In a world that contains hundreds of different mechanical pencil designs, how does this pencil from TWSBI hold up?

Many thanks to Scribble for lending me this pencil to review.

Price: £25

Lead size: 0.5mm or 0.7mm

Barrel options: matt silver or black

Eraser: yes

Size: 14cm long, 0.8cm diameter

Weight: 28g

TWSBI’s Precision range is defined by the use of hexagonal metal barrels.

This pencil is slim and light, with fairly tasteful branding on one side and on the clip. The finish is matt silver and the overall effect is one of neat precision. Not very exciting but pleasant enough.

The clip looks as if it should be removable but it isn’t. It might be possible to take it off, with enough force, but as I don’t own this pencil I didn’t want to risk damaging it. The clip is quite strong and useable.

There’s the usual petite eraser underneath the knock. It does actually erase, which is always a pleasant surprise in a mechanical pencil.

The tip is retractable.

It’s deployed by pressing the knock, which then needs to be pressed a second time to extend a usable length of lead. It extends something like 1.5mm a time. You need to push the tip back in with your nail or finger tip in order to retract it. This usually means you end up with a pencil mark on your finger.

The grip a neat ridged pattern. It’s grippy without being uncomfortable.

In use the pencil is comfortable as it’s so light. It’s easy to twist as you write or draw. The lead is held tight.

The TWSBI Precision is a decent looking pencil that’s comfortable to hold. Everything works as it should. Having to retract the tip by hand isn’t great and, for me, if a clip looks removable it should be. There are lots of mechanical pencils in the world and the Precision, while perfectly okay, doesn’t stand out from the crowd.

Pros

Comfortable grip

Eraser works

Lead held firmly

Retractable

Cons

Have to retract tip manually