Pentel(R) Sharp™ Automatic Drafting Pencil, 0.5 mm, Black

by Sharpie

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 0.3 x 0.5 x 5.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006IEG0
• Item model number: P205A
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #590 in Office Products (See Top 100 in Office Products)
  • #10 in Office Products > Educational Supplies > Writing & Correction Supplies > Pencils > Mechanical Pencils
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 27, 2004

Product Description

Perfect for technical drawing, drafting and template tracing projects. The fixed sleeve offers extended coverage and protects tip from breakage. Mesh grip provides precise control and all day comfort.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glad one this is still around, November 5, 2011

By 

Amazon Customer - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pentel(R) Sharp™ Automatic Drafting Pencil, 0.5 mm, Black (Office Product)

I have been using this pencil since high school, and that was over 35 years ago! It hasn't changed a bit, and I'm thankful. There have been many variations and knock-offs over the years and they all fall short.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The classic needs a revision, April 19, 2011

By 

Ethan M. (Holt, MI USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pentel(R) Sharp™ Automatic Drafting Pencil, 0.5 mm, Black (Office Product)

What can I say? this is the classic Pentel P205. It's a wonderful pencil. So much good has been said about it I can't really add to that, so I'll point out some cons:

Eraser is sub-par. I understand some people who claim to be pencil enthusiasts believe you should never use the eraser on a quality pencil. This is nonsense. There are great pencils, Staedtler, Faber-Castell, etc, that have great erasers. It's not the size I have a problem with, the size is great and they are easily replaceable, but the compound used in the eraser is just not very good.

The body is plastic. It feels like it gives quite a bit while writing. Perhaps some people like this as it softens writing, but it feels somewhat flimsy and it not my kind of thing.

The mechanism could use some improvement. It's unfortunate no progress seems to be made on these pencils in 20 years. There is still the glaring and unforgiveable problem of how when a piece of lead is about used up the last few centimeters get stuck in the tip, outside the advancer, so you have to pull it out. This is absurd and ridiculous, and so many pencils still do this. The pentel eSharp is pretty good at keeping lead alive longer, but it's an even cheaper pencil and rather unattractive.

I can't give the product five stars because the old adage "don't fix what ain't broke" doesn't apply here: there are some big improvements that should be being made about pencils, and unfortunately Pentel is resting on its laurels.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best mechanical pencil out there, December 17, 2009

By 

Julie M. Noyes "artist in waiting" (Central Vermont) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pentel(R) Sharp™ Automatic Drafting Pencil, 0.5 mm, Black (Office Product)

I discovered Pentel pencils back in art school. I do fine detailed drawings and this is my pencil! I have tried other products but nothing works as well and you can't beat the price for value. I would recommend this product to anyone that needs to use pencils for work... it will not fail you.