Logo IV Mechanical Pencil - My kingdom for this pencil!
Written: Sep 22 '04 (Updated Sep 23 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: great eraser, well-built, fashionable accessory to any desk
Cons: rubber grip wears down and falls off
The Bottom Line: For the money, this is one of the best mechanical pencils on the market.
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| martytdx's Full Review: Logo 4 Mechanical Pencil Black Barrel 5mm Lead |
Things to Do In a Meeting When You're Bored
1) Imagine the person across from you naked.
2) Strike that - too scary. Imagine only the attractive people in the room naked.
3) Plan that next football party - so what if it's June.
4) Try to figure out the entymology of the word "Palindrome"
5) Doodle¹
I'm a doodler - at my desk, while on the phone, and especially in meetings. It's not that I am not paying attention - it's just that my attention is being filled to capacity by something other than ... well, you. I still hear what you are saying, but the other 95% of my brain is crying out, "For chrissakes, man, d'ya have to hear all 117 reasons why the paradigm needs to be shifted to a new 6Sigma variation of the old best demonstrated practices ... again?" The conscious answer is no ... the unconscious answer can be found in the borders of my notebook in the form of questions, lists, designs, to do lists and items more relevant to the rest of my work day - and my life. Therefore, I need a optimum Doodling Device - in my case, usually a Papermate Logo IV Mechanical Pencil.
[• why a MECHANICAL? •]
Mechanical pencils offer up two major advantages over your standard Dixon-Ticonderoga #2 model. First and foremost is that you have a constantly renewable source of sharp lead instead of a nub because nothing irks me more than having to use a pencil nub to counteract the effusive ennui of hearing someone speak in Ben Stein's voice about the 17 new projects they have to help elevate acquisition in the retail market segment related to inherent customer demand in underutilized targets. I mean, how is a man going to create the next great design wonder if he has to use a pencil tip as wide as the left nostril of the same person you are trying to listen to? Second, mechanical pencils have a replaceable eraser - and since you are no longer in second grade, the Pac-Man eraser isn't just not corporately acceptable (nor are the "Kiss Me - I'm (Heart) Horny" silk boxers you have on, but that's another matter entirely). And while pens work for the masses, are you a member of the herd, or someone who will stand out, their leaden writings bursting through past a collection of standard blue and black inks? Okay, how about the fact that pencil is erasable? That good enough for you, Sparky?
[• so tell me about your LOGO 4 •]
I started off with the Logo Series pencils back when they were still being made under the Sanford name (they have since moved this line under the Papermate brand). I have used both their Logo II and Logo IV products, and while I prefer the Logo IV, the Logo II is still a nice little pencil to have a around. But what makes it special? Ah, that's the rub (get it? Rub... ah, forget it)
Well, the Logo 4 has an advantage over other mechanical pencils because of being of a higher quality than your petty 10-for-dollar yellow mechanical pencils. The barrel of the pencil is wider than a normal pencil, giving you a better grip, and just feels stronger in your hand. Add to that the nice addition of a rubber, grooved grip to help you really get a handle on these wonderful pencils. These icons of better pencil construction last a while, too - I've had some of mine for the six years I have been here (and have practically a life-time supply in my desk, just in case of a shortage).
Better yet, the tip of the pencil retracts when not in use to protect the most vulnerable part when in your bag, a benefit you don't realize is valuable until you've broken the tip off of your $8 architect's pencil. And for your erasing enjoyment, the Logo 4 comes with an eraser whose dimensions match those of the pencil itself - none of these small, useless erasers (and they are about 1.5" long, so you get a lot of use out of them before you have to replace them). These are accessed by simply twisting the pencil to give you more or less eraser, as needed. Lastly, the nice folks at Sanford/Papermate have included a nice pocket clip so that you can attach it to your pocket protector with ease.
[• so tell me about your LOGO 4 •]
The Logo 4 comes in the two most common 'lead' sizes - 0.5mm and 0.7mm. I prefer the 0.5mm, although I have a couple of 0.7mm just in case. The pencil is super easy to use and gives a nice, concise line that you would expect of a mechanical pencil. They have given me no non-user-related problems after years of use, although I will say that the rubber grips tend to start moving after a bit of use, and eventually slide off (which basically leaves you with a Logo II pencil, which is the Logo IV sans grip). The Logo IV comes in 3 fashion colors: black, burgundy and teal (yeah, show up with a teal pencil to a board meeting. Good plan.)
The lead feeds easily from the pencil, and you can put a fairly large number of leads in at one time (I think I usually keep 6 or so in reserve). Loading the lead is fairly simple - simply pull the pencil apart and insert leads. To get more lead to write with, click the end to extend the lead to the desired length. When you're done, click again and gently tap the tip so that it retracts for safekeeping. Adding erasers is just as easy - twist until you can grab the old nub and toss it (of course sending it to eraser recycling) and push a new one in.
The Logo 4 is an upgrade of the Logo 3 which, in turn, is an upgrade of the Logo pencil (just add grip). Instead of the Logo 3's plastic pocket clip as part of the barrel, you get the fashionable and durable metal version, perfect for blinding the person across the table ... I mean, that is one of the downsides Yeah. That's what I mean. As I mentioned earlier you can also get the Logo and Logo II pencils - I have some Logo II's that I use, but I personally prefer the Logo IV.
In terms of the mechanical pencils I've had in my life, I have to say that the Sanford/Papermate Logo series have been the best ones with the exception of the late architectural mechanical pencil, lost in an unfortunate pencil versus textbook incident. But as these are at a discounted rate for me (i.e. free) and more affordable for you, I would highly recommend running out to get yours. I don't think you'll be disappointed - although you might have to reign in that urge to doodle during division meetings.
[• so sleek, so beautiful, MY LOGO 4 •]
Specifications:
Size» 5.25" long, 3/8" wide
Weight» unknown
Point» retractable
Eraser» twist-up (I use Papermate Eraser Refills #64892)
Pocket Clip» Metal
Finger Grip» Rubber Ribbed Grip
Lead Sizes» 0.5mm, 0.7mm
Colors» Black, Burgundy, Teal
Website» http://www.papermate.com/
Related Review» Papermate Logo II
¹doodle - (v) 1. to scribble aimlessly, especially when preoccupied; 2. to kill time; (n) 1. a figure, design or scribble drawn or written absent-mindedly - from Dictionary.com
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 482
Trusted by: 179 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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