The best gift ideas come from the recommendations of people who spontaneously tell you about an item they use and love. This happened a couple of weeks ago when my friend told me about his Pentel GraphGear 1000 mechanical pencil. My friend is artistic and he is also familiar with which tools folks that work in engineering and drafting depend on. While showing me his GraphGear 1000, he also produced an old Pentel mechanical pencil that his Grandfather used. That they have used these pencils over generations are a glowing review alone.
 |
| the Pentel Arts Premium GraphGear 1000 set on Amazon |
Pentel Arts GraphGear 1000 Premium Mechanical Pencil
Online information about the Pentel GraphGear 1000 Premium Mechanical Pencil:
- superior drafting pencil; tip length is for use with rulers and templates
- dual-action retractor to advance and retract lead; avoiding lead breakage
- soft, latex inlaid metallic, chiseled grip
- Pentel's Super Hi-Polymer lead sizes: 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm size lead available
The Boxed Set of Four GraphGear 1000 Includes:
- 4 Mechanical pencils, in 4 different colored barrels
- 4 lead refill tubes (1 tube of each size)
- 4 eraser refills
(Currently on Amazon with a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating resulting from over 2,200 reviews!)
If you are hesitant about buying this boxed, gift set there are many options for purchasing just one Pentel Mechanical Pencil at a time. Which is what I am going to do for myself. I am constantly looking for a pencil. when I do find it, the lead needs sharpened. Now that I realize mechanical pencils can be used across decades, I have decided that I need one in my life. I am partial to the one with the light, bright blue grip.
My Personal Thoughts
Some of the students I work with, prefer to use mechanical pencils for their personal reasons. I have tended to think of mechanical pencils as inexpensive and semi-disposable. What quickly caught my eye about my friend's GraphGear 1000 mechanical pencil with the beautiful chiseled markings on the metallic pencil grip. It was clearly not a disposable pencil.
My friend showed me the difference in appearance between the lead sizes; thin to thick. He also talked to be about the differences in lead softness/hardness (H, HB, and B) and how that appears in drawings. The gift set I am reviewing comes in the HB level of hardness. There are other lead refills and pencils that can be purchased in the H and B levels. (note: there are other levels of hardness, but we did not go that in-depth in our discussion).
While writing this review, my friend and I looked up information on his Grandfather's mechanical pencil. The pocket clip carries a stamp "SKILCRAFT". By doing a quick search, we learned that Pentel mechanical pencils began in the 1960s, and the SKILCRAFT version was produced during that time. His Grandfather's pencil is also stamped "U.S Government" and was likely obtained during his work at Bethlehem Steel all of those decades before. The history of this Pentel pencil shows to me that these pencils can be passed down through the generations.
 |
| A little piece of history |
Find the Boxed Set of Four Pentel GraphGear1000 Premium Mechanical Pencils on Amazon here.
The Pentel Store of America on Amazon carries a huge selection of pencils, markers, art supplies.... pages, and pages of craft, art, and gift ideas.
My father always had a Pentel mechanical pencil on hand! His looks just like your friends grandfather's pencil. I will have to check for the "Skilcraft" logo the next time I am over at his house. My husband has several as well, but they are not as old. They both used them at work and prefer them to any other pencil. I still seek out the little tubes of lead for them.
ReplyDeleteOh, I forgot to say: What a great gift idea for anyone!!!
DeleteDawn, What a great gift idea this is. I'm a Industrial Engineer and have been using Pentel Mechanical Pencils for my whole life. I wouldn't use anything else, I use .05mm and .07mm but prefer the .05mm. Great review and gift idea.
ReplyDeleteMy husband introduced me to mechanical pencils and told me that Pentel is the best brand. Both his dad and his grandfather were architectural draftsmen and engineers at one point in their careers. It sounds like many families have passed down their love of Pentel mechanical pencils (and, in some cases, the pencils themselves) through the generations. I love the idea of giving the boxed set as a gift!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if my grandfather used one. He was a mechanical engineer.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely gift idea
ReplyDeleteHaving the different sizes of lead is definitely great for artists. That is quite the handsome set with the fancy barrels.
ReplyDelete