Just a quick review of two pencils from China. China has a number of decent inexpensive pens, but we know less about their pencils, so here is a look at two: A Pentel Orenz 0.3 copy, and the Be Successful 100 New!! Examination Up!! Speed Marking TM013-A 2B mechanical pencil. Both are around a $1 from China.



I like the Orenz Copy-and remember, I don’t normally write with 0.3 pencils. It has a retractable sleeve, and with some good pentel lead in it, writes nicely and delicately. Most importantly, the Orenz copy has a sliding sleeve, which protects the lead as you write. A beauty if you will… And the details are great – the aviators always remind me to stay cool. Unlike some other Chinese Pencils, the Orenz Copy has an eraser. Unfortunately the manufacturers were too cool for quality control, 2 in 10 did not work, out of my batch.

Next is the Be Successful 100 New!! Examination Up!! Speed Marking TM013-A 2B mechanical pencil:

This one has some personality – I mean, look at it – the Be Successful 100 New!! Examination Up!! Speed Marking TM013-A 2B mechanical pencil has everything going for it and if you use it, I’m pretty sure things are going to start happening for you if they aren’t already..Winning.

All that aside – this beast a decent pencil. It’s rectangular and flat, uses non-standard lead size, but it does come with extra lead. The 2b lead that it comes with is dark and buttery, and you have to watch out for smudging. It has an eraser, although you won’t need it. No clip on this pencil, though, which would be nice.

There it is, a tale of two Chinese pencils.

More reviews at The Montana Writing Company home.