Pentel Mechanical Pencil Graph Gear 500 0.5mm PG515

Truly excellent entry-level mechanical pencil. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to incorporate a mech pencil into their drawing or note-taking kit, but doesn't want to spend too much on a new item.This has been my go-to pencil for several years now. The grip is knurled metal, while the body is a sturdy plastic. The extremely long nose on this pencil makes it very accurate, and the weight is distributed towards the tip (rather than the middle of the pencil, like my Alvin Draf-Tec) making writing and sketching a breeze. The body of this pencil is extremely durable and feels significantly tougher than other similarly-priced pencils. I'm a pretty clumsy person and have dropped these a number of times, but not a single crack in the plastic or bent lead ... MoreTruly excellent entry-level mechanical pencil. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to incorporate a mech pencil into their drawing or note-taking kit, but doesn't want to spend too much on a new item.This has been my go-to pencil for several years now. The grip is knurled metal, while the body is a sturdy plastic. The extremely long nose on this pencil makes it very accurate, and the weight is distributed towards the tip (rather than the middle of the pencil, like my Alvin Draf-Tec) making writing and sketching a breeze. The body of this pencil is extremely durable and feels significantly tougher than other similarly-priced pencils. I'm a pretty clumsy person and have dropped these a number of times, but not a single crack in the plastic or bent lead pipe.I use Pentel 0.5 Blue lead in this pencil. It's not the highest quality lead, but the graph gear's stability keeps me from breaking the lead as much as I do in the Alvin Draf-Tec (loaded with the same lead).Personally, I can't come to grips with so-called ergonomic rubber grips (the bigger and squashier, the harder it is for me to use), so this is more my speed.Overall:Sturdy, accurate, and affordable. An absolute workhorse of a pencil.Pros: Extremely durable. Feels very sturdy. Weighted well for use. Extra long nose makes it easy to use with a straight edge.Cons: No special features, save for the removable clip. No retractable tip, no anti-breakage springs, no auto-rotating lead, etc. Eraser is laughably tiny and will survive maybe a line or two of use.

Was given the 0.3 mm a while back and wrote a review (love). This 0.5 mm was also a gift from the same friend. I raved so much about the 0.3, she got me the 0.5 mm. I had it for about 2 weeks and never used. This morning I leaded it up with 3B lead (my absolute favorite). The grip is not scratchy, its actually very smooth against my knuckle. I think she ordered both of these pencils from JetPens because she asked me several time where have I been getting mine mechanical pencils from. The softness of the 3B lead gliding smoothly across the paper. I was taking notes in a meeting for 2 hours today. Yellow legal pad paper does not have the greatest appeal, but the rich deep lead of the 3B coupled with the yellow legal pad ... spectacular. I was doodling and taking ... MoreWas given the 0.3 mm a while back and wrote a review (love). This 0.5 mm was also a gift from the same friend. I raved so much about the 0.3, she got me the 0.5 mm. I had it for about 2 weeks and never used. This morning I leaded it up with 3B lead (my absolute favorite). The grip is not scratchy, its actually very smooth against my knuckle. I think she ordered both of these pencils from JetPens because she asked me several time where have I been getting mine mechanical pencils from. The softness of the 3B lead gliding smoothly across the paper. I was taking notes in a meeting for 2 hours today. Yellow legal pad paper does not have the greatest appeal, but the rich deep lead of the 3B coupled with the yellow legal pad ... spectacular. I was doodling and taking notes. The Pentel Graph Gear has a slimmer build vs. the Kuru Toga Standard (which was my grab pencil since I got it, but I grabbed this before the meeting today). Compared to the Steadtler and Rotring, I pick this. I found a new mechanical pencil that I absolutely love. Smooth grip, lite in the hand, and doesn't scratch my knuckle. The erasers not great, but I haven't found a mechanical pencil erasers good yet; however, this one is long and very sturdy in its slot. I always have my Campus 2B eraser on hand anyway. Love this pencil! I think I'll wait a week or two, she might get me the 0.7 mm ... I'll start raving about the 0.5 mm now. Thanks JetPens.

I really wanted to love this pencil. It works okay, and looks very professional. However, there is one flaw. Because more weight is centered around the tip, I found that writing is actually harder, rather than easier that which the internet persuaded me. The weight about the tip fights with your fingers when you lift the pencil off the paper, in turn giving you weak control over the pencil, and also promoting a sort of 'lazy' manner of writing. However, I can imagine the forward weighting is decent for drawing where one doesn't lift the pencil as rigorously compared to writing. In addition, the eraser is extremely tiny (I bet you knew that already) and the metal grip is often unwelcoming. The rough texture of the grip also doesn't feel satisfying in my hands ... MoreI really wanted to love this pencil. It works okay, and looks very professional. However, there is one flaw. Because more weight is centered around the tip, I found that writing is actually harder, rather than easier that which the internet persuaded me. The weight about the tip fights with your fingers when you lift the pencil off the paper, in turn giving you weak control over the pencil, and also promoting a sort of 'lazy' manner of writing. However, I can imagine the forward weighting is decent for drawing where one doesn't lift the pencil as rigorously compared to writing. In addition, the eraser is extremely tiny (I bet you knew that already) and the metal grip is often unwelcoming. The rough texture of the grip also doesn't feel satisfying in my hands especially over prolonged sessions, and the grip is unusually often cold to the touch. Because I wasn't satisfied with graphgear 500, I am still on the hunt for a decent but affordable pencil. (hopefully the pentel pg5 is better)

Suitability:grip feels naturalPerformance:GreatQuality:great (legit)Never had a mechanical pencil before so I cant compare the performance, but this feels really good to use. Thank you seller

I've had mine since at least 2008 and it's still going strong! This isn't a verified review because I bought mine at the bookstore on my college campus, and I graduated in 2010, which shows you how long I've had this pencil. It's simply unstoppable. I use mine for drawing and general writing, so I can't say what it's like for the intended use of drafting, but it sure works great for me! The surgical precision of the fine tip and the low center of gravity is phenomenal.

For the price, there are really no valid complaints....unless you got a lemon.Precision brass clutch of typical Pentel high quality, knurled stainless steel grip made from a single piece of metal, ultra durable plastic body and lead tube (Pentel has probably the best quality plastic components compared to other brands, they feel old school and built to last), nice click sound, highly reliable mechanism (only lead breakage occurs when dropping the pencil, reasonable pocket clip.Same goes for the 0.3mm version, excellent quality. If you are a fan of solid, reliable pencils, that only perform the function that it needs to, this is for you.

So I've been using this pencil for about 6 years, I purchase it at my local hobby lobby or Michaels, I have lost a few in the years but due to my irresponsibility. I say years because this has always been my favorite drafting pencil because I love the way that it is metal instead of plastic because in my previous usage of plastic mechanical/drafting pencils they've broken a few times here and there. But I'd have to say that the more rigid metal part unscrews a few times but it doesn't bother me as much cause it'll just need a little twist and you're set. i highly recommend this pencil if you like carrying something heavy or if you like thin lead

I like this drafting pencil enough that if I blindly grab it out of my stash of drafting pencils, I wont drop it and pick up another. I would have given it more stars, but theres a few things that I would like to see on it to get 5 stars.Pros:Length - This is a goo length, I havent noticed that it was too long or short, so length is fine.Weight - It's on the lighter side, but weight really isnt an issue with me in any drafting pencils.Construction - The grip part is metal, knurled nicely, no issue gripping it while writing (for classes or work). The body is plastic, but its strong enough. I wouldnt use it as a prybar, not really sure how many really snap their pencils on a regular basis, if they do, might need to carry their writing instruments elsewhere. ... MoreI like this drafting pencil enough that if I blindly grab it out of my stash of drafting pencils, I wont drop it and pick up another. I would have given it more stars, but theres a few things that I would like to see on it to get 5 stars.Pros:Length - This is a goo length, I havent noticed that it was too long or short, so length is fine.Weight - It's on the lighter side, but weight really isnt an issue with me in any drafting pencils.Construction - The grip part is metal, knurled nicely, no issue gripping it while writing (for classes or work). The body is plastic, but its strong enough. I wouldnt use it as a prybar, not really sure how many really snap their pencils on a regular basis, if they do, might need to carry their writing instruments elsewhere. Though one bad thing about the body, but I'll post that in the con part.Clip - Clip is pretty much standard, it'll hold, but if you bend it, you pretty much lost the ability of using it without really knowing how to bend the clip back to the curvature that it needs to be to be functional (if you do, not end of world, just now it wont have a clip).Cap - On mine, its a tight fit. Again, I dont take it off and on a lot during my use, I really only take the cap off to fill it up or if I have to erase several mm of pencil markings. I use a different eraser for erasing.Lettering - The lettering on the body is holding up, I havent had it for years, only about 6mo and so far its holding up.Pipe length - depending on how you hold your pencils, it can either be a little on the long side or not a problem. The pipe length really isnt the issue, as most drafting pencils have this pipe length, but how the whole tip is with the pipe length. For me, its fine.Cons:Body - Not that its plastic, but that where it screws into the metal grip will unscrew at times. It'll only unscrew a little before I notice it, but it happens enough to make me want to put some blue lock on it. I havent had to take apart a drafting pencil in about 15yrs, so wouldnt think it'd be bad to put some kind of mechanic screw lock on it.Lead Indicator - none, thats the problem.Overall, its a decent pencil, I have the 0.3mm & 0.5mm and like them both. Will be completing the set here shortly.

This follows on from my review of the Pilot S10 - in my search for an improvement on the Pentel P205.The Graphgear 500 ended up, for me, coming second to the Pilot S10 but there wasn't much in it and I still use the Graphgear quite a lot.What's good:If anything, the Graphgear looks even more technical and purposeful than the S10 and like the S10 it has a metal lower section and plastic upper. I ended up with a silver one and the silver plastic does look a bit plasticky but the black ones look even better.The knurled grip section is very well made and comfortable to hold and use - just the right level of knurling so that the grip is there without it feeling harsh. The pencil has a little bit of weight to it, with the balance point slightly towards the tip, and ... MoreThis follows on from my review of the Pilot S10 - in my search for an improvement on the Pentel P205.The Graphgear 500 ended up, for me, coming second to the Pilot S10 but there wasn't much in it and I still use the Graphgear quite a lot.What's good:If anything, the Graphgear looks even more technical and purposeful than the S10 and like the S10 it has a metal lower section and plastic upper. I ended up with a silver one and the silver plastic does look a bit plasticky but the black ones look even better.The knurled grip section is very well made and comfortable to hold and use - just the right level of knurling so that the grip is there without it feeling harsh. The pencil has a little bit of weight to it, with the balance point slightly towards the tip, and the grip is a little fatter than either the P205 or a wood pencil which make it more comfortable to use. For me the S10 was just right but I can imagine that there will be many people who would prefer something a little narrower or a little lighter and for those people the Graphgear might be perfect.No other pencil I've tried gives you as good a view around the tip as the P205 but the 500 comes closer than anything else I've seen. As a practical example of why I think this is so important, if you want to underline a word you can see where the line is going with a pencil that "keeps out of the way". With many others the pencil blocks your view of what you are doing.You can't get a better feeling of a solid connection from fingers to the tip of a pencil than this as the pipe, tip and grip section are one metal piece so there is no wobble or slop whatsoever.The Graphgear has also functioned perfectly, dealt with 4B leads without jamming or breakage and feels like it will last as well as my P205.What's not so good:The Graphgear is not pocket safe. The long finely tapered tip that is so good for keeping out of the way is also perfect for stabbing. And I have dropped this pencil on a hard floor. It was only from coffee table height but it did bend the pipe.Pentel did not provide a cleaner wire. It hasn't ever jammed but I'd much prefer to have one there - if only to give the pointlessly small eraser something to do.The clip is very basic and has sharp edges which are a little irritating on my hand as I write but it does a fair job of stopping the pencil rolling. I say fair as it didn't quite save the pencil from rolling off my coffee table.As previously, I have no idea what the eraser is like at erasing, other than far too small. I much prefer to use proper erasers like the Tombow Mono or Pentel Clic.You may be wondering why, if I was looking for some sort of ultimate pencil, I chose to try the 500 over the 1000. The Graphgear 1000 is very popular, very well reviewed and offers a very tempting retracting tip. However, from what I could find out, the retracting tip is a bit wobbly, the mechanism doesn't seem all that reliable and the 1000 is, to my eyes, a really ugly pencil.Next... the Pentel Kerry

I purchased the Graphgear 500 to replace my previous daily use pencil, the Pentel P205, and because it had a knurled grip. After trying most of the 0.5mm drafting pencils that Jetpens has to offer, this pencil is my favorite.Pros:-Eraser cap stays in place-Clip is removable (I do not like clips on my drafting pencils, as when I turn them they dig into my skin)-Solid "click" sound-Plastic body is strong enough to not bend under writing (in fact, this pencil and the more expensive Pentel Graphlet shar everything except the grips)-The grip is the a comfortable knurling (the closest I have found to the Rotring 600's knurling)-View of the lead is absolutely superb, yet the tip is still strong-The balance is towards the tip, making it easier to guide the pencil ... MoreI purchased the Graphgear 500 to replace my previous daily use pencil, the Pentel P205, and because it had a knurled grip. After trying most of the 0.5mm drafting pencils that Jetpens has to offer, this pencil is my favorite.Pros:-Eraser cap stays in place-Clip is removable (I do not like clips on my drafting pencils, as when I turn them they dig into my skin)-Solid "click" sound-Plastic body is strong enough to not bend under writing (in fact, this pencil and the more expensive Pentel Graphlet shar everything except the grips)-The grip is the a comfortable knurling (the closest I have found to the Rotring 600's knurling)-View of the lead is absolutely superb, yet the tip is still strong-The balance is towards the tip, making it easier to guide the pencil as apposed to forcing it-Very durable all around-It's appealing to look at, and people notice the syringe-like look as an example of quality and precisionCons:-Not pocket safe (I make a little cap out of heat-shrink tubing to protect the tip and my pockets)-Slightly awkward at first due to the difference in size of the grip to the shaft-Sometimes the end cap/lead sleeve will annoyingly rattle, but it more often does notI do recommend this pencil, for the price you get a knurled grip, very solid mechanism, perfect weight balance, and a very durable pencil.