Because of how most mechanical pencils are designed, they’re never really comfortable to pocket and walk around with. Even pencils with retractable tips, such as the Pentel GraphGear 1000, are relatively pointy and intrusive.
Pentel’s Kerry Sharp is different and is the only mechanical pencil I know of with a cap. When capped, the Kerry Sharp is unlikely to perforate pockets or poke any thighs. The cap is also said to improve the pencil’s balance when writing.
Pentel Kerry Sharp (0.5mm lead) via Amazon
Pentel Kerry Sharp (0.7mm lead) via Amazon
Product Info via Pentel
Maikeru says
I know all too well what happens if you try to carry a normal mechanical pencil in the pocket and then suddenly have to sprint!
Stuart says
Ouch, that experience sounds to have been quite uncomfortable!
Maikeru says
Yeah, it happened when I was about 11 and it taught me that mechanical pencils (without caps like this one) are best stored either in a case in your bag or clipped to the rings of a binder/notebook. Of course since that time they they’ve started incorporating special pen/pencil storage areas into bags—non-camping backpack designs were kind of stagnant in developments for years until sometime in the ’90s.
Anyway, to make a long story short if I see this for a decent price in a store it might be worth taking a look at. I’m not sure if the cap can live up to the claim of making the pencil significantly more balanced, but at the very least it’ll be more comfortable to pocket—that is if the cap secures well enough to not pop off while in one’s pocket.
Brandon says
Maikeru, if you are still wondering about the cap popping off while it’s in your pocket, that is not an issue. The kerry’s cap fits very securely into the pencil and will not come off unless you want it to.
Brandon says
Maikeru if you are still wondering about the cap popping off while it’s in your pocket, that is not an issue. The kerry’s cap fits very securely into the pencil and will not come off unless you want it to.
Kelly says
I have at least four of these in different statges of conditons and have one tucked onto coll0r for nearly two decades. They are reliable, at least until I lose all or part of one while carrying it on my collar.