I have coveted this pencil... May 9, 2019 Verified Purchase

I have coveted this pencil for quite some time, and now I finally own one. So buckle up and let me tell you why this is probably the best mechanical pencil ever.



First, let's talk about that sweet sliding shaft mechanism. Like all of the other Orenz models, this one features a sliding lead guard that moves freely with light touch. This is so that you don't have to advance the lead much further than the tip, and for a fine size like 0.2, that makes a huge difference. The only time I experience breakage is if I advance the lead too far past the shaft. You don't have to advance lead again until the shaft is practically flush with the rest of the body.



The grip of the pencil is not made of something soft, but it IS comfortable to hold. I do crazy fine details in my work, and I have a tendency to squeeze the life out of anything in that hand if I'm hard focused. I can squeeze this pencil for hours and not feel a crap in my finger. It's comfortable, and something weird that I never noticed on a pencil before this one is that it doesn't seem to get very hot or cold. Maybe that's just me, though.



The weight of this pencil is fantastic. It's a little bit forward heavy if you hold it artist style, but in classic writing style it's balanced very well. That forward heaviness is not a bad thing, either. The weight of this pencil is going to be heavier than the other two .2 types in the series, but not heavier than say, a Graphgear or the Pentel Smash.



Speaking of the Pentel Smash, those of you who are familiar with that pencil are going to feel right at home with the Nero. They feel so similar in my hand. And that's a huge plus for me because I love the feel of the Smash. I wish Jet Pens carried the Smash. Hey guys, can you try to carry the Pentel Smash?



The eraser isn't anything special, it's exactly the same type that come in a lot of other Pentel models. I like it just fine, but I don't use it much. It also includes the standard lead-jam clearing tool, but I haven't had to use it at all. A few lead changes and about 50 hours of work in later with this pencil, I have not had to clear a jam once.



That said, I'm using Ain Stein HB lead--I don't tend to recommend anything softer because it WILL jam in a .2 sized pencil. I don't tend to recommend anything harder, because after using H lead in my old Orenz .2, I learned that you can sharpen that point enough to slice right through your paper, and H is certainly hard enough to do that. So that's a small negative point about using a lead size this fine, is that your options are limited for lead grades if you're not willing to have to put in the extra effort to make them work.



That said, if my Nero ever breaks--and my African Grey parrot stole it for me and didn't damage it at all, so it's tough--I'm going to cry and then try to reorder it. This is a new permanent resident in my necessities box. I can't imagine not having it now that I do.



So yeah, it's expensive. But it's worth every penny, and I'm so glad I got it. Full disclosure: I don't really write with it, though. I've made a few notes, but nothing that would qualify as a writing test. So if you're looking at it for art, you have my thumbs up. If you're looking at it for writing, your mileage may vary.

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