Pentel Graphgear 1000 - Select desired size Mechanical PencilMade in Japan Our all-time favorite mechanical pencil! Why we love it: Metal construction Lead hardness indicator (located above grip) Retractable metal tip Size indicator on eraser cap Comfortable grip Color coding This mechanical pencil is worth the investment. Its features are what put it head and shoulders above other mechanical pencils, including the Graphgear 500. The lead hardness indicator is worth the investment alone. I don't know about you, but I use graphite with different hardnesses for different size pencils and different projects - it's frustrating to forget, and inefficient to keep notes elsewhere. The retractable tip is another reason all on its own to love this pencil. The clip has a hinge, so that when pressed or clipped the metal tip automatically retracts. This saves holes in pockets, purses, and pencils bags. The hinge does add a little more weight to the end of the pencil, changing the balance, but I haven't been bothered by this while using the pencil. The size indicator on the eraser cap, along with the color coding make the different sizes quick and easy to differentiate, especially if they are stored in a pencil cup on your desk. I was initially turned off by the "bubbly" look of the pads on the grip. but they really do add comfort, especially when you're logging some time with one of these in your hand! We hope you enjoy this pencil as much as we do!
