Mechanical Inclination

  Uni Alpha-Gel Switch 0.5 The Uni alpha-gel Switch mechanical pencil is a spin on the Uni Kuru Toga, featuring the gel grip of the alpha -gel line and the Kuru Toga engine. There is one additional feature, which is a toggle for the Kuru Toga Engine, which spins the lead to keep it from getting chiseled. Features The alpha-gel’s main feature is the gel grip, as signified by the gel in its name. Uni’s line of alpha-gel pens and pencils are notoriously comfortable and smooth-writing, and this model is no exception. When writing for long periods of time, the thick grip kept my hand from getting cramped, and didn’t get slippery. Overall, this pencil is a great addition to any collection. Specs There are currently only 0.5 mm models of this pencil, but I think they are planning to release different sizes. The lead that comes preloaded writes smoothly, and I haven’t had to replace it yet. The eraser is a standard Kuru Toga eraser and holds up well. Conclusion All in all, the Uni ...

   The Zebra G series of gel pens is an affordable, long lasting, and comfortable option for those who want a good quality pen on a budget. The three pens I will be reviewing today are the G-402, G-450, and the G-750. Let's get started! Starting things off, we have the G-402. I purchased this pen from my university's bookstore about a month ago, and have been really enjoying it for note taking. It's made of silver stainless steel and uses a 0.5 mm Zebra JK refill, which allows for thin and precise lines. The 402 has a smooth rubber grip that is very comfortable for long writing sessions. Most of the weight lies in the grip area which helps reduce hand fatigue. It retails for 6 dollars USD. Next up is the Zebra G-450. This pen is a step up from the G-402. It features an all-black brass body and textured rubber grip. It is the same length as the 402, and almost the same shape, minus a few details. The black brass gives the pen a smooth texture that feels great in the hand. Th...

 Long time no... write? I regrettably haven't had much time to write lately. Thankfully, I have some freetime now, so more reviews to come! With that being said, today I will be reviewing the Staedtler 925 25-05. I have had this pencil for around a year, and I absolutely love it. Its all-metal construction gives it a comfortable weight in the hand, and the center of balance lies right in the middle of the barrel. This allows the pencil to be used for a long period of time without causing hand strain. The knurling on the grip is grippy, but not too sharp. There is a lead hardness indicator that ranges from 3H to 2B. I personally prefer 2B, but I have tested it with harder leads and it has no issue. The lead sleeve is a nice length, and gives great visibility when writing. All in all, this is a great pencil, and one I would recommend to anyone wanting to invest in a quality writing instrument. It is priced at around 11 dollars on Amazon, which is a great deal for such a solid piece. ...

Rather than writing a review today, I figured I'd make a post detailing my collection. I plan on reviewing all of these in the future, and I'll put an asterisk beside the ones I've already reviewed. Rotring: Rotring 800, 0.7, Black* Rotring 800, 0.5, Silver* Rotring 500, 0.5, Black Rotring Rapid Pro, 0.5, Black Pentel: Pentel Orenz Nero, 0.3, Black Pentel Graph 1000 For Pro, 0.5, Black* Pentel Graphgear 1000, 0.5, Silver* Pentel Graphgear 800, 0.7, Blue* Pentel Graphgear 500, 0.7, Blue* Pentel Graphgear 500, 0.5, Black* Pentel Graphgear 300, 0.9, Red* Pentel Graphgear 300, 0.5, Black* Pentel Quicker, 0.5, Brown Staedtler: Staedtler 925 25-05. 0.5, Silver Staedtler Mars Technico, 2.0, Blue Koh-I-Noor: Koh-I-Noor Mephisto Profi, 0.5, Blue Tombow: Tombow Mono Graph Zero, 0.5, Green Uni: Uni Pipe Lock, 0.5, Silver Uni Kuru Toga Roulette, 0.5, Silver (x2) Uni Kuru Toga Advance, 0.5 Black Uni Kuru Toga, 0.5, Black Zebra: Zebra Delguard, 0.5, White Zebra M 301, 0.5, Silver Alvin: ...

To kick things off, I would like to provide a disclaimer. I am not a member of this pencil's intended demographic. It was made for people who work in rough environments, particularly those in which work gloves are required. My father purchased one at Lowes and had been using it at work, so I decided to get one, since I'll never pass up the chance to get a new pencil! First things first, this pencil is sturdy. It is very solid, with a tough plastic body and metal grip. It uses 1.3 mm 2B lead, which is great for making thick dark lines that wont wipe away. The design is reminiscent of the GraphGear 500, but the Rite in the Rain is much larger. The pencil comes in 5 colors: Olive Drab, Yellow, Flat Dark Earth, Black, and Safety Blaze Orange. I have the Yellow model. Overall, the Rite in the Rain Clicker Pencil writes well. I haven't had the chance to test it in the rain, or any poor condition for that matter, but it performs exceptionally in everyday use cases. I will update t...

 A few days after my most recent post, I received some mail. A loyal fan (my mother) sent me two GraphGear 300s to review! Let's get right to it! The GraphGear 300 feels like a happy medium between the GG 500 and the GG 800. It is almost identical to the 800, save the clear body and lack of rubber nibs on the grip section, and some other minor dissimilarities. It feels good in the hand, and is very lightweight so there is no risk of hand fatigue while writing for a long period of time.  The mechanism works surprisingly well for the price. It is tactile and firm. Under the metal cap lies an eraser, which erases as expected. Overall, the GraphGear 300 is a happy medium, and a good start for the GraphGear lineup. It retails for around 6 dollars, and comes in 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7mm, and 0.9mm. 

 I'm back (again...) with another review, this time of Pentel's GraphGear line. This includes the GraphGear 300, 500, 800, 1000, and Graph 1000 For Pro. My review will include all but the 300, since that's the only one I am missing. I'll start highest to lowest, which means that the Graph 1000 For Pro is first up! This is decent pencil. In my opinion, this and the base 1000 should be swapped in the lineup, since the "Pro" model drops the metal body and replaces it with plastic all around. Nonetheless, the 1000 For Pro feels good in the hand. It has a nice weight, not too heavy, but not too light. The lead indicator located on the cap is very satisfying with a nice click upon rotation. In addition, it features a full brass clutch, and a metal lead tube. The Graph 1000 For Pro retails for around 10 dollars, so it is well worth the price, given the features. Next up, we have the GraphGear 1000. This is by far one of my all time favorite mechanical pencils. With a...