Pentel Mechanical Pencil, Orenz, with Metal Grip, 0.2mm, Navy (XPP1002G-C)

Works well, better than cheaper ones. Doesn't come with any spare graphite nor erasers. Includes the tool to clear a jam.

It is only personal preference that it does not replace my daily carry as I use different pencils for different situations. My daily carry is a Staedtler iRemedy 0.7mm (which they discontinued - darn them!) because the 0.7 last longer than a 0.5 and wayyyy longer than a 0.2mm plus it is alot less fragile and the iRemedy has a large retractable eraser. When camping or working in the workshop I carry a 0.9 as it stronger still than the 0.7 and I have no worries whatsoever about running out of lead.For fine lines/drawings my goto pencil was a Pentel GraphGear 500 0.3mm. Which worked well but care had to be taken not to break the lead. That was why I had to try out the Orenz with the retractable barrel and for added challenge I dropped down from 0.3mm to 0.2mm.I have to say after using it for a couple of weeks I absolutely love this pencil. The only thing preventing me from hunting down the Orenz 0.7mm as a possible replacement for my iRemedy when it finally breaks is the small eraser (there again - personal preference).The writing is crisp, and very visible. I am able to put alot more writing on a page and do much finer details in my diagrams/drawings. The retractable metal barrel adds additional support for the lead allowing it to deal with forces that would snap the 0.3 and maybe even a 0.5mm lead.Now for the downside of the 0.2mm in general is it does not last long. I can see the metal barrel retract as I am writing a line of text. This is made even worse by my decision to go with a B instead of HB lead but I prefer the darker line. This is not the fault of the Orenz though but it is something anyone considering going to a smaller diameter pencil should take into account.I read a couple of negative reviews of this pencil breaking after a week and initially I almost agreed with them. I used to write until the lead was entirely gone and at that point I had to dismantle the pencil and use the cleaning pin attached to the eraser (Kudos for the decision to include that) to clear the barrel (you need good patience and/or eyesight for this) then reassemble it to get a new lead to finally feed through. Until that was done it seemed broken - I would try and feed a lead but nothing would happen and the barrel would go back in as soon as I touched the paper. What I realized after that was that after adding more lead if the barrel retracted as soon as I touched the paper that the lead was short and needed to be replaced so I started feeding the lead until it showed past the barrel at which point I pinched it with my fingers and pulled the remainder out which allowed the next lead to feed effortlessly. Since that discovery I have had no issues with the pencil whatsoever.So for the pencil itself I give it five stars as I don't think you will find a better 0.2mm out there.Pros: Retractable barrel does an excellent job of protecting the fragile lead.Cons: You have to be a "pencil whisperer" to know when you need to change the lead and prevent having to dismantle the pencil to clean the barrel.

its a good pencil and the fine lead makes my crappy handwriting more legible

Just learned about the Orenz recently and wanted to try it out. Very interesting mechanism...and it works perfectly, if you follow instructions. It seems weird to write with the metal sleeve fully extended, but it sure does work. Mine arrived with a jam in the clutch mechanism but a few minutes using the included cleaning wire and I was back in business. If you don’t know about clearing lead jams go to uTube and watch a few vids...you’ll be an instant expert. Anyway - This blue metal version is really very handsome. And rock solid. I like metal knurling on a grip and the pattern used on this one is very effective without being so sharp as to tear my fingers to shreds. I assume an HB lead is supplied as it writes a medium grey. I think it would be excellent with a B hardness lead.

I like having the ability to create thinner lines (coming from 0.7 mm leads) and the guide pipe is an interesting way to keep lead from breaking. That said, the pen is a little lighter than I was expecting on account of the upper half of the body being plastic and fairly narrow. If there were a wider, all metal version still with the 0.2mm I would definitely make that switch.

could be a little sturdier. don't drop it.

Better than the Orenz Nero for fine leads. The lead sleeve doesn’t drag at all, unlike the Nero. The weight and feel are spot on for both.

The 0.2 mm lead is so thin and fragile, it breaks with the slightest pressure.I tried to refill the one spare lead, unable to do so.I wonder if I can return it.