A long selling mechanical pencil” Pentel Graph 1000

“A long selling mechanical pencil” Pentel Graph 1000, 1,050 Yen

The Pentel Graph 1000 Mechanical Pencil.

This can definitely be said to be a long selling and high cost performance mechanical pencil.

Needless to say, among those who are devoted users of mechanical pencils this is a
classic staple.

Since its release onto the market in 1986, whilst maintaining the functional design of that
time, it is said that it achieved last year a cumulative sales total of ten million pencils.

On the body of the pen, printed after the word “Graph” there is a quite small “FOR PRO”.

I have a big weakness for the expression, “FOR PRO”, as I am by no means a professional.

The professionals referred to in this context are those people who work in design and the
like.

Actually, even within stationery stores it is located not in the general mechanical pencil
display section but as a specially handled line at the technical drawing supplies counter.

While the ordinary mechanical pencils are jam packed into a confined display case, the
mechanical pencils for drafting are provided with a generous spaciousness.

The body is almost entirely a monotone black.

It is said that this is so that, when working on a make or break design, the pencil won’t be
overly conspicuous making it is possible for one’s concentration to be fully focused.

Indeed, there certainly isn’t any luster in the matte finish of the material.
Try lightly drumming your fingertips on the shaft of the pen and it makes a slightly high
tapping sound.

This material is plastic. This plastic is very well made and there is no sense of cheapness.

Due to the matte finish, it looks like it is made of metal.

Lay your fingers along the grip and grasp it.

The superb feel of this grip is one of the attractions of this Graph 1000.

The two opposite extreme sensations of solidity and just the right degree of pliability can
be felt combined together.

This is extremely comfortable. It is something of a type that isn’t really enjoyed on the
grip on any other pen.

The base of the grip is made of brass. Rubber oval shapes are raised on this surface. Even
having said that these are raised, however, this is not even to the extent of a full 1 mm.

Due to this difference in the surface level, when the pen is gripped a very comfortable
cushioning is obtained.

When it comes to grips, those that are entirely made of rubber have good grip quality but,
depending on the user, they can compress too far and when drawing fine lines there are
some people who find these pens difficult to control.

On the other hand, those made of metal give a firm grip but, when it comes to the feel of
the fit, they are slightly inferior.

Taking the good points of both is this Graph 1000 style of combining metal and rubber.
Incidentally, this is properly called a “rubber rib” grip.

Continuing further beyond the grip, the pen nib section is made of brass.

Because of this, the tip end is a little heavy and the nib naturally tends to turn downwards;
a so-called low centre of gravity.

This low centre of gravity is not to the extent that you would be consciously aware of it
but rather is a thoroughly natural low centre of gravity.

The guide pipe from which the lead appears is, compared to ordinary mechanical pencils, a
moderately long 4mm.

On drafting pens this is a standard specification.

This makes it easy to precisely write in the finely detailed areas of a design and gives good
visibility around the pen.

Also it can be said that this means that it fits precisely when applied against a ruler.

There is a feature of this Graph that I particularly like.

This is the feel of pushing the top push button.

It’s certainly not light to push and, if anything, it could be called slightly heavy.

From the moment you start pushing, with absolutely no delay, the weight can be felt
immediately beneath your fingertips.

This impression of a precise and also highly concentrated push sensation can only be said
to be a downright good feeling.

With one click the length of the lead extended is about 0.5mm.

Two clicks will put you in the best position to start to write.

There is a section like a narrow neck just below the push button.

For some reason on the black body, here alone, is silver.

This is only my usual personal conjecture but, on account of having this metal part, an
image comes to mind that, beyond this point, there are undoubtedly mechanical parts with
an abundance of similarly metallic silver-colouring, all complicatedly intertwined and, via
these parts the lead is let out with a ratchet movement, click by click.

There is one more thing to tell you about this push button.

Try rotating the pen nib part round and round and removing it.

Having done so, the lead of the mechanical pencil will appear, clasped firmly.

This is often seen on other mechanical pencils too.

However, the difference is that the metal part that clasps the lead has a cover that seems
to completely wrap around it.

Let’s try pushing the top button while it is in this current state.

Anyone who has disassembled a mechanical pencil will already know I’m sure, but usually
the entire part that clasps the lead just moves in and out as it is.

However, surprisingly with the Graph 1000, even if it is in this state, when the button is
pushed it advances the lead with the ratchet movement.

As it to be expected, when the nib is pointed downwards, the lead slips out along with the
pushes you click on the push button, however, if the pen is on its side the lead comes out
with the ratchet movement little by little as usual.

I’m concerned that some might say, ‘So, what does that matter?’ but I once again have
arbitrarily conjectured that there is undoubtedly an explanation.

To consider the fact that, even without the pen nib part the lead will come out with a
ratchet movement, let’s, for arguments sake, assume that by some chance the nib part
has been loosened. On the Graph 1000, even at these times, with complete disregard for
such an occurrence, the lead can be advanced as usual.

On an ordinary mechanical pencil if this loosens, the lead cannot be clasped well and it
becomes difficult to advance the lead.

This means that the Graph 1000 is a warrior, delivering maximum performance even in
such unfavourable circumstances. (Undoubtedly…)

Of course, this is no more than my own convenient speculation.

Also,
something I previously heard from a person at Pentel is that, apparently to preserve the
precision of the push button, it is said that when being inspected for quality before
shipping, a Graph 1000 is held in each hand and the push buttons are pressed at the same
time, 10 to 20 times, and it is checked that the length of the advanced lead is the same.

Although, for a mechanical pencil, 1,050 yen is a decent price to pay, on account of the
various reasons I’ve mentioned above, I think this can be called a high cost performance
mechanical pencil.