Lamy Logo Mechanical Pencil - 0.5mm

I am not really a big pencil guy as I noted in my recent review of a discontinued rOtring 600 pencil, but I do find them pretty fascinating.  I'm often drawn to buy them because of their design and how they'll feel when you write with them.  Maybe I'm just a big weirdo about that as I buy them and don't tend to get the use out of them I think I will.  Either way, I'm happy about it. 

In putting through a recent order from Cult Pens, I decided to drop in a Lamy Logo mechanical pencil for good measure to give it a go as I think they were clearing out this matte black version that is discontinued.  I think I paid around $6 for it when all was said and done which I thought was a pretty good deal.  

The Logos only come in a 0.5mm which is not really my sweet spot when it comes to lead sizes.  I'm more of a 0.7mm guy and even a 0.9mm when I'm working out in my shop.  Depending on the pencil, a 0.5mm does pretty well, but in the Logo, not so much I'm afraid. 

The lead inside this thing dances around a lot.  I'm not sure if it is the mechanism that is moving or if the lead just doesn't sit very securely?  All I know is it is driving me crazy and makes it hard to write because I'm focusing on how insecure the lead is. 

To get to some of the meat and potatoes of the review, there are some major design issues with this pencil that I knew going into it, but turned a blind eye for the sake of sharing a review with my wonderful readers.  Your support is worth every last penny I promise, and I'll willingly take one for the team.  Remember the Tornado Snapper?  That pen still gives me nightmares...

There are a few key things that a mechanical pencil usually has: lead, eraser, ability to refill the lead from the knock (unless it is a lead holder). 

Let's see how the Logo holds up to this standard:

 - Lead - Check.

- Eraser- none

- Refill from knock - nope... 

There is no eraser on this thing to be found, which, I suppose isn't overly ridiculous.  Half the time the eraser that comes on a mechanical pencil is one the size of a really small Tylenol that holds up for erasing about three words anyways.  But still, there isn't one and that is just kind of weird.  If you prepare to take the Logo for a Scantron test, make sure to bring another eraser with you.

Also fairly standard in mechanical pencils (not 2mm lead holders) is the refill from the knock where you remove the eraser and pop in a few polymer leads.  Not on this thing.  Oh no, not at all.  To refill the lead you have to unscrew the tip mechanism wherein you will find a little plastic tube.  From that tube you remove a little cap which exposes the lead storage area.  I'm not saying it isn't super inconvenient, but it is just strange and not really intuitive.  I could easily see about 8 out of 10 people breaking their pencil trying to figure out how to refill it.

The tip of the pencil actually retracts when you push the lead all the way in which is neat.  It is so you can put your pencil in your bag and not bend the metal tip section.  

It looks pretty cool which is primarily why I bought one.  The Logo has a metal barrel with some nice grip to it.  Lamy really does matte black pretty well and I don't know if they've made a pen/pencil in that finish that I didn't like.    

Based on my review I'll let you decide how you think I enjoyed this pencil... (or guess if it will see the light of day again) 

rOtring 800 Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm - Review and Giveaway!

I'm very excited about this particular post as this is my first review while partnering with our good friends over at JetPens.  JetPens, in our pen world, is an amazing resource and hub for getting writing instruments and goods that are hard to come by through normal retailers.  If you're looking for a certain imported pen from Asia or Europe, there is a good chance that they have it.

They were kind enough to provide me with this rOtring 800 mechanical pencil to review, which fits right into the recent theme on the blog from rOtring Week a little while ago.  In addition to providing the 800 for me to review on The Clicky Post, they will be doing a giveaway of a rOtring 800 pencil to a lucky reader!  

CONTEST DETAILS: 

To enter, make sure you're a subscriber to the JetPens newsletter, and then follow the link below: 

LINK TO ENTRY PAGE

The contest will run through midnight October 10th, so head over and enter! 

 Good luck everyone!    

(As this contest is sponsored and fulfilled through JetPens, it is open to US Residents only) 

The 800 mechanical pencil is one of the current rOtring models that has actually withstood the test of time with the brand.  After rOtring was sold back in the 1990's, all of the 600 and 800 series pens that many of todays collectors and enthusiasts enjoy so much were discontinued.  The current 800 pencil is a striking tribute to the high points of rOtring history and design and hopefully one that will stay around for awhile.   

If you are familiar with the 600 series pencils, you will know the quality to expect from the 800.  rOtring still continues to produce these pencils in a brass body and they really feel great.  Almost too great.  It feels super sturdy and solid in your hands.  As I've been carrying with me over the past week or so in preparation for the review, I've let some friends and colleagues try it out and all have had a similar reaction to how nicely weighted it is. 

I like this picture...

Of course, one of the iconic design features of the 800 is the hexagonal barrel design that really does carry a very industrial modern yet timeless style.  Before really getting my hands on a few rOtrings I was always drawn to the matte black versions, but the silver really is stunning.  I think it actually accents the red ring more so and is a nice yet soft metallic.  Not shiny per se, but silvery.

The tip retracts into the pencil which is pretty cool.  To extend it, right below the knock there is a knurled section that twists.  Once extended, the clicks on the knock are so subtle that you hardly realize they are doing anything.  That took a bit of getting used to. 

The 800 has some gold accents around the tip and just below the knock which adds a bit of "bling" to the pencil.  This is an interesting design choice, although historically has been an aesthetic that rOtring has included in some of their nicer models.  I've never really owned a writing instrument with gold accents so I suppose this is pretty exciting? 

600 and 800 knurling

I really love knurling.  It is almost to the point that when I see a cool metal pen with knurling I have an uncontrollable desire to use/own it.  The knurling on the 800 isn't so much a sharp, pointy knurling like the 600 series or the Rapid Pro, but is more of like a cross hatch pattern that is designed into the metal.  It is more subtle than the spiky grip of the others.  

Now, with mechanical pencils one thing that drives me nuts is when the lead wiggles around.  Oh my does that ruin the entire experience.  rOtring has done an absolutely suburb job in the 800 in making sure this doesn't happen.  When the lead is pushed to the paper it is solid.  What is most impressive with this is that the 800 has additional moving parts in the tip and STILL has no wiggling.  Bravo rOtring.  Bravo indeed.  

I again want to thank our friends over at JetPens for providing this sample for me to review and for sponsoring the giveaway!  

Make sure to follow the link to the entry page for your chance to win! 

 

Nock Co. - Hightower 3+1 Case in Midnight Blue/Foliage Grey

First and foremost I want to extend my congratulations to Brad Dowdy of The Pen Addict (the legend) and his colleague and newly made celebrity, Jeffrey Bruckwicki, an amazing seamster (cool word) who is becoming a legend in his own right.  These two gentlemen recently set out to create a Kickstarter campaign to present to the world their new brand, Nock Co., and their first offerings in a line of affordable pen, pencil, and notebook cases.  

I was privileged enough to have Nock Co. send me one of their sample prototypes of a model called the Hightower.  Thanks gentlemen for the opportunity to review the prototype and share my thoughts.  

The Hightower is what is considered a 3+1 case which means that it has three pockets on one side, and one pocket on the other.  The configuration that Brad and Jeffrey came up with holds 3 pens on the left and one small 5.5 x 3.5 notebook like a Field Notes book or Doane Paper Utility Notebook on the right.   

I have to say, even with this being a prototype model I am super impressed with the build quality and feel of this product.  Knowing Brad and his particulars with certain products, it would only make sense that he and Jeffrey would do their best to provide a quality that they themselves would enjoy for their daily use and to protect their pens.  The case is simple enough as it is made out of fabric and isn't anything overly fancy, but looks to be incredibly durable and I imagine it will wear really well.   

The outer shell is made from a strong nylon material similar to what you would find in a sturdy school backpack and is a really tight weave.  The walls of the case are lightly padded which is really awesome as you can fill it with some of your nice pens and not worry that they'll get scratched or damaged through the cover.  

The inner pockets and flaps are made from a lighter weight material but still feels incredibly durable and should hold up to a lot of trips in and out of your bag or satchel.

I really love that there is a flap over the pens.  If not, I'd definitely be worried that they might fall out while carrying, so good work to the guys for putting in this feature.  When I first got it and opened the flap I though to myself that perhaps it would need some velcro or a snap of some kind to hold it down, but the way that it has been stitched keeps it pointed down and requires either holding it open or tucking it around the cover while laying on the table to keep it open.  

Even the flap has a nice sewn edge all the way around that adds a nice level of detail and care in the manufacturing that shows how well they want to make their products.

The notebook pocket is deep enough to hold two or even three (maybe pushing it) of your small notebooks, although for the best result in closing the case I found that one really was the sweet spot. 

The color way I was able to review was the Midnight Blue exterior and the Foliage Grey interior.  Super conservative by all standards, but I really like it a lot.  A classy combination if you're not looking to make a splash when you pull out your pen case!  The bright colors shown on the Kickstarter campaign are really fun, but this combo may be the one I opt for in my cases if it is an option for all of them. 

If I'm entirely honest, I've felt a need for a small, portable pen case although I haven't bought one yet.  Being a pen fanatic, I seem to always have people at work that want me to "help them buy the right pen".  Some days I was carrying one pen in my shirt pocket (or two), one in my jeans pocket, and maybe even another just in my hand to bring to work for people to try.  This is what crazy pen people do; we spread the love and help other people make the decision to spend more money on pens than they probably thought they ever would.  I'm so happy that the fellas decided to send me this one as just today I had a friend that was interested in rOtring pens and I wanted to bring some in for him to see.  This case made it so easy for me to carry safely up to three additional pens to show him without needing to have them tucked in every pocket imaginable on my person.  This is a super small need for me, but one that I'm so glad to have a solution for.

I backed the Mass Storage pledge level on the campaign and can't wait to get my other cases from Nock Co!  If you haven't already seen the campaign, please go visit and pledge as the products are well made and extremely affordable.  For international buyers the shipping is $10 which is super reasonable and coupled with the low price of the cases make it a great value. 

Granted, the campaign has already reached it's goal by a landslide, but still give a strong consideration to pledging if you haven't already.  Best of luck to Nock Co.! 

My One Suggestion: 

This isn't a criticism on the product in the least, but eventually I would love to see a version of the Hightower with a zippered edge as I think it would be a successful design and give even more peace of mind that your pens are safe and sound in your case with no chance of falling out.  This is a feature that I would gladly pay a bit more for.