rOtring800 Mechanical Pencil | HB 0.7 mm | Black Metal Barrel

Once you buy it and use it for years, that explains everything. Why not the 600 model? Because the 800 you put in your pocket and won't make a hole with the sharp end. But you have to remember what lead is inside because there is no indicator. It doesn't bother me because I usually use the same hardness of the pencil lead.

Looks great, beautifully made, perfect size, weight and feel in the hand. And the retracting mechanism means it doesn't rip your pocket or bag. Can't find a minus point to be honest.

No doubt if you are looking into a 45 quid pencil you'll be doing your research. And some of that will lead you to a lot of people saying that the retractable Rotring has a slight tip wobble (because it's moving parts). I've been using this daily for over a year now and it's still going strong. I'm a massive fidgetter so I'm constantly popping the nib in and out and taking the rubber protector on and off and it's still not gotten to a point where it's worn or damaged. This is my favourite pencil. It weighs a really nice amount for me and feels like a good bit of kit.The improvements I think it could do with are minor. The first is the little tab thing that you slide it onto shirt pockets and what not. I think this should not be painted. This area is the one that gets the most wear and naturally the paint chips. It'd made more sense to plain finish it. The second is the availability of the rubbers. The rubbers last ages but they are a little difficult to pickup, in the end I opted to go for the ones direct from their site because they are a special size and didn't want to get the wrong ones.Besides that though I really like the pencil. I'd definitely recommend it if you are looking to upgrade to a something proper.

Cracking. 0.7 is just right too

I’ve had this pencil as my EDC along with my fountain pen and ball point for over 6 months and it has been a phenomenal writing instrument for me.It is compact with a great mechanism that provides not only satisfaction if you’re a fidgeter like me but also great function by hiding away the lead sleeve when not in use so that it doesn’t damage the point.It is a very easy carry in the pocket or in any pen case you could think of.The pencil oozes class and quality.I wanted a pencil that would serve me for many years and I’m confident it will do just that!Highly recommend this pencil for anybody who needs a pencil on the go or in the studio or office environment or just about anywhere else!

Going back to stabbing myself in the finger every time I put my hand in my pocket and using a cheaper pencil. The retractable tip was good but the end was loose and wobbly when you use it, it lacked the sharp tip you get from kuri toga pencil with it rotating tip and although it cost a lot it didn't feel robust, just heavy. It is uncomfortable to use and I put it into my pocket without retracting the tip and it bent. No spare parts with it, or available so it is now going in the bin after 3 drawings. Avoid.

Without doubt, the best mechanical pencil I have ever bought. In fact I would go as far as to say it is the best writing tool I have ever purchased.The build quality is flawless. Solid metallic components everywhere. Really solid mechanism for revealing and retracting the tip.Loading can be a little fiddly and frustrating but this has been the case for every mechanical pencil I have ever had.I previously had one of these but the tip was bent by someone whilst I was away from my desk. Either that or the product failed. Replacement works just as well.Recommend the 0.7 over the 0.5 as 0.5mm Lead is very fragile and I found it breaks frequently.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I dropped the pencil from a seated position onto a carpeted floor. This was enough to break the small plastic lug that retracts and extends the nib section (see photo). It is disappointing that such a fine metal pencil has a flimsy mechanism that can render it useless. A quick web search suggests this is a known issue. Rotring replied that their warranty does not include accidental damage.