uni-ball KuruToga Mechanical Pencil Starter Set (1751934)

by Uni-ball

• Twist and turn mechanism rotates lead as you write to keep lead sharp
• Engineered to resist breakage
• Contains Diamond Infused Lead for added strength
• 0.5mm point lead for more precise writing
• Starter Set includes 1 KuruToga Mechanical Pencil, uni-ball Nano-Diamond replacement leads and 2 replacement erasers

Product Description

The uni-ball KuruToga Twist and Turn 0.5mm Mechanical Pencil Starter Set (1751934) is the most advanced mechanical pencil ever.  The KuruToga (Japanese for Twist and Turn) has an exclusive and patented rotating mechanism that resists lead breakage.  As you write, the engine rotates the lead to maintain a sharp point and avoid flat spots on the lead.  The Starter Set includes uni-ball Diamond Infused Leads for added strength and smooth writing performance. It is available in 0.5 mm perfect for intricate tasks.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 116 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great mechanical pencil October 15, 2009

By B. C Ladd

Amazon Verified Purchase

I am an office supply nut. I order imported pens from Japan, know all different paper sizing and weighting measures, and own more than a handful of no-staple paper binders. I offer this as my credentials to evaluate this mechanical pencil.

I cycle between using a mechanical pencil or a modern gel ink pen as my daily writing implement. When I saw the Japanese version of this product, I jumped at it, making it the most expensive mechanical pencil I ever owned (I said I am a nut, not that I am a _rich_ nut). This is an "Americanized" version of the same thing. As with many foreign imports, the resulting mass market product is a bit bland and not quite as nice. Plastic housing feels cheaper (compared to metal on the Japanese version), rotating mechanism is a little bit noisier (compared to silent: it is hardly noticeable), and the pencil is a touch bulkier in my hand.

The plastic is a touch too slick (it doesn't feel properly gripped, like it might pop out of my hand) but otherwise it is comfortable to use (haven't used it for long periods yet). The rotating mechanism works, just as advertised. It makes it easy to write tiny little messages. The 0.5mm lead really does feel like 0.3mm most of the time and I never have a slanted edge that cuts through the paper.

So, 4/5 for not being quite as nice as the one I have been using, but again 4/5 because it is affordable and the mechanism really does improve the writing experience. Honest.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great mechanical pencil September 7, 2010

By DR

The kurutoga mechanical pencil has actually been out for a while in Japan. I've ordered a few about two years ago. When I first used them I took notice of the clear grip. As you press the pencil and lift it up from the paper, the kurutoga logo revolves around the barrel's axis, confirming the lead actually rotates.

This pencil will not work as advertised if you write in cursive, and you must lift your pencil between letters or numbers in order for it to work. This was engineered to how you write in japanese, but translates decently to writing in english or other languages. I found this most useful when I was in either japanese school or in calculus class.

The nanodia lead has also been out for a few years. It is great lead, hands down. Its slightly stronger than normal lead; however, it takes longer to wear it down. A full pack of 40 leads lasted me for about one and a half years in school.

The only reason I gave this pencil 4 stars instead of 5, is that the mechanism that rotates the lead can get worn out if you mess with the end of the pencil. Also, you must replace the eraser before it becomes flush with the end or it will become extremely difficult to insert lead.

That said, this is a great mechanical pencil that keeps a uniform thickness.

47 of 55 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Works as advertised May 26, 2010

By Andy in Washington TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

First a disclaimer- I am an engineer, and a little bit picky about lead pencils.

The Highlights:

First off, I like the lead. Not quire sure what diamond-infused lead might mean (probably just fiddle with the heat treatment to change the crystal structure), but I like it. In general, it seems to give about the same level of hardness, but writes with the darkness of lead one grade softer. I did find the lead very resistant to breakage, even when you write with a heavy hand.

The pencil itself has a nice feel and weight, and seems reasonably balanced. It is slightly thicker than a typical lead pencil, which is what I prefer. The mechanical movement seems tight and well made, and the lead advances about the right amount from each click.

The lead rotate feature seems to work ok, but to be honest I found it somewhat distracting since I constantly seemed to turn the pencil without even thinking about it. (I had never realized I was doing it.)

The Lowlights

The lead mechanism does not retract into the pencil when the lead is retracted, meaning you always have the sharp edge of the mechanism protruding from the bottom of the pencil. I hate this, since I have ruined more shirts and stabbed myself more times than I care to remember.

The eraser is quite small. Why can't someone make the little container that the lead comes in big enough to hold extra erasers? The spares are just going to get lost.

The autorotating lead makes it impossible to rotate the pencil to get a sharp edge of lead on demand, something I often due when writing especially small text.

Summary

I like the feel and style of the pencil, and love the new lead. I am very disappointed in the non-retracting mechanism, which will probably keep me from carrying this pencil on a daily basis.