Pentel guides
14 guides to Pentel products, plus 4 roundups that include Pentel. Brand origin: Japan. Made by ASTRUM Corporation.
Pentel Ain Stein Lead: Sizes, Grades and Strength
Pentel Ain Stein pencil lead explained: 0.2 to 0.9 mm tubes and lead counts, grades, the ceramic cell structure, strength claims and the newer Pentel Ain.
Pentel Pocket Brush Pen: Bristles, Ink & Refills
Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen (GFKP3) explained: nylon bristle brush, waterproof pigment ink, FP10 cartridges, 14 cm size, ink colors and how it compares.
Pentel R.S.V.P.: Fine vs Medium, Refills & Grip
Pentel R.S.V.P. ballpoint explained: 0.7 mm Fine (BK90) and 1.0 mm Medium (BK91), BKL7 and BKL10 refills, 156 mm capped size, RT versions, and where it's made.
Pentel Smash: The 1987 Drafting Pencil With a Grip
Pentel Smash Q1005 mechanical pencil explained: rubber-block metal grip, 4 mm sleeve, 0.3 and 0.5 mm, 139 mm and 12–13 g, limited colors, and how it compares.
Pentel Graph 1000 for Pro: The Light Drafting Pencil
Pentel Graph 1000 for Pro drafting pencil explained: the PG1005 from 1986, 0.3 to 0.9 mm models, 4 mm sleeve, 11 g weight, vs the GraphGear 1000, and origin.
Pentel Hi-Polymer Eraser ZEH10: Size, Sleeve & Uses
Pentel Hi-Polymer eraser ZEH10 explained: 65 × 24.5 × 12.5 mm, latex-free, AP nontoxic, the sleeve, packs, how it compares to Mars plastic, where it's made.
Pentel Quicker Clicker: The Side-Button Mechanical Pencil
Pentel Quicker Clicker mechanical pencil explained: the side button that feeds lead, PD345, PD347 and PD349 lead sizes, 5.7 in size, eraser and origin.
Pentel Sharp Kerry: The Capped Pocket Pencil Since 1971
Pentel Sharp Kerry mechanical pencil explained: the capped 0.5 mm P1035 from 1971, how the posted cap clicks the lead, 12.4 cm size, eraser and origin.
Pentel Orenz: The Sliding-Sleeve Pencil, 0.2–0.7 mm
Pentel Orenz mechanical pencil explained: how its sliding sleeve protects 0.2 mm lead, US models PP502 to PP507, 145 mm length, 10 g and where it's made.
Pentel Sign Pen: The 1963 Fiber-Tip Pen Explained
Pentel Sign Pen S520 explained: the acrylic fiber tip, 0.8–1.0 mm line, water-based ink, size and weight, its 1963 and Gemini history, and where it's made.
Pentel Sharp P205: The Classic 0.5 mm Drafting Pencil
Pentel Sharp P205 mechanical pencil explained: the 0.5 mm model of the P200 series since 1970, barrel colors by lead size, 4 mm sleeve, size, and origin.
Pentel Twist-Erase III: The Twist-Up Eraser Pencil
Pentel Twist-Erase III mechanical pencil explained: QE515, QE517 and QE519 lead sizes, how the twist-up eraser works, E10 refills, grip, and where it's made.
Pentel GraphGear 1000: Retractable Drafting Pencil
Pentel GraphGear 1000 explained: 0.3 to 0.9 mm models (PG1013–PG1019), the retractable 4 mm sleeve, metal grip, 20 g weight, lead and where it's made.
Pentel EnerGel RTX: Liquid Gel Ink, Tips & Refills
Pentel EnerGel RTX explained: liquid gel ink, 0.3–1.0 mm needle and metal tips, LR and LRN refills, RTX vs Pearl vs EnerGel-X, and where it's made.
Best Pens of All Time (2027): 10 Icons Since 1941
The best pens of all time, judged on documented sales, years in production and firsts: BIC Cristal, Parker 51, Jotter, Montblanc 149, Fisher Space Pen and more.
Best Gel Pens for 2027: G2, EnerGel, Sarasa & More
The best gel pens compared by use: Pilot G2, Pentel EnerGel, Hi-Tec-C, Sharpie S-Gel, FriXion, ZENTO, Signo 207 and Sarasa Clip. Tip sizes, ink, refills, price.
Best Mechanical Pencils for 2027: 8 Picks Compared
The best mechanical pencils compared: GraphGear 1000, rOtring 600, Kuru Toga, Orenz, DelGuard, P205, Twist-Erase III and BIC, with lead sizes and test rules.
Best Pens for Left-Handed Writers (2027): 6 Picks
The best pens for left-handed writers compared: Pentel EnerGel, Zebra Sarasa Dry, Jetstream, Acroball, LAMY safari LH and Micron, with dry-time claims and tests