Pentel Graphgear 500 PG523 Drafting Pencil: A Review

What follows is my review of the Pentel GraphGear PG523 0.3mm drafting pencil.  This review was original published at Assocciated Content.

Review: Pentel GraphGear 500 PG523 0.3mm Automatic Pencil
Style: Drafting
Technical Data
Length: 141mm
Diameter (Body): 8.3mm across points of hex
Diameter (Grip): 9.2mm
Balance Point (From Push Button): 82.5mm
Weight: 14.2grams
Lead Sleeve: 4mm, fixed
Lead Size: 0.3mm

Major Components: Integral end cap/lead sleeve/grip, push button, pocket clip, eraser, integral body/lead reservoir/clutch assembly.

Construction Type: Integral body/lead reservoir/clutch assembly.

Construction Materials: Plastic body. Metal end cap/lead sleeve/grip, push button, pocket clip, lead reservoir and clutch assembly.

Colors: Brown body, bright chrome end cap/lead sleeve/grip, pocket clip, push button and lead reservoir.

Mode Of Operation: Ratcheting push button lead advance, 3-jawed brass clutch with brass over-sleeve.

Appearance: The PG-523 appears odd to me in that the grip is much larger than the body and takes up almost 1/3rd of the pencils length. The grip is finely knurled in a diamond pattern with 4 evenly spaced parallel rings on the lower part of the grip. There is a deep grove, then a short, tapered un-knurled portion before a long tapering section that steps down in a short taper to the lead sleeve. The body is hexagonal with white lettering along one side. The pocket clip is removable and has the Company name and country of origin stamped on to the rim of the clip. It rests at the top of the pencil. The push button is the full over-sleeve type completely covering the lead reservoir. It is odd in appearance it that it is flared out at the top as if it has been pounded upon.

Disassembly: To take down the PG523 first unscrew the grip and remove it. Next remove the push button by sliding it off the lead reservoir. Pull the eraser free from inside the mouth of the lead reservoir (note that there is no clean out rod). The pocket clip is removed by pushing up on it until it is free of the body. This is as far as the user can disassemble the pencil. Reassembly is the opposite of disassembly.

Clearing A Lead Jam: Refer to this article, Clearing A Lead Jam, should clearing a lead jam be necessary.

My Opinion: Despite its ungainly appearance the PG-523 is an excellent writing instrument. Its large and heavy grip sleeve makes the pencil bottom heavy. This along with the pencils weigh makes it a pleasure to write with. It seems to glide across the paper effortlessly, almost doing the writing for me. The finely knurled grip offers a good surface on which to hold the pencil while writing being neither too sharp nor too dull. Four clicks of the push button will produce 1mm of lead, enough to write with comfortably. The mechanism is on the quiet side and requires only a short stroke to produce lead. The lead reservoir is cavernous enough to hold several tubes of lead and still have room for more, a feature that I like. While functional I have never been fond of the integral lead sleeve/end cap/grip as it is too much to have to remove in order to clear a lead jam.

Last Words: The PG-523 was designed as a fine drafting tool and serves this purpose well. But it also makes a fine writing instrument as well. It's a rugged pencil that will probably outlast newer models. If you are in need of a quality drafting pencil or just want a good all around writing pencil then consider buying a Pentel GraphfGear 500 PG-523. You won't be sorry.

Due to a glitch comments were not enabled on this post.  If you would like to leave a comment please do so at my Guest Book.  Just mention the pencil by name.

Last Minute Giveaway

Hello faithful readrs and passers-by!  I have a last minute give away for you!  I have up for grabs 23 tubes of Pentel Super Polymer grade B lead!  That's 132 pieces of lead, folks!  132 pieces!  Wow!... OK, so maybe it's not such a great giveaway!  Especially if you don't have a 0.9mm pencil!... Anyway... If you want to have a chance to win this bountyful supply of lead, then just send me an email at theoldgeezer@live.com with the words Last Minute Giveaway in the headder!  That's it!  Please note posting a comment to this posting WILL NOT ENTER YOU INTO THE CONTEST!  I must have an e-mail so I can notify the winner and ask for a mailing addy!  Contestants have until midnight, Thersday, the 16th of Decenber to shoot me an e-mail.  After that I'll pick a winner in the usual way and notify them via e-mail.  So hurry up and send in those e-mails.

Review: Alvin Draft/Matic DM03 0.3mm Automatic Pencil

What follows is my review of the Alvin Draft/Matic 0.3mm Drafting Pencil.  It was originally published at Associated Content.  I have edited the content for this posting.  I hope that it's not to dry for anyone!

Technical Data
Length: 142.4mm
Diameter (Body): 8. mm
Diameter (Grip): 8.5mm
Balance Point (From Push Button): 82.5mm
Weight: 17 grams
Lead Sleeve: 4mm, fixed
Lead Size: 0.3mm

Major Components: End cap/lead sleeve/grip, body with lead grade indicator, pocket clip, push button, eraser and the clutch assembly/lead reservoir sub-assembly.
Clutch assembly/lead reservoir sub assembly: Clutch assembly, lead reservoir, eraser holder/reservoir plug, end cap/body coupler and clutch-retaining spring.

Construction Type: Independent clutch assembly/lead reservoir and body.

Construction Materials: Plastic body, clear plastic lead reservoir. Metal clutch assembly, push button, pocket clip, lead grade indicator, end cap/lead sleeve/grip, eraser holder/reservoir plug, end cap/body coupler and the clutch retaining spring.

Colors: Yellow body, bright chrome lead grade indicator, pocket clip, push button, eraser holder/reservoir plug, end cap/body coupler, clutch-retaining spring.

Mode Of Operation: Ratcheting push button lead advance, 3-jawed brass clutch with brass over-sleeve.

Appearance: The DM03 is an attractive pencil with very clean lines. The bright yellow body has black imprinting which is very legible. The lead grade indicator is knurled and at the top of the body. The lead grade indicator window is rectangular showing the silver over gloss black lead grades which are H, 2H, 4H, 2B, B, HB and F. The bright chrome push button is the full over-sleeve type, which fully hides the chrome eraser holder. The bright chrome pocket clip rests below the lead grade indicator and is stamped with the country of origin, Japan. The chrome grip is nicely knurled in a diamond pattern and steps down twice to form the integral end cap/lead sleeve, squaring off before becoming the lead sleeve. The end cap/body coupler is seen only as a ring between the grip and the body.

Disassembly: Complete take down of the DM03 is not quite as simple as with other pencils and is NOT recommended.  To fill the lead reservoir first remove the chrome push button, then the eraser from the reservoir tube.  Drop in a few pieces of lead the put the eraser... Awe, come on!  You know the rest!  If you have to clear a lead jam you will have to remove the grip.  Simply unscrew the grip and slide it off the end of the pencil.

Clearing A Lead Jam: Refer to this article, Clearing A Lead Jam, should clearing a lead jam be necessary.  The link is on the front page of this blog.

My Opinion (for what it's worth): The Alvin is a heavyweight of a pencil with its balancing point being 82.5mm from the top of the pencil. This makes the Alvin bottom heavy, which helps it rest comfortably in my hand. The finely knurled diamond pattern on the chromed grip affords my fingers a good hold. Both features help make writing with the Alvin a delight to write with, it almost writes for me. Three clicks of the push button produces enough lead to write or draw with, a comfortable 1 mm. The lead reservoir is not cavernous, being small in diameter, but it will hold a couple of dozen leads. The lead grade indicator at the top of the body spins to freely and can move during normal handling. The bright silver characters of the lead grades are set against a gloss black background making them hard to read due to glare. However the push button can be replaced and the eraser used without causing lead projection.

Last Words: The Alvin Draft/Matic DM03 was designed as a drafting tool but serves well as a freehand drawing tool or as a fine writing instrument. Its balance and feel make it suitable for anyone who wishes to use it in either respect. So if you are in the market for a high quality writing or drawing tool keep the Alvin DM03 in mind as you shop.

Due to a glitch comments were not enabled on this post. If you would like to leave a comment please do so at my Guest Book. Just mention the pencil by name.

November/December Givaway

Welcome one and all to my humble blog!  Up for grabs this time is a brand new never used Ohto Super Promecha PM 1505P drafting pencil.  For those of you who are familiar with the Ohto brand of all metal drafting pencils will recognize this as being the latest iteration of the 0.5 mm version of the top of the line Ohto Super Promechas!  The PM 1505P features a variable length lead sleeve, a lead projection adjustment, a removable pocket clip, a lead grade indicator and an all metal exterior construction!   It is in top condition because it's been sitting around safe in it's plastic case awaiting it's turn at being given away!  It's wait is almost over!  I'm giving away this pencil just in time for Christmas! 

And all any one has to do is to have a chance at winning this great example of a drafting pencil is to send me, the Old Geezer, an e-mail containing somewhere in the body of the e-mail the words -  Ohto Super Promecha Giveaway.  That's it!  Once the giveaway is closed I will use the random integer generator to generate a random integer between 0 and the number of e-mails I have received.  The e-mails will be numbered in the order they are received (dated and time stamped).  No comments to this post will be accepted as entries to the giveaway.  You must send me an e-mail.  If you are the winner I will contact you via e-mail and ask for your mailing address.  You don't even have to check back after the contest ends to see if you've won!  The contest will remain open until midnight Friday, December 10th.  Shortly after closing I will pick the winner! 

But wait, there's more!  Along with the pencil I'm giving away 19 tubes of grade B lead!  That's right!  19 tubes!  That's 288 pieces of Pentel Super Hi- polymer grade B lead!  There is one full box of 12 tubes plus 7 tubes in a partially filled box!  Plus the pencil is already filled with 12 pieces of lead!  That's a total of 300 pieces of Grade B lead!  Wow!  Am I a great guy or what!? (don't you dare say "or what")!

So, times a waitin'!  Get to sending me e-mails!

UPDATE: We have a winner. Congrats to Dave who had the winning slot!

October Giveaway

Click to see larger image

Greetings Pens And Pencils Blog fans!  The Old geezer here with this months giveaway!  Yeah!  We all love giveaways!  So here is your chance to win this brand new never used Ohto Super Promecha PM 1057P (here's a link to the JetPens page which will describe some of the many features of this pencil).  This is the latest Ohto Super Promecha in 0.7 mm lead size.  This is a great pencil especially if you like the 0.7mm lead size.  Unfortunately it's belly is empty!  So in addition to the pencil I'm also giving away one box of 12 tubes of grade B lead with 12 pieces of lead per tube!  That's 144 pieces of lead!

Wow!  What a deal, huh?  And what do you have to do in order to have a chance of winning this great pencil?  Simple really, but the rules of the past have changed.  Due to some problems I have been having with spam and other things simply leaving a comment  about how great a guy The Old geezer is for giving away such a great pencil is no longer enough.  Along with your comment I am requesting that you send an email to theoldgeezer@live.com containing the comment that you left at this post.  This ensures me that I will be able to contact the winner regardless of circumstances.  Any comments without the accompanying email will be disregarded.  Any emails without the accompanying comment will also be disregarded.  Please, one comment per person.

I'll leave the giveaway open until Saturday, the 16 of the month.  Once the giveaway is closed I'll use the random number generator on this blog to pick a winner.  You won't have to check back to see if you are the winner because I'll notify you asking for a shipping addy. 

So get to posting and emailing!  I'd like to see a lot of comments and emails on this one!

The Givaway is now offically closed!  No more comments or email please!  Thank you!

Zebra Color Flight 0.3 mm Mechanical Pencil

"Hey, Tommy! What's ya got there?"

"Hello, Geezer!  I've got your Zebra Color Flight 0.3mm Mechanical Pencil.  Remember, the one you should have reviewed months ago!"

"Oh, Yeah!  I remember!  I guess I should review it, Huh!?"

"Ya think!?"

"Yeah..."

The 0.3 mm pencil has long been strictly a drafting pencil.  Just why I'm not sure. It probably has something to do with the fact the lead tends to break easily and the fact that it produces such a thin line.  But by far it has been my favorite lead size for over 40 years.  The fact that it was only offered in a more expensive (generally) drafting pencil instead of a mechanical pencil (there are subtle differences between the 2) was OK by me.  Then a few years ago I saw a 0.3mm mechanical pencil advertised.  I was unable at the time to obtain one so I never got to examine one.  I don't even know who made it!  But when I saw the Zebra Color Flight 03 at JetPens a few of months ago I had to get one.

I got mine in Sky Blue.  The first thing that I noticed was that there was this piece of translucent plastic between the lead sleeve and the end cap!  Upon closer inspection I see that this is actually acting as the internal lead restraint found in drafting pencils and most mechanical pencils of the ratcheting type.  More about this later.

The pencil breaks down into 3 major components: the lead sleeve/end cap; the body; and the push button/eraser.  Not much to blog about there!  So, moving on...

The lead reservoir is cavernous! being nearly the entire inside diameter of the pencil!  It will certainly hold several tubes of lead with lots of room to spare! 

The eraser is kind of funky and to me a bit more complicated to use than it could be.  There is a bright, shinny chrome metal sleeve around the plastic holder.  This makes it a bit hard for me to get a grip on.  But once I do get a grip on it it twists out, clockwise.  The best way to extend the eraser is to hold the tube and turn the pencil!  There is a locking clip at the end of the translucent plastic square shaped screw shaft that the sleeve rides on.  This clip locks the eraser's tube onto the lead reservoir tube so that it doesn't fall out, enables the tube to twist and act as a push button.  Like I wrote, a bit more complicated than it needs to be!

Stats!  Everybody likes stats!  So, here are some stats on the Zebra Color Flight 03 Mechanical Pencil.  It's 144.52 mm long making it of average length for a mechanical pencil.  It is 8.55 mm across the flats of it's hexagonal body.  It weighs a mere 9.6 grams making it an ultralight!  So if you like the thin and light you'll like this one!  It's balance point is approximately 75.17 mm from the tip making it imperceptively bottom heavy.  2 clicks is all it takes to produce enough lead to write with.  That's it for stats!... Well, there's not much to report about the stats!  So, moving on...

So, how does it feel and write?  The hexagonal body feel nice in my hand.  I like it's size.  The push button is easy to operate, the spring tension being just about perfect.  However (yep, here it comes) the pencil is far too light for me.  I'm used to and like a heavier pencil.  I found that I was breaking lead a lot more often than I do with my other 0.3 mm pencils!  I am using an Ohto  Super Promecha PM 1503P 0.3mm pencil which weighs twice the weight of the Color Flight and I rarely break lead when using it.  But I discovered that the problem wasn't so much the weight of the pencil but that funky piece of plastic at the tip of the pencil (told you there would be more about that later)!

Most mechanical/drafting pencils of the ratcheting type have an internal lead keeper or restraint.  The purpose is to keep the lead from riding back up inside the pencil or from falling out the pencil as the ratcheting action monetarily releases the lead before once again securing it enabling the user to use the pencil.  However the Zebra Color Flight has this restraint on the exterior of the pencil!  Because of the design the lead sleeve is secured not to the end cap via metal to metal contact but by the the plactic lead restraint!  This allows too much deflectio of the lead sleeve causing lead breakage.  If you are a heavy handed writer then you'd break lead too often to make practical use of the pencil.

However (yeah, there's another 'however'), if I only use one click to extend the lead, producing about .5mm's worth of lead instead of the 1mm's worth that 2 clicks produce then I find that I don't break lead, but I do have to extend the lead much more often.  I can also feel the lead sleeve drag across the paper as I write.

Bottom line:  I have mixed feelings about the Zebra Color Flight 03 Mechanical Pencil.  I want to like it, but it has so many quirks that I don't believe that it would make a good every day mechanical pencil.  I don't like it's ultralight status as I mentioned before, I like heavier pencils, middleweights to heavyweights.  While I think for a little more money one can do better in picking a 0.3mm pencil (many drafting pencils sell for under $10.00 and are much better pencils) for someone who wants a 0.3mm mechcanical pencil for under $5.00 that has an external eraser, as long as you can put up with the quirks, then try a Zebra Color Flight 03 Mechanical Pencil, available from our frinds at JetPens.

June/July Giveaway Revised Ended

The new winner of the Jun/July Giveaway is M.. M you have until midnight August 14th to notify me by email (theoldgeezer@live.com) in order to claim your pencil.  Thank all of you for participating in my Giveaway.

The Old Geezer.

Giveaway Scout

Hey everybody, check this out!  Now there is a place that you can go to to learn about giveaways on the web.  It's called Giveaway Scout and it's really neat.  So use the link and check it out!

June/July Giveaway Revised

Since Harnett ddi not respond in the specified time I've decided to reopen the giveaway until the end of July.  Everyone, except Harnett, who has left a comment on the earlier post is still in the running and should not leave any additional comments.  However anyone else who wishes to enter the giveaway may do so by leaving a comment to this post by the end of July, Saturday, the 31st.  After Saturday, as quickly as I can, I will pick a new winner using the random number generator at the bottom of the blog.  So get to posting comments, please!  And check back after the 31t to see if you have won.

June/July Giveaway

Well, hello Miss Tussy Pink!  I heard that you had joined the staff here at Pens And Pencils!  You are a most welcome addition to our staff!

"Hello, Geezer.  Thank you for that adorable welcome!"

What's you got there, Tussy?

"Well, Geezer, this was supposed to be Junes giveaway but seeing as how June is almost over..."

Awe!  That's right!  I've been out of touch for so long that I'd almost forgotten all about it!  So I guess we'll just have to make it June/July's giveaway, won't we?

"That looks like the only thing you can do, Geezer!"

Well, Tussy, you just stand there looking pretty and I'll tell the readers about the Ohto pencil that your holding!

"Oh, Geezer!  You're so charming!"

OK, readers, up for grabs this time is a gently used out of production Ohto Promecha 1000/07, OP-1007, 0.7 mm drafting pencil.  This pencil features an adjustable length 4 mm lead sleeve, a rubber grip, lead grade indicator and an all black finish.  The pencil is in great condition except in one area.  There is a gouge on the rubber grip as shown in the photo.

I don't know if there is a replacement for the rubber grip available however the thin rubber grip can be removed, if with a little effort.  So, if a replacement can be found or a substitute, such as black heat shrink, used the rubber grip can be removed.  But other than that the pencil is in great shape!  It eve has the original sticker still attached.

The Ohto weights 20.2 grams and is 148.66mm long.  It is 7.56mm in diameter st the body and 10.35mm at the grip.  There is a clean out rod under the eraser however being 0.7mm I doubt that it will ever be needed.

The two photos show the lead sleeve in both the extended and retracted positions.

But that's not all!  The lead reservoir is filled with 12 pieces of grade B lead.  I'm also including three 12 piece tubes of grade B lead as well!  That's 48 pieces of lead!

So, how do you enter the giveaway?  Simple, just leave a comment to this post before midnight July 9th, 2010.  That simple.  Only if you sign in as Anonymous, then please, in the body of your comment, leave some name or handle that you can be ID'd from so, if you win, I can identify you!

That's it.  Check back after midnight July 9th (which is actually the 10th) to see if you've won!

Survey Finds Office Pilfering is Abundant

According to the new OfficeMax Workplace Uncovered Survey, working Americans say missing office supplies are the norm in today’s office environment. In fact, many admit to being “Supply-Jackers” who pilfer supplies from the office to use at home and admit to borrowing supplies from coworkers never to return them. Some keep supplies as revenge because they believe their coworkers have done the same while others confess they simply forgot. Either way, when their favorite supplies go missing, working Americans say their productivity suffers, and many fanatically go to great lengths to protect their supplies – from labeling to hiding items to buying reserves.

Below are some highlights from the survey along with links to the survey report and news release.
· View news release: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/officemax/44541/
· View survey report: http://tiny.cc/WorkplaceSurvey
· Twitter hashtag: #SupplyJackers

HIGHLIGHTS – WORKPLACE UNCOVERED SURVEY

Disappearing Act – There seems to be a lot of dwindling workspaces popping up across the nation. Eighty-one percent of employed Americans who report missing supplies from their work area say that pens, pencils, or highlighters go M.I.A. most often. Other disappearing goods include paper products (35%), paper clips or binder clips (28%), staplers (22%), and scissors (20%).

Coworkers Confess – Perhaps it’s the people working closest to you who are responsible. More than four in ten (42%) confess they’ve borrowed supplies from a colleague and never returned it. The most popular loot 82 percent of them have taken are pens, pencils or highlighters.

Behind the Borrowing – 84 percent of those who come clean as to why they’ve held onto their colleague’s goods confess they simply forgot to return the product. Others (26%) say they just didn’t think their coworker would miss it. Close to a quarter (23%) take revenge on coworkers saying they chose not to return the supplies because their colleague had done the same to them!

Homeward Bound – This obsessive behavior isn’t restricted to the workplace. In fact, employed Americans are so attached to some office products that close to six in ten (56%) have taken products from work to use at home.

Always an Excuse – For those who aren’t afraid to admit why they did this, they sure have their reasons. Three in ten (30%) say they considered it an act of borrowing and planned to bring the supplies back, while 25 percent just didn’t think their employer would miss it. Others admit they pilfered products because it was easier to take the supply from the office then purchase it on their own (27%) or because they didn’t have the time to get it outside of work (24%).

Run and Hide – So it’s not surprising that a majority (68%) of working Americans have taken matters into their own hands by finding ways to ensure their favorite provisions don’t go missing. Some keep their much-loved office paraphernalia in a special designated drawer (59%) or in a secret space in their work area (45%). Others order additional quantities of certain products to make certain they’re never low (51%) or label their supplies with their contact information (31%). More employed women than men (73% vs. 63%) report they’ve taken steps to ensure their office products don’t go missing.

Quality Matters – So why do Americans go to such great lengths to protect their supplies? Perhaps it’s because close to half (46%) think that having quality office equipment plays a critical role in being successful on the job.

Picky Fingers – They are so influenced by their beloved products that 34 percent sometimes bring their own stash to work if what is available doesn’t meet their requirements. And there are plenty of goods they need to have at work to perform efficiently. Seventy percent of employed Americans willing to weigh in say it’s impossible to work without their favorite brand, type, or model of pens, pencils, or highlighters. Others say they can’t work if they aren’t able to get their hands on paper products (41%) or printer ink (40%) in their favorite brand, type or model.

A Few of My Favorite Things. So what makes a product so amazing? Close to seven in ten (69%) say the functionality or performance of an office product can make or break how special they consider it to be. Quality (66%), value (47%), innovation (41%), and aesthetics (25%) also influence why working Americans are so particular about their products.

Can You Identify Me?

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I am a rotring pencil of unknow era and unknown model.  If you know just what my model name is PLEASE contact The Old Geezer at theoldgeezer@live.com as Geezer has a loyal reader who has the need to know!  He has ask Geezer for help, unfornately Geezer has no idea what model I am but is sure that some loyal reader of Pens And Pencilsa does.  So, can you indedify me. please?