I like this pencil so much, I purchased all 5 sizes this time: 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9. My favorite lead is 2B. It's softer and much darker than the standard HB. H=Hard. The lead range is 4H, 3H...to HB, B...3B, 4B. When I'm checking construction sites, I use 0.9 to write erasable info on wood, walls, and other materials, wet or dry, regardless of temperatures. Not so with Sharpies and wax pencils. In the office, I use 0.5 and 0.7 for paperwork, blueprints, etc. The British all-time favorite is 0.4. I use the 0.3 for adding tiny details to building drawings and it matches my love for 0.38 gel-ink (ultra-fine) pens.
GraphGear 1000s are great mechanical pencils. The only ones with fully retractable pencil points. I use Pentel Clicking erasers instead of the endcaps. It seems like too much work to stop writing, pull-off the endcap, erase, then put it back on. In half that time, I've grabbed an eraser and done. I had the same problem with the 0.7 pencil breaking like a couple of other Amazon reviewers. That blue ring in the middle of the pencil is plastic, which I didn't know until I found my pencil broken. Easy fix though. I put the two pieces back together and taped it super tight with black electrical tape - the good stuff (3M Temflex). Temflex is very durable, stretches a little, resistant to both water and extreme temperatures. 4 weeks later, my pencil still works like new and looks good. I kind of like the black tape. It's one more way of knowing which pencils are mine. Electrical tape comes in many colors. I plan to tape my other pencils too. So far, my new replacement 0.7 is not needed.
NOTE: The price of lead refills varies a lot across Amazon. Also, Pentel has two sources. Ain Pentel is from Japan. I'm guessing the other is from China. ROtring, Staedtler, and Mars are brands well-known by engineers, architects, and draftsmen. Faber-Castell is well-known in the art world. Presently, I trying Mr. Pen because I really like their gel highlighters and lower prices. So far, no complaints. But I have both Ain Pentel and Pentel waiting in the wings. Also, I don't care about the little bar code sticker on all my pencils because my hands never touch it except during lead refilling. Buy the GraphGear 1000. It's pricey but worth it if you write with pencil a lot.
| Manufacturer | Pentel |
|---|---|
| Brand | Pentel |
| Item Weight | 1.6 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 7.48 x 6.57 x 0.98 inches |
| Item model number | PG1000BXSET |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color | Grey |
| Closure | Retractable |
| Pencil Lead Degree (Hardness) | HB |
| Material Type | Metal |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
| Point Type | Chisel |
| Line Size | 0.3 Millimeters |
| Ink Color | Black |
| Manufacturer Part Number | PG1000BXSET |
