll need to knock the mechpen less frequently. As a bonus, you can also totally retract the sleeve, making the Advance Upgrade absolutely pocket-friendly.

• AESTHETICS:

This mechpen is undeniably handsome. And this all-black version is even more so – it looks sleek. I wasn’t thrilled by the looks of my white 0.5 mm; the white and silver combination, in my eyes at least, did not blend well. But that was my fault, since I should have chosen another color. With the 0.3 mm I chose RIGHT, this looks really good.

While the 0.5 mm is available in white, burgundy, gray and dark blue, Uni only offers the 0.3 mm in black or ivory.

• ERGONOMICS:

Speaking again about the 0.5 mm, I was disappointed by its performance. The grip, because of the too-smooth paint job, was slippery. Yet, I have to point out that maybe this is an issue only for the white model. Perhaps the other colors are better 🤔? Here, however, the matt-black finish offers more texture, therefore the grip is markedly less slippery.

If the slippery grip was fixed, the rest of my issues with the Advance Upgrade were not fixed. Because of the Kuru Toga engine, and especially because of the sliding sleeve, the lead sleeve wobbles a lot. And I mean a LOT. Moreover, as with ALL sliding sleeves, there’s also paper scratching. Not terrible scratching but scratching nonetheless.

• MY THOUGHTS:

In general, I really disliked the Advance Upgrade 0.5 mm. But when the 0.3 mm version came out (I think it was in the beginning of 2026?) I decided to give the model another chance. So, did the 0.3 mm pass the grade? Ah, no…😣 Though the slippery grip was fixed, it just wobbles too much. The scratching, honestly, isn’t terrible, and I could live with it. But the wobbling? No can do. I don’t know, perhaps someone not used to mechpens in general (or less picky) wouldn’t mind, but for a nerd like me, it just doesn’t work 🤷‍♂️.

And allow me to be a true mechpen nerd*.* Do we really need the Kuru Toga engine on a 0.3 mm 🤨? I sincerely see the point of the feature in larger calibers, but for 0.3 mm I think it’s redundant. So being honest, Kuru Toga engine on the 0.3 mm pencil seems more like a gimmick than a real feature. Works (very well) on a 0.5 mm, but totally dispensable on a 0.3 mm.

Did I "fix" my Special? Nope.

Some time ago I got myself a Kaweco Special – you can read my full review here. In a nutshell, I really liked the mechpen. Great dimensions and overall VERY solid performance. But it had one flaw, at least for my tastes: no pocket clip 😕. For me, a pocket clip is important because I use a mechpen everyday clipped to my pocket. Moreover, in my opinion, there’s no better way to avoid a pencil to roll around on the desk. So to become truly great, the Special needed a pocket clip.

Kaweco doesn’t offer the option of buying the Special with a pocket clip, yet you can purchase one separately. I DO NOT LIKE the idea of buying something incomplete, where you have to buy an extra part to make something work. Yet, since I really enjoyed the pencil, all right, I caved and bought the darn pocket clip. And to offer more perspective to all this, the pocket clip cost me roughly the price of a Pentel GG1000. Therefore, not cheap. In fact, I honestly think that’s absurd for a friggin’ pocket clip 😣.

So, since Kaweco offers pocket clips for a lot of their models (looks like they must think nobody needs a pocket clip on their pens and mechpens 🤨), I was very careful to order the model that would fit my Special - #11000157. JetPens states that that’s the part number for the pocket clip that fits on the Special. Order paid and in a few weeks it arrived, so let’s make my Special right. However, as I expected, it was a tight fit, and I definitively didn’t want to scratch my pencil installing the thing. Therefore, I went to my shop, used some light machine oil as lube and using a thin curved-nose pliers I managed to get it in place with no issues. Awesome, now my Special was perfect!

Or not…

Look at the fit of the pocket clip. Kaweco makes it in a way that will be easier to install it, but with that, it looks absolutely terrible. Looks like I adapted some random pocket clip from another brand. Yes, it works perfectly, but looks like shit 🤬.

Bottom line, I spent a lot on something that fits terribly on a mechpen that should have come with a pocket clip from the factory. I know that there are a lot of Kaweco fan boys around here, but the brand just got into my shit list. The mechpen (without the stupid pocket clip) is awesome, but the brand? Let’s say this was the last time I ever buy something from them.

PS: Totally unrelated to Kaweco: look at the last pic. That’s the package that Amazon used to send the pocket clip. In what universe does that make sense 🤯? I also bought the Special from Amazon, and they shipped it in a MUCH smaller package. More salt on the wound, but waste, of any kind, really irks me.

^(Cheap and kinda nice?)

• MODEL:

SAKURA RETRICO – models NS203R#125 and NS205R#36
0.3 and 0.5 mm (available in 0.3 and 0.5 mm)          

• MATERIALS:

WARNING!!! High plastic content ☢! The RETRICO is a cheap budget model, therefore, lots of plastic components. The cone tip, pocket clip (stainless steel), eraser cap and clutch collet are metal. Everything else, including the clutch chucks, is made of organized chains of hydrocarbons.

• ERASER:

The same white latex rubber eraser with metal collet found on the Writoll. Which is the same one used on the R500. G-e-n-e-r-i-c, but effective.

• MEASUREMENTS:

The RETRICO measures 140 mm from tip to cap, with a diameter of 8.6 mm. Weight balance is practically neutral with the center of mass located 72 mm from the tip. As for weight, the 0.3 mm weighs 8.18 g while the 0.5 mm weighs 8.27 g.

• FEATURES:

The talking point about the RETRICO is that it has a lead protection system. The whole clutch assembly is cushioned by a spring, so if you press down hard against the paper, the lead will be cushioned by a spring. And note that I said the lead, not the lead sleeve + lead.

• AESTHETICS:

If you like the looks of the Pentel Sharp P200, you will dig the RETRICO. In my eyes, the RETRICO is almost a clone of the P200. The biggest difference is the absent full-metal pocket clip. In terms of colors there are a lot to choose from, and even some special LE colors.

• ERGONOMICS:

Though the RETRICO looks a lot like a Sharp, ergonomics are quite different. And for the worse… In terms of dimensions, for me it is as bad as the Sharp: too slim and too light. However, on the Sharp, the pocket clip has smooth edges; on the RETRICO, it has a live edge, and it’s uncomfortable to have it against the flesh between my thumb and indicator. Conversely, despite having a lead cushioning system, the lead sleeve is absolutely unmovable. And in the noise department it’s almost totally silent, way quieter than a P200.

• MY THOUGHTS:

The RETRICO is a true budget model: lots of plastic and not great ergonomics. However, it has a VERY nice lead protection system, that works very well with no downside. Compared to a P200, I think you would have to choose between lead cushioning or better ergonomics. Using me as an example: for me the RETRICO is a tad more expensive than a P200, and I don’t have a heavy hand. That being so, since the Sharp is nicer to use, that’s what I would choose.

The RETRICO is not a bad pencil for the price, but you have to know what your priorities are 🤔.

^(Top-of-the-line dress pencil.)

• MODEL:

Tombow ZOOM L105 – model SH-ZLC41
0.5 mm (only available in 0.5 mm)    

• MATERIALS:

Full-metall. And I mean FULL-metal – with the exception of a connector and the top of the cap that are plastic, everything else is metal. The pocket clip is stainless-steel, but the cone tip, cap and body are brass. According to Tombow’s site, all those parts received “a multi-layered coating and finishing”. Internally, you get a tin (?) lead tube, full-brass-and-gorgeous clutch and a stainless-steel spring.

• ERASER:

Pink latex rubber eraser, and kind of small. Pretty decent, but as always, I think white latex rubber would be better. It has a metal collet but no lead-jam clearing rod.

• MEASUREMENTS:

The L105, from tip to crown measures 144 mm, with the center of mass located at 69 mm from the tip (it doesn’t have a “proper” lead sleeve). The body is a uniform cylinder with 10.2 mm in diameter, that tappers down to the tip. It tipped my scale at 23.5 g.

• FEATURES:

If looking good & fancy is a feature, then the L105 excels. Other than the great looks it’s a dress pencil, ergo…

• AESTHETICS:

Which is more intense, uber-cool or ice-cool? Well, take the highest one and square it – this thing rocks! That metallic blue, on the uniform body, makes it really stand out. Probably not as fancy as the L2, but way more discreet. So, if you want a great-looking mechpen and fly under the radar, this is it. And if blue is not your jam, Tombow also offers it in silver and pink.

• ERGONOMICS:

For a dress pencil, then perhaps the L105 is perfect. Even without a “dedicated” grip, it feels really good in my hand. Despite the extra-smooth finish, not even once I was worried about it slipping, and here I bet that those 10.2 mm of diameter sure helps. Yet, for sweaty hands...🤔 Moreover, zero rattling and with an unmovable tip (just remember that it doesn’t have a lead sleeve). And the only negative point about the L105 for me was exactly the absent lead sleeve. Yeah, dress pencils don’t need a lead sleeve, but the sleeve makes it easier for me to see and feel the paper when I’m writing. Nonetheless, looking at it as a dress pencil, it writes great.

• MY THOUGHTS:

Released in 2015, the L105 was the latest of the ZOOM line before the C1 and L2. I think it was the upscale version of the L102, a mechpen that I didn’t like very much. For me, the L102 is the worst of all the ZOOM.

But the L105? Color me (metallic) blue and impressed. I was a bit afraid that it would be something similar to the L102, but no, far from it. This is as nice as the L2 and C1, but in a different format. In fact, I would even be bold enough to consider it as a slimmer version of the 505, probably my best mechpen with a cap.

So, the L105 is a GREAT mechpen, especially if you want a beautiful and discreet dress pencil for a more formal environment. Besides, it is a very nice writing tool 😎.

Zebra DelGuard Type-LX Series: 0.3 & 0.5 mm
^(Models P-MAS86-W and P-MA86-R)

Some time ago, I posted my review of the Zebra DelGuard Type-LX 0.5 mm. I really enjoyed it – I was impressed about how well the DelGuard System worked, and overall it was a really nice mechpen for general use. Being a gearhead, I was fascinated by how well the system works. In essence, it does what Zebra advertises – it makes breaking the lead MUCH harder. Honestly, I had to put a lot of pressure before the lead snapped.

Okay, so it works for 0.5 mm… But what about 0.3 mm 🤔? Since I was so impressed with the feature, I bought all the Standard models (0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 mm). I did want to complete the series but I specially wanted to test the 0.3 mm (in fact, I even fumbled an order and ended up with two 0.3 mm… 🙄). And in the end, yes, the DelGuard System also works in 0.3 mm! Brilliantly, if I may add.

That being so, I just needed to also complete the Type-LX series, which is undoubtedly my favorite DelGuard. A few weeks ago I ordered the 0.3 mm and here it is. I chose white, but the 0.3 mm is also available in all-black, blue or red. What I wrote about the 0.5 mm is true for the 0.3 mm also, and my only issue is once again the too-smooth grip. If it had some texture to it this mechpen would have been a total killer.

So, if you have a heavy hand and like metallic grips, the LX are great. Not perfect, because of the too-smooth grip, but the lead protection system is totally worth it.

^(Almost perfect...)

• MODEL:

Kaweco Special – model 10000181
0.5 mm (available in 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 mm)         

• MATERIALS:

The Special is a full-metal mechpen – with the exception of the plastic lead tube, everything else is metal. The octagonal body is aluminum, and the cone tip and eraser cap are non-magnetic metal. The knob, on the top of the eraser cap, is strongly magnetic though. Internally you get a friggintastic full-brass clutch and stainless-steel spring. There’s also three rubber O-rings, one on the eraser cap and two where the cone tip connects to the body and clutch.

• ERASER:

Once again one of those generic white latex rubber erasers. This one is the exact same one found on the EverDraw. And again, with a metal collet but no lead-jam clearing rod 😒.

• MEASUREMENTS:

The Special is 141 mm long, from tip to eraser cap, with the center of mass located slightly forward, at 63 mm from the tip. Despite all that metal, it’s quite light, weighing just 15.34 g. The body is a uniform octagon, with a “diameter” of 10.4 mm.

• FEATURES:

The Special is a general-purpose mechpen, with no mechanical feature. In fact, I could even say it has negative features, since it lacks a pocket clip…😕 With that, maybe I can be more specific, and call it a “journal pencil”, like the Drehgriffel, that also has the same format and no pocket clip.

• AESTHETICS:

If you’re looking for something stealthy, look no further. The Special is stealthier than the highest-level shinobi in any respectful ninja clan. By that metric, I think it’s the stealthiest mechpen that I have. Yet, being honest, I would prefer some more color. Ever since I quit my position as Chief Mall Ninja, I’ve been partial to colorful stuff.

• ERGONOMICS:

One word: outstanding! In fact, maybe I could even say almost perfect. Though a tad light for my ogrish tastes, the perfect diameter and great forward-balance make it truly delightful to use 😎. That said, take note that it doesn’t have a “dedicated” grip, and the paint job is quite smooth. Therefore, for sweaty hands this could present an issue. Moreover, without a pocket clip, it WILL ROLL AROUND. Not as bad as with the Drehgriffel, but it will happen, so pay attention to wear you put it. And remember those O-rings? Because of them, there’s zero rattling, absolute ninja-level of quietness. Oh, and also add to all that an unmovable lead sleeve. So, yeah, all in all, VERY nice to use.

• MY THOUGHTS:

Here I have a confession to make: my interest in the Special was close to zero. A lot of people praised it, but it doesn’t have a pocket clip. And yes, a pocket clip is important for me, so out of principle it was not something that I would look forward to. Besides, I was disappointed with my other journal mechpen, the Drehgriffel 😏. But you know what? After a week using it, inclusively for journaling, I now say that this thing ROCKS! A pleasure to write with, with great ergonomics. Really, I just can’t say it’s perfect because it lacks a pocket clip…

BUT WAIT! Doesn’t Kaweco offer a pocket clip for it??? Hmmm…🤔