Russhoolio's Full Review: Papermate G Force 0.5mm Mechanical Pencil
How much can you possibly say about a mechanical writing pencil? Well as it turns out, a lot.
First I'd like to briefly describe what is to me a typical cheap mechanical pencil. Then I'll briefly describe a typically "good " one. Followed by a description of this one, which happens to be very good, while remaining relatively inexpensive.
A typical cheap mechanical pencil will cost you less than a dollar. It will be made of gaudy colored plastic. It will work. It will have either no clip or a mostly decorative clip. It will be somewhat difficult to hold due to the thinness of the cylinder. Your fingers will tire quickly. You will click the eraser-end to extend the lead, which it will eat like candy.
A typical "good " (according to me) mechanical pencil might have either a plastic or metal cylinder with a rubber grip on the writing-end. It will have a working metal clip. It will be easy to hold and write with. The lead might be extended either by pressing down on the eraser-end, or by pressing a button near the grip. The lead will last a good while and remain relatively sharp while writing. It will have a very pointy little tip out of which the lead extends for writing.
So now on to the G-Force by PaperMate, my new favorite pencil.
If you read the bit about a "good" pencil, then you have read about this one, with one notable exception: on the G-Force, the little pointy metal end can be fully retracted so that the tip of the pencil is completely flat. Which means you can put it in your pocket and it won't poke holes in your clothing, which can and probably will happen with many other mechanical pencils. You also will not accidentally stab yourself with the G-Force while reaching into an overfull backpack or handbag. I've done that a few times with my previous favorite pencil. Likewise it won't gouge holes in your favorite book.
Other nice things about this pencil is that it is mechanically sound and functions very smoothly. I get cramped fingers and wrist very easily and this is very easy for me to write with. The rubber grip is only very slightly larger than the cylinder itself. So if you like the big grips this one may not be for you.
The G-Force is also a classy looking pencil. It is stainless steel with black rubber or plastic bits on the outside. It is also very strong. I've broken nearly all of my other nice pencils by accidentally kneeling on them one time while they were on my bed. I've knelt on my G-Force a couple of times and it hasn't broken yet (knock on wood).
My one and only gripe is that the eraser while nice and long, cannot be used more than about half-way. The age old trick of sticking a paper wad down into the eraser holder in order to prop up the eraser doesn't work so well because then you can't so easily get the wad out when you need to put more leads into the pencil.
For anyone wondering: my previous favorite mechanical pencil was the Zebra M-301 but it poked holes in clothes, books, and me. Then I found the G-Force and never went back.
This pencil (like the Zebra) is Made in Japan. And frankly it shows in the excellent quality.
Fantastic prices with ease & c...(Stock status: N/A)
Sold as one unit. (1 unit = 6 each.) Soft rubberized grip. Stainless steel barrel. Card of 2. Manufacturer number: 15208. SKU #: 9090135. Country of o...More at Amazon Marketplace
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