I like the Pentel Forte mechanical pencils. I like the thickness and their simple, clean look. They are very made well and will last a long enough time for me. The barrel diameter feels right, the eraser is nice and fat. Good, basic and attractive --the perfect companion to the Pentel Sharp, and maybe more practical. And like most manufacturers, Pentel is happy to discontinue a really good thing forever in favor of newer versions with more bling and gimmickry.
I bought Pentel Forte pencils years ago while they were in production and used them extensively. I do have to admit, though, with the first box of them I had, over the years I lost some of them and the others quit working, mostly due to either clogging or misuse and abuse on my part. But at that time I didn't know I could have easily cleaned them out and gotten them back into working order, so I just tossed them. When I happened to find one of my first ones that had jammed and ended up in the bottom of a box, I cleaned it and easily got it back into top working order. A straight pin or fine piece of stiff wire will quickly clear any clogging on most mechanical pencils.
Pentel's Forte Pro and Pro II line of pencils were good, too. The biggest difference between the Forte and Forte Pro line was the addition of a soft, rubbery grip, which was nice for people who preferred it, although the added soft grip is not important to me on that pencil. The Forte Pro & Pro II lines had an upgraded look that I think was suppose to make them more attractive to buyers, but they're not mechanically better.
The Pentel "Sharp" line of mechanical drafting pencils has stayed in production a long time. I have a lot of them, used them a long time and never had one go bad or clog up. The barrel of The Sharp is more hexagonally shaped and not round like the Forte, but the grip area of the original basic Forte barrel is a little more abrasively textured feeling than the Sharp. The Sharp is more tapered towards the tip, giving the impression it's a thinner pencil, but actually the barrel seems to be the same diameter as the Forte, except for the barrel taper near the end. I took the finger grip off a Forte Pro II that I accidently broke and put it on a Pentel Sharp --it made the Sharp feel and handle like a whole different pencil in a good way (the perfect upgrade). The good thing about the Forte Pro & Pro II finger grip is that it's not too thick or mushy soft --just smooth and firm feeling. I wish Pentel sold just those finger grips; I'd buy a couple dozen of them and put them on all my Pentel Sharps! Biggest problem with the Sharp is that the eraser on them is so tiny that it's impractical and virtually useless. I do think the original Forte is much more attractive pencil.
If I'm going to use a slightly thinner barrel pencil I prefer old or new Autopoints. They also have a thicker jumbo version, too. Vintage Autopoints are built solid as a rock, have a nice weight, and seem to last forever. Plus, the spiral lead-feed mechanism of the vintage Autopoints is virtually problem free. I have Autopoint mechanical pencils up to 60 years old that are still in great shape and, as mechanical pencils go, are solid and virtually indestructible. They'll outlive you and still be around when all the lighter plastic Pentels are long deceased. The vintage Autopoints I have use a 1.1mm or 0.9mm diameter lead. The 1.1mm leads are hard to find in stores and have to be ordered online. Newer Autopoints have a wider variety of lead sizes. Some of the vintage Durolite pencils are virtually identical to the old Autopoints. By the way, the Pentel PDE-1 white eraser refills used in the Forte also fit the vintage Autopoint and Durolite Mechancal pencils perfectly!!!
| Manufacturer | Pentel |
|---|---|
| Brand | Pentel |
| Item Weight | 0.48 ounces |
| Item model number | A57C |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color | Blue |
| Closure | Retractable |
| Grip Type | ergonomic |
| Pencil Lead Degree (Hardness) | HB |
| Material Type | polymer |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Size | 12 Count (Pack of 1) |
| Point Type | Medium |
| Line Size | 0.7 Millimeters |
| Ink Color | Blue |
| Manufacturer Part Number | A57C |
