The Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil stands apart from the competition as a high-quality mechanical pencil. This pencil is leaps and bounds away from the plastic mechanical pencils you could buy in bulk in grade school, and it stands a major step up from the Graphgear 500, both in feel and performance.
This is what you expect from the first and only writing instrument company to receive the Deming Prize all the way back in 1976. Since then, the company’s commitment to quality has held steady, and its products are preferred by students, teachers, artists, and designers.
The Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil comes in varying barrel colors, each corresponding to a different lead for easy identification:
- Brown for 0.3mm
- Gray for 0.5mm
- Blue for 0.7mm
- Yellow for 0.9mm
This is just one of the benefits of using this mechanical pencil, and it only gets better from here.
Is the Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil for You?
The Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil is marketed as a drafting pencil, and it has plenty of features that make it great for sketch-intensive professions such as:
- Architects
- Artists
- Draftsmen
These professions benefit the most from the sturdy construction and quick identification of the pencil. The varying lead widths available help further dimension in professional work.
The pencil does not break the bank, and it is not so complicated that everyday students or hobbyists would not be able to enjoy everything it offers. The soft, latex-free pads ensure everyone can handle the mechanical pencil comfortably.
If you’re more comfortable with wooden pencil forms or are not likely to take advantage of the unique color-coding scheme, there are other pencil options to better suit your needs.
Otherwise, the Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil is a great choice for a sturdier mechanical pencil option to provide the next level of quality and satisfaction.
What I Like About the Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil
If your idea of a mechanical pencil is a plastic, mass-produced chassis with thin lead that constantly snaps, the Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil is here to prove you wrong.
This considerate design utilizes a metal barrel and tip to ensure it feels sturdy in your hand. I like to see the latex-free pads in the chiseled metallic grip as the company actively chooses to not alienate those with a latex allergy.
The pencil does not win hearts with design alone. Each color corresponds with a different lead width, and you can use the built-in hardness indicator to ensure you never mix up pencil types again. This allows you to find the pencil you need accurately and quickly, reducing the need for you to create an effective system.
The Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil also features a refillable Z2-1 eraser, and the included eraser cap keeps everything clean and ready for operation. When you are ready to store the pencil, simply cap the eraser and retract the tip to ensure proper protection.
This helps prevent potential lead breakage while put away, and it only takes one click to pop the tip back out for immediate action.
What I Don’t Like About the Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil
It would be nice if the Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil had a spring-loaded tip like some competitors, but you can manage fine without it.
Major complaints circle around the likelihood of the plastic thread breaking. While it is uncommon, it indicates a recurrent issue I would like to see Pentel address in the future. The broken thread interferes with the proper operation of the mechanical pencil.
The smaller eraser might work well for detailed erasers, but it’s difficult to manage if you’re prone to mistakes. If you anticipate using the eraser often, look for a full-sized eraser to compensate.
The pencil tip might be too large to allow you to use the last centimeter of your pencil lead.
The hardness indicator is still one of the most useful parts of the Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil, but some pencils struggle to hold it still. If it moves, it becomes more difficult to glance over the lead hardness.
Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil Pros And Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great feel and grip, which provides comfort for more individuals | No spring-loaded tip |
| Refillable eraser | Plastic thread prone to breakage |
| Color coding and hardness indicator | Eraser is small |
| Dual action retractor protects pencil lead and storage area | Hardness indicator does not stay still |
| Rare lead breakage | Lengthy tip wastes some lead |
| Good weight and balance |
What’s Included
- Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil
- Pentel Super Hi-Polymer Lead
- Pentel Z2-1 eraser
The pen sticks to the basics, and there is not much more you need to take advantage of its quality performance. The only thing I would recommend is buying the Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil set that includes each color so you can get the most out of its customizable features.
Features
- Different color barrels (with hardness indicators) to distinguish lead width
- Dual-action retractor for easy use
- Refillable lead and eraser
- Sturdy, 4mm tip
- Dense lines from sturdy lead
These features show that the Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil not only gets the job done but goes above and beyond. While there are a few pencils with fancier features out there, Pentel covered basic improvements first.
Final Breakdown
The Pentel Graphgear 1000 Pencil proves you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy writing utensil, even if you want something to show off in your workspace. Investing in this pencil will garner as much attention while outperforming even more expensive competitors.
The Graphgear 1000 provides easy organization methods to help you keep your tools in check. Quickly sorting through the pencils and knowing you can rely on their performance is well worth the investment.
You can purchase the Graphgear 1000 at Amazon.com by clicking here.
- PG1013 0.3 mm? PG1014 0.4 mm? PG1015 0.5 mm? PG1017 0.7 mm? PG1019 0.9 mm 5pics set
