[Pen/Pencil Review] Pentel’s e-Sharp 0.5mm Sky Blue Mechanical Pencil
Here’s one of the many Pentel reviews coming up over time from the last batch of stuff they sent me – because Pentel is awesome like that. This is the e-Sharp 0.5mm mechanical pencil.
There won’t be a writing sample because it’s Pentel’s HB lead – so it’s standard #2 pencil lead, and when it comes to writing, one HB lead is the same as any other. This will focus on other aspects of the pencil. The e-Sharp – according to Pentel’s website (because it didn’t come with packaging) is part of the Recycology line. That means – according to Pentel, and I don’t have any reason to doubt them – the pencil is made of 71% recycled plastic. That’s cool.
They sent me the Sky Blue barrel, which makes it a 0.5mm lead – it’s also written on the fairly sturdy clip. It’s about 5.75†long with a good diameter and a slightly squishy grip for some ergonomics. The e-Sharp touts a “Lead Maximizer†system and a continuous lead feed mechanism that is supposed to let the lead last longer. And you know, I haven’t noticed a whole lot of breakage – which being a firm writer and impatient with lead is a good thing. They are color coded by lead size – 0.7mm or 0.5mm – and you can get eraser refills as well as lead.
The s-Sharp has an oversized eraser, which is good. I need my erasers to be pretty functional. The problem is that the eraser has a little clear plastic cap. The cap does snap into place securely, unless you’re in a hurry and don’t take the time to make sure. Then it just goes flying off willy nilly when you’re not paying attention. So that’s that.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 – It’s a pencil. It advances. It retracts. There’s an eraser. It does seem to have a system that lets you get more out of the lead.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – This pencil does feel good for an inexpensive mechanical pencil. It has some ergonomic grippy parts are the tip and a smooth transition to the barrel. Nothing to dig in.
3. Material – 1 It’s an inexpensive plastic pencil – that it’s part of the Recycology line is a bonus.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – I’m knocking a half point off for the catapulty eraser cap. That’s just annoying to have to track down – especially since it’s clear. Either make it more secure, or make it go away. Don’ t really care which.
5. Price Point – 1 – According to the internet, these things are running about $1.25 a piece. You can get them in singles, in three-packs with extra lead and erasers, or by the dozen. So there are options.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 Bronze Pencils