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Anything up to $100. I would like one that will last a very very long time and is of high quality. .5mm is my preference, and a pencil/pen set is certainly acceptable. I really don't know anything about the world of finer writing utensils, so who better to ask than the classiest of classy people at SRP?
Thanks,
Brent
For years, my favorite has remained the Papermate PhD pencil. It's not close to a hundred dollars, unless you want a dozen of them.
It's not classy, it just works well and is the most comfortable one I have found.
I've always been rather picky with my pens and pencils. I don't like wood pencils and I don't like plastic mechanic pencils. I had a cheap 2mm mechanic pencil that was metalic where you hold it. But I lost it...
Then I bought a Caran d'Ache 0.7mm mechanic pencil for 15 EUR and... well... I really like it. I prefer the 2mm ones, though.
100 USD looks like a very BIG budget for a pencil... :)
I've got a Parker mechanical pencil. Works great and the craftmanship is top. It was about £20. I have a matching ball point also. Brushed aluminium finish.
Look for a drafting pencil or engineer's pencil
I use an alvin draft matic. Just make sure you have a seperate eraser for those big oops moments. The draft matic comes in 3, 5, 7, and 9mm. This thing will last several lifetimes.
most college bookstores will have these in the section with engineer's pad or drafting supplies.
here is a link to one on amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Alvin-Draftmat.../dp/B001DKIWM4
I use a Staedtler tradition 763 0.5. It's plastic, cost about $2 and will last for a very long time.
I've also got a Cross, which cost 10 times as much but offers no real advantage writing-wise.
It's the quality of the lead refills which makes the most difference.
If I were going to spend $100 I would be looking for something beautiful made by S. Mordan & Co. (Sampson Mordan)
It depends on what you are looking to spend just like anything else. I am an engineer and have a collection of mechanical pencils. A good lower end mechanical would be the Alvin Draft-Matic, or some of the Pentel drafting pencils. Staedtler makes good pencils as well. If you are looking to get into the higher end pencils then there are a list of them. For regular mechanical pencils look at the zebra ones. They are high quality aluminum and write very smoothly. I could write all day on different mechanical pencils and the different styles that each produce, but the best thing to do is just go and try them. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I use one all day every day.
Cary
I have a Pelikan 800 that is absolutely awesome if you are looking for something beyond pure function. It was probably a little above the price you specified but well worth it IMO.
The latest in a series of more utilitarian instruments (drafting/engineering use) is called a Super Promecha. I got it in a Japanese stationery shop, but I think they can be had online. Mine is a PM-1007S and it allows you adjust how much of the lead tube sticks out of the body of the pencil. It was somewhere in the $40-$50 range as I recall.
For something different take a look at Giuliano Mazzuoli pencils. I have one that is styled to resemble a micrometer barrel and takes a 2 mm lead.
If you haven't looked there yet, Fahrneys Pens has a really complete selection of stuff to look at.
Try this place... All of the brands are VERY hight quality... I like Parker & Waterman...
PencilLovers - All the Best Pencils in the World
As a professional that uses a pencil on occasion I leave the "mechanical pencils" to the amatures. What I use is referred to as a "Lead Holder". You'll find these at Office Max or whatever in the drafting supplies or art section. They run about $6. They are very utilitarian, not pretty. The best part is that they can be sharpened though so these are the tools that most professionals use. I suggest purchasing at least one, even if you opt for a "mechanical pencil".
It's wicked step-brother, the electric powered eraser, is another tool to consider for heavy duty work.
These tools are not for the faint at heart.