M+R Lead Pointer with Sharpened Lead Holder

Looking for Dagger-Sharp Points? Get Yourself a Lead Holder and Pointer!

July 13, 2024

Do you ever find yourself looking for something extra that your mechanical and woodcase pencils can’t provide? If you love the ability to write small that a .5mm (or even a .3mm) mechanical pencil offers, but you want an even finer point, or you also enjoy the customizability and line variation of a hand-sharpened woodcase pencil in a more convenient format, you should consider leadholders. I’ve previously written about several different leadholder or “clutch” pencils and how I used them, including the Caran d’Ache Fixpencil series (my personal favorite), the Penco Prime Timber 2.0 (a similar feel to a woodcase pencil), and the Kaweco Sketch-Up and E+M 5-6mm clutch pencils (great for drawing or highlighting). Where many people get hung up with lead holders, however, is sharpening.

M+R Lead Pointer Demonstrating How to Sharpen

Most leadholders feature a sharpener (or, technically, a “lead pointer”) that’s integrated into the cap. I find these lacking. Over time, the blade loses it’s sharpness - to the extent it was ever sharp to begin with - and shavings tend to cause clogs with no real easy way to clean them out. For me, the solution has been to carry a stand-alone lead pointer, which is basically a small handheld pencil sharpener sized for 2.0mm, 3.2mm, and/or 5-6mm leads. You can see for yourself the difference in points these can produce from the pictures shown here. Because the sharpener doesn’t have to cut through wood, the blades on lead pointers tend to last a long time, and the brass M+R lead pointer shown here uses standard blades that very inexpensive to replace.

Dulled Lead Holder Tip Prior to Sharpening in M+R — Shown here, a 2.0mm lead that’s dulled with use.

Lead Holder Tip Shown After Sharpening in the M+R Lead Pointer — Now, sharpened with the M+R stand-alone lead pointer. You can indeed write with a point this fine without it breaking, provided you use leads graded HB or harder, and watch your pressure.

Leadholder Point Comparison: Stock vs. Sharpened — Here you can see the difference between a lead sharpened with a stand-alone lead pointer (left), compared against the “stock” point on most leads either as they ship or as they sharpen using an integrated pointer. I’ve found that it’s almost impossible to get a true “needle” or “dagger” point with anything other than a lead-pointer.

I count myself a huge fan of lead holders and wish they received more attention. They combine some of the convenience of a mechanical pencil with the more tactile feel of a woodcase pencil - an in-between option, so to speak - and harder leads can sharpen to a very, very fine point that’s perfect for those of us who like to write small. We carry a fairly large selection of Caran d’Ache Fixpencils and other leadholders in our shop, and the lead pointer I mostly recommend is the excellent M+R brass version, which costs less than $10. E+M also makes stand-alone lead pointers for the larger-gauge leads used in the E+M and Kaweco pencils.

YouTube Thumbnail for Desktop Pencil Sharpener Comparison Video Showing Three Sharpened Pencils

Check out T.G.S. YouTube Later Today for an Extended Look at Four Different Desktop Pencil Sharpeners

I previously had planned to have a longer YouTube video ready to go alongside today’s post, but due to extremely slow upload speeds (thanks Comcast!), it’s taking some time to get it ready. This video will supplement my recent post on desktop pencil sharpeners with a hands-on demonstration of the three sharpeners discussed in that post. This will likely be the last significant YouTube video that I do from my current space, as our new location will have a studio area that will allow for better sound (no echo!) and more space for upgraded equipment. For those of you interested in trying out some of the products featured in the video, eventually we will have an in-person retail/demo area where I will have sharpeners, tester pens, tester pencils, paper, etc. all available! You can visit our YouTube Channel here.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Why Clutch Pencils Are So Versatile: The Kaweco Sketch Up Clutch Pencil

April 8, 2023

When I decided to stock Kaweco, it wasn’t necessarily to carry their iconic Sport fountain pen (though it’s a favorite). It was the “Sketch Up” clutch pencil. While I’ve previously written about clutch pencils / leadholders like the Caran d’Ache Fixpencil - which is geared toward writing and originally designed as a wartime replacement for the standard woodcase pencil - the Sketch Up uses thicker 5.6mm leads intended for drawing. How can you use one of these pencils, if you’re not an artist or sketchnoter? Let’s take a look.

The brass version of the Sketch Up is shiny when new, but will develop a cool patina as it ages.

Intended Use No. 1: A Sketch Pencil for Drawing

As mentioned, the first use for a clutch pencil like the Sketch Up is as a drawing tool. Each pencil ships with one 5.6mm 5B lead, which is very soft and very dark, perfect for blending. What it’s not great for is writing, unless you write very large, but again that’s not the intended use. I’ll take this opportunity to discuss the main question people have regarding this pencil and its refills: Whether you use it for drawing or writing, how do you sharpen a lead this big? Use the excellent integrated sharpener inside the cap, which unscrews. While I don’t really bother with sharpening when I’m using clutch pencils for highlighting because I like a broader edge, the cap contains a good lead pointer. For a demonstration of how the clutch mechanism works, and how to sharpen using the cap, I thought it would be easier to do short videos, which I’ve linked to here.

The Kaweco Sketch Up loaded with a pink highlighter lead.

Intended Use No. 2: A Highlighter/Drylighter

My own primary use case for the Kaweco Sketch Up is as a highlighter. I’ve long favored so-called “drylighter” pencils over traditional liquid ink highlighters, since they don’t dry out, don’t bleed through thinner paper, and work better with less-waterproof inks like fountain pen ink and gel ink. The Sketch Up serves as a nice, compact refillable highlighter that’s a more sustainable option than woodcase drylighters or plastic highlighter markers. Most brands sell highlighter refills for their clutch pencils in addition to standard graphite, and Kaweco highlighter refills are sold in packs of three.

I wrote pretty hard here to try to get it to smear, and was only able to get the slightest smearing on the still-wet gel pen. For everyday highlighting I’ve found these to be great.

Not-So-Intended Use No 3: A Dip Nib Holder

I may get into a bit of trouble for promoting an “off label” use of the Sketch-up, but what had me the most excited about this product was the ability to use it as a holder for my Kakimori Brass dip nib. I love the idea of carrying a dip pen with me to meet-ups and pen shows, but longer handles are inconvenient and portable versions such as the Drillog are expensive and perhaps don’t lay enough ink on the page. Many people use dip nibs for drawing as well, adding to the versatility of the Sketch Up as an art tool. To see how the Sketch Up works as a dip nib holder, check out this short video.

The Sketch Up is handy for sampling fountain pen inks, such as the Kaweco Palm Green shown here.

A couple of people have asked whether or not the Sketch Up will fit dip nibs other than the Kakimori conical-style nib. I’m not a heavy dip pen user other than this particular tool, but I did experiment with a Zebra G and it seems to work. I make no representations otherwise, YMMV. Also, I do feel a need to issue a disclaimer: The clutch mechanism on the Sketch Up is made of metal. When using this pencil as a dip pen, be sure to clean and dry the mechanism after use, and try to minimize any ink or water leaking into the interior of the pencil. Otherwise you may see some corrosion.

The Sketch Up fitted with a Zebra G dip pen nib. (And that crazy grey ink in the bottom right is Pilot Iroshizuku Kiri-Same. I just realized how good that looks….)

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I plan to keep the Kaweco Sketch Up in stock alongside other clutch-style pencils such as the Caran d’Ache Fixpencil and perhaps a few other styles. I’ve long carried one of these as a key highlighting and annotation tool, and the added versatility of using this particular model as a portable dip nib holder for playing around with inks at pen club and pen shows is an added bonus. I may even break out the 5B lead from time to time when I’m drawing with my daughter.

The Sketch Up fitted with the Kakimori Brass dip nib.

The Kaweco Sketch Up starts at $21 for the “Softfeel” black and yellow model (which I chose for my own carry and which is shown in most of the photos here), and runs $38 for the brass version, which will develop a nice patina as it ages. As mentioned, the T.G.S. Curated Shop carries both the pencils and the Kaweco lead refills in both the 5B graphite and the highlighter versions. We are now authorized Kaweco retailers and look forward to stocking more of their pens, pencils, inks and accessories going forward!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Can You Write With a Leadholder? I do!

November 14, 2020

Lead holders or “clutch pencils” are an overlooked and under-appreciated category of stationery, sitting in a strange twilight zone between woodcase and mechanical pencils. Despite many different options on the market, these pencils have garnered a reputation as artist’s or draftman’s tools, unsuitable for writing. That’s actually not the case at all, and I keep several on hand that I use regularly (and almost solely for writing).

Nearly all leadholders use a “clutch” mechanism to hold the lead, meaning that you depress the knock to release the button and the lead drops out via gravity, as opposed to a traditional mechanical pencil in which the lead advances a predetermined d… — Nearly all leadholders use a “clutch” mechanism to hold the lead, meaning that you depress the knock to release the button and the lead drops out via gravity, as opposed to a traditional mechanical pencil in which the lead advances a predetermined distance after each click. After sharpening the lead, you must reopen the clutch and push it back in.

A key difference between a lead holder pencil and a standard mechanical pencil is the diameter of the graphite. Lead holders typically use either 2mm or 3mm leads, whereas your traditional mechanical pencil uses leads with a much smaller diameter ranging from .2mm to .9mm, with the most popular sizes being .5mm or .7mm. If you write with heavier pressure, and find yourself constantly breaking standard mechanical pencil leads, a larger-diameter lead holder pencil will likely suit you better. I also prefer these larger leads because they offer the line variation and legibility of a woodcase pencil. (I’m often told that my handwriting degenerates into an unreadable scrawl when I write with mechanical pencils.)

.2mm lead refills. You refill a lead holder by feeding the lead into the front of the pencil. Most hold one lead at at time.

The downside? The clutch mechanism is a bit clumsier than a standard mechanical pencil, and you need to sharpen a lead holder much like you need to sharpen a woodcase pencil. You typically use a “lead pointer” instead of a standard pencil sharpener, with some lead holders, such as the Caran d’Ache Fixpencil, incorporating a sharpener/pointer into the nock or button. While you won’t have to deal with a large volume of wood shavings, the graphite dust from lead pointers can get messy very quickly. I always try to sharpen directly over a garbage can.

And, yes, some brands make blue and red leads (but these are used mainly for drawing and drafting).

Another consideration when choosing a lead holder is shape and weight. Those intended strictly for drawing and drafting tend to be heavier, and often feature metal knurling on the grip that some find uncomfortable when writing for longer sessions. For this reason, I gravitate towards lead holders that mimic the look and feel of a round or hexagonal woodcase pencil, including Caran d’Ache’s iconic “Fixpencil” pictured above. Fun historical fact: the Fixpencil was originally created as a replacement for standard woodcase pencils due to wartime materials shortages. The idea caught on, and the product has remained in the company’s lineup as one of its longest-running products.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Despite their niche status, leadholders are fairly easy to find. Your local art or office supply store will likely stock leadholders from brands such as Mars and Alvin. Rotring even makes a lead holder version of its Rotring 88 pencil. I currently have three in my personal collection: a Sierra “Slip-On” that I purchased at Kinokuniya in NYC, the “Sostanza” Kickstarter pencil from a few years ago, and a Caran d’Ache Fixpencil.

Because I find them more versatile and among the most comfortable to use for traditional writing, the Fixpencils are my favorite, and for that reason I’ve chosen to stock them in the T.G.S. Curated Shop. I have both the standard matte black Fixpencil with a black, red, or blue button, as well as the Fixpencil 884 or “JR”, which is the same size and comes in blue, red, and green. The different Fixpencil versions are priced at $24.50 and $22.00, respectively. Refill leads are also available in HB, 2H, and 2B.

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized reseller of Caran d’Ache products, as well as any other products featured in the T.G.S. Curated Shop.

Introducing the Sostanza, a new wooden clutch pencil from Sotteranea Officina Sperimentale in Torino, Italy.

Some Kickstarter Inspiration: Sostanza Clutch Pencil

August 13, 2016

I've laid off the pen Kickstarters recently. Last year, the Tactile Turn Gist and the Namisu Nova really were the only two that piqued my interest in any way. A lot of projects now tend to involve designs that either aren't original enough to justify spending $50-100, or "tactical pens" that double as a weapon, which I don't have any use for.

Long story short, I haven't been monitoring Kickstarter as closely as I should have, and I would've missed the Sostanza clutch pencil entirely had the folks at Sotteranea Officina Sperimentale, a design studio located in Torino, Italy, not reached out and asked if I wanted to review their new project.

Design Overview

The Sostanza is a clutch pencil/leadholder. Part of its appeal lies in its simplicity: the pencil consists of only three pieces: the wooden body, the 2mm lead, and a silver ring that fits around the body of the pencil and acts as a clamp that keeps the lead from sliding out the front. It's not quite as simple in its design as the Penxo leadholder, but it's much easier to operate and won't rip your fingernails off when you try to release the lead.

The clutch mechanism on the Sostanza is simple: a split piece of wood held closed by a silver ring.

The pencil comes in various wood grains, including pear, mahogany, black walnut, ebony, and amaranth. (Note that ebony and amaranth are more expensive, being more exotic woods). I opted for the mahogany version. It's beautiful and smells great. All woods are said to have been sustainably harvested. The metal ring is made from sterling silver, but is cast in different tones to match the wood.

The Sostanza tucked inside my Write Notepads Kindred Spirit Edition (which I would advise you to get while supplies last). — The Sostanza tucked inside my Write Notepads Kindred Spirit Edition (which I would advise you to get while supplies last).

What I find interesting about this product is that the creators of the Sostanza appear to be trying to break the assumptions people have about clutch pencils and leadholders: people seem to assume that they are strictly artists' tools that are used for drawing. Instead, the creators of Sostanza have been very careful to refer to the Sostanza as a "wooden pencil that never ends," which to me strongly implies that this pencil is intended to be used as much for writing as it is for design work.

Sostanza is very light and well-balanced.

Sostanza works well as a writing tool. One thing that makes many leadholders unsuitable for long-form writing is their weight: they can be heavy and cause your hand to cramp. That's not an issue here. The Sostanza is extremely light, to the point where I can even comfortably tuck it behind my ear like a standard woodcase pencil. The pencil is also very well balanced, and feels similar to a fat "jumbo-style" woodcase pencil in the hand. Initially, I worried that the metal ring might make for an uncomfortable grip, but I've not had any issues based on how I hold the pencil.

I found the Sostanza very comfortable to hold, with the silver ring causing me no issues.

Pricing/Value

The Kickstarter price for the Sostanza was 25 euros for the Early Bird, 30 euros for the regular reward, and 35 euros for the "deluxe packaging," which is a glass test tube with a cork stopper. I'd stick with the standard packaging: the test tube is cool, but the cork really can't be used as a stand for the Sostanza, as the pictures on Kickstarter imply. Mine kept falling over. While not inexpensive - there are cheaper leadholders and clutch pencils out there - the Sostanza is a unique-looking piece that tries to bring something new to the table.

The Sostanza in its deluxe "test tube" packaging. Shipping from Italy was very fast. The Sostanza made it to me in about a week.

Takeaways

I enjoy clutch pencils, and it's nice to find one that seems like it was made for writers as much as artists and designers. The Sostanza is beautiful and, in my opinion, worth the price. It's made it's way onto my desk at work and I've been using it regularly since it arrived.

The one drawback to the Sostanza is that it's definitely a "desk tool" for me: there's no clip, so it can't easily be transported around, and it's a touch long to fit comfortably in a pen case. Plus it's thin: I don't think Sostanza would survive having much pressure applied to it in the event something accidentally got dropped on my Nock Co. Sinclair, which is where I've been storing the pencil during my review.

If the idea of a leadholder intrigues you, but you either can't wait for the Sostanza to hit the open market, or you'd prefer more of a traditional mechanical-pencil design (including a clip), I'd recommend that you try the Caran d'Ache Fixpencil.

Where to Buy

The Sostanza Kickstarter successfully raised over $12,000, so hopefully we will see this project on the market after the rewards are fulfilled. You can preorder the Sostanza here. Please note that the Sostanza does not ship with either extra 2mm leads or a lead pointer (i.e., a sharpener). I'd recommend Uni 2B Leads and Lead Pointer.

PENXO: "Impressive."

October 10, 2015

So yesterday, this rolled in. I'm not sure what the final verdict will be, but my initial impressions of the PENXO, billed as "the most minimalistic leadholder pencil," are positive. I've never used a leadholder or clutch pencil before, and its interesting. The one thing I really like is that the PENXO, for me, is the same length as a woodcase pencil that has been used and sharpened down to that "perfect length" for my hand. While leadholders typically are used for drawing/drafting, the PENXO works well for daily writing (though I am still trying to figure out what I'm going to do with Darth Vader's lightsaber. For those of you who missed out, PENXO is taking preorders on its website.

For my Kickstarter reward, I chose the Cobalt Blue and "Darth Black" versions.

My Kickstarter add-ons:  24 HB Leads, 12 Read Leads, and 12 Blue Leads; two sharpeners; and an eraser. The packaging in the background is a Retro 51-esque tube. — My Kickstarter add-ons: 24 HB Leads, 12 Read Leads, and 12 Blue Leads; two sharpeners; and an eraser. The packaging in the background is a Retro 51-esque tube.

One comment I do have is that the "clutch" lead-release mechanism takes some getting used to. Machined from aircraft-grade aluminum, the fit is pretty tight, and my thumb is a bit sore from opening the pencil and figuring out how to adjust the lead for sharpening. My sense is that things will loosen up a touch as I use the PENXO more, or I figure out the perfect spot to apply pressure. The embedded video below was released by PENXO, and shows how things work. I will probably update this as I use the pencil more, but I wanted to get my initial thoughts out there. If you're a PENXO backer, and have received your reward, what are your impressions?